England's Regional Development Agencies Publication Scheme

Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires every public authority to adopt and maintain a publication scheme which relates to the publication of information by the authority and publish information in accordance with its publication scheme. In addition section 20 of the Act allows public authorities falling within particular classes to produce model publication schemes. 
 
As the nine English RDAs have similar remit and therefore fall within particular classes this publication scheme is a model scheme drawn up under sections 19 and 20 of the Act. The purpose of this publication scheme is to set out:

• The classes of information we commit to publish as a matter of course.
• How this information will be published
• Whether this information is available free of charge or on payment

The nine RDAs undertake to publish information in their areas of responsibility where:

• Publication is necessary and expedient to support the RDA statutory purposes.
• Publication is necessary for the purpose of accountability to Parliament and to the public.
• We are required to do so by statute or by Government commitment.

This scheme refers to the classes of information that the nine English RDAs will publish internally and externally. The scheme provides guidance on how to find information according to its type. Publication does not refer solely to printed material, but includes material posted on RDA websites, one - off printed documents, electronic documents, printed books, brochures reports and leaflets. Much of the material covered by the scheme is available on the each of the RDAs website as appropriate. Some RDA documents are also available for review in public libraries. 
 
RDAs may not release any information to which any of the appropriate exemptions of the Act apply (in particular those outlined in sections 35 to 43).

Responsibilities

The person with responsibility for the publication scheme within the South West RDA is: 
 
Alison McCarthy (Information & FOI Officer)

Requesting Information

Information under the Act can be obtained by contacting the named contact as shown below. In some cases a charge for information may be applied. Costs are shown under each of the classes of information in this document. However, you will also be advised of the charge at the time of the request. Depending on demand a charge may also be levied for sending out printed versions of documents held on the website.  
 
Named contact:  
 
Alison McCarthy 
Information & FOI Officer 
South West RDA 
Sterling House 
Dix's Field 
Exeter  
EX1 1QA 
Telephone: 01392 214747 
Fax: 01392 214848 

Copyright

If you want to re-use or reproduce our publications for example commercially or for circulation for education/ training purposes, you will in most cases need to apply for a copyright licence.

Complaints Procedure

If an applicant is dissatisfied with the response from the RDA he/she can seek an internal review of that decision. A member of staff who was not involved with the original request will undertake the review. If the applicant remains dissatisfied, because the RDA fails to publish information in accordance with its scheme, he/she can seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner. Individuals will not be able to contest a public authority's use of the exemptions until individual rights come into effect in January 2005. 
 
Requests for a review by the Information Commissioner should be made in writing directly to: 
 
The Information Commissioner 
Wycliffe House 
Water Lane 
Wilmslow 
Cheshire SK9 5AF 
Tel: 01625 545700 
Fax: 01625 524510 
 
Classes of Information