Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 became law on the 30th November 2000. It is intended to create a culture of openness and accountability across the public sector by making available information proactively through a Publication Scheme. A publication scheme is a document which describes the information a public authority publishes, or intends to publish. In this context ‘publish’ means to make information available routinely. These descriptions are called ‘classes of information’. The scheme is not a list of the actual publications, because this will change as new material is published or existing material revised. It is, however, the public authority’s commitment to make available the information described. A publication scheme must set out the classes, or categories, of information published. It must also make clear how the information described can be accessed and whether or not charges will be made.
This Publication Scheme has been designed based on a model approved by the Information Commissioner.
This Publication Scheme commits Middlesbrough College to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned below, where this information is held by Middlesbrough College.
The scheme commits Middlesbrough College:
- To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including environmental information, which is held by Middlesbrough College and falls within the classifications below.
- To specify the information which is held and falls within the classifications below.
- To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme.
- To produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by members of the public.
- To review and update on a regular basis the information the authority makes available under this scheme.
- To produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available.
- To make this Publication Scheme available to the public.
- To publish any dataset held by the authority that has been requested, and any updated versions it holds, unless the authority is satisfied that it is not appropriate to do so.
Classes of Information
Who we are and what we do
Organisational information, constitutional and legal governance.
What we spend and how we spend it
Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement, and contracts.
What our priorities are and how we are doing
Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections, and reviews.
How we make decisions
Policy proposals and decision.
Our policies and procedures
Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities
Lists and registers
Information held in registers required by law.
- Compliance Obligation List – available on request
The services we offer
Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions, and media releases. A description of the services offered.
The classes of information will not generally include:
- Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure.
- Information in draft form.
- Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage or is difficult to access for similar reasons.
Charges may be made for actual disbursements incurred such as:
- photocopying
- postage and packaging
- the costs directly incurred because of viewing information
Charges may also be made for information provided under this scheme where they are legally authorised, they are in all the circumstances, including the general principles of the right of access to information held by public authorities, justified and are in accordance with a published schedule or schedules of fees which is readily available to the public.
If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.
Information held by a public authority that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing, when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
The College is obliged to respond in writing within 20 working days to specific requests from any individual. You can expect the College, in its response, to state whether it holds information of the type requested, and, if so, then, subject to certain exemptions (including Data Protection principles), communicate it to you.
The College may make a reasonable charge for actual disbursements incurred for information which is not available on its website to cover administration, photocopying, postage and packing or to cover the costs of converting information to a preferred format.
The College may refuse a request if the cost of providing the information is over £450 or if the information is otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. You will be asked if you want to proceed with a request before work is done that will attract a charge.
To process a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act, the College requires your name and full postal address. Please email your request to p.moody@mbro.ac.uk, or alternatively make your request by post to:
Paul Moody
Executive Director of Policy, Funding and Management (Freedom of Information Officer)
Middlesbrough College
Dock Street
Middlesbrough TS2 1AD
The College’s Freedom of Information Publication Scheme and related documents can also be requested from the above address.
More information about the Freedom of Information Act is available on the Information Commissioner’s website.
Please note that Scotland has its own Freedom of Information Act and Information Commissioner. For more information please see the Scottish Executive’s website.
If you feel you have not received a good service in line with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, please contact raise a formal complaint – details of the complaint procedure can be found on our Legal page.