Publication Scheme

1. Introduction

The North East Combined Authority is a public body carrying out a public function that is committed to openness and transparency in everything that we do. This means that we will proactively publish information on our website(s); unless we believe this may cause harm or greater public interest requires us to keep this information confidential.

2. Freedom of Information Act

This publication scheme commits the North East Combined Authority (North East CA) to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned below.

The scheme has been prepared using the guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

As defined by the Information Commissioner’s Office – the Model Publication Scheme commits an Authority to:

“To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including environmental information, which is held by the authority and falls within the classifications below:

• To specify the information which is held by the authority and falls within the classifications below.
• To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme.
• To produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by members of the public.
• To review and update on a regular basis the information the authority makes available under this scheme.
• To produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available.
• To make this publication scheme available to the public.
• To publish any dataset held by the authority that has been requested, and any updated versions it holds, unless the authority is satisfied that it is not appropriate to do so; to publish the dataset, where reasonably practicable, in an electronic form that is capable of re-use; and, if any information in the dataset is a relevant copyright work and the public authority is the only owner, to make the information available for re-use under the terms of the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015, if they apply, and otherwise under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act section 19. The term ‘dataset’ is defined in section 11(5) of the Freedom of Information Act. The term ‘relevant copyright work’ is defined in section 19(8) of that Act.”

3. North East CA Classes of Information

Who we are and what we do

Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.

What we spend and how we spend it

Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering,
procurement and contracts.

What our priorities are and how we are doing

Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.

How we make decisions

Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and
procedures, consultations.

 Our policies and procedures

Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities. North East CA’s policies are available to all staff and saved on an internal basis.

The services we offer

Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases.

4. North East CA websites

5. The method by which information published under this scheme will be
made available

Wherever possible, information is provided on the North East CA Website (or one of the additional websites provided in Section 4). Where it is not practical to make information available on our website(s) or if someone does not wish to access information through the website(s), we will indicate how information can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.

In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person. Where this manner is specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.

Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally required. Where North East CA are legally required to translate any information, it will do so. When providing information in accordance with the scheme we will meet all obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats.

6. Charges which may be made for information published under this scheme

The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges we make for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.

Material which is published and accessed on our website is provided free of charge.

If we are providing you with a copy of information contained within the scheme, charges may be made for costs such as:

• Photocopying
• Postage and packing
• The costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information

Charges may also be made for information provided under this scheme where they are legally authorised, they are in all the circumstances, including the general principles of the right of access to information held by public authorities, justified and are in accordance with a published schedule or schedules of fees which is readily available to the public.

Charges may also be made for making datasets (or parts of datasets) that are relevant copyright works available for re use. These charges will be in accordance with the terms of the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015, where they apply, or with regulations made under section 11B of the Freedom of Information Act, or with other statutory powers of the public authority.

If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.

7. Written requests

Information held by North East CA that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing, when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.