Freedom of Information

The purpose of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is to promote greater openness by public authorities. Each local authority is required to produce a Publication Scheme explaining what types of information it will make available to the public as a matter of routine. Our original Publication Scheme was approved by the Information Commissioner in 2003.

All authorities were required to revise their Publication Scheme by the 1st January 2009 and to publish a Scheme using a new model provided by the Information Commissioner, the person responsible for regulating the Act. Our revised Scheme is available via a link from this website (at the bottom of this page). A more detailed document on the types of information the Council makes available can also be viewed via a link from this website titled ‘Guide to Information’.

The new Publication Scheme covers:

• Who we are and what we do
• What we spend and how we spend it
• What our priorities are and how we are doing
• How we make decisions
• Our policies and procedures
• Lists and registers
• The services we offer

It includes information on accessing:

• Everything we have a legal duty to publish
• Inormation we already publish
• Information which we will provide on request

Our aim is to make the majority of the Information in the Publication Scheme available on the website, so please check the website first before applying for specific information. As well as on the website you can find some information in libraries and by asking at Reading Borough Council reception. If you can’t find the information you want, please contact the specific service which provides the information directly. Alternatively, please complete our Freedom of Information Form which can be accessed to the right of this page.