MLA West Midlands is not a public body as defined by the Act. However, although we are not legally bound by the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (2000) as an organisation we strive to adhere to the 'spirit' of the legislation. We have therefore developed a publication scheme.
Freedom of Information: MLA West Midlands Publication Scheme
MLA West Midlands, the regional council for museums, libraries and archives, was established in April 2003 as the successor to the West Midlands Regional Museum Council, the Libraries Partnership – West Midlands and the Regional Archive Forum. MLA West Midlands is supported and core funded by MLA Council and share with them the vision that “Museums, libraries and archives connect people to knowledge and information, creativity and inspiration.”

What is a publication scheme?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. A "public authority" is defined in the Act and includes but is not restricted to central and local government, non-departmental public bodies, the police, the health service and schools, colleges and universities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority for information must be informed whether the public authority holds the information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.
Individuals have the right of access to information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998. As far as public authorities are concerned the Freedom of Information Act will extend this right to allow public access to all types of information held.
Every public authority will be required to adopt and maintain a ‘publication scheme’ setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information and whether a charge will be made for the information. The purpose of a scheme is to ensure a significant amount of information is available without the need for a specific request. Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information pro-actively and to develop a greater culture of openness.
Who is responsible for the scheme on behalf of MLA West Midlands?
Simon Bennett
Knowledge Development Manager
What is included in the Publication Scheme?
Included in the scheme is material that MLA West Midlands currently publishes. The scheme also includes information not previously made available such as how MLA West Midlands manages its affairs in order for the public to better understand how decisions are made.
In what formats is the information published?

All information published by MLA West Midlands will be available to download free of charge from the MLA website.

MLA West Midlands website

The website address is: www.mlawestmidlands.org.uk
Is the information available free of charge?

Most of the information is available free of charge

To what address should postal requests for published information be sent?
MLA West Midlands
Grosvenor House
14 Bennetts Hill
Birmingham B2 5RS