Freedom of information (FOI)

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) provides a general right of access to recorded information held by the Council.

The purpose of FOIA is:

• to improve the openness and transparency of public bodies
• to increase the accountability of public body decision making and spending
• to allow the public to engage in decision making
• to increase trust and confidence in public authorities

The Council recognises the importance of public awareness of the decisions it makes and sees the Freedom of Information Act as a means of contributing towards this awareness.

Tendring Council is subject to the Freedom ofInformation Act 2000. This means that the Council is required to regularlypublish information about the work that it does and the money that it spend. Italso means that members of the public can ask the Council for recordedinformation that it holds, and the Council has a duty to provide them with thatinformation unless an exemption applies.