Images of Tyne & Wear

freedom of information

1. Introduction

This document is the Publication Scheme for Tyne and Wear Development Company Ltd. for the purposes of section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. It lists all the information which the Company makes available to the public or which it intends to make available in the near future. In deciding what information should be included the Company has had particular regard to the public interest in making information available and publicising its decisions.

2. Purpose and aims of the Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 30th November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets our exemptions from that right, and places a number of obligations on public authorities. A “public authority” is defined in the Act, and includes, but is not restricted to, central and local government, non-departmental public bodies, the police, the health service and schools, colleges and universities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority for information must be informed whether the public authority holds that information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.

Individuals already have the right of access to information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998. As far as public authorities are concerned, the Freedom of Information Act will extend this right to allow public access to all types of information held.

Every public authority will be required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information, and whether a charge will be made for the information. The purpose of the scheme, therefore, is to ensure a significant amount of information is available, without the need for a specific request. Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information proactively and to develop a greater culture of openness.

3. Information

The Company publishes information in the following classes. In each of the classes, some of the information the Company holds may be exempt (See Section 4 below) and the Company does not publish this. The Company reserves the right to make a charge for information it publishes. You will be advised of the cost (if any) of supplying copies of specific items of information under the Scheme upon request. Where an item is made available in printed format it can be obtained on request by emailing locations@tyne-wear.co.uk.

Administration & Reports

  • Agenda of Board Meetings – City of Sunderland website
  • Agenda of Joint Committee Meetings – City of Sunderland website
  • Statistics detailing size of offices/premises, jobs, and location enquiries – Printed format

Finance & Accounting

  • Annual accounts – Printed format

Promotional & Assistance

  • Investors Guide – Annual publication providing demographics, statistics, quality of life, housing and schools – Printed format
  • Regional Overview – Brochure giving overview of Tyne and Wear for interest to potential investors – Printed format
  • Corporate Brochure – “Realise your Potential” - background to company and services the Company offers – Printed format
  • The Investor – Quarterly newsletter detailing success stories, local news – Printed format/website
  • IT Brochure – Leading Technology Business – Printed format
  • Advice – grants and financial assistance – Printed format

4. Exempt Information

The Company holds a large amount of information, which it would be inappropriate to make available to the public. These types of information are specifically excluded from the Publication Scheme. In identifying the types of information to be excluded from the Scheme, the Company has had regard to the exemptions contained in Part II of the Freedom of Information Act, 2000.

“Confidential information” is information, the disclosure of which is forbidden by statute or by order of a Court or by the terms on which it has been furnished by a Government Department.

“Exempt information” includes, in general terms:

  • Information relating to employees
  • Information relating to applicants for, or recipients of, financial assistance
  • Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person
  • Proposed contract terms, in the course of negotiations
  • The identity of tenderers for a contract

In addition to the above exemptions, the Company also does not routinely publish items of correspondence relating to a particular matter or other documents intended for internal advice and consultation (unless it is felt that there may be a public interest in having access to the information).