SHREDDERS at some of our public authorities may be working overtime - but they insist we shouldn't be concerned.
The Daily Telegraph has investigated the possibility that the Government is destroying sensitive documents in advance of January 1, when the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FIA) comes into force.
And some public bodies at a local level have told The Chronicle they are also having a clear-out - but they say it is simply housekeeping.
The FIA will give people the statutory right to access information held by public bodies within 20 working days, apart from exempt documents such as those involving confidential information about companies or individuals.
Chief Constable Peter Fahy said his force was ready and willing to comply with the Act and has an explanation for the rumours about documents being shredded.
He said: 'We are moving a lot of stuff to Winsford. Everything has to be shifted and maybe, in doing that, certain stuff doesn't need to be kept. It's what you'd expect anybody to do, really.'
In terms of shredding generally, he added: 'We emphasise to staff the exact opposite. You cannot go around destroying things.'
The FIA is part of the Government's commitment to greater openness in the public sector. It will enable members of the public to question more closely the decisions of public organisations and ensure services are provided efficiently and properly.
Jonathan Pepler, the archivist who is helping to implement the system at the county council, said: 'I'm not aware of any destruction.'
He explained documents were routinely destroyed to free-up storage space and the FIA may be focusing minds - it states files should be kept for six years yet some county council documents go back 17 years.
He added: 'My perception is that local government doesn't store many highly sensitive things.
'I think 99% of requests will be dealt with in the same way as they are now. It will begin to effect more of a cultural change from a need to know to a right to know.'
Charles Kerry, solicitor to the council and monitoring officer at Chester City Council, said the crucial question was whether the floodgates would open. He believes it will be more of a gradual build-up and does not anticipate the system will have a major demand on resources.
Station Commander Clive Pickering at Cheshire Fire Service said: 'We like to think it won't make too much difference because it's the kinds of things we do any way.'
Like all health bodies, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust has adopted the approach.
Jane Collier, director of performance and planning, said: 'The trust wants to create a climate of openness and dialogue and improved access will facilitate the development of such an environment.'
FROM January 1, 2005, there is a general right of access to recorded information held by public authorities, subject to certain conditions and exemptions.
In cases where information is exempted from disclosure, public authorities are required to inform the applicant whether they hold the information requested.
An office of Information Commissioner has been created, with wide powers to enforce the rights created by the Act and to promote good practice, and a new Information Tribunal.
