Freedom of Information
What is Freedom
of Information?
What are
my rights to ask for information?
Where can
I view the Publication Scheme?
What if
the Council does not hold the information?
How do I apply for
information?
How
long does it take to get the information?
Is there a charge?
How can I
receive the information?
What happens
if my request is refused?
What is the difference between this and the Data Protection Act
1998?
Complaints
Procedure
Freedom of
Information Documents
Online Forms
What is Freedom of Information?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 aims to increase openness and
accountability in government by ensuring that people have the right
to access information held by public authorities.
What are my rights to ask for information?
The Council's Publication Scheme sets out what kinds of
information it will make routinely available, how you can get it
and what it will cost. You have the right to request any of the
information identified in the Publication Scheme.
If you want information that is not included in the Publication
Scheme you can contact us and ask for information that we may hold
on any subject or relating to a particular topic. There are a
number of exemptions under the Act that may be applied to protect
information that needs to be kept confidential. If we cannot tell
you whether we have the information you want, or if we refuse to
disclose information we hold, we will explain the reasons and you
will have the opportunity to appeal against our decision.
Where can I view the Publication Scheme?
You can view it on our Freedom of
Information Publication Scheme webpage
A list of council documents can be found on our Policies and Plans webpage
What if the Council does not hold the information?
If we do not have the information, but believe
another public authority holds it, we will tell you. We will only
forward your request to the correct public authority if you have
requested us to do so in your application.
How do I apply for information?
You need to apply in writing - this includes
e-mails. You must state clearly what information is required and
include your name and an address for correspondence.
Alternatively,
submit your Freedom of Information Request using our online
form.
It is important that you describe as clearly as possible the
information you want so that we can identify and locate it. Please
give us any relevant dates, names of officers involved, details of
meetings and any other specific information relating to your
request. If we are unable to identify the information you want from
the details you supply, we will ask you to clarify your
request.
If you have difficulty in making a request we will do as much as is
reasonably possible to help and assist you. If you believe that we
have not been sufficiently helpful, you can complain using the
Council’s complaints procedure.
How long does it take to get the
information?
We will respond as soon as possible, and not
later than 20 working days after receiving your request or, if we
have asked for clarification, after you have provided the extra
information we need. If a fee is payable, any time waiting
for you to pay the fee does not count towards the 20 days.
Sometimes we may have a difficult decision to make as to whether we
can release the information you have requested, and time taken to
reach that decision also does not count towards the 20 days - but
we will keep you informed and make a decision as soon as possible.
If there are any other problems in dealing with your request within
the 20 working days, we will let you know.
Is there a charge?
If you are requesting information contained in our Publication
Scheme, the Scheme will also give details of how much, if anything,
the Council will charge for providing the information.
For other requests the Council may be entitled to make a charge,
for example to cover the reasonable costs of photocopying
information or supplying you with a computer disk and for
postage.
If the cost of locating the information is more than £450 the
Council can refuse to supply the information or could ask you to
pay a fee which would include a contribution in respect of officer
time spent on dealing with your request. This would be calculated
in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Fees and Appropriate
Limit) Regulations 2004. If we do need to charge we will send you a
“Fees Notice” which you will need to pay before our detailed search
begins. If you are not in a position to pay a fee, please contact
us for further advice.
How can I receive the information?
You may request that the information be
supplied in any form. However, we will take into account the cost
and practicality of supplying the information in this form before
complying with your request. In particular, you may ask for
information in permanent form, in summary form, or for permission
to inspect records containing the information.
What happens if my request is refused?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 excludes
access to some information – known as exempt information – which
means that it does not have to be supplied on request. Exempt
information includes personal information we hold about other
people, or information which is already available through our
publication scheme. Often we will have to decide whether it is in
the public interest to release information. Our policy is that we
should always release information unless there is good reason,
allowed by the law, not to.
If your request is refused, in most cases we will be able to tell
you why, identify which exemption we are applying, and give you
details of how to appeal against the refusal. If, after this
internal appeal, we still refuse your request, you may ask the
Information Commissioner to review our decision and finally, if
even that does not help, you may have a right of appeal to a
special court called the Information Tribunal.
What is the difference between this and the Data Protection Act
1998?
The Freedom of Information Act refers to
public information that we hold in any format, and allows any
person to request it. The Data Protection Act refers to personal
information, and this can only be requested by the person the
information relates to. You do not need to say under which Act you
are applying for information. It is up to the Council to deal with
your application under the correct Act.
Complaints Procedure
If you are unhappy about the way that the
Council has dealt with your Freedom of Information request, please
contact
Customer Services in the first instance.
Complaints to Wyre Forest District Council regarding freedom of
information can be made in person, by fax or letter or on a
complaints form or submitted online to the Information and
E-Government Officer. Click to
download a
guide to our complaints procedure 
(63K) including an application form which may be
printed, completed and returned.
If the Council is unable to resolve your complaint, you may seek an
independent review from the Information Commissioner by writing
to:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545745
Fax: 01625 524 510
Email :
mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk
Freedom of Information Documents
Further information
