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FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002 CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY PUBLICATION SCHEME To obtain further copies or for general enquiries, contact: Cairngorms National Park Authority 14 The Square Grantown-on-Spey Moray PH26 3HG Tel: 01479 873535 Fax: 01479 873527 E-mail: enquiries@cairngorms.co.uk You can also find the Cairngorms National Park Authority on the Internet: www.cairngorms.co.uk AUGUST 2004 Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY PUBLICATION SCHEME CONTENTS PART 1 - BACKGROUND & CONTEXT Introduction Purpose of the Scheme Responsibility for the Scheme Formulating the Scheme The Cairngorms National Park Authority Availability of Information Charging for Information Getting in touch with the Cairngorms National Park Authority Feedback Complaints Copyright Statement PART 2 - CLASSES OF INFORMATION Content - Classes of information Definition of classes of information ANNEX A Publication scheme of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (http://www.cairngorms.co.uk) CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY PUBLICATION SCHEME PART 1 - BACKGROUND & CONTEXT A Introduction The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (referred to in this document as “the Act”) was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 24 April 2002 and received Royal Assent on 28 May 2002. The Act, which comes fully into force in January 2005, provides a statutory right of access to all types of recorded information of any age held by Scottish public authorities, subject to certain exemptions listed in the Act. The Act specifically requires Scottish public authorities (including the Cairngorms National Park Authority) to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme. Each Publication Scheme must set out the classes of information contained within the relevant public authority’s Publication Scheme, the manner in which such information is intended to be published and whether or not a charge will be made for the supply of such information. As from 1 January 2005, the general entitlement to information under section 1 of the Act will enable any member of the public to make a request for information that is not covered by such a Publication Scheme. This document is the Publication Scheme currently applying to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (referred to in this document from now on as “the Scheme”). The Scheme, which will be reviewed annually, is divided into two parts. The first part provides context and background. The second part sets out the classes of information published. B What is the Scheme intended to do? The Scheme is intended to :- • Increase your understanding of what the Cairngorms National Park Authority does; • Increase your awareness of services the Cairngorms National Park Authority provides; • Set out the information the Cairngorms National Park Authority has; and • Explain how you obtain the information and at what cost (if any). C Who is responsible for the Scheme? The Cairngorms National Park Authority’s Chief Executive, Jane Hope, has overall responsibility for the Scheme. The day-to-day maintenance of the Scheme is the responsibility of the Head of Corporate Services, David Cameron, and enquiries about this should be directed to him at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, Moray PH26 3HG D Formulating the Scheme The Act provides that, in adopting or reviewing the Scheme, we must have regard to the public interest in allowing public access to our publications. In preparing the Scheme, we considered: • The services we provide • The costs of providing these services • The standards we aim to meet • Information we have a duty to publish • Information we already publish • Information we already disclose under existing legislation • The structure of the organisation and other organisational information • How we reach our decisions • How important appointments are made • Anything else in the public interest relevant to our activities E The Cairngorms National Park Authority The Cairngorms National Park Authority, established on 25 March 2003 under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, is a government-funded organisation whose overall purpose is to take a collective approach to the 4 aims specified in the Act: • To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area; • To promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area; • To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public, and • To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities. The Cairngorms National Park Authority also has a statutory responsibility for calling in and determining planning applications within the National Park; implementation of the Access Legislation as it affects the National Park, and the preparation of a Park Plan, setting out the policy for managing the National Park and co-ordinating the functions of the Cairngorms National Park Authority and of other public bodies so far as affecting the National Park. F Availability of Information and exemptions The Scheme sets out the information that the Cairngorms National Park Authority provides to inform the public about its work. All information covered by the Scheme shall be provided promptly on request. The Cairngorms National Park Authority aims to be as open as possible. However, some of the information held by the Cairngorms National Park Authority will not be disclosed under the Scheme, if we consider that such disclosure may prejudice law enforcement, legal proceedings or our regulatory or enforcement activity or where the disclosure is otherwise prohibited by law. We may also withhold information that may seriously prejudice the commercial interests of any person or organisation or which constitutes personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998. Where this occurs, we will issue as much information from any particular document as possible, highlighting where information has been withheld and explaining the nature of the exemption that applies. G