the importance of proactive dissemination – the model scheme dawn monaghan head of foi good...

The Importance of Proactive Dissemination – The Model Scheme

Dawn Monaghan

Head of FOI Good Practice, ICO

19/06/08

Proactive dissemination pre and Post 2005

Bespoke and modelMinimum releaseInconsistencyLack of maintenance and systemsReduction in requests?What do people want to know?Do you know what they want to know?Questions rather than recorded info?

What’s already being proactively released?

What was already released pre FOIAAnnual Reports and LeafletsLot’s of information on websites!

What do people say they want to know?

What do they do?Where do they get there funding?How do they spend the moneyWho makes the decisions?How do they make decisions?How are they organised, what are their

policies?

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

New Model PS Concept

Available Information which can be readily

accessed

Compiled, reviewed and maintained by the

Public Authority

Promoted by the Public Authority

Does NOT require approval

Sector Specific Manual

Containing the definition document

A CLASSIFICATION system that could be….

A website A spreadsheetA leaflet

Approved by the ICO

Adopted by a Public Authority

Publication Scheme

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


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


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


Exclusions• Information prevented by law from

disclosure (Exempt)• Information in draft form• Information in storage or that is difficult

to access


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


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



accessed


Public Authority







Approved by the ICO


Publication Scheme

Definition guidance

Sector specific - Higher education/ Museums and archives

Specific information the ICO believe should be released if held

Broad boundaries and explanationsUse in conjunction with old publication

scheme to produce a guide to information



accessed


Public Authority







Approved by the ICO


Publication Scheme

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

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)

Enforcement

Mystery ShopRandom sectors and authoritiesChecks against definition documents

and guide to informationInformal resolution

Timescales

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

the importance of proactive dissemination – the model scheme dawn monaghan head of foi good...

Documents