- Access to personal information
- Environmental information
- Access to Council information
- General information requests
- Publication scheme
- Re-use of Council information
- Not satisfied with response to information
- Access to information frequently asked questions
- Information requests and answers
- Notices to the public
- Regulation of investigatory powers
CONTACT
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Mail :
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Corporate Information Manager Plymouth City Council Plymouth PL1 2AA |
| 01752 668000 | |
| info@plymouth.gov.uk | |
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Fax :
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01752 304997 |
LINKS
- Information Commissioner
- Directgov
- We are not responsible for the content of linked websites. Visit our disclaimer page for more information.
Access to information frequently asked questions
- What are information requests?
- What legislation applies to requests for information?
- Can I find out what information the Council has about me?
- Who can request information?
- Where is information already available?
- How do I make a request?
- How do I know what to ask for?
- Will I get everything I ask for?
- How long will it take?
- What does it cost?
- What do I do if I don’t get what I asked for or expected?
- What do I do if the information held about me is wrong?
- Can I use the information you send me?
- How do I make a complaint/appeal?
What are information requests?
Information requests are any request you make to the Council for information we hold, both electronically and on paper, in the course of providing local government services. This might include information we hold about you, information about services or documents about how the Council is run.
What legislation applies to requests for information?
There are several sets of legislation and regulations that govern information requests. The Data Protection Act deals with personal information, for example the information that the Council holds about you. The Environment Information Regulations covers environmental requests, for example information that relates to soil or waste. The Freedom of Information Act deals will other requests for information.
Can I find out what information the Council has about me?
Yes, you can request information the Council has collected about you. This is called a subject access request. Please see our personal information page for more information.
Anyone can request general information held by the Council but personal information will only be provided if you are entitled to see it.
Where is information already available?
There is a lot of information already available to you on this website, at local libraries, at the Plymouth and West Devon Records Office and in Council building receptions. If the information you want is not available you can ask us for it.
Unless the request is for personal information you can make a request using our form or in writing. If you choose not to use our forms it is important that you provide all your contact information and are as specific as possible about the information you expect to receive.
To obtain information about yourself you need to make a subject access request. Please read our personal information page for further details and the subject access request form.
Requests for information under the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act must be in writing.
How do I know what to ask for?
Be as specific as possible about the information you want to receive. This will help us identify it for you more quickly. Do not send us questionnaires. We only provide information already held by the Council, we do not conduct additional research in order to answer questions. For example, instead of sending us a questionnaire about services for disabled people in Plymouth, you could ask us to supply the contract arrangements for providing support for disabled people.
Will I get everything I ask for?
We may be required by law to withhold some information, such as information that is commercially or personally sensitive. If we are not able to release some or all of the information you have asked for we will tell you why, including the relevant exemption or exception in law that prevents us from giving you the information.
Information will be sent to you as soon possible. We have 40 working days to provide a response to personal information about yourself requested under the Data Protection Act and 20 working days to provide a response to other information requests. We are able to extend this under some circumstances, for example if the request is complex. We will let you know if this happens and when we expect to be able to provide the information to you.
There is currently a fee of £10 for subject access requests (requests for information the Council holds about you). There are special rules that apply for paper based education records from Schools (sliding scale - maximum £50).
Most other requests are free, although there may be a charge for printing. If there is a charge you will be notified of the amount payable before the information is provided.
What do I do if I don’t get what I asked for or expected?
If you don’t get the information you were expecting please contact our Corporate Information Manager.
What do I do if the information held about me is wrong?
If the information we hold about you is wrong you should ask for us to amend it by writing to the Corporate Information Manager. Please make sure you tell us what information is wrong and what we need to do to correct it.
Can I use the information you send me?
You can use the information for your own purposes, non-commercial research (for example academic studies) or news reporting. If you want to use it for commercial purposes, for example for publication, you will need to get our permission. Please see our re-use of Council information page for further details.
How do I make a complaint/appeal?
To appeal against a decision or make a complaint about how your request was handled please contact the Corporate Information Manager.