Charging for Information in the Publication Scheme Information on our website will be available free of charge (i.e. there is no charge by us, although the user would of course have to meet any charges by their Internet Service Provider, personal printing costs, etc). For those without access to our website, a single print-out of the information available on the website (in the format displayed on our website) or a hard copy of the document (except where indicated) can be requested. These will be provided free of charge except where indicated. Requests for multiple print-outs or hard copies of material may attract a charge for the costs of printing, photocopying, postage, etc. Multiple copies or print-outs will be charged at a rate of 10p per page. If charges are to be made, you will be told at the time of your request and these charges will be payable in advance H Getting in touch with the Cairngorms National Park Authority There are a number of ways in which you can get in touch with the Cairngorms National Park Authority to request information: • By writing to: The Cairngorms National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Grantownon- Spey, Moray PH26 3HG; • By e-mailing: enquiries@cairngorms.co.uk; All correspondence has a response target of 20 working days from the date of receipt. • General enquiries to the Cairngorms National Park Authority can also be made by telephone on 01479 873535 or by fax on 01479 873527. I Feedback We would appreciate your comments on (a) how useful you have found the Scheme; (b) how easy you have found the Scheme to use; and (c) ways in which the Scheme could be improved. If you have any comments or queries, please contact our Head of Corporate Services. J Complaints If you are dissatisfied with the content of the Scheme or if you have not been provided with the information requested under the Scheme please let us know. Complaints should be addressed to the Chief Executive, Cairngorms National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, Moray PH26 3HG. She will be responsible for investigating and resolving any complaints. Complaints may either be submitted in writing or by using the on-line method in the “Contact Us” page available on our website at www.cairngorms.co.uk . If you feel that we have been unable to resolve any complaint satisfactorily, you can write to the Scottish Information Commissioner, who enforces the Act. The contact details for the Scottish Information Commissioner are: Kevin Dunion, Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS; telephone number: 01334 464610; e-mail address: enquiries@itspublicknowledge.info . As from 1 January 2005, when the general right of access comes into force, there will be a formal appeals mechanism when information is withheld. Further details of this will be available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website at www.itspublicknowledge.info . K Copyright Statement In general, you can re-use the material covered by the Scheme freely. However some of the material obtained under this Scheme may be subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without permission of the copyright owner. Any such restrictions will be made clear at the time information is provided. PART 2 - CONTENTS The Scheme contains broad subject headings to help you find the information you are looking for. Under each subject heading there are identifiable classes of information that the Cairngorms National Park Authority publishes or intends to publish. A class is defined as a group of information having one or more common characteristics grouped together according to their function. Subject Headings The Cairngorms National Park Authority - The Organisation Strategies & Performance Operational Policy Human Resources Corporate Governance Guidance & Procedures Information Management Finance Statutory Material Publication & News Information Technology CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY PUBLICATION SCHEME PART 2 - CLASSES OF INFORMATION The classes of information that the Cairngorms National Park Authority publishes or intends to publish are as follows: CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY (CNPA) – THE ORGANISATION CLASS FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT FOR CNPA Definition The Framework Document comprises a Management Statement and Financial Memorandum setting out the broad framework within which CNPA operates. It is drawn up by the Scottish Executive and agreed by Scottish Ministers. Format Hard copy available on request from CNPA Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy set out in Part A, section G of this Scheme CLASS MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD of CNPA Definition Biographical summaries for each Board member, an explanation of their roles and responsibilities of members, Code of Practice for Board members, Register of Interests of Board members Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND CONTACT POINTS Definition Organisational chart of CNPA and contact details for staff. Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE CLASS CORPORATE PLAN Definition The strategic plan setting out the Board’s policy objectives as approved by the Scottish Ministers for the forthcoming 3 financial years. Details key strategic objectives and themes, main projects and tasks, resources, performance and delivery indicators Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY PUBLICATION SCHEME PART 2 - CLASSES OF INFORMATION STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE CLASS ANNUAL REPORT of CNPA Definition Annual Report, incorporating a statement of accounts for each financial year and detailing costs, performance targets and statistics, details of projects and grants which CNPA administers and projects in which it participates. Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT Definition Key objectives and targets included in the Board’s Corporate Plan and achievements against targets reported in CNPA’s Annual Report Format See class “Annual Report” and “Corporate Plan” above Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. OPERATIONAL POLICY CLASS CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS Definition The Board’s responses to consultation documents Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS CORPORATE POLICY STATEMENTS Definition Policy and Strategy statements as agreed and endorsed by the Board Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY PUBLICATION SCHEME PART 2 - CLASSES OF INFORMATION HUMAN RESOURCES CLASS HUMAN RESOURCES INFORMATION Definition Internal policies and guidance that collectively establish the procedures that should be followed and conduct that is expected of members of staff in the performance of their duties. Staff Handbook (available as from 1 January 2005). Format Available for examination at CNPA offices, extracts available in hard copy by request Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS PENSIONS Definition General information about CNPA’s Pension Scheme Benefits and its Structure. Format Available on request from CNPA and internet access at www.civilservicepensions. gov.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CLASS CODE OF PRACTICE FOR CNPA BOARD MEMBERS Definition Details of Best Practice that members of the Board are expected to follow and the rules of conduct for reporting conflicts of interest and declaration of financial, business and other interests of members. Also includes the disciplinary procedures which would be followed in the event of an alleged or suspected breach of duty by Board Members Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS REGISTER OF FINANCIAL, BUSINESS AND OTHER INTERESTS Definition Declarations made by Board members of their financial, business and other interests in accordance with the Code of Practice for CNPA Board Members Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY PUBLICATION SCHEME PART 2 - CLASSES OF INFORMATION CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CLASS REMUNERATION FOR BOARD MEMBERS Definition Information showing the gross annual remuneration paid to Board members, including reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses. Format Available in CNPA accounts published in their Annual Report available as hard copy on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. GUIDANCE AND PROCEDURES CLASS CNPA STANDING ORDERS Definition Rules of Procedure compiled by CNPA to enable the regulation of their own procedures as described in paragraph 19 of the First Schedule to the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS CNPA INFORMATION LEAFLETS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC Definition Includes advice and guidance on CNPA’s statutory functions and processes in relation to Planning, Access and preparation of Park Plan. Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS PAPERS AND MINUTES OF MEETINGS Definition Copy of papers and minutes of Board meetings, Committee meetings, Working Groups and Advisory Groups held in public. Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS GRANT SCHEMES AND LOANS Definition External guidance on grant schemes and loans currently administered by or to be administered by CNPA. Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY PUBLICATION SCHEME PART 2 - CLASSES OF INFORMATION CLASS COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE Definition External guidance on CNPA’s Complaints procedure. Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CLASS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Definition Guidance for staff on IT Code of Conduct. Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Definition Internal work practice setting out guidance to staff on dealing with requests for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 – available from 1 January 2005. Format Hard copy available on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. FINANCE CLASS CNPA EXPENDITURE Definition Annual accounts Format Published in CNPA’s Annual Report available as hard copy on request and Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CNPA is a Non-Departmental Public Body. CNPA is required to adhere to the guidance and procedures set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual. You should refer to the Scottish Executive’s Publication Scheme for details of availability and charges. CLASS FINANCE GUIDANCE Definition Scottish Public Finance Manual Format Only available electronically from the Scottish Executive via Internet access– no paper copies for the full manual are available – extracts from the Manual will however be provided in paper format on request from the Scottish Executive Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with the Scottish Executives general charging policy. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY PUBLICATION SCHEME PART 2 - CLASSES OF INFORMATION STATUTORY MATERIAL CLASS LEGISLATION RELEVANT TO THE FUNCTIONS OF CNPA Definition Details of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 governing the functions and framework of CNPA and its Board Format A copy of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 can be viewed and downloaded free of charge from the website of the Office of the Queen’s Printer for Scotland (OQPS). Web address http://www.opqs.gov.uk. Alternatively, a copy of the Act can be purchased from The Stationary Office Bookshop, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AZ. Charge Purchaser to confirm with supplier PUBLICATIONS & NEWS CLASS PRESS RELEASES Definition Press releases issued by CNPA in the current and previous year Format Viewable on CNPA’s website Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. CLASS PARK LIFE Definition Newsletter issued to all residents of the National Park. Format Hard copy available on request. Charge Generally be free of charge. Any charges will be in line with our general charging policy. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & ON-LINE SERVICES CLASS CNPA WEBSITE Definition Provides information about the organisation and its functions. For topics see site index Format Internet access at www.cairngorms.co.uk Charge Free of Charge