A to Z Index:

Freedom of Information

Publication Scheme

Class
Business 
Community and Living 
Education and Learning 
Environment 
Health and Social Care 
Housing 
Jobs and Careers 
Legal Services 
Leisure and Culture 
Local Government and Democracy 
Policing and Public Safety 
Social Issues 
Transport and Streets 

Introduction

Aberdeenshire Council has regard to the public interest in the information it holds, and to the value of openness and transparency. In recognition of the public's wider rights to obtain information from all public authorities under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, Aberdeenshire Council presents this Publication Scheme to foster greater public understanding about what the Council does, how it operates, how it fulfils its many roles and how the public may participate in its functions.

Aberdeenshire Council's Publication Scheme, under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, specifies:

  • the classes of information that the Council publishes, or intends to publish;
  • the format(s) in which that information is published;
  • how members of the public may access that information; and
  • any charges that may be made for providing that information

What follows is an edited version of Part A of our Publication Scheme and is intended as a brief introduction only. To fully understand your rights and our responsibilities under the Freedom of Information legislation please read the full version

Responsibility for the Publication Scheme

The person responsible for the overall operation of this publication scheme is Colin Mackenzie, the Council's Chief Executive.

However, the Law and Administration Service has day-to-day responsibility, and all contact should, in the first instance, be with Jim Buchan, at the address shown under "Complaints and Feedback" below.

Copyright

Generally, the Council owns the copyright in all information available under this publication scheme, whether that information is in electronic or hard copy format, text or graphics, and regardless of whether the copyright (©) symbol appears. 

The right to information under this scheme does not automatically include permission to reproduce that information.  Common sense should, however, prevail, and where a document is freely available, such as a Council Minute, then you may make use of that document; where a document is a formal publication, such as the Aberdeenshire Local Plan, then you should seek the Council's consent before copying. 

In all cases, as a matter of courtesy, you should acknowledge the source.

Some documents available under this Scheme are actually published by third parties, such as the Structure Plan ("NEST").  Consent of such third party copyright holders should always be sought.

Accessing information under the Publication Scheme

In Person - Reception, Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, AB16 5GB.

By phone - 0845 606 7000, and say that you want to access the Freedom of Information Publication Scheme.  This is Aberdeenshire Council's Signpost number and is charged at local rate. 

Online - Information is available under this publication from the Aberdeenshire Council website if there is a weblink shown. Click on the weblink to view the document.

In writing - Where there is a specific contact address shown, then write to that contact.  Otherwise, write to the address shown under "Feedback" below.  E-mail - enquiries@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

At the Library - You will be able to download online information at any web-enabled Aberdeenshire public library.  See under "Charging policy" for the cost of this.

Charging Policy

Electronic documents available on the website may be downloaded free of charge except at a public library, where you will be charged 10p per A4 side.

Where applicable, specific fees and charges for accessing information under this Publication Scheme are set out under the Classes of Information. 

Where no charge is mentioned, printed copies will generally be provided free of charge.  However, where the number of copies exceeds 50 sides, or the request is for multiple copies,  a charge not exceeding 20p per side (A4 mono) or 30p per side (A3 mono) will be payable.  There may also be a charge for postage which will be notified to you in advance.

These charges will be kept under review.

Complaints and Feedback About this Scheme

Feedback, positive or negative, may be addressed to Have Your Say.

In the first instance, however, the Council's Freedom of Information contact is:

Jim Buchan
Law and Administration Service
St Leonard's
Sandyhill Road
Banff
AB45 1BH
Tel 01261-813311
FAX 01261-815664
e-mail foi@aberdeenshire.gov.uk