Corporation Policy on Access to Information

As a publicly accountable body the Corporation is committed to openness in respect of information relating to its business and the operation of the College.

The Freedom of information Act 2000 gives all members of the public an automatic right of access to most information held or published by educational and other institutions. In accordance with the Act the College’s Corporation has adopted the model publication scheme for Further Education establishments and a copy of the scheme is available on the web site of the Information Commissioner (www.ico.gov.uk) or by application to the College’s Financial Director.

The publication scheme gives details of the documents available to the public and where and how these documents can be obtained or viewed. A charge may be made for access to certain documents and in such cases the details of the charge is given in the publication scheme.

Confidential information

The Freedom of Information Act allows certain exemptions from publication for information which include:

 Personal information subject to restrictions by the Data Protection Act

 Prohibited by Act of Parliament

Provided in confidence which, if disclosed, could damage the College or an individual

Legal Professional Privilege

Prejudicial to Health and Safety

Prejudicial to the commercial interests

The subject of criminal proceedings or which is part of an investigation that  could lead to criminal proceedings

The Governing Body of the College is the Corporation and operates in accordance with the Instrument and Articles of Government prescribed by the Secretary of State. Information relating to the Corporation is publicly available and includes the agenda, papers and minutes of meetings of the Corporation and its Committees, a list of Corporation Members, the Register of Members’ Interests, Appointment Procedure, etc. Certain confidential papers and minutes are not available where they deal with matters that are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.

Requests for information relating to the Corporation should be made to:

Clerk to the Corporation
Birmingham Metropolitan College
Lichfield Road
Sutton Coldfield
B74 2NW
Tel: 0121 355 5671 ext 5540