Freedom of Information Requests
Newbury Town Council adopted the Model Publication Scheme, through the Policy & Resources Committee meeting on the 13/06/2022, and has published a supporting “Model Publication Scheme - NTC Compliance”.
Both documents can be found on the Policies and Procedures section of the NTC website, or available on request from the Town Hall.
The Freedom of Information Act requires local Councils to make available any information held by the Council that is not covered by the Data Protection Act or is not in the public interest to distribute.
Newbury Town Council fully supports the aims of the Act and does all it can to make information readily available through its website. The Council encourages all residents to come to its meetings, which are usually held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall (the agendas are always published on the Town Council’s notice board and on the meetings section of the NTC website).
As per the Council’s adopted Model Publication Scheme, Newbury Town Council will ensure that, “the maximum amount of information [is] readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by the authority for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.” Newbury Town Council is willing to divulge any information on request, in accordance with the act.
All inquiries should be addressed in the first instance to Chief Executive Officer who will endeavour to find a way to provide the information at no charge. Where there is a statutory requirement to charge then the Council reserves the right to make a charge in accordance with the relevant legislation. Material published and available on the Council website will be provided free of charge.
Any printed, physical, hardcopy of any information will also be provided free of charge and can be requested either in person or by contacting the Council. Where multiple physical copies of the same information are requested, the Council will reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee to cover its costs – 50 pence per addition copy.