Audit Commission

The key principles of the Audit Commission approach to Freedom of Information explained.

Principle 1: Openness in its publications

The Audit Commission will be as open as possible in the information it can publish.

We will make information available unless there are commercial, legal or public interest reasons for not doing so. The Audit Commission has a responsibility to ensure that the public audit and inspection functions within its regime are carried out effectively and in the public interest. While we will endeavour to be as open as possible we must retain the trust placed in us by other public sector bodies and operate with due regard for the laws governing data privacy and protection and commercial confidentiality.

Our Information Charter (Word, 48Kb) sets out our responsibilities in respect of personal information and explains how you can request information we may hold about you.

Principle 2: Presentation of business

The Audit Commission will present its business in clear language taking account of different needs where possible.

The Audit Commission will use plain, gender-neutral language in its dealings with the public. It will aim to produce brief, easy-to-read documents, paying attention to the needs of different sectors of the community and in line with our Strategic Regulation objectives of providing equality of access to service information.

Principle 3: Publishing on the internet

The Audit Commission will use the internet as its primary publishing medium.

The Audit Commission's website will include information identified in its publication scheme. All Audit Commission published documents will either be published in full format on the internet or an order form will be provided. The website will conform to national and international standards on accessibility and will provide search facilities, feedback and contact details for customer enquiries.

Principle 4: Providing a prompt and comprehensive response

The Audit Commission will provide a prompt and comprehensive response to requests for information.

The Audit Commission will aim to respond to requests for information within 20 working days. A 'working day' means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a day that is a bank holiday. This may be extended to 60 working days in specific circumstances, for example, if the request involves a significant amount of research, or pulling together many different items. In such a case, the applicant will be informed of the delay and be given a date by which a full response will be provided. They will also be informed of any charges that may be incurred as outlined in Principle 6.

If the request for information has been prepared by an Audit Commission official on behalf of the applicant, the 20 working days commitment takes effect from the date on which the applicant confirms the official's summary of the information requested.

In dealing with a request for information, the Audit Commission is not required to publish information it does not possess or own. If it considers that another public body owns the information sought, it will consult the body and transfer the request if appropriate. The person requesting the information will be advised that the request has been transferred.

Where the Audit Commission refuses to provide information on any of the grounds identified by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the response will identify why and include advice on the Audit Commission's complaints procedure (see Principle 5).

Principle 5: Providing a right of complaint

The Audit Commission will provide a right of complaint where a member of the public is not satisfied with the response received.

Where an applicant is not satisfied with the response to the FoIA request, they can use the Audit Commission's Access to Information complaints procedure (PDF 48Kb).

Printed copies and advice are available from:
The Audit Commission's Compliance Manager,
Audit Commission, 1st Floor, Nicholson House, Lime Kiln Close, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8SR.
Email: foi@audit-commission.gov.uk
Telephone: 0845 0522644

In line with our procedure, any complaint about a request for information should be directed to the Compliance Manager.

If after pursuing the Audit Commission's complaints procedure the complainant is still unhappy with the outcome, he/she may refer the complaint to the Information Commissioners' Office, which, in most circumstances, will expect the Audit Commission's own procedures to have been exhausted before the matter is referred to his office. Contact details for the Information Commissioner are available at www.ico.gov.uk

Principle 6: Providing information free of charge

The Audit Commission will provide information free of charge where possible.

The Audit Commission's general policy is not to charge for information supplied other than to recover the cost of photocopies or prints from electronically held documents. Information that is available as part of our normal charged publications service will be provided only through that service.

Exceptions to this policy may arise where the cost of providing the information is calculated to be expensive to the organisation. In this event costs will be decided on a case-by-case basis and the applicant advised of any charges that may be incurred in processing their request. The 20 working days commitment takes effect from the date on which the applicant confirms that he/she wishes to proceed with the request and the necessary payment has been received and cleared by the applicants' bank.

Where information is considered to be too costly to provide or where the request is vexatious or repeated, the Audit Commission will issue a decision notice on non-publication and explain why. We will also include a copy of our complaints procedure.

The Audit Commission may wish to review its policy on charging in light of any changes to the existing regulations and after experience of costs incurred. But its aim will be to avoid charging where possible and to keep any fees as low as possible.