Freedom of Information (FoI)
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FoI) is a law giving people the general right to access recorded information held by public authorities.
Freedom of Information links
- FoI: How to request Information
- Re-use of Public Sector Information
- FoI: Publication Scheme
- FoI: Charges for information requests
- FoI: Exemptions and Exceptions
- FoI: The Public Interest Test
The Freedom of Information Act received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000 and came into force on 1 January 2005. From January 2005, any person or body resident in or outside the UK, has the right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, subject only to the limitations imposed by the Act and other legislation.
The legislation is designed to promote greater openness and transparency throughout the public sector and applies to all public authorities, including West Lancashire Borough Council.
The Information Commissioner is independent and as well as ensuring public authorities comply with the Freedom of Information Act, is also responsible for regulating the handling of and access to personal information about individuals under the Data Protection Act 2018 and environmental information under Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
We are committed to being open and transparent and in addition to our website have adopted the Information Commissioner’s Model Publication Scheme. Publication schemes are designed to encourage public authorities to proactively make more information available without requiring a formal request to be made under the Freedom of Information Act. Our Publication Scheme can be found above.
