East Suffolk publication scheme

Date of publication scheme: 2025

Background and Scope

This Publication Scheme is based on the model publication scheme approved by the 
Information Commissioner (version 1.1 20130901) and supports our policy of transparency 
and accountability.

The model scheme can be found on the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) website. In brief, adoption of the scheme is a commitment to:

  •  publishing or making available information which falls into the classifications below
  • specifying what information we do hold within these classifications
  • proactively publishing, reviewing and updating information which is made public under the scheme
  • producing a schedule of fees charged for access to information
  • making the publication scheme available to the public
  • publishing any datasets which have been requested, and publishing updated versions of these datasets, where reasonably practical, in a format available for re-use, and where information is copyright and owned by the authority, making this information available for re-use under licence.

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

How we make decisions

Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.

Our policies and procedures

current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities

Lists and registers

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

The service we offer

advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of services offered.

Information, which is exempt or prevented from disclosure by law, which is no longer readily available or is difficult to access will not generally be published.

Methods by which information will be made available.

We undertake to clearly indicate what information is covered by the scheme and how you may access it. Where possible, information will be published on our website.

Freedom of Information, Environmental Information, Data Protection and Subject Access Requests

Where it is not practical to publish this information on the website, we will advise you how to obtain it.

Some information may only be accessible by viewing in person. In this case, we will provide contact details so that you may make an appointment to view the requested information.

Information will be provided in the language in which it is held, or in the language that is legally required. Where legally required, we will translate any information.

We take seriously our obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and will provide information in other formats and forms in accordance with legislation.

Charges for information

Information which is already published on the website is provided free of charge.

Where we make a charge for information, this will be specified in our Fees and Charges book which is available on the website, and may cover costs such as photocopying, postage and direct costs incurred.

In certain cases, we may make other charges but you will be notified of these where they are applicable (e.g. fees under the “appropriate limit” of the Freedom of Information Act).

Written requests for information.

Information not published under the scheme can be requested in writing and will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations or Data Protection Act.

For Freedom of Information or Environmental Information requests, you can email or 
write into us.

Environmental Information Regulations requests may also be made verbally.

If you are seeking the information we hold about you as an individual, you already have the right of access under the Data Protection Act and can find out how to exercise this right by checking our Data Protection webpage.

Freedom of Information, Environmental Information, Data Protection and Subject Access Requests

Freedom of Information page - includes:

East Suffolk Council publishes FOI and EIR requests received. We retain 2 years plus current year. They can be found via our Disclosure log.

Environmental Information Regulations page - includes:

  • Instructions on how to make an EIR request.

Data Protection page - includes:

Information about what sort of information we hold about individuals, how we deal with it and how to access the information we hold.

Who we are and what we do

There are links from the East Suffolk homepage to:

  • Finding us
  • Contacting East Suffolk Council
  • Finding your District Councillor
  • Community Information
  • Council meetings

Links within the Council and Democracy section of the website hold information on

What we spend and how we spend it

Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts

The Council finances page contains links to:

  • Performance Management and National Indicators
  • Annual Accounts
  • Financial Information including:
    • Council Budget
    • Statement of Accounts
    • Annual Governance report and Audit letter
    • Treasury report, policy and strategy
    • Fees and Charges

The Business Plan can be found within the Council and Democracy section of the website.

The Council finances page has a link to our published payments to suppliers

Our Supplying the council page links to our procurement and tendering process including guidance, contacts and contracts currently open to tender. 

How we make decisions

Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.

The Council and Democracy section of the website contains much of this information, including:

  • Shared Service with East Suffolk Council.
  • Performance - quarterly reports
  • Council meetings, agendas and decisions including:
    • Calendar of meetings
    • Decision notices
    • Forward Plan and key decisions
    • Disclosure of exempt information
    • Questions asked at Full Council
    • Link to the Council Constitution

Key Plans and Strategies

Our policies and procedures

current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities

Lists and registers

The service we offer

Links to the council’s services are grouped into simple areas which can be linked to from the East Suffolk Council homepage:

Media releases are often initially posted to the homepage, and can also be found under the News link from the homepage.