List of organisations not subject to FOI by function
An Appendix to this letter: Letter_to_say_more_organisations_should_be_covered_by_the_Act
get ideas from here: Organisations_and_officials_with_public_responsibilities_that_are_not_subject_to_the_Freedom_of_Information_Act
Communications, Media and Entertainment
Advertising Standards Authority
"The Advertising Standards Authority regulates the content of advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK." [1]
British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)
The BBFC is an independent, non-governmental body, which has classifies cinema films and videos. (Video Recordings Act 1984).
British Film Institute
Included in the Whole of Government Accounts. The BFI received over £14 million of Grant-in-aid in 2008.
British Telecom, in respect of information held for the purpose of meeting its Universal Service Obligation
"The USO is a safety net that makes sure people on low incomes, and other customers who might be at a disadvantage, can have a phone service."[2]
Casino Advisory Panel
The ICO noted in its response to a Government consultation that it has received complaints about this body not being subject to the Act.[3]
Defence Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee (DPBAC)
"The DA Notice system is a voluntary code that provides guidance to the British media on the publication or broadcasting of national security information. The objective is to prevent inadvertent public disclosure of information that would compromise UK military and intelligence operations and methods, or put at risk the safety of those involved in such operations, or lead to attacks that would damage the critical national infrastructure and/or endanger lives. The system is overseen by the Defence Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee, a joint government/media body that approves the standing DA notices and monitors their implementation." [4]
Market Research Society (MRS)
"MRS supports best practice by setting and enforcing industry standards. The commitment to uphold the MRS Code of Conduct is supported by the Codeline service and a wide range of specialist guidelines."[30] "
Openreach
Openreach is the division was created to "Ensure that all rival operators have equality of access to BT's own local network". The local network or "access network" is the wiring connecting customers to their local telephone exchange, starting at the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) in the exchange and ending at the network termination point (NTP) at the end user's premises. Wikipedia Article on Openreach
PhonepayPlus Limited
previously called ICSTIS[5]
"Under the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has responsibility for the regulation of premium rate services. In December 2007 it was confirmed that PhonepayPlus will act as the agency which carries out the day-to-day regulation of the PRS market on Ofcom's behalf."[6]
Press Complaints Commission
"The Press Complaints Commission is an independent body which deals with complaints from members of the public about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines."
Democracy
Electoral Registration Officers
"The Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not list any person appointed under the Representation of the People Act 1983. The Electoral Registration Officer, Returning Officer or any other person appointed under the Act are not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act."[7]
Returning Officers
See Electoral Registration Officers.
Education
Academies
"Academies are all-ability, state-funded schools established and managed by sponsors from a wide range of backgrounds" (according to the DCSF)
Exam Boards
Bodies that set and regulate exams, such as SATs, GCSEs and 'A'-levels.
e.g. "The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is the largest of the three English exam boards, awarding 49% of full course GCSEs and 42% of A-levels nationally. In total, students take over 3.5 million exams with us each year. "[8]
An Exam Board that is a wholly owned subsidiaries of a university is subject to the Act.
Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)
UCAS
Energy
Capita Gas Registration and Ancillary Services Limited
"Gas Safe Register is run by Capita Gas Registration and Ancillary Services Limited"[14]
"Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for Great Britain (GB)..., appointed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for Great Britain..."[9]
National Grid plc
"National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain and its distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses." [10]
Environment
Regional Climate Change Partnerships
The Freedom of Information Act does not apply to regional climate change partnerships [11], created as a result of the Climate Change Act 2008.
Health
Local Medical Committees
Statutory body representing GPs
Royal College of Physicians
The RCP publish Clinical guidelines that 'are "systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances".'
http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/college/ceeu/search/
Heritage
Churches Conservation Trust
Included in Whole of Government Accounts. "its sponsor, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, expect it to perform as one in relation to the [Freedom of Information] Act, and it is the Trust’s intention to do so."[12]
Railway Heritage Committee
"The Railway Heritage Committee is a statutory body operating under the authority of the Railway Heritage Act 1996 as amended by the Railways Act 2005. It has the function of 'designating' records and artefacts still within the ownership of the post-British Rail (BR) industry which are historically significant and should be permanently preserved." [13]
Housing
Housing Associations
Housing Associations (also called Registered Social Landlords) are not subject to FOI (in theory one could be if it was wholly owned by a local authority).
