The Freedom of Information Act 2000 became law on the 1 January 2005. The Act does two main things:
- It aims to promote greater openness to information held by public authorities, including local authorities. It gives members of the public a general right of access to all types of recorded information
- The Act also requires public authorities to have an approved Publication Scheme which is a means of providing access to information which an authority proactively publishes
What is a Publication Scheme?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Council to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information and whether a charge will be made for the information. It is not a list of all the publications produced or held by the Council. It is intended as a directory of the "classes", groups or categories of information routinely available to the public and how to obtain further information. It is important to note, however, that whilst Surrey Heath Borough Council holds and makes available literature produced by other organisations such as charities and central government, the Council does not publish it and its availability will be outside the Council's control.
If you cannot find the information you want in the Publication Scheme you can submit an online request here or a written request can be submitted to foi@surreyheath.gov.uk Surrey Heath Borough Council, Surrey Heath House, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3HD.
For information on how to make a request use one of the following links:
Freedom of Information Complaints Procedure
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your request for information, you can follow our FOI Complaints Process
Functions of Surrey Heath Borough Council
The Council is one of many organisations providing services for people who live in, work in or visit the Borough. The Council is in an area of two-tier local government, which means that there is a County Council. In general terms, Surrey County Council is responsible for education, social services, libraries, consumer protection, roads and transport. Any FOI queries on services provided by the County Council should be directed to the County Council's FOI email: foi@surreycc.gov.uk Contact Centre on 03456 009009.
Surrey Heath Borough Council is responsible for refuse collection, street cleansing, parks and open spaces, several leisure venues including a museum, housing advice (although the Council no longer maintains a housing stock), planning policy and conservation, building and development control and enforcement, environmental health, council tax collection, council tax and housing benefits, electoral registration, land charges, licensing and car parks.