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You are here: Home>About Us>Freedom of Information>How to Use the Act

How to use the Act

This introduction to Hull College's publication scheme covers the following topics:

  1. Who can request information?
  2. What information will be available?
  3. How do I make a request?
  4. What happens when I make a request?
  5. What happens if the College doesn't understand my request?
  6. How much does it cost?
  7. What happens if my request is refused?
  8. How many requests can I make?
  9. Can I ask for the information in a different format?
  1. Who can request information?

    Anyone can request information under the Act regardless of age, nationality or location.

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  2. What information will be available?

    The Act gives you a general right of access to ‘recorded’ information held by the College. However, some of the records requested may contain exempt information which does not have to be provided.

    The Act promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring all ‘public authorities’ to make information available proactively, through a Publication Scheme. This is a guide to the types of information that the College routinely publishes.

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  3. How do I make a request?

    The Publication Scheme is available electronically from the College website and on paper on request.

    Information is grouped into classes within the scheme and each class has a description of the information it contains. You can browse these classes and see the information that is available.

    The documents are available either in paper or electronic formats (where specified) and sometimes both. Alternative formats can be requested if required.

    From 1 January 2005 you have the right, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to request any information held by the College which has not already made available through its Publication Scheme.

    The Act requires that all requests:

    1. Are in writing (this does include emails)
    2. State clearly what information is required
    3. State the name of the applicant, and an address for correspondence

    You can either print off our ‘request for information’ form and complete it in full returning it to the address specified or make the request in writing yourself and send it to:

    The Freedom of Information Officer
    Hull College
    Queen's Gardens
    Hull
    HU1 3DG
    Tel: 01482 329943
    Fax: 01482 598733
    FOIA@hull-college.ac.uk

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  4. What happens when I make a request?

    When the College receives a request for information you will receive an acknowledgement of your request. The College will consider your request, and reply not later than 20 working after receiving your request.

    The reply should confirm or deny whether or not the information is held, and either provide the information you requested, or explain why it has not been provided, quoting an exemption under the Act.

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  5. What happens if the College doesn't understand my request?

    Under the Freedom of Information Act, the College has a duty to advise and assist anyone who makes a request for information. If the College doesn't understand your request, you will be contacted to clarify what it is that you want.

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  6. How much does it cost?

    If you are requesting information contained in the Publication Scheme, the Scheme will give details of whether the College will charge for providing the information.

    If you are requesting information not contained within the Publication Scheme, the College may charge you a fee. You will be advised of any charges prior to any reply.

    If you refuse to pay the fee, the College can refuse to supply the information. Please refer to the College's Freedom of Information and Data Protection charging policy

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  7. What happens if my request is refused?

    A request for information may only be refused by the College if it falls under one of the exemptions.

    If your request is refused, the reply from the College will identify which exemption it is applying. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, you may write to complain to:

    The Freedom of Information Officer
    Hull College
    Queen's Gardens
    Hull
    HU1 3DG

    If we are unable to resolve any complaint, you can complain to the The Information Commissioner, the independent body who overseas the Freedom of Information Act.

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  8. How many requests can I make?

    The Act does not specifically limit the number of requests you can make. However, the Act states that the College can reserve the right to refuse any vexatious or repeated requests. This may include repeated requests from the same person for the same information, or requests which are intended to disrupt the College's work.

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  9. Can I ask for the information in a different format?

    You may request that the information be supplied in any format. However, the College may take into account the cost of supplying the information in this format before complying with your request. In particular, you may ask for information in permanent format, in summary format, or for permission to inspect records containing the information.

    It may also be possible for the College to supply the information in Braille or audio format, in large type, or translated into another language. However, you should discuss this with the College.

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Conditions of use

Copyright - December 2004

All rights and title in this web site (the Site) and any information available on or via ‘the Site’ is either the property of Hull College (the College) or ‘the College’ is duly licensed to use it.

Subject to any further restriction imposed by the owner of the information, you are only permitted to download and/or copy the information contained on ‘the Site’ for your own personnel non-commercial use.

As permitted above, you must not copy, transmit, modify or use otherwise any part of ‘the Site’, or the information on it, without the given consent of ‘the College’, or the owner of such information.

Disclaimer - December 2004

Whilst ‘the College’ have taken reasonable steps to ensure that the information contained on ‘the Site’ and owned by ‘the College’ is accurate and up to date, ‘the College’ shall not be liable for any error or incompleteness of information.

‘the College’ gives no warranty or representation that:

  1. the information contained on ‘the Site’ is accurate, up to date, or fit for any particular purpose.
  2. any document downloaded from ‘the Site’ is free from viruses or malicious code.

Furthermore, by using or accessing information contained on or via ‘the Site’ you acknowledge and accept that such information does not constitute advice or guidance specifically tailored for you.

‘the College’ gives no warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness and/or efficiency of any information obtained by a third party (irrespective of whether this information is available from ‘the Site’, or via a hyperlink, or as a consequence of any contact information obtained from ‘the Site’).

To the fullest extent permitted by law, ‘the College’ excludes all liability for consequential loss (direct or indirect) including without limit loss of profit, goodwill or revenue arising from your use of information contained on or obtained via ‘the Site’.