Accessing the information we hold
This is your guide to accessing the information held by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
All Councils have to make certain information available to the public and this is your gateway to finding that information.
The following links should help you find the information you are looking for.
The legislation and who and what it covers
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) gives you access to information which is held by or on behalf of public authorities and a limited number of organisations that carry out a public function such as the council's housing management company, Newark and Sherwood Homes Ltd.
One of the council's obligations under the Freedom of Information Act is to produce and maintain a Publication Scheme. This document is the council's commitment to making information available to the public as part of its normal everyday work. The scheme and the information the council will make routinely available, either to download from this website or on application can be found on our publication scheme pages.
Environmental Information Regulations
The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIRs) gives you access to environmental information such as information about the air, water, soil or food chain and factors affecting them such as noise, energy and emissions. Requests are restricted to information held by or on behalf of public authorities and some other organisations that carry out a public function such as Gas, Electric and Water companies.
Data Protection
The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) gives you access to your own personal information, for example, your education records, medical records or credit reference file.
Everyone who processes personal information must abide by the Data Protection Act, it is not restricted to public authorities nor is its purpose limited to the right of access to information.
Almost every organisation that processes personal information, including the council, must give the Information Commissioner’s Office certain details about their processing. These details are then entered in the register of data controllers which is available for public for inspection on the ICO's website. This process is called Notification and failure to notify or maintain a notification is a criminal offence.
The council maintains two notifications on the register, one for the council which is number is Z4973840, and one for the Electoral Registration Officer which is Z7131899.
Making a request
Our making a request page has details of how to make a request for information the council holds. Before submitting a request why not check our publication scheme pages, the information you want may already be available on our website or by contacting one of our officers.
More information about your rights and the obligations of the council under each of the three pieces of legislation described above can be found on the pages below.
Freedom of Information Act 2000
Environmental Information Regulations 2004
Data Protection Act 1998
Our Access to Information policies, procedures and request disclosure log can be found on our Access to Information page.
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Information Governance
Policy and Performance
Newark and Sherwood District Council
Kelham Hall
Kelham
Nottinghamshire
NG23 5QX
Telephone : 01636 655216
Fax : 01636 655233
Email : freedom@nsdc.info
Last updated : 10/12/2009 10:11:19