Publication Scheme

What is a Publication Scheme?

Under the Freedom of Information Act all public authorities have to adopt and maintain a publication scheme, which must be approved by the Information Commissioner.

A publication scheme is a:

• Commitment on the part of the council to make information available routinely, without waiting for someone specifically to request it
• Guide to information we publish, or intend to publish, routinely - not limited to that which is in printed form, but including that held in other ways, for example in electronic form
• Way to help the public to understand better what information is available to them, and how they can have access to it.

The publication scheme must specify:

• Classes of information which the public authority publishes or intends to publish
• The manner in which information of each class is, or is intended to be, published
• Whether the material is, or is intended to be, available to the public free of charge or on payment.

How do I request information?

You can request information from the Council using any method listed at the end of the Publication Scheme document under the section "Who do I contact?"

Under the Freedom of Information Act you do not need to have a particular reason for requesting information.

However it might help the Council to identify and provide you with the information you need if you can be as specific as possible.

You will be able to use the information provided under the Act and pass it on to anyone else.

There will normally be no charge for making a request for information which is contained in the Publication Scheme (with the exception of a few specific documents).

Wirral Council’s Publication Scheme

You can download a copy of Wirral's Publication Scheme here  or it can be obtained upon request from any Wirral Council library or One Stop Shop.

The scheme may also be supplied by email, and requests should made using the button on the right of this page.