Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Public Authorities must produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to information giving details of:

* The information we routinely make available

* How the information can be accessed; and

* Whether or not a charge will be made for it.

Middlesbrough Council has produced a Publication Scheme which contains seven classes of information. A brief description of the types of information to be found within each class is provided below. This should help you to find the information you need more easily.

GUIDE TO CLASSES OF INFORMATION

Who we are and what we do - Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.

What we spend and how we spend it - Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.

What our priorities are and how we are doing - Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews

How we make decisions - Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations

Our policies and procedures - Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities

List and registers - Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.

Services provided by the Council - Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.

Information not included in the Scheme

Some information that the authority cannot make routinely available includes information that is exempt from disclosure, for instance personal data or commercial interest or if the authority cannot easily access the information.

The method by which information published under this scheme will be made available

The authority will indicate clearly to the public what information is covered by this scheme and how it can be obtained.

Middlesbrough Council is making every effort to increase the amount of information available on the Council web site. Where it is not possible to make information available on the web site or when an individual does not wish to access the information via the web site, we will indicate how information can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.

In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person. Where this manner is specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.

Charges which may be made for Information published under this scheme

The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by the authority for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.

Material which is published and accessed on a web site will be provided free of charge.

If you wish to have any further information regarding the Publication Scheme, please contact one of the Freedom of Information Officers on Telephone: (01642) 729698 or 729696 or alternatively email: foi@middlesbrough.gov.uk. Postal address: Legal and Democratic Services, PO Box 99a, Town Hall, Middlesbrough, TS1 2QQ.