People's Rights - Freedom of Information The Freedom of Information Act 2000 ('the Act') came into force on 1 January 2005 anyone can now request information from the Council
What information will be available? Any information held by the Council will be eligible for release subject however to a number of exemptions which may be applied to protect information which should properly be kept confidential.
How do I make a request?
- Put your request in writing (emails are acceptable or you can use the form attached)
- State clearly what information you want
- Include your name and address
- Indicate the way you would like to access the information or have it sent to you (for example by inspection at one of the Council's Offices; as paper copy or via email). The Council may take into account the cost of supplying the information in the form you request.
It would be helpful if a request to the Council could be addressed to the Chief Executive, PO Box 660, Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1WY.
The Council may need to transfer your request to another public authority which holds the information you want or to consult other public authorities and/or third parties in order to reach a decision on whether the requested information can be released. If you wish to be notified before any transfer of request or consultation is made, please say this in your request.
If you have difficulty in identifying the information you require, the Council will be pleased to help you. In the first instance address these queries in writing to the Director of Law and Democracy, PO Box 11, Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1LD or telephone the number shown under "Who to Contact".
What happens when I make a request?When the Council receives a request for information, we will consider the request and respond as soon as possible, and not later than 20 working days after receiving your request, or on receipt of any fee which is payable.
The reply will state whether we hold the information, and either provide the information you requested, or explain why it has not been possible.
What happens if the Council doesn't understand my request? If the Council doesn't understand your request, they will contact you to clarify what it is that you want.
What does it cost? If you are requesting information contained in the Council's publication scheme (see Related Content), the scheme will give details of whether (and how much) you will be charged for the information.
If you are requesting information not contained within the publication scheme, the authority may charge you a fee, as laid down in regulations and if you refuse to pay the fee, the public authority can refuse to supply the information.
What happens if my request is refused? A request for information may, for instance, be refused by the Council if it falls under one of the statutory exemptions or you refuse to pay the fee.
If your request is refused, the reply from the Council will explain why. If you are not satisfied with the decision you can ask for the decision to be reviewed. How you can do this will be explained in the letter you receive.
If, after a review, the Council still refuses your request, you may ask the Information Commissioner to review that decision.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:-
The Information Commissioner,
Wycliffe House,
Walter Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545700
Fax: 01625 545510
Comments, Commendations and ComplaintsShould you wish to contact us regarding your request, for example the way your request was handled or the response you have received, please contact the Council using the Corporate Comments, Commendations and Complaints Procedure and it will be dealt with in accordance with our procedure.
