Re-use means using the information for a purpose other than the purpose for which it was produced. This includes using the information for commercial purposes.

A valid request must:

• Be in writing
• State your name and contact details
• Be precise and clearly specify the documents you want to re-use.

All requests must be sent to:

Records Management Team
Town Hall, Westoe Road
South Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE33 2RL

By email to: foi@southtyneside.gov.uk

By completing our online request form

By fax to: 0191 424 7002

Yes. All requests must be responded to within 20 working days unless there are exceptional circumstances. If we require more information we will contact you.

If a request is received outside of normal working hours it will be treated as being received the next working day.

No. There are certain regulations that prevent re-use, where:

• the content is exempt from disclosure under
• the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
• the documents falls outside of the Council’s statutory functions.
• the document contains information in which intellectual property rights are owned by a third party. An example of this would be architectural drawings which have been commissioned by an architect who retains the copyright.
• the document does not exist.
• the document is held either by either Public Service Broadcasters (including the BBC), educational and research establishments or by cultural establishments such as libraries and museums.
  

Yes. We will advise you in writing of the:

• Reasons for refusal
• Your rights to an internal review and appeal
• The necessary time limits of reviews and appeals

Where refusal is due to intellectual property rights being owned by a third party, we will confirm, if we know:

• Who owns the intellectual property rights and
• Provide you with their names and contact details.
  

No. We can impose conditions on re-use. These conditions will not necessarily restrict the way in which a document can be reused or restrict competition.

We cannot discriminate between two applicants who request the same information, nor can we grant you exclusive rights for re-use of the document unless the arrangement is in the public interest.

If exclusive rights are granted, the document will be reviewed on a 3 year basis and details of the exclusive rights may be published on the Council’s website.

We may make a charge but we will advise you on receipt of your request.

If charges are applied these will be to cover:

• The re-use of information for commercial use
• The costs of collecting, producing and supplying the material
• The cost of the demand on the document(s) over the next three years

Any requests considered unreasonable will be refused.

Yes, but this must be stipulated in your request and may incur an additional charge.

You can ask for an Internal Review to be carried out. This request must be made in writing and received within 40 days of you receiving your decision notice.

You can write to the Office of Public Sector Information to have your case reviewed at:

OPSI Standards Team
Room 1.35
Admiralty Arch
North Side
The Mail
London
SW1A 2WH

Tel. No: 020 7276 5217
Fax No: 020 7276 5207

Or by accessing the OPSI website and completing an on-line form at:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/about/contact-us/index.htm

Appeals to the OPSI must be lodged within 6 months following an Internal Review.

You can complain to the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information (APPSI)

Your appeal must:

• Be in writing
• State the nature of your appeal
• Include copies of decision notices from the Council and OPSI

Appeals to the APPSI must be lodged 28 days from your date of notification from OPSI. You will need to contact:

Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information
1.35 Admiralty Arch
The Mall
London
SW1A 2WH
Tel: 020 7276 5216
Fax: 020 7276 5207

Further guidance is available on the following web sites:

• www.opsi.gov.uk
• www.hmso.gov.uk
• www.dti.gov.uk.