Middlesbrough College Publication Scheme
Middlesbrough College Bespoke Publication Scheme

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Summary

(For the full introduction please read pages 1-5 of the College Publication Scheme, pages 6-36 describe the "published" information available.)
The Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) 2000, gives a general right of public access to all types of 'recorded' information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that general right, and places a number of obligations on public authorities. The Act is enforced by the Information Commissioner, who oversees both Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation.
There are two main responsibilities under the Act:
1 - Public authorities must produce a 'publication scheme' which is, in essence, a guide to the information they hold that is made available to the public as a matter of routine, such as prospectuses, almanacs and websites. Each authority's publication scheme must be approved by the Information Commissioner.
2 - Public authorities must deal with individual requests for information. The Freedom of Information Act permits individuals access to all other types of non-personal information that public authorities hold, subject to specific exemptions in the Act.

The Publication Scheme

This sets out the classes of information the institution publishes the manner in which the information is published details of any charges. Once approved, most information to be published will be available on the College Website. In deciding what information should be included in the scheme, the college has considered the general public interest in allowing access to information and the public interest in making available the reasons behind the decisions.

Requests for Information

Any individual will be able to make a request to an institution for information. The individual does not have to be the subject of that information, or be affected by its holding or use. If an individual is the subject of that information then the principles of the Data Protection Act to protect the data subject will take precedence over any FoIA right. (See Data Protection Act Subject Access Policy)
The Act gives applicants two related rights:

• to be told whether the information is held by the institution.
• to receive the information, where possible in the manner requested.

How to Request Information

Please contact -
Richard Atkinson - Assistant Principal
Marketing, Communication, Registry and Admissions (Clerk to the Corporation)
Middlesbrough College
Dock Street
TS2 1AD

or email foi@mbro.ac.uk

Please include the fee due (if applicable) with your request = £25 per item.

Please note - the published information is current as of 1st January 2005.