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How has the implementation of the UK Freedom of Information Act 2000 affected archives and records management services?

Elizabeth Shepherd (School of Library, Archive and Information Studies, University College London, UK)
Elizabeth Ennion (Peterborough Archives Service, Peterborough Central Library, Peterborough, UK)

Records Management Journal

ISSN: 0956-5698

Article publication date: 27 February 2007

3272

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider what the impact of the first six months of the Freedom of Information Act has been on archives and records management services in UK public services. The UK Freedom of Information Act was passed in 2000 and came into full operation on 1 January 2005. It gives people, regardless of nationality, a right to be told whether public bodies hold information and to be provided with that information. Similar legislation exists in over 50 countries including the USA, Canada, Australia and Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

The project undertook interviews with four case study organisations: University College London, the Metropolitan Police, Peterborough City Council and Soham Village College. Using the Department for Constitutional Affairs Model Action Plan, the researchers examined leadership and policy, training and awareness, information and records management, customers and stakeholders and systems and procedures.

Findings

The research showed that the four case study organisations coped well with the requests they received in the first six months of 2005. However, the systems would not have been robust enough had request levels been higher.

Originality/value

Archives and records management services are a key part of FOI and should take an active role in research to establish best practice.

Keywords

Citation

Shepherd, E. and Ennion, E. (2007), "How has the implementation of the UK Freedom of Information Act 2000 affected archives and records management services?", Records Management Journal, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 32-51. https://doi.org/10.1108/09565690710730688

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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