The Act covers all recorded information 'held' by public authorities. This can include information which is in a published format - such as leaflets or reports; information in standard 'reporting' formats - such as minutes of meetings and supporting papers; information included in letters and memoranda which pass between staff members; information within contracts and other official documents of a similar type, and information on audio tape and in e-mails. It can also include information in documents produced or published by other organisations but held by the Council (an example would be government reports), and council information held by other organisations for the council (private contractors for example).