Freedom of Information Act

Publication Scheme

Part of the Act requires us to hold a Publication Scheme. This lists all the information that we readily make available to the public, the manner in which it is published and whether a charge is made.

The scheme is available to download here - Publication Scheme. If you would like a paper copy or large print version please email freedom@welhat.gov.uk stating your full address. Paper copies are also available at Council receptions.

If you are looking for information we advise that your first point of reference should be the Publication Scheme.

As an organisation accountable to its electorate, the Council continually deals with general requests for information. Information that is readily available as identified in the Publication Scheme can be obtained by contacting the relevant officer specified in the Scheme. Some of these documents are also available on this website.

If however you cannot find the information you are after, contact the Council on 01707 357413. We can offer guidance on where the information is held or whether a Freedom of Information request is needed.

Feedback

The Publication Scheme will continually be developed to include additional information. We will also look to make the document fully searchable.

In the meantime though we would like to receive feedback on how usable you have found the document. Please email freedom@welhat.gov.uk with any comments.

Request for Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 became law on 1 January 2005. You can access any information (subject to certain exemptions) held by this Council and other public organisations, including central government, beyond what is published regularly and as stated in organisations' Publications Schemes.

In short, if we hold it you can ask for it and will be entitled to receive it unless there are reasonable grounds for withholding the information.

Information is considered anything recorded such as documents, emails, correspondence, video and computer files.

Some exemptions for information include: information held in confidence, court records, commercially sensitive information or those protected by law. Full details of the exemptions can be found on the Information Commissioner website.

You will be told if an exemption applies to the information you are asking for and the reason why.

Making a Request

To request information use our online Freedom of Information request form, otherwise it has to be in writing (via email, letter or fax, click here for contact details). You do not have to say why you are requesting it but you must supply your name and contact details for correspondence (normally your address).

If your request is broad, we may ask you to clarify the information that you are after. We will give you reasonable advice and assistance to help you find what you are looking for.

We may need to consult with other public authorities and/or third parties in order to reach a decision on whether the information can be release. We will tell you if we do not hold the information and advise you what you can do to further your request.

We will have 20 working days to respond but we will endeavour to respond quicker where possible. If we are not able to respond within this timescale, we will give you an estimate of the date by which we expect to reach a decision.

For further guidance on making a request visit the Department of Constitutional Affairs website.

If you are dissatisfied with the information supplied or the way we have dealt with your request

You may feel that the Council have not dealt with your request properly or have not supplied the information you have requested. Examples may include:

• You feel dissatisfied with the service provided in the processing of your request.
• We have failed to meet the 20 working day time limit in complying with your request without good reason.
• You did not receive all the information you requested.
• We have not provided information in accordance with our Publication Scheme.
• You feel that you have been incorrectly charged.
• You believe that any exemptions have been incorrectly applied.

If you believe you have a cause to complain then you will need to set out your complaint in writing or by e-mail within 10 days of receiving documentation from the Council.

Complaints should be emailed to freedom@welhat.gov.uk or written to:

Freedom of Information Officer
Welwyn Hatfield Council
Council Offices
The Campus
Welwyn Garden City
AL8 6AE

Your complaint will be heard by two members of the Chief Executives Team who will consider your complaint and will notify you of their decision within 14 days.

If you remain dissatisfied you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner is currently Richard Thomas and his contact details are:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
Email: mail@iso.gsi.gov.uk

Council Policy

If you require further information on how we conduct and manage requests, please view the council's Freedom of Information policy.

Data Protection Act

The Freedom of Information Act does not override the Data Protection Act 1998, which protects individuals' personal details held by an organisation. Under this Act, individuals already have the right to access information held about themselves.