Information Request policy

This policy applies to all employees, councillors, contractors, partners, suppliers, consultants, residents and service users of the council.

Effective Date:   

13th April 2026

Review Date:    

13th April 2028

Authors:

Governance Policy Officer
Information Governance Officer

Policy Owned by:    

Gavin Ramtohal, Assistant Director (Legal & Governance)

Statute:    

Freedom of Information Act 2000 
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Environmental Information Regulations 2004 Data Protection Act 2018
General Data Protection Regulations UK
Data Use (And Access) Act 2025

National Standards and Guidance

Freedom of Information Code of Practice Section 45

Information Commissioner’s Office’s Guide to Freedom of Information

Information Commissioner’s Office’s Guidance on FOI exemptions

Environmental Information Regulations Code of Practice Regulation 16

Information Commissioner’s Office’s What are the Environmental Information Regulations?

Information Commissioner’s Office’s Guidance on EIR exemptions

Information Commissioner’s Office’s Section 46 Code of Practice – Records Management

Information Commissioner’s Office’s SAR Guidance

Information Commissioner’s Office’s Data Protection 2018 Exemptions

Related Policies   

Data Protection Policy
Re-use of Public Sector Information Policy

1.1    This policy outlines Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s approach to processing requests, and all information requests, made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI), the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR), and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) in the form of a Subject Access Request (SAR).
1.2     It highlights the rights of named individuals and groups that submit requests under the referenced legislation and outlines Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s obligations to the legislation. 
1.3     This policy applies to all employees, councillors, contractors, partners, suppliers, consultants, residents, and service users of the council.