Both Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) give you the right to access recorded information that we hold at the time you make the request. This means we can only provide information that is already recorded, for example within:
- documents
- datasets
- other files
We do not have to create information, carry out new analysis or answer general questions.
Types of information
EIR includes information about the environment, such as:
- the state of the environment, such as air, water, soil, land, habitats, and biodiversity
- factors that affect the environment, such as pollution, waste, noise, and emissions
- measures and activities that affect the environment, such as planning or development policies
- information used in environmental decision-making
- environmental effects on health, buildings and heritage sites
FOI covers most other recorded council information, such as:
- policies and procedures
- spending, contracts and procurement
- service delivery and council decision making
When we may not be able to provide information
We cannot provide information we do not hold. This includes:
- information we do not have, such as assessments in planning matters that were never submitted
- information that is not in a recorded format, such as recollection of a verbal discussion
- where someone else holds the information, such as a school or government department
- where the information was held but no longer is, such as historic documents
Some information may be withheld or redacted where an FOI exemption or EIR exception applies. We assess requests on a case by case basis, but examples include:
- where disclosure is likely to impact on public safety, law enforcement, or the commercial interests of the council or a third party
- internal communications under EIR
- information already available to you by other means
- personal data of you or others (including staff)
- providing the information would place an excessive burden on our resources
For more information go to:
- FOI exemptions – Information Commissioner's Office
- EIR exemptions – Information Commissioner's Office
If your request is about sales, advertising or marketing
Do not submit information requests solely for the purpose of marketing to the council. Whilst we will process all valid requests without considering your motive, each request requires time and resources and takes us away from delivering other services.
For more information on contracts currently out to tender, go to our pro-contact page on Proactis.
If you want information about yourself
Submit a subject access request instead.
Further guidance on making a request
For more information, go to:
- how to access information from a public authority – Information Commissioner's Office
- what makes a valid request – Information Commissioner's Office
You can also go to our policies on: