Freedom Of Information

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 gives you right of access to information held by public authorities. The aim of the act is to make public authorities more open and accountable.

General Right of Access

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is retrospective and you have a general right of access to recorded information held by us. You also have a right to request this information.

Making a Request

Freedom of Information requests must be made in writing. We do not need to provide information we have already published. To try to ensure information is available to you we publish as much as we can on our website. Please check our Freedom of Information Publication Scheme, previous requests for information and our responses and our website to see if the information you require is there. If it is not, please use our online form to request the information.

Data Protection and Freedom of Information

If the information you require is personal, then the Data Protection Act 1998 will apply and a subject access request should be made. If you would like to request personal data, please email: information.governance@newham.gov.uk. Please note we will require proof of identification for requests for personal data and the council has 40 days to provide a response.

If the information is not personal, then the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will apply.

Transferring Requests

If we receive a request for information we do not have, we must let you know that we do not have the information. If we did have it but have permanently destroyed it, we must also let you know. If we know another public body that may have the information, then we will either refer your request to the public body or inform you of their details so you can make the request directly.

Before making a request to us for information, please check our Freedom of Information Publication Scheme, to make sure that the information you require is not already listed.

Information published on our Publication Scheme is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We therefore do not have to deal with your request for information.

Alternatively, you can view previous requests for information the council has received and our responses.

If you are unable to find the information you require please make a request in writing.

Waiting Time

We have 20 working days to deal with your request. Please do not contact us during this period, unless you have further information to add to your request which will help us to find the information requested.

We will usually provide the information requested free of charge. However, where a charge is made you will be notified of the amount payable in writing.

There may also be a charge for photocopying, postage, packaging etc.

To make a request in writing use our online form.

If you would like to appeal or complain about a request you have already submitted, please email: information.governance@newham.gov.uk quoting the reference number provided.