The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives the public a general right of access to many kinds of information held by public authorities, including Craigavon Borough Council. The aim of the Act is to increase openness and accountability in the public sector.
Under the Act, anyone seeking information from the Council has:
- The right to be told whether or not the Council holds the information being requested
- The right to have that information provided to them
Any information held by Council is potentially eligible for release but certain categories of information may be protected, for example, personal information or commercially sensitive information.
Publication Scheme
A great deal of information is already publicly available from Council without having to make a special request for it. Craigavon Borough Council has adopted the model publication scheme prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner. The scheme will be valid until further notice.
The publication scheme commits an authority 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.
The scheme commits an authority :
- To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information including environmental information which is held by the authority and falls within the classifications below.
- To specify the information which is held by the authority 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 in 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.
Classes of Information
- Who we are and what we do - organizational information, locations and contacts, 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 decisions, decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations
- Our policies and procedures - current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities
- Lists and registers - information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority
- The services we offer - advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.
Further details on the types of information available and how to access it are given in our guide. To download a copy, please Click Here.
Information which may be excluded
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.
The method by which information published under this Scheme will be made available
The authority will indicate clearly to the public what information is covered by this scheme and how it can be obtained.
Where possible, information will be provided on our website. Where it is impracticable to make information available on a website or when an individual does not wish to access the information by the website, we will indicate how information can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.
In exceptional circumstances some information may only be available by viewing in person. Where this manner is specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.
Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally required. Where we are legally required to translate any information, we will do so.
Obligations under disability and equality legislation and any other legislation to provide information is other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with this scheme.
Charges which may be made for information published under this Scheme
The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.
Material will is published and accessed on a website will be provided free of charge.
Charges may be made for information subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament or the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Charges may be made for actual costs incurred such as:
- Photocopying
- Postage and packaging
- The costs directly incurred as a result 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 schedule of fees which is readily available to the public.
If a charge is made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.
Written Requests
Information held by the 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.
How can I make a request?
If you want to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act, please note that your request
- Must be in writing (this can include e-mail or fax)
- Must state clearly what information is required
- Must state your name and address so that we can contact you
You can send your request
By post to: Freedom of Information, Craigavon Borough Council, Civic Centre, Lakeview Road, Craigavon BT64 1AL or
By e-mail to
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By fax to 028 3831 2444
When Council receives your request, it must respond as soon as possible and not later than 20 working days after receiving the request. Council must confirm or deny that it holds the information requested and either provide the information or explain why it has not been provided.
In some cases, Council may charge a fee for providing information, but where this applies you will be informed in advance so that you can decide whether to proceed with your request.
Request Form
If you wish, you may Click Here to download a Freedom of Information request form. (Please note that you are not required to use this form to submit your request. You may submit a request in any written format).
