Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives a general right of access to the information the Council holds. Anyone making a request for information must be told whether the Council has that information, and subject to any exemptions or restrictions, be supplied that information. The Act comes into full force in 2005. The Freedom of Information Act extends the rights of access already given to the public by the Data Protection Act 1998.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, all councils are required to produce and maintain a scheme setting out the information each publishes or intends to publish. This scheme must be approved by the Information Commissioner, contact details of which are set out at the end of this document.
The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that significant amounts of information are made available without the need for a specific request, in line with the Government’s aim of encouraging public bodies to publish more information and develop an open culture.
The aim of this publication scheme is:
•To set out what information the District Council publishes or intends to publish as a matter of course
•How this information will be published
•If the information will be available free of charge or on payment of a fee.
•Standard photocopying fee will apply for supply of certain information at a cost of 10 pence per -side of copy for A4 documents.
The publication scheme divides information into broad classes set out in this document. The information referred to in the various classes will be available in a variety of forms ranging from printed copies to electronic versions. The vast majority of information published under this scheme is free of charge, but where a charge is made this fee will be made clear. Cheques for the fee should be made payable to East Devon District Council. Contact the named service or officer highlighted in bold for the information listed. The Council aim to deal with requests within 20 working days. If we cannot meet this you will be advised of when the information will be supplied. This may occur where demand for certain publications exceeds the Council’s expectations.
East Devon District Council is committed to reviewing and updating the information held, and therefore will amend the publication scheme as necessary to reflect changes in information. Overall responsibility of the scheme is held by the Chief Executive. The scheme is maintained by the Senior Policy Officer, Policy Team, Central Services Directorate.
| BENEFIT ADVICE | Manner of publication & availability | Fee |
| Fraud advice | Follow link to benefit fraud webpage about the types of fraud and how to report them. | Nil |
| Benefits advice and information | Leaflets covering all aspects of claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit available from the Housing Benefits Reception and all benefit surgeries. For general advice on benefits follow link to housing benefits webpage which includes how to apply and a benefit calculator, and to download a Housing Benefit Claim Form. |
Nil |
| COMMUNITY SAFETY | Manner of publication & availability | Fee |
| Crime and Disorder – objectives and strategy only | Available in printed form from the Community Safety Officer: the Crime and Disorder Strategy for tackling issues of crime and anti-social behaviour in East Devon Download the Minutes of the East and Mid Devon Community Safety Partnership for the last 12 months |
Nil |
| Byelaws | Local authority byelaws and regulations made under various legislation available in printed form from the Legal Section or download from the Byelaws and Orders webpage | Standard copy charge |
| BUSINESS | Manner of publication & availability | Fee |
| Licensing & Permits – exemption applies for the detail of personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998, bar details which are legally available for public inspection | Available for public inspection through the Licensing Section: Hackney Carriage Licence and Driver Register; Private Hire Drivers Register; conditions covering hackney and private and their byelaws; public entertainment conditions including theatres and cinemas. Printed copy of list of Public Entertainment Licensed Premises available but the names and addresses of licence holders is exempt under the DPA 1998. Guidance on other matters such as lottery registration and street collections also available Available from the Environmental Health section: guidance on sanitary facilities; registration of food premises; design of kitchens in food premises in printed form |
Nil |
| Buildings, Premises & Planning | Available in printed form, the Asset Management list detailing assets held by the Council with a brief description, from the Economic Development section Details of insurance policies (but not the policies) in respect of the Council’s assets, buildings and services available in printed form from the Accountancy Section. Individual policies relating to specific claims may be inspected by appointment. Maps showing the extent of the Council’s landholdings across the District, including deed packs also available from the Senior Legal Assistant are available in print or electronically |
Nil |
| Economy | Minutes from the East Devon Business Forum Available from the Principal Accountant, the Council’s annual accounts, estimates and strategy on capital expenditure; fees and charges levied by the Council, available in printed form. |
Nil |
| COMMUNITY & LIVING | Manner of publication & availability | Fee |
| Burials – exemption applies to personal information on living individuals under the Data Protection Act 1998 | Available from the Licensing Section detail on the purchased and public graves. Personal information relating to living individuals is exempt and will not be disclosed. Search for detail from the Cemetery registers Certified copy of search result |
£21 £13 |
| Community – strategy for improving quality of life | Available from the East Devon Public Involvement Coordinator (01404 549988) the East Devon Community Plan, produced by the Healthier Communities Forum | Nil |
Leisure & Living exemption applies for the detail of personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998 |
Available from the Arts Development Officer of the Communities Directorate – information on artists and galleries in East Devon in the form of a printed directory. | Nil |
| COUNCIL AND DEMOCRACY | Manner of publication & availability | |
| About your Council | The EDDC Constitution, available in printed form available from Democratic Services. Detail on performance of the council, from our Comprehensive Performance Assessment. |
Standard copy charge |
| Committees – exemptions may apply for sensitive information. | Agendas and minutes of committee meetings available from Democratic Services in printed form, or from the agendas and minutes webpage. Parts of agendas and minutes will be exempt under Section 100(a)(4) Local Government Act 1972. Also available are committee timetables and the membership of those committees. |
