Freedom of Information and Environmental Information requests

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, you have the right to request information that we hold. 

If we hold the information, we will provide it to you, subject to any exemptions that apply. Before making a request check our publication scheme. This sets out the information we routinely publish.

How to make a Freedom of Information request

To make a request, complete the form and we will respond within 20 working days. Our response will confirm if we have the information you want. It will either contain a copy of that information or an explanation of why we can’t give it to you.

When you make a request, you need to provide:

• your name
• contact address (postal or email)

This is so that we can comply with our legal obligations to respond to your request.

How long we keep your request for

Your details (the request and response) will be held for three years after the request has closed.

Cost

Requests are free of charge. In exceptional circumstances there may be a cost, for example copying and postage, but these are rare and you will be told in advance if there could be a fee.

Could my request be refused

We can withhold information if it falls within one of a number of exemptions, for example:

• if the information could prejudice anyone’s health and safety
• if it would cost too much to comply - we will try to help you narrow down your request, if this exemption applies
• if it is a request for your own personal data

Check our already published information

We routinely publish our Freedom of Information and Environmental Information requests, along with our data sets. 

You can search our published requests for information in our disclosure log. 

You can also search our website, or check our published data sets and Guide to Information, to see what information we routinely publish and where you can find it.

What to do if you are dissatisfied with our response

If you are dissatisfied with our response, you can ask for an internal review. 

The review will take into account how your request was managed by us and what decisions we have made. This will determine if we have complied with the law and if we want or need to change our response.

We aim to complete internal reviews within 40 working days.

Taking your case to the Information Commissioner’s Office

If you are still dissatisfied after our internal review, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office. They will consider if your case needs further investigation.