Freedom of information
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which came fully into force in January 2005, aims to foster a culture of openness in government.
The Act establishes a right of access to all types of 'recorded' information held by public authorities (including CABE) and imposes obligations on public authorities to disclose information, subject to a range of exemptions.
The FOIA sits alongside the Data Protection Act (1998), which gives individuals the right of access to information about them held on computer and in some paper files.
For more information about the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act and the exemptions that apply visit the Information Commissioner's Office website.
One of the requirements of the FOIA is that each public authority produces a publication scheme setting out what information it will publish as a matter of course, how and when it will do so, and whether this information will be available free of charge.
Read CABE's publication scheme.
Requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act
If the information you are looking for is not available under our publication scheme, you need to make a request to us for the information you require. Your request must be in writing but can be in the form or an email. Please include your name and correspondence address and describe the information you need. We may come back to you for further information in order to clarify your request.
Generally, we make no charge for processing requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. However, we reserve the right to charge where enquiries involve a large volume of photocopies and/or staff time.
Wherever possible, your request will be handled within 20 working days from the day after your request was received.
Please send your request to:
Corporate services officer
CABE
1 Kemble Street
London
WC2B 4AN
T: 020 7070 6700
F: 020 7070 6777
E: info@cabe.org.uk
Requesting information under the Data Protection Act
Upon receipt of a written request from you (a data subject request), CABE is obliged to:
- provide you with copies and/or information about certain personal data which CABE processes about you
- amend your personal data, where any such information is inaccurate or out of date
"Personal data" means any information or data which identifies a living individual either directly or indirectly, whether processed on our automated systems (e.g. computers) or in our structured manual records (e.g. personnel records).
To make a data subject request, please write to use, providing the following information:
- your name
- your address
- your telephone number (if you are happy for us to contact you by phone)
- your email address (if you are happy for us to contact you by email).
Please state which of the following types of information you require
- A description of the personal data CABE holds on you
- An explanation of the purposes for which your personal data is processed
- A list of those to whom your personal data have and/or may be disclosed
CABE makes a charge of £10 for data subject requests. Please enclose a cheque or postal order for £10 (made payable to CABE) with your request. In order to disclose your personal information, we need proof your identity. Please enclose a copy of your passport or driver's licence with your request.
CABE aims to handle your request within 20 working days of receipt of your request and fee.
Complaints
If you are not happy with the way in which we have handled a request for information you may ask for an internal review. Details about CABE's internal review process are included in our complaints procedure.
If you are not happy with the outcome of your complaint once your review has been conducted you may forward your complaint to the Information Commissioner at the following address:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 745 (helpline)
Fax: 01625 545 510