FOIwiki:Current events

Well, more future and past events than current events really. Events that are likely to require updates to FOIwiki and WhatDoTheyKnow and other FOI related news. We tend to leave around 12 months of events on this page.

Ongoing

Government Spending Review - abolition of quangos

• A number of non-departmental government bodies / quangos have been named as being up for abolition, merger or absorption into parent departments, as part of the Coalition Government's Spending Review, due this autumn

• Main article: Bonfire of the quangos

NHS community services divestment

Main article: NHS community services divestment

Primary care trusts are being required by DH to divest themselves of their in-house community services. In most cases, this is either to existing or newly formed National Health Service trusts or NHS foundation trusts. In "over 60" cases, though, services look like being provided by a "Social Enterprise", which appears to mean a Community Interest Company. The current proposal is to make them subject to the FOI Act.

• DH press release

Health and Social Care Bill

• Enabling legislation: Health and Social Care Bill 2010-2011
• List of GP Pathfinder Consortia (Wave 1 & Wave 2): http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/context/consortia/

1st May 2012

• Abolition and removal from FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • A courts board established under section 4 of the Courts Act 2003 (added by SI 2005/3593; removed by SI 2012/1206)

Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

See article: Protection of Freedoms Bill - the Bill has now received Royal Assent

The main points:

• Requirement for datasets to be made available in a reusable form
• Requirement to release Crown datasets under a specified licence
• Extension to FOIA Section 6 to cover companies jointly-owned by several public authorities
• Slightly fewer restrictions on the actions of the Information Commissioner

8th May 2012

• Amendments to FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • The Child Poverty Commission (added by Child Poverty Act 2010; removed by Welfare Reform Act 2012)
  • The Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission (not on the main list) (added by Welfare Reform Act 2012)

1st June 2012

• Establishment of National Health Service Trust Development Authority (a special health authority) by SI 2012/901

28th June 2012

• Establishment of Health Education England (a special health authority) by SI 2012/1273

1st July 2012

• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (with SI 2012/1205):
  • Extends the shortening of the 30-year rule to Northern Ireland [s104]
• Changes to FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • The Alcohol Education and Research Council (removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1319)
  • The Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts (added by SI 2005/3593; removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1319)
  • Monitor (added by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1319)
  • The Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator (added by Health and Social Care Act 2008 and SI 2010/23; removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1319)
• Dissolution of the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Health Care National Health Service Trust (a National Health Service trust) by SI 2012/1514
• Public Bodies Act 2011 abolishes all of the regional development agencies apart from the London Development Agency and amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • Any regional development agency established under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, other than the London Development Agency (removed in part by Localism Act 2011 and SI 2012/628 and otherwise by Public Bodies Act 2011 and SI 2012/1662)

2nd July 2012

• SI 2012/1659 amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • The British Waterways Board (removed by SI 2012/1659)
  • Canal & River Trust, in respect of information held by it relating to functions exercisable by it by virtue of the British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1659) (added by SI 2012/1659)
• ... and amends FOISA Schedule 1:
  • 61B The British Waterways Board (added by SI 2012/1659)
• SI 2012/1658 also amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • *The Inland Waterways Advisory Council (added by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006; removed by SI 2012/1658)

19th July 2012

• Establishment of Natural Resources Body for Wales (not on the main list) by SI 2012/1093^{({{#formlink:form=Legislation|link text=add|query string=Legislation[Type]=uksi&Legislation[Year]=2012&Legislation[Number]=1093}})}.

22nd July 2012

• SI 2012/1923 abolishes and removes from FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • The Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances (removed by SI 2012/1923)

31st July 2012

• Establishment of Easton and Otley College (a further education corporation) by SI 2012/1748. It will replace Easton College and Otley College of Agriculture and Horticulture.

1st August 2012

• Changes to FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • The General Social Care Council (removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1319)
  • The Health and Care Professions Council (added by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1319)
  • The Health Professions Council (removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1319)
• Abolition of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission by SI 2012/2007

August 2012

BBC news piece lists quangos axed/changed status:

• Hearing Aid Council
• Security Commission
• Renewables Advisory Board
• Teenage Pregnancy Advisory Group
• Cycling England
• Farm Animal Welfare Council
• Design Council
• The Tote
• School Food Trust
• Standards Board for England
• UK Film Council
• British Waterways

Source: Cabinet Office

14th September 2012

• Safeguarding Board Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 inserts into FOIA Schedule 1 Part VII:
  • The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (added by Safeguarding Board Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and SR 2012/338)

1st October 2012

• Health and Social Care Act 2012:
  • Amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part III:
    • 37A - The National Health Service Commissioning Board (added by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1831)
      • When the NHSCB is created, the NHS Commissioning Board Authority will be abolished by SI 2012/1641.
    • 37B - A clinical commissioning group established under section 14D of the National Health Service Act 2006 (added by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1831)
  • Abolishes the National Patient Safety Agency (a special health authority)
• Closure of Elmwood College, Oatridge College and The Barony College (SSI 2012/237), becoming part of SRUC.
• Closure of Jewel and Esk College and Stevenson College Edinburgh (SSI 2012/238)
• Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 amends FOISA Schedule 1:
  • 85ZA The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (not on the main list) (added by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 and SSI 2012/253)

15th October 2012

• Change of name of a National Health Service trust:
  • The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals National Health Service Trust → The Royal Wolverhampton National Health Service Trust (SI 2012/1837)
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 inserts into FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • The Disclosure and Barring Service (added by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and SI 2012/2521)

31st October 2012

• Health and Social Care Act 2012:
  • Amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
    • The Appointments Commission (added by Health Act 2006; removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1831)
• Thurrock Development Corporation (an urban development corporation) abolished by SI 2012/995.

1st November 2012

• Dissolution of the Oxfordshire Learning Disability National Health Service Trust by SI 2012/2570.

15 November 2012

Police Commissioners elected (they formally take office on 22 November) Police and Crime Panels come into existence

22 November 2012

• Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 amends:
  • FOIA Schedule 1 Part V:
    • 57 - A police authority established under section 3 of the Police Act 1996 (removed by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and SI 2011/2892)
    • 57 - A police and crime commissioner (added by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and SI 2011/2892)

Police Authorities in England and Wales become defunct

1st December 2012

• Amendment to FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • The Independent Safeguarding Authority (added by SI 2011/1041; removed by SI 2012/3006)
• Disclosure and Barring Service takes over functions of Independent Safeguarding Authority and {{WDTK(SI 2012/3006)
• Health and Social Care Act 2012:
  • Amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
    • The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (was "The Council for the Regulation of Health Care Professionals", changed by Health and Social Care Act 2008 and SI 2008/3244; removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1319)
    • The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (added by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2012/1319) [sch15 para69]

17th December 2012

• Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority (a fire and rescue authority) becomes Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority (SI 2012/2879)

1st January 2013

• West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust becomes West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

1st February 2013

• Abolition of Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust (a National Health Service trust) by SI 2013/4 (taken over by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust[1])

28th February 2013

• Dissolution of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (an urban development corporation) by SI 2013/110.

22nd March 2013

• Dissolution and removal from FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • British Shipbuilders (removed by SI 2013/687)

28th March 2013

• Addition to FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, in respect of information relating to the function exercisable by virtue of article 2 of the Public Bodies (The Office of Fair Trading Transfer of Consumer Advice Scheme Function and Modification of Enforcement Functions) Order 2013 S.I. 2013/783 (added by SI 2013/783)
• ... and to FOISA Schedule 1:
  • 79A The Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, but only in respect of information relating to the function exercisable by virtue of article 2 of the Public Bodies (The Office of Fair Trading Transfer of Consumer Advice Scheme Function and Modification of Enforcement Functions) Order 2013 S.I. 2013/783 (added by SI 2013/783)

1st April 2013

• Abolition and amendment to FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
  • The Commission for Rural Communities (added by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006; removed by SI 2012/2654)
  • The Railway Heritage Committee (added by SI 2010/937; removed by SI 2013/64)
• Changes to policing in Scotland. Creation of Police Scotland and The Scottish Police Authority; abolition of current Scottish Police forces. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2012/8/contents/enacted http://www.strathclyde.police.uk/join_us/police-scotland/police_service_of_scotland_faqs/

Also Scottish Police Services Authority is expected to become part of the Scottish Police Authority - perhaps at the same time. Note Police Scotland and The Scottish Police Authority have been added to WDTK early as they appear to exist already as of March 2013 and be ramping up to their operational role commencing. At the time of writing Police Scotland needs a contact email address.

