Dartmoor National Park Authority

Publication Scheme Under Freedom of Information Act 2000 of the

Dartmoor National Park Authority
Parke
Bovey Tracey NEWTON ABBOT
Devon TQ13 9JQ

1. Introduction

1.1 The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (external link, opens new window) requires all public authorities, which includes Dartmoor National Park Authority, to adopt and maintain a publication scheme.

1.2 This is the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s scheme under the Act. The purpose of the scheme is to let people know what information will be automatically, or routinely, published by the Authority.

1.3 Because this is a new requirement on public authorities, it is the Authority’s intention to review this first publication scheme in 2004. Thereafter it is anticipated that the publication scheme would be reviewed and submitted to the Information Commissioner every three years.

2 Responsibilities

2.1 The Dartmoor National Park Authority is a local government body established by the Environment Act 1995 (external link, opens new window) and has:

• two statutory purposes:
  to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park;
  to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of those areas by the public; and
• a duty
  in pursuing these purposes to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities with the National Park.

2.2 The Authority is also the local planning authority under the Town and County Planning Act 1990 (external link, opens new window) for the whole of the area designated as a national park.

3. Classes of Information

3.1 This publication scheme is a ‘guide’ to the information that the Dartmoor National Park Authority routinely publishes or intends to publish routinely. The Freedom of Information Act, 2000 (external link,opens new window) requires the Authority to specify classes of information and the following six classes or categories have been identified:

• the Authority and its constitution
• Authority finances
• Authority policies
• Authority decisions
• Authority performance and services
• Authority news

4. Exemption

4.1 In preparing this scheme, regard has been paid to the public interest. The Authority has always followed a presumption in favour of openness and has only limited public and press access to meetings and connected papers in those few instances where confidential or exempt information is likely to be discussed. In formulating this scheme the Authority seeks to continue this policy as follows:

• exemptions where the public interest test applies. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis and the balance will be in favour of disclosure;
• those which are absolute exemptions.

4.2 The scheme and the new legislation does not limit in any way other rights that people have to information, nor does it limit in any way the very large amount of information we otherwise publish outside the scheme, both by way of publications and on our web site. Therefore planning applications will continue to be available for public inspection. Additionally we will continue publishing a large amount of information by way of guidance or assistance about various services on a routine basis.

4.3 Some of the information that we hold is personal and private to individuals and is not dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (external link, opens new window) but is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998 (external link, opens new window). The Freedom of Information Act  2000 will not be making public private and confidential information about people’s private arrangements with the Authority. The individual concerned however, does have access to that information under the Data Protection Act 1998. In other words your private affairs and business with the Authority on an individual basis are not the subject of this publication scheme.

5 Other Information

5.1 The Authority has appointed its Performance Monitoring Officer, who is based at Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 9JQ. (Tel. 01626 832093, Fax. 01626 834684) as the officer responsible for this scheme on behalf of the Authority and also as responsible for maintaining the scheme on a day-to-day basis.

5.2 This publication scheme will be made available:

• on our website and at our Information Centres
• to libraries situated throughout the National Park
• by publishing in the Authority’s newspaper, the Dartmoor Visitor
• to each of the town and parish councils situated within the National Park In deciding to publish in this way we have had regard to the geographical nature of the Authority’s area, issues of access and public interest.

5.3 The publication scheme and the documents to which it refers are available in the first language of the National Park, namely English. If people have any difficulty with other languages and/or with access or require large print or otherwise require particular assistance, they are invited to contact the Authority’s Performance Monitoring Officer.

5.4 No charge will be made by the Authority for examining the information within the publication scheme. A charge may be made at rates determined from time to time by the Authority for any photocopies sought.

5.5 This publication scheme does not refer to any other executive agencies. In other words the information it defines and classifies relates to the Dartmoor National Park Authority only.

6 Feedback and Comments

This publication scheme is part of an on-going process aimed at improving the openness and accessibility. In order to assist us we would welcome your comments and suggestions, in writing, about the scheme. You can contact us at the above address or via our corporate e-mail: hq@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk .

7 Further Information About Freedom of Information:

The information Commissioner’s site www.dataprotection.gov.uk (external link, opens new window) includes a general introduction and information about the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Other contact information is:

Information Commission
Wycliffe House
Water Lane, Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

Tel No: 01635 545745
Fax No: 01625 524510
E-mail:  data@dataprotection.gov.uk

View this document in PDF Format:

• Freedom of Information Scheme PDF (PDF Help 14kb)

APPENDIX

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Publication Scheme

Classes of Information

TITLE	DEFINITION	EXPLANATION	AVAILABILITY
The Authority and its Constitution	The constitution of the Authority pursuant to the Environment Act 1995 (external link, opens new window). The code of conduct and declarations of interest by Members.	These are documents that relate to the standing orders and workings of the Authority, its committees and its scheme of delegation, including the conduct and interests disclosures of Members.	Parke Bovey Tracey
Authority Finances	Budget for 2002/03 and succeeding financial years. Annual Statement of Accounts for 2001/02 and succeeding financial years. The External Audit report for 2001/02 and succeeding financial years.	The operation of the Authority’s finances on an income and expenditure basis and its balance sheet at the end of the financial year.	Parke Bovey Tracey
Authority Policies	The policy framework within which the Authority operates.	All the strategies and policies approved by the Authority, statutory or otherwise. For example and including National Park Management Plan and Local Plan.	Parke Bovey Tracey and on our website
Authority Decisions	Authority and Committee Agenda and Minutes EXCEPT items falling within Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972 as amended from time to time.	The reports and decisions of the Authority and its Committees except exempt information.	Parke Bovey Tracey and on our website
Authority Performance and Services	Business Plan which includes Best Value Performance Plan for 2002 and succeeding years. Details of all the services provided by the Authority.	An annual document which reviews performance across service areas including comparative figures. Contacts for each area of service activity.	Parke Bovey Tracey and Visitor Centres and on our website
Authority News	The Authority’s free newspaper, the Dartmoor Visitor and press releases issued by the Authority.	Information issued to inform and update the public.	Parke Bovey Tracey and Visitor Centres and on our website.