Finance
Financial Services Compensation Scheme Limited
Appears not to be subject to the Act.[14]
"The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is the UK's statutory fund of last resort for customers of authorised financial services firms. This means that FSCS can pay compensation if a firm is unable, or likely to be unable, to pay claims against it. FSCS is an independent body, set up under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA)."
Financial Ombudsman Service
Appears not be subject to the Act[15]
The service is funded by levies and case fees which businesses we cover have to pay by law. Consumers do not pay to bring a complaint to the ombudsman. And we receive no government funding. They have statutory powers under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and Consumer and Credit Act 2006.
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/faq/answers/research_a5.html
Financial Reporting Council
"The Financial Reporting Council is the UK’s independent regulator responsible for promoting confidence in corporate governance and reporting. We promote high standards of corporate governance through the Combined Code,..." [16]
publicly owned banks
including:
- Bradford & Bingley plc
- Northern Rock plc
Law and order
Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
Magistrates' Association
"Promotes uniformity of practice"
because about 80% of Magistrates are members the guidance the organisation gives has a significant impact on the administration of justice.
about page for Magistrates' Association
Parliamentary corporations and pension schemes
Corporate Officer of the House of Commons
The corporate officer is a corporation sole.
Corporate Officer of the House of Lords
The corporate officer is a corporation sole.
Trustees of Parliamentary Contributory Pensions Fund
Trustees of House of Commons pension scheme
Air Travel Trust
Included in "Whole of Government Accounts". The purpose of the Air Travel Trust is to manage and apply the Trust Fund for the benefit of customers of failed tour operators. [19]
Manchester Airport Group
"MAG is publicly owned by the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester and is privately managed on their behalf, gives us a unique insight into the value our business brings to the regions of the UK.
Our shareholders are:
The Council of the City of Manchester - 55% The Borough Council of Bolton - 5% The Borough Council of Bury - 5% The Oldham Borough Council - 5% The Rochdale Borough Council - 5% The Council of the City of Salford - 5% The Metropolitan Borough Council of Stockport - 5% The Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council - 5% The Trafford Borough Council - 5% The Wigan Borough Council - 5%"
National Air Traffic Services
"NATS provides air traffic control services at 15 of the UK's biggest airports, and "en-route" air traffic services for aircraft flying through UK airspace"[21]
A quarter of the UKs inland waterways are controlled by 30 navigation authorities drawn from the public, private and voluntary sectors. [22]
- The Conservators of the River Cam are an example http://www.camconservators.co.uk/
(The Environment Agency, the Broads Authority and British Waterways Board are subject to the act)
Network Rail
Port Authorities
Trinity House
The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond is the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. Also a Deep Sea Pilotage Authority providing expert navigators for ships trading in Northern European waters.
Royalty and Crown Land
Duchy of Cornwall
"Under the 1337 charter, and as confirmed by subsequent legislation, The Prince of Wales is not entitled to the proceeds or profit on the sale of assets, and only receives the annual income which they generate, which is voluntarily subject to income tax. Because of the importance of the beneficiary, the Duchy’s ‘trust provisions’ have, over the years, been set out in legislation, with the financial security of the Duchy overseen by HM Treasury." [23]
Duchy of Lancaster
"The Duchy's main purpose is to provide income for the Sovereign as Duke of Lancaster, although the Sovereign is not entitled to any of the capital assets of the Duchy. Established over 700 years ago, the Duchy of Lancaster is a body created under Charter."
The Royal Household
The Royal Household aims to provide exceptional support and advice to The Queen, enabling her to serve the nation and its people. The Royal Household employs over 1,200 staff.
UK National Standards Body (NSB)
British Standards Institution (BSI)
BSI is a private company with some public responsibilities:
"BSI British Standards is recognised as the UK National Standards Body (NSB) by the UK Government. The UK NSB role is performed by BSI British Standards on behalf of the UK Government and principally involves the representation of the UK in European and International standards fora."
