Freedom of Information
We are committed to being open and transparent about the work we do. We want residents, local communities and other stakeholders to be able to access information about our services, decisions and performance.
The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request information that we hold. We will provide information wherever we can, either through information we already publish or by responding to individual requests.
Making a Freedom of Information request
When making a request, please be as clear and specific as possible about the information you would like. This will help us understand your request and provide you with the right information.
If we are unsure what you are asking for, we may contact you to clarify your request. This gives us the opportunity to understand what you need and respond appropriately.
There are some types of information we may not be able to provide. This can include:
- Personal information about individuals, where providing it would breach data protection law.
- Information covered by an exemption under the Freedom of Information Act.
- Requests where the estimated cost of locating, retrieving and providing the information would exceed the legal cost limit.
Where we are unable to provide some or all the information you have requested, we will explain why.
When will we respond?
We will respond to your request as soon as we can and within 20 working days, in line with the statutory timescale.
In some circumstances, we may need more time to consider whether information can be released. If this applies to your request, we will let you know and explain when we expect to provide our response.
If we cannot provide the information you have asked for, we will explain the reasons and, where appropriate, let you know what options are available to you.