FOI and EIR what happens next?
What happens next?
Acknowledging your request
We will log your request and send you an acknowledgement, with the request reference number.
Asking for clarification
If your request is too wide or is unclear, we will contact you as soon as possible and ask you for clarification. We will put the request on hold while we wait for a reply. If you do not reply within 4 weeks, we will assume that you do not want the information and close the request. When you reply within 4 weeks, the request starts from “day 1” again.
Replying to you
The FOI and EIR Acts both say that we should reply to you within 20 working days. We will do this wherever possible.
Under EIR, if your request is complicated or there is a lot of information to provide, we can extend the request for a further 20 working days.
Under FOI, if we think we might be going to refuse to supply some or all of the information you have requested, but the decision is complicated, we can extend the request for a further 20 working days.
If we need to extend the request, we will write to tell you.
If we do NOT hold the information, we will tell you - and if we know that another organisation does hold it, we will let you know.
If we refuse to supply some or all of the information you have requested, we will quote the relevant sections of the FOI Act or EIR, with an explanation of why we are not supplying the information.
What happens if I am dissatisfied with a response I've received?
Questions about the response
Contact us as soon as possible. We may be able to answer any queries quickly (for example, if we have misunderstood your request or provided an incomplete or unclear response).
Asking for additional information
If you want to know more as a result of our reply, you can make a new request.
Internal Review
If we have refused to supply information, and you disagree with the reasons, or if you think that we have acted incorrectly in replying to your request, please ask us for an internal review.
We will not usually consider a request for an internal review which is made later than 40 working days after receiving our response (or 40 working days after the due date of the response, whichever is later).
The internal review will be carried out by an officer who was not involved in providing the original response. A full re-evaluation of the response/decision you have received will be undertaken, taking into account your objections.
What happens if I remain dissatisfied following the internal review?
If you have had your case reviewed and are still not satisfied, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The ICO is an independent body which oversees FOI, EIR and Data Protection matters.
The Information Commissioner will not usually consider your case until you have completed our internal review process.