Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act (effective from 1 January 2005) gives members of the public a right of access to all information held by public authorities.

The Act lists the LDA as a public authority and we are committed to its aim of fostering a culture of openness, transparency and accountability in Government. We are also committed to comply with the obligations imposed by this Act.

In addition to the duty to reply to requests for information, we are required by the Act to facilitate access to information by producing a publication scheme.

The publication scheme sets out those classes of information that we are committed to publish in the ordinary course, the manner in which the information in each class is published and whether any fee is payable for the publication of material.

If you wish to request any information listed in our publication scheme, please submit a request to our Public Liaison Unit. In some cases a fee may be charged, but you will be informed before any costs are incurred. Where applicable, costs are shown under each class of information listed in the publication scheme.

Requests for information listed in our publication scheme may also be addressed by post to our Public Liaison Unit.

If you wish to re-use or reproduce any publication listed in our publication scheme, you may be required to apply for a copyright license.

Requests for information not listed in our publication scheme:

The Freedom of Information Act also gives you the right to request information that is not listed in the publication scheme of a public authority.

This right of access to information is subject to certain exemptions, for example the protection of third party interests. For guidance on how to use your right of access to information and how your right may be limited by exemptions, please consult the guidance notes published by the Information Commissioner and by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

If you wish to request information that is not listed in our publication scheme, you may exercise your right of access to information by submitting a written request to our Public Liaison Unit.

Your request must state your name and an address for correspondence, and must describe the information you request. Although the Act allows a period of 20 work days for a response to be given to a request for information, we will attempt to answer your request as soon as possible.

If you are dissatisfied with our response to your request, you may request that the matter be reviewed internally by the LDA. A request for a review may be sent to our Public Liaison Unit. A member of senior management will conduct the review and you will be notified of the outcome within 20 work days.

If you remain dissatisfied, you may appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on the handling of your request. The Information Commissioner is an independent statutory body which polices the operation of the Freedom of Information Act and can be contacted at the following address:

FOI Compliance Team (Complaints)
The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

Tel: 01625 545700
Fax: 01625 52451