On 1st July 2005 a new Directive was introduced to allow people to apply to re-use information held by the Council. Reuse means using the information for a purpose other than the purpose for which the document was originally produced.
Examples of public sector information are national and local legislation, statistics, local planning, tourist information, and guidance on local community issues and policies etc.
To comply with PSI legislation South Tyneside Council has a duty to:
- Respond to all PSI requests within 20 working days
- Offer appropriate advice and guidance, where necessary
- Grant licences for re-use of public sector information where applicable
- Levy fees where there is reasonable justification to cover the costs of producing and supplying the data
The focus of Freedom of Information is on access to information, whereas the PSI Regulations refer to its reuse. If part of your request refers to access then this must be dealt with under FOI. The RSPI Regulations do not apply to documents that are exempt under Freedom of Information, Data Protection or the Environmental Information Regulations.
How to make a request for reuse
You can complete a PSI Request Form on this website at or apply in writing (letter or fax or email) to: Records Management Team Leader, Westoe Road, Town Hall, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 2RL or contact us on 0191 424 6537/6538 or send an email to foi@southtyneside.gov.uk.
Useful sources of information
For further guidance on the PSI Regulations the following websites may prove useful: