Blenheim Gardens RMO operates within Lambeth Councils Freedom of Information and Data Protection Policies.

Freedom of Information

Blenheim Gardens RMO sees the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act as a welcome opportunity both to improve the ways in which it informs the public it serves and to improve the ways in which it manages the amount of information it holds.

Information is one of the most, if not the most, important assets we have and Freedom of Information provides a catalyst to make it more widely available and manage it more efficiently.

Blenheim Gardens RMO wishes to conduct its business in an open and honest fashion. When we make a decision, it is important that our residents are informed how these decisions have been made.  The provisions of the Freedom of Information Act will enable the Public to understand the Organisation and its works.

Availability  -  Blenheim Gardens RMO will make information publicly available unless there are sound operational or public interest reasons for not doing so or there are legal reasons preventing it - in particular reasons relating to the Data Protection Act and the privacy of individuals.

Confidentiality -  Blenheim Gardens RMO will not classify documents as CONFIDENTIAL without clear justification for doing so.

Exemptions -  Blenheim Gardens RMO recognises that the exemptions to access in the Freedom of Information Act may allow the organisation not to release a document but does not prevent it from releasing that document.

Equality -  Blenheim Gardens RMO will develop an environment in which access to information is not dependant on a person's physical, social or educational circumstances, or first language.

Charges -  Blenheim Gardens RMO will charge any fee allowed by the Freedom of Information or Data Protection Acts and Regulations to help cover the cost of finding and making available the requested information. Where an applicant requests information which would cost more than the maximum allowed by Regulations, the Organisation will endeavour to agree with the applicant either a reduced requirement or that he/she will pay the full cost. Blenheim Gardens RMO will not seek to profit from the operation of Freedom of Information legislation – instead seeking only to cover its costs.

Records management -  Blenheim Gardens RMO will commit itself to a written Records Management Policy.  This will specify adequate filing, retention, security, tracking, destruction and recycling standards.

Data Protection -  The Data protection Act gives you the right to see data we hold on you (with a few exceptions) and have it corrected if it is currently incorrect.

The Act makes us responsible for handling your data securely and efficiently, and for ensuring we do not disclose it to other people or organisations without meeting legal conditions that protect your privacy (for example, we may have to ask your permission).

The Data Protection Act also requires Blenheim Gardens RMO to register its use of personal information in the Data Protection Register that is kept in the estate office.  If you want to see the information we hold on you, please contact the estate office.  Police, solicitors, Inland Revenue etc. may wish to claim an exemption under sections 29(3) or 35 of the Data Protection Act.  When this is the case, they are required to complete a section 29 form and return it to the estate office making their request.

For more information regarding Freedom of Information and Data protection please contact the estate office or visit London Borough of Lambeth