Standard copy charge |
| Decisions | Forward Plan showing key decisions to be taken in the forthcoming months, updated monthly; Record of those decisions taken. | Nil |
| Facts and Figures | Available from the Principal Accountant, the Council’s annual accounts, estimates and strategy on capital expenditure; fees and charges levied by the Council; annual list of payments made to all Councillors | Standard copy charge |
| Parish Council contact information | List of the Town and Parish Councils with contact details for each Clerk | Nil |
| Elections | The electoral roll is available to be inspected by appointment with the Electoral Services section, for individuals to check their own details; but is not available in printed copy at present. Information about being on the electoral roll and on postal and proxy voting is available in leaflet form from the Electoral Services section. Results from local elections for the past year are published on the Elections webpage. |
Nil |
| Council Tax – advice and information | General guidance on payment and legislation administration of Council Tax including leaflets available from the Council Tax Section | Nil |
| ENVIRONMENT | Manner of publication & availability | |
| Animals | Information on dog fouling and beaches open to dogs Conditions for boarding animals; pet shop; riding establishment; zoo; guidelines on gull and pigeon – all available from the Environmental Health section |
Nil |
| Waste Management & Recycling | Service information available in printed form from the Street Scene division for collections of waste and recycling; recycling guidance; service information on removal of abandoned vehicles | Nil |
| Pest Control | Advice on risks from Leptospirosis (from rats) in leaflet form from the Environmental Health section Guidelines on gull and pigeon – available from the Environmental Health section |
Nil |
| Land & Buildings | Service information available from the Street Scene division on beaches and foreshores Available in printed form, the Asset Management list detailing assets held by the Council with a brief description, from the Economic Development section Available from Building Control in printed form, scheme for recovery of Building Regulations costs; building control handbook, leaflets on guidance notes on building regulations. Insurance policies in respect of the Council’s assets, buildings and services available in printed form from the Accountancy section Maps showing the extent of the Council’s landholdings across the District, including deed packs also available from the Senior Legal Assistant are available in print or electronically |
|
| Planning | Available from Planning Policy in printed form: East Devon Local Plan - complete revised deposit version containing the council’s policies and proposals for use of district land until 2011. Hard copy can be purchased but incurrs a £10 postage fee. Contact the Planning Policy section for further information on Specific Planning Guidance documents and Studies Development Control advice Recent planning applications are available at the Council Offices for inspection – please contact Planning Reception Decision notice copy for any planning application Tree Preservation Order copy for any order Section 106 copy Listed Building Description copy Plans for applications various copy sizes ranging in cost from £2.00 per sheet for A3 to £10.00 per sheet for A0.
Land Search please refer to the Land Charge Section for fee depending on type of search being carried out. |
£55 Standard copy charges apply |
| Noise advice | Advice on dealing with noise nuisance from the Environmental Health section, in leaflet form | Nil |
| Advice & Information | Advice on care when having a bonfire, in leaflet form. | Nil |
| HOUSING | Manner of publication & availability | |
| Council Housing – advice and information. Personal data relating to individual applicants for Council Housing is exempt. | Available from the Housing Needs Section, detail and advice on the Allocations Policy in printed form; includes guide to the Housing Register, the allocation procedure, blank tenancy agreement (detail of individual applications is exempt as per the Data Protection Act 1998). Also available is the list of Housing Associations and Lettings Agents used. Available from the Tenant Participation Officer in printed form: Tenants Charter explaining housing services and the rights of tenants; other tenant participation information available including structure diagram Handbook for Residents; Housing newsletter and Partnership News from the Tenant Customer Panel |
Nil |
| Benefits, Grants and Assistance | Available in printed form from the Housing Client Services, conditions of Housing Grant | Nil |
| Homelessness – advice and information. Personal data relating to individual applicants is exempt. | Available from the Housing Needs section in printed form, the appeal procedure and the Homelessness Policy | Nil |
| Advice & Information | Available in printed form from the Environmental Health section, licence conditions for caravans and tents | Nil |
| Building Houses | Development Control advice Available from Building Control in printed form the Building Control Handbook |
Nil |
| JOB AND CAREERS | Manner of publication & availability | |
| Working in Local Government | information on current job vacancies available both in printed form from Human Resources | Nil |
| Advice and Information | Available from Human Resources :employment conditions and policies including Equal Opportunities | Standard copy charge |
| LEISURE | Manner of publication & availability | |
| Parks, Gardens & Open Spaces | Available from the Street Scene division, printed on request, service information on the maintenance and works to the Council’s parks & gardens | Standard copying charge |
| Art, History and Museums | Available from the Arts Development Officer of the Communities Directorate – information on artists and galleries in East Devon in the form of a printed directory | Standard copying charge |
| NEWS | Manner of publication & availability | |
| Press Releases | Press releases for the current year are available on request | Standard copying charge |
| Council News | The Knowledge weekly newsletter - update of Council business and decisions taken. This is available in print from Democratic Services. Housing newsletter and Partnership News from the Tenant Customer Panel |
Nil |
| TRANSPORT & STREETS | Manner of publication & availability | |
| Roads | Operational information for Street Cleansing | Standard copying charge |
| Parking | Available from the Principal Accountant, fees and charges levied by the Council for car parks and parking permits in printed form. Information on how to purchase a car park permit |
Standard copying charge |
