Model publication scheme - Freedom of Information Act - Access and disclosure commitments

Oct 23, 2026

Model publication scheme prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner outlines how a public authority will proactively publish and make information available to the public as part of normal business activities. It defines classes of information, explains what is included and generally excluded, and sets out how information will be provided, including website access or alternatives. The scheme also covers dataset publication and reuse where applicable, specifies language and accessibility obligations, and describes how charges and fees will be justified and kept transparent and minimal.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Model publication scheme

Commitments to publish information

Classes of information

What is generally not included

How information will be made available

Language, accessibility, and formats

Charges and fees under the scheme

Model publication scheme Model publication scheme Freedom of Information Act This model publication scheme has been prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner. It may be adopted without modification by any public authority without further approval and will be valid until further notice. This 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, where this information is held by the authority. Additional assistance is provided to the definition of these classes in sector specific guidance manuals issued by the Information Commissioner. 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 within 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. 􀁸 To publish any dataset held by the authority that has been requested, and any updated versions it holds, unless the authority is satisfied that it is not appropriate to do so; to publish the dataset, where reasonably practicable, in an electronic form that is capable of re-use; and, if any information in the dataset is a relevant copyright work and the public authority is the only owner, to make the information available for re-use under the terms of the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015, if they apply, and otherwise under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act section 19. The term ‘dataset’ is defined in section 11(5) of the Freedom of Information Act. The term ‘relevant copyright work’ is defined in section 19(8) of that Act. Classes of information Who we are and what we do. Organisational 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, inspectionsand 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. 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 cover

FAQs

What is the purpose of this model publication scheme?

It commits a public authority to make the maximum amount of information readily available to the public with minimum inconvenience and cost, including clear publication methods and transparency on charges.

Which kinds of information does the scheme cover and how are exclusions handled?

The scheme lists classes of information such as organisational details, spending, priorities and strategy, decision-making, policies, and registers. It generally does not include information that is legally exempt or protected, information in draft form, or information no longer readily available due to archive storage or similar access barriers.

How will the public access the information and in what formats or languages?

The authority will clearly indicate what information is covered and how to obtain it, typically via a website when capable, with alternative access methods when not. Information will be provided in the language held or as legally required, and disability and discrimination obligations for accessible formats will be followed.

Oct 23, 2026

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