Introduction to the Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) received royal assent on 30 November 2000. It establishes a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. The right to access information came into force on 1st January 2005. From that date onwards, you are entitled, on making a request in writing:
- To be informed in writing whether the VTS holds the information you have requested, and to have that information communicated to you.
- There are categories of information described in the Act that may be exempt from disclosure, and the right of access may not extend to these. Each request will be considered on its own merits.
The information has to be provided within a 20-day time limit, and there may be charges associated with processing requests. The right to charge for prescribed costs and disbursements remains at the discretion of the VTS and applicants will be advised of any charges upon receipt of a request.
Please note that information provided on the VTS website and VTS Publication Scheme is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Publication Scheme
Section 19 of the FOIA requires public authorities to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme, which is essentially a guide to the information they will proactively disclose. The purpose of the Publication Scheme is to ensure that a large amount of information is readily available to members of the public without the need for a specific request, and to inform the public of the extent of the material that is available.
The FOIA states that within their Publication Schemes, public authorities must specify:
- The classes of information which they publish or intend to publish
- The manner in which information in each class is or is intended to be published
- Whether the material is or is intended to be available free of charge or on payment
The classes of information within the Scheme do include exempt information. Examples of exempt information are information received in confidence and information that could prejudice law enforcement or the commercial activities of the VTS if disclosed.
The main website will provide you with further information about the VTS and the services its provides.
Charging for publications
Within each class of information we have indicated whether a fee will be charged for the information.
The classes of information fall into one of the categories below:
(i) Free of charge on website - for those without internet access, a single print out as on the website would be available by contacting the telephone number listed below. However, requests for multiple print outs will attract a charge for the cost of retrieval, photocopy, postage and administration. We will inform you of the cost at the time of your request; and the fee will need to be paid in advance.
(ii) Chargeable hard copy - glossy bound booklets and brochures will be charged for. All of the information within the VTS Publication Scheme is available free to download, but booklets in hard copy will incur a fee. We will inform you of the fee in advance.
All of the information within the VTS Scheme can be downloaded free of charge from the VTS website. If you wish to receive information on hard copy via the post please contact Diane Russell at the Chief Executive's Office, Valuation Tribunal Service, Block One, Angel Square, 1 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NY or email: foi@vto.gsx.gov.uk.
Copyright
The material available through this Publication Scheme is subject to Crown copyright unless otherwise indicated. Crown copyright material (other than the Royal Arms and Departmental or Agency logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium, provided it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading manner. Where any of the Crown copyright items in this Scheme are being re-published or copied to others, you must identify the source of the material and acknowledge the copyright status.
For material not available on the Home Office website or where there is a restriction on use, an application for a licence to reproduce the material concerned should be made to:
HMSO Copyright Unit
St Clements House
20-16 Colegate
Norwich
NR3 1BQ
Tel. 01603 723020
Fax. 01603 723000
E-mail: copyright@hmso.gov.uk
Permission to reproduce Crown protected material does not extend to any material accessed through the Publication Scheme that is in the copyright of third parties. You must obtain authorisation to reproduce such material from the copyright holders concerned.
Classes of information
The Scheme contains broad topic areas to help you find the information you are looking for. Within each topic area there are identifiable classes of information that the VTS publishes or intends to publish. Under each class of information you will find:
- A description of the information that is available within the class, with an accompanying definition which provides more detail about the contents of the documents
- The manner in which it is made available, for example web-site or by post
- Details of any charges for providing the information
Information falling into the classes will be retained in line with the Home Office's retention and disposal schedules, which comply with Public Record Office guidance.