Making a Request
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
The Act requires requestors to make their requests for recorded information in writing, whether by letter or email and to provide their real name and address for correspondence. A request submitted using a pseudonym is not a valid request and will be refused. The council will not attempt to verify the identify of such a requestor, as the onus is on the requestor to ensure that their request complies with the requirements of the Act, section 8(1)(b).
When making your request please ensure that it is set out clearly stating the information you want us to provide. If appropriate, specify a time period. If we are unsure of what information you want us to provide we will have to put your request on hold and ask for further clarification. In some cases your request may be refused if it is too expensive or time consuming to deal with.
Please refer to the attached link for our charging policy.
Where possible, ask us for specific information rather than using open-ended questions. ‘What or ‘how much’ will lead to better and clearer responses than ‘why’. We are only obliged to provide information that has been recorded. Therefore, avoid basing your request or question on assumptions or opinions, or mixing requests with complaints or comments.
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.
Please see link for further information about Data Protection.
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.