• A user has alerted us that NHS Property Services is to come into being on 1 April 2013
• Health and Social Care Act 2012:
  • Amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part II [s189]:
    • 35E - A Local Healthwatch organisation, in respect of information held in connection with—

      (a) arrangements made under section 221(1) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, or

      (b) arrangements made in pursuance of arrangements made under section 221(1) of that Act. (added by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2013/160)

  • Amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part III:
    • 36A - A Strategic Health Authority established under section 13 of the National Health Service Act 2006 (amended by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006; removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2013/160) [sch5 para99]
    • 39 - A primary care trust established under section 18 of the National Health Service Act 2006 (amended by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006; removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2013/160) [sch5 para99]
  • Amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI:
    • The Health and Social Care Information Centre (not on the main list) (added by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2013/160) [sch19 para8]
    • The Health Protection Agency (added by Health Protection Agency Act 2004; removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2013/160) [sch7 para10]
    • The National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care (added by Health and Social Care Act 2008; removed by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2013/160) [sch20 para9]
    • The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (not on the main list) (added by Health and Social Care Act 2012 and SI 2013/160) [sch17 para8]
  • Abolishes the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, the Health and Social Care Information Centre, and the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement (all special health authorities) [s248, s276, s282]
• Abolition of the National Treatment Agency (another special health authority) by SI 2013/235
• Clinical commissioning groups (many of which have existed prior to April 2013 in a kind of shadow form) will take on responsibilities as local PCTs are abolished.
• Abolition of the Olympic Lottery Distributor (SI 2013/207)

Indefinite

These are changes that appear in primary legislation whose commencement date has not yet been appointed. In some cases, they may never happen at all.

• Communications Act 2003 removes from FOIA Schedule I:
  • The Independent Television Commission
  • The Radio Authority
• Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004 removes from FOIA Schedule I:
  • The Horserace Betting Levy Board
• National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Act 2004 removes from FOISA Schedule 1:
  • 30 A local health council, established under section 7 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (removed by National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Act 2004)
  • 31 A National Health Service trust (removed by National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Act 2004)
• Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 adds to FOISA Schedule I:
  • The Scottish Committee on Climate Change
• Public Authorities (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 abolishes the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board for Northern Ireland and removes it from FOIA Schedule I Part VII.
• Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

  Schedule 7 also changes to the Act.

• Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (sch 1 para 14) adds to FOISA Schedule I:
  • 98A The Scottish Sentencing Council.
• Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part VII:
  • A district policing partnership (removed by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011)
  • A policing and community safety partnership or a district policing and community safety partnership established under Part 3 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (added by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011)
  • A sub-group established under section 21 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (added by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003; removed by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011)
• Health and Social Care Act 2012:
  • Amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part III:
    • 40 - A National Health Service trust established under section 25 of the National Health Service Act 2006 or section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (amended by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006) [sch14 para 81]
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012:
  • Adds provisions regarding datasets. [s102]
  • Extends [FOIA section 6] to explicitly cover jointly-owned companies. [s103]
• Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 amends FOIA Schedule 1 Part VI [sch5 para 55]
  • The Legal Services Commission (removed by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012)
• National Library of Scotland Act 2012 amends FOISA Schedule 1:
• 105 The Trustees of the National Library of Scotland The National Library of Scotland (amended by National Library of Scotland Act 2012)
• Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 amends FOISA Schedule 1:
  • 50A The Scottish Police Authority (not on the main list) (added by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch2 para51]
  • 6 Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary (removed by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch7 para20(a)]
  • 6 Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary (not on the main list) (added by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch7 para20(a)]
  • 50 A chief constable of a police force in Scotland (removed by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch7 para20(b)]
  • 50 A chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland (added by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch7 para20(b)]
  • 75AB The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (not on the main list) (added by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch7 para20(c)]
  • Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities (amended by Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; removed by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch7 para63(a)]
  • 9 Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (not on the main list) (added by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch7 para63(a)]
  • 51 A joint police board constituted by an amalgamation scheme made or approved under the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (c.77) (removed by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch8 pt1]
  • 52 The Police Advisory Board for Scotland (removed by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch8 pt1]
  • 52A The Scottish Police Services Authority, but only in respect of information relating to the provision of the police support services within the meaning of section 3(2) of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (added by Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006; removed by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) [sch8 pt1]