MLA South East (previously known as SEMLAC), the regional council for museums, libraries and archives, is a registered charity (no.1086030) and company limited by guarantee (no. 4131121) established in April 2002. MLA South East is supported and core funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (previously known as Resource) and shares with it the vision that “Museums, libraries and archives connect people to knowledge and information, creativity and inspiration.”
What is a publication scheme?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. A "public authority" is defined in the Act and includes but is not restricted to central and local government, non-departmental public bodies, the police, the health service and schools, colleges and universities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority for information must be informed whether the public authority holds the information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information. The relevant sections of the FOI Act [Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) subject to the Open Government Code (Code of Practice on Access to Government Information); FOI Act Schedule 1, Part I, Sections 1, 2, 3 & 5 and elements of Part VI] do not list MLA South East, and it is understood from the Compliance Officer, FOI Section, Department of the Information Commissioner, that at present MLA South East is not required to submit a publication Scheme as it is not covered by the Act. The position may change as a result of a future Commencement Order, but MLA South East feels, as a responsible body, that it is appropriate within the spirit of the Act, for it to issue a Publication Scheme irrespective of its legal requirement.
Individuals have the right of access to information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998. As far as public authorities are concerned the Freedom of Information Act will extend this right to allow public access to all types of information held.
Every public authority will be required to adopt and maintain a ‘publication scheme’ setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information and whether a charge will be made for the information. The purpose of a scheme is to ensure a significant amount of information is available without the need for a specific request. Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information pro-actively and to develop a greater culture of openness.
Who is responsible for the scheme on behalf of MLA South East?
Overall responsibility for the Publication Scheme rests with Nik Wardle. Operational administration of the Publication Scheme and ensuring that it is kept up to date is the job of the Communications Administrator.
What is included in the Publication Scheme?
Included in the scheme is material that MLA South East currently publishes. The scheme also includes information not previously made available such as how MLA South East manages its affairs in order for the public to better understand how decisions are made.
In what formats is the information published?
All information published by MLA South East will be available to download free of charge from its website.
Is the information available free of charge?
Except where there is a charge for a specific publication all information is available free of charge.
MLA South East website
The website address is: www.mlasoutheast.org.uk
To what address should postal requests for published information be sent?
Information Requests
Communications Administrator
MLA South East
15 City Business Centre
Hyde Street
Winchester
Hants
SO23 7TA
Telephone requests can be made to: 01962 858844.
