The Importance of Proactive Dissemination The Model Scheme

1
The Importance of Proactive Dissemination The
Model Scheme

• Dawn Monaghan
• Head of FOI Good Practice, ICO
• 19/06/08

2
Proactive dissemination pre and Post 2005

• Bespoke and model
• Minimum release
• Inconsistency
• Lack of maintenance and systems
• Reduction in requests?
• What do people want to know?
• Do you know what they want to know?
• Questions rather than recorded info?

3
Whats already being proactively released?

• What was already released pre FOIA
• Annual Reports and Leaflets
• Lots of information on websites!

4
What do people say they want to know?

• What do they do?
• Where do they get there funding?
• How do they spend the money
• Who makes the decisions?
• How do they make decisions?
• How are they organised, what are their policies?

5
Reviving Proactive Dissemination

• Building trust and credibility
• Revive routine release as important
• Raise the Publication Scheme to a higher level to
  ensure models for all sectors and provide
  consistency
• Concentrate on the use as websites as the primary
  vehicle for release
• Reduce the bureaucracy of approval and adoption
  to a minimum

6
New Model PS Concept
Available Information which can be readily
accessed
Publication Scheme
Approved by the ICOAdopted by a Public Authority
Compiled, reviewed and maintained by the Public
Authority Promoted by the Public Authority
Does NOT require approval
A CLASSIFICATION system that could be. A
website A spreadsheetA leaflet
Sector Specific Manual
Containing the definition document
7
The New Publication Scheme

• Charter/ commitment document
• Developed and approved by ICO
• Adopted by PA
• 7 Commitments
• 7 Classes
• Exclusions
• Method of publication statement
• Charges which can be made

8
The New Publication Scheme

• 7 Commitments
• Proactively make available information held and
  contained within the definitions
• Specify the above information
• Make available the information in line with the
  method of publication statement
• Produce and publish a guide/route/map to
  information (Website)
• Review and update the information on a regular
  basis
• Produce a schedule of charges
• Make this publication scheme available to the
  public

9
The New Publication Scheme

• 7 Classes
• 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

10
The New Publication Scheme

• Exclusions
• Information prevented by law from disclosure
  (Exempt)
• Information in draft form
• Information in storage or that is difficult to
  access

11
The New Publication Scheme

• Methods of publication
• Guide to information provided
• Primarily Website
• Predominantly On line
• Information unavailable on line
• Information provided by view only
• Provided in the language which it is held
• DDA

12
The New Publication Scheme

• Charging
• Schedule of fees
• Justified and transparent
• Minimum cost to public
• Where possible Free of charge
• Disbursements
• Legally authorised
• Payment may be received before issue of
  information

13
New Model PS Concept
Available Information which can be readily
accessed
Publication Scheme
Approved by the ICOAdopted by a Public Authority
Compiled, reviewed and maintained by the Public
Authority Promoted by the Public Authority
Does NOT require approval
A CLASSIFICATION system that could be. A
website A spreadsheetA leaflet
Sector Specific Manual
Containing the definition document
14
Definition guidance

• Sector specific - Higher education/ Museums and
  archives
• Specific information the ICO believe should be
  released if held
• Broad boundaries and explanations
• Use in conjunction with old publication scheme to
  produce a guide to information

15
New Model PS Concept
Available Information which can be readily
accessed
Publication Scheme
Approved by the ICOAdopted by a Public Authority
Compiled, reviewed and maintained by the Public
Authority Promoted by the Public Authority
Does NOT require approval
A CLASSIFICATION system that could be. A
website A spreadsheetA leaflet
Sector Specific Manual
Containing the definition document
16
The Guide to Information

• Promotes and offers easy access to public
• Outwardly facing - Shows information held by
  authority which they have committed to making
  available
• PA choose to how it is presented, must be clear
  to the public
• Specifies how to obtain information if it is not
  available on line, specifies any charges for
  information
• Website can be linked to Classification system
• Must be regularly reviewed and updated

17
Adoption

• Adoption
• No formal notification required
• Assume adoption unless told otherwise
• Should be adopted in its entirety
• Addition of class or commitment pre approval
  granted
• Any deletions made must be submitted for approval
  (only granted in exceptional circumstances)

18
Enforcement

• Mystery Shop
• Random sectors and authorities
• Checks against definition documents and guide to
  information
• Informal resolution

19
Timescales

• Scheme available on website
• Definition guidance available by end of June
• Adoption of scheme Jan 1st 2009
• Enforcement March onwards