Click Here to view CYCFreedom information - our Freedom Of Information Software
Under the National Framework Agreement for the Freedom Of Information Act GSA’s Freedom of Information solution ‘CycFreedom’ has been selected as one of the four GCAT approved solution providers to meet the Act. Click here for further information.
From 1st January 2005, anyone from anywhere in the world, will have the right to request any information from any public authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland using the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA). Similar legislation also applies in Scotland.
The Freedom of Information Act gives individuals two basic rights:
- To ask any organisation covered by the Act what information it has on any specified subject.
- If the organisation has the information, copies must be provided unless the information is legally exempt from disclosure.
Authorities are obliged to advise individuals what information it has and reply within 20 working days. If the authority cannot provide the information, it must advise the individual what it has.
FoI requests have to be in written form and email is an acceptable format. The Freedom of Information Act allows for individuals to request information without explaining why they want the information. Authorities also have no right to ask for a reason. These rights apply to everyone, not just UK citizens.
The FOIA also significantly extends rights under the Data Protection Act. Currently individuals are allowed access to electronic personal data and so-called ‘structured personal data’ held in manual files, such as medical and personnel records. From 1st January 2005 individuals can also see ‘unstructured personal data’ held by public authorities, which could include, for example, notes and memos.
Freedom of Information in the Public Sector
The FoIA covers almost all public authorities. It is estimated that there are around 80-100,000 organisations that this covers (there are of course a few exceptions). The Freedom of Information Act is retrospective, so applies to historical documentation as well as that generated after January 1st 2005.
CycFreedom can also be used to help Public authorities with the three main obligations:
1. Maintain publication schemes for the proactive release of information.
2. Confirm or deny to applicants/requestors whether they hold information not covered by the publication scheme.
3. To disclose the information to applicants, providing it is not exempt under the Freedom of Information Act.
Although the Freedom of Information Act allows individuals the right of access to most information held by public authorities, some information remains protected. There are two types of exemptions with FoI, absolute and qualified. Almost all qualified requests will require a judgement to be made on whether release of the information will prejudice the interests specified in the particular exemption.
Sometimes only part of the information contained in a document will be exempt. In those circumstances an authority can release the document with the exempt sections redacted (blanked out). This can be done using the redaction and version control facility within CycFreedom.
Geoff Smith Associates are more than happy to discuss any requirements you may have. Please feel free to contact a member of the GSA Team on 01455 299100 or email sales@gsaltd.com