(1) An agency (other than a Minister) must have a guide (its
"agency information guide" ) that--
(a) describes the structure and functions
of the agency, and
(b) describes the ways in which the functions (including,
in particular, the decision-making functions) of the agency affect members of
the public, and
(c) specifies any arrangements that exist to enable members
of the public to participate in the formulation of the agency's policy and the
exercise of the agency's functions, and
(f) specifies the manner in which the agency makes
(or will make) government information publicly available, and
(g) identifies
the kinds of information that are (or will be) made publicly available free of
charge and those kinds for which a charge is (or will be) imposed.
(3) The Chief Executive of the Office of Local
Government may, in consultation with the Information Commissioner, adopt
mandatory provisions for inclusion in the agency information guide of local
authorities. The agency information guide of a local authority must include
any such mandatory provision unless the Chief Executive otherwise approves in
a particular case.