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Your right to know (FOI)

CDF , like all public bodies, is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, which came into force on 1 July 2005.

 

The Freedom of Information Act provides a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public bodies. It also establishes obligations for disclosure, subject to a range of specific exemptions.

Anyone may request information from CDF, although that request must be in writing (by letter, email or fax). Those requesting information have two related rights:

1. To be told whether the information exists
2. To receive the information asked for, in the format specified wherever possible
 
CDF must provide the information within 20 working days, unless one of the exemptions to release outlined in the Act applies.
 
Further information about Freedom of Information can be found on the website of the Information Commissioner.
 

A guide to information about CDF already available

 
The Freedom of Information Act requires CDF to publish a guide to the information it makes available proactively. This is called a publication scheme. The information CDF makes available as a matter of course falls into several categories, decided on by the Information Commissioner. The categories of information, together with where the information can be found, are given below. Some information is still being prepared for publication and will be published when ready. If there is something you require that is not available yet, please contact CDF.
 
1. Governance documents such as our Trust Deed, Standing Orders and Trustee papers such as minutes and discussion papers
 
2. Original papers such as
a) Current organisational chart
b) Work programme, overall and per department
c)  Position papers on current work
d) Equal opportunities staff profile
 
3. Reports of work planned and done
a) Work for sponsor department (Communities and Local Government)
b) Work for other government and local government departments and agencies
c) Work for external clients
d) Any other work intrinsic to the organisation's mission
e) Research and evaluation
 
4. Publications and general information
a) Books
b) Pamphlets
c) Leaflets
d) Publicity material
e) Journals
f) Website
 
5. Additional information - Personnel statistics
a) Recruitment statistics
b) Staff turnover and absence statistics
 

Format and language

All the above documents in classes 1,2,3 and 5 are held in the English language only and in A4 word processed format.
 
Items in class 4 (a) - (e) are printed and bound matter variously in A4 and A5 format.
Items in class 4 (f) are printable website pages.
 
We will consider requests for material relating to Wales to be translated into Welsh or for publicity material (4(d) to be translated into minority UK languages.
 

Policy on publications of information

 
Our overall policy is to make all our information freely available except where it is confidential, or where there is a particular reason to charge for it.
 
In detail the application of the policy and the exceptions are as follows:
 
Governance documents such as our Trust Deed, Standing Orders and Trustee papers such as minutes and discussion papers.
 
These are available free of charge on request except for as yet unapproved minutes or any papers specifically designated as confidential eg concerning a legal dispute whilst it is still sub judice.
 

Availability

 
Trustee meetings occur three times a year, normally in March, July and November, and the minutes of each of these meetings are approved at the next meeting and are then available.
 
Organisational papers such as:
  • Current organisation chart
  • Work programme, overall and per department
  • Position papers on current work
  • Equal opportunities staff profile
These are available free of charge on request except for draft work plans before approval.

Availability: 

  • Items 2(a) and 2(d) are revised annually but not at a set time and are available immediately thereafter.
  • Item 2(b) is normally produced by April each year and is then available.
  • Item 2(c) consists of ad hoc papers that may be produced at any time and are then available.

Reports of work planned and done

  • Work for sponsor department (Communities and Local Government)
  • Work for other government and local government departments and agencies
  • Work for external clients
  • Any other work intrinsic to the organisation's mission
  • Research and evaluation
  • Annual report and accounts
 
These are available on request free of charge except:
 
  • in early draft form before approval and
  • where the client or department has specified that the work is confidential.
 

Availability: 

  • Items 3(a) - 3(e) are available from the time of acceptance and release by the client or sponsoring body.
  • Item 3 (f) is available each year from the time of acceptance by Communities and Local Government, normally in June or July for the preceding financial year

Publications and general information:

  • Books
  • Pamphlets
  • Leaflets
  • Publicity material
  • Journals
  • Website
 
The books, pamphlets and journals are available for purchase (see enclosed catalogue).  The charge is an intrinsic part of the organisation's budget and supports the printing and publication costs.
 
The website, pamphlets and publicity material are available free of charge.

Additional information - Personnel files

  • Applications for jobs in the organisation
  • Records of candidate selection and interview
  • Records of annual appraisals
  • Records of attendance and sickness
 
These are regarded as confidential and are available without charge only to the individuals concerned, as provided for by the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Subject Access Rights specified here.
 

How to make a Freedom of Information request

If the information required is not already available on the website, a request for information should be submitted to CDF.
 
Freedom of Information requests should be in writing (email, letter or fax). They should have a clear address for reply and be as specific as possible about the information required.
 
Some classes of information (such as personal data) may be exempt from disclosure under the terms of the Act. In these cases, CDF will explain the reasons for withholding the information to the applicant and provide details of the appeals procedure.
 
Requests should be addressed to:
The Community Development Foundation
Unit 5, Angel Gate, 320-326 City Road
London EC1V 2PT
Tel: 020 7833 1772
Fax:  020 7837 6584
 

Charges


Most information listed in the scheme can be downloaded free of charge from CDF’s website, or a single printed copy can be obtained from the specified contact. Charges for photocopying and postage and packing may apply for multiple printouts. Some information will only be available in printed hard copy. Applicants will be informed if a cost is involved when making a request for information.
 

Complaints and appeals


If you are not satisfied with the response you have had from CDF, you may invoke CDF’s appeals and complaints procedure. The first step is to seek an internal review of the decision by writing to Alison Seabrooke, Chief Executive, Community Development Foundation.
 
If you are not satisfied with the review, you may seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF Tel: 01625 545700.

 

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