Data protection and freedom of information

 
 

An introduction to the publication scheme

What is a Publication Scheme?

Publication Schemes are a legal requirement under Sections 19 and 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI). These sections come into force from February 2003 onwards. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness in local and central government as well as other public sector organisations.

The purpose of the Westminster Council Publication Scheme is to act as a guide to the information that has been published or will be published and made available to any member of the public.

The body of the scheme is structured into Class Groups and Classes, and is based upon the Local Authority Categories developed as part of the Accessible and Personalised Local Authority Website (APLAWS) project – a de facto standard in e-government.

How does the scheme work?

This scheme has been organised to provide a logical directory of information. It lists the 'classes' or types of information that are published under the following 'Class Group Headings'.

  • Advice, Benefits and Emergencies
  • Business
  • Community, People and Living
  • Council and Democracy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Leisure
  • News
  • Social Care
  • Transport and Streets

These Class Group Headings are designed to help readers of this scheme to find the relevant information being sought. The detailed information classes are listed within each Class Group Heading and give an example of the type of documents actually published.

You are encouraged to search the scheme online by clicking on the appropriate link from the list above whenever you need to find a Westminster Council publication.

You can download the summary Publication Scheme as an Adobe PDF file if you wish:

You will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader software to view this file. Please see the guidance available on this Web site for more information.