Freedom of Information Requests – Group Publication Scheme
Introduction
Publication Schemes are a requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Act promotes greater openness, transparency and accountability across the public sector by requiring all ‘public authorities’ to make information available proactively, through such schemes. For the purposes of the Act ‘public authorities’ include universities, higher, further and sixth form colleges.
What is a Publication Scheme?
NPTC Group has adopted the sector standard ‘model’ Publication Scheme and is committed to providing access to the information it outlines. The purpose of the model is to avoid duplication of effort in producing individual schemes to assist members of the public to access information from across the sector as a whole.
View our Model Publication Scheme
NPTC Group of Colleges
NPTC Group of Colleges prides itself on offering ‘more than just an education’. The Group is a tertiary institution created in 2013 by the merger of former Neath Port Talbot College and Coleg Powys. It is one of the largest further education colleges in Wales.
The Group provides a broad mix of academic, vocational and bespoke courses at both further and higher education levels to the communities of Neath Port Talbot, Powys and beyond. Its students span the age range of 14 to 80 years. It has a proven track record in academic, sporting and cultural successes which place it among the best colleges in Wales. The quality of education and training is the cornerstone of its success.
Access to Information
The categories of information available areas outlined in the Publication Scheme.
Some of the information is directly available by downloading or printing from the Group’s website. If it is not accessible via that route please address applications for information to:
Gemma Charnock
Freedom of Information Officer
NPTC Group
Neath Campus
Dwr-y-Felin Road
Neath
SA10 7RF
Tel: 01639 648034
Fax: 01639 648019
E-mail: FOI@nptcgroup.ac.uk
When applying please state clearly the information you require under the Freedom of Information Act. The majority of information is available free of charge. The Scheme identifies which items will incur a charge. Generally, this occurs when documents over 20 pages are printed off or copied. In such cases, the College reserves the right to levy a reasonable charge for copying and administration costs.
Exemptions
From 1 January 2005, you have the right under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request any information from the Group, which has not already been made available via the Publication Scheme. Requests for such information should be made in writing to the Freedom of Information Officer and generally, the Group will have up to 20 days in which to respond. A fee may be charged. The Group is not required to respond to requests for the release of information to which an exemption in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 legitimately applies.
Copyright
Reproducing material supplied under its Publication Scheme without the express permission of NPTC Group may constitute an infringement of its copyright. Requests for permission should be addressed to the Freedom of Information Officer.
Monitoring
It is important that the Publication Scheme meets the needs of those who use it. Any constructive suggestions as to increase the scope of the Scheme and how the publications themselves might be improved would be welcomed. If you have any questions or comments please contact the Freedom of Information Officer.
Complaints
If you have a complaint regarding the Publication Scheme, please write in the first instance giving full details to the CEO:
FAO: Mark Dacey, CEO
NPTC Group
Neath Campus
Dwr-y-Felin Road
Neath
SA10 7RF
If the Group cannot resolve your complaint you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner, the independent body with oversight of the Freedom of Information Act whose address is:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
