What you can request

You can request any information you believe we hold. This right applies only to recorded information, including data in emails, printed or handwritten documents, and in images, videos, and audio recordings.

You should identify the information you want as clearly as possible.

You can phrase your request as a question rather than asking for specific documents, however, we are not obligated to answer if it requires creating new information or providing an opinion or judgment that is not already recorded.

You don't have to know whether the information you want is covered by the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) or the Freedom of Information Act (FOI). When you make a request, we will process it under the relevant legislation, and inform you of which this is.

Some information might be withheld because it is exempt, for example, disclosing it would unfairly reveal personal details about someone else. Additionally, any information that is already in the public domain or that can be viewed by the public does not have to be re-provided under a FOI/EIR request.

We have adopted the Information Commissioner's revised Model Publication Scheme which sets out the council's commitment to make information available. This publication commits an authority to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities.

View the Model Publication Scheme on the Information Commissioner’s Office website (external pdf)