FOI Information Bank
Contents:
You and Your Community
Learning and Work
Leisure
Business and the economy
Tourist information
Social care and health
Our Environment
Traffic and travel
Your Council
1. Introduction
1.1. Nottinghamshire County Council
Nottinghamshire County Council was established in 1889 and for over a hundred years has been responsible for the delivery of a range of services to the residents of the County. In 1974, Nottingham City became part of the County, but that situation was reversed on 1st April 1998 when Nottingham City Council took responsibility for providing all services in the City. The County Council now serves some 750,000 people.
The County Council operates in what is known as a two-tier structure. This means that each person has two councils which deliver their services. Nottinghamshire County Council is responsible for a range of services, such as Education and Social Services, covering all 750,000 people.
The second tier comprises 7 District Councils. Each district has responsibility for functions such as housing and refuse collection and serves between 100,000 and 115,000 people.
Some residents also have a third tier – the parish or town council, many (but not all) parishes have their own council. When parishes are small, they might form a council in conjunction with neighbouring parishes. Some bigger areas, such as Newark and Bingham, have Town rather than parish councils. Many built up areas, such as Beeston, Hucknall and Mansfield, have no parishes.
1.2. How we do business
Nottinghamshire County Council is doing business in a modernised political structure that replaced the system of committees which has served for over 100 years. This involves a division between two different sorts of work for local politicians – the Cabinet Members or “executive” who make decisions in their portfolio areas such as Education and Social Services and “scrutiny” Members who make sure services are as good as they can be and that the Council is fully meeting its commitments. The County Council sets the framework within which the Cabinet makes decisions. It also takes other decisions such as planning decisions, in specialist committees.
1.3. What is the Information Bank?
Our Information Bank is what other Councils call their Publication Scheme. It is a guide to the information that the County Council routinely publishes. The aim of the Information Bank is to describe the classes of information that we publish and also to assist you in seeking information. We have broken down our information into categories and sub-categories to help narrow down your search. There are then classes of publications or kinds of information in the Bank. Please see the links in the contents section above for the six classes of information.
The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for the Information Bank. Day to day management is the responsibility of the Information Manager.
1.4. The way we publish information.
We are committed to electronic-government (e-government) which involves the increasing electronic provision of information. Much of our current information is electronically available and can be accessed without charge from our website. Over time we will make more of our information electronically available.
Of our publications that are produced in paper format or “hard copy”, can be obtained by contacting the County Contact team whose details are set out at 2.4 below.
1.5. The cost of documents.
Publications available on our website are free to copy. Where there are charges in a class of documents we indicate that and highlight which documents there is a charge for.
1.6. Feedback.
The Information Bank will not meet its aims if you are unable to access and use it easily. We would be grateful to receive your comments or suggestions regarding the Bank.
Please send them to:
Information Manager
Nottinghamshire County Council
County Hall
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 7QP
E-mail : enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk.
We will review our Information Bank regularly. We will consider adding to the Information Bank any information which has been requested and may be of general interest.
1.7. Complaints
We have a corporate complaints procedure and should you wish to register a complaint about the Information Bank then you should write to the:
Office of the Chief Executive
Nottinghamshire County Council
County Hall
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 7QP
2. How to obtain more information
2.1. Website
We want this website (www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk) to be the principal means of accessing the publications and information that you require. The categories of information set out above are very similar to the way we structure the information generally on our website. Our website includes an “Ask a question” facility which acts as a good means of requesting particular documents or just general information or guidance. It also shows which are the most frequently asked questions. If you are still not able to find the information you seek then please e-mail or telephone our County Contact staff and they will be pleased to help you find what you are looking for.
Each category is broken down into sub-categories. All of the categories and sub-categories on our website are packed with information. They also contain references and links to actual documents. You can enter details of other information you are seeking in the search facility that will lead you to a document store called “Council Publications”. You will be able to download electronic copies of some documents or order hard copies.
2.2. Paper Copies, Audio Tapes, Braille and Translations
If you would rather have paper copies of documents listed above, you can either order a copy if the document is in our “Council Publications” document store or contact our County Contact team who will be pleased to provide them to you. They may also be able to provide audio tapes, Braille copies and translations of some information.
2.3. Media Enquiries
Any media queries about the scheme or the Freedom of Information Act generally should be directed to our Corporate Communications section:
E-mail: corporate.communications@nottscc.gov.uk
Tel: 0115 977 3379
Fax : 0115 977 2421
2.4. All other Enquiries
All other enquiries should be made to the County Contact team:
E-mail: enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk
Tel: 01623 476800
Fax : 01623 476810
Minicom: 01623 476820
3. Freedom of Information Act Requests
3.1. It may be that there is information that you are seeking which is not contained in our Information Bank. Please try the “Ask a question” facility on our website in the first instance. If you are still in need of help to find the information you want then please contact our County Contact team quoting “FOIA” so that we can deal with your query appropriately. Please remember to mark such requests “FOIA”.
4. Data Protection Act Requests
4.1 You already have the right to ask about information that the County Council holds on you under the Data Protection Act 1998. You should direct your written request to:
The Data Protection Officer
Nottinghamshire County Council
County Hall
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 7QP
5. Information Commissioner
5.1 The authority that is responsible for overseeing and enforcing the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is called the Information Commissioner.
5.2 You will find useful advice and guidance about your rights and our responsibilities on their website www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
5.3 The address you can write to is:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
6. Categories, Subcategories and Classes of Information
In this section you will find a link to each class of information setting out the associated documents in that class and breaking the class into categories and sub-categories of information.
The County Council publishes a large amount of information. The classes have been selected to reflect the volume of information provision.
You and Your Community
Learning and Work
Leisure
Business and the economy
Tourist information
Social care and health
Our Environment
Traffic and travel
Your Council
If you feel that there are further classes that should be contained in the Scheme please forward your feedback as set out in 1.6 above.
Access to information
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