Requests for information

This policy applies to all employees, elected members and our business partners.

In keeping with our objectives for openness, transparency and accountability, we have adopted a pro-disclosure position to information provision. However, when circumstances dictate, we will exercise our right to apply exceptions which may lead to some, or all, of the information requested being withheld.

Our information governance team must be advised immediately when a request for environmental information is received so that it can be logged and monitored. Upon receipt of a written request we have 20 working days in which to comply with the request. The clock starts ticking on the day of receipt.

The application of exceptions must not be undertaken until our information governance team has been consulted. Prior to the application of an exception being applied a public interest test must be undertaken. Our Corporate Lawyer will ensure that this is carried out appropriately.

Refusal notices are only to be sent out by our Information Governance Team.

All information that can be made readily available (i.e. it will attract no discussion about exceptions) should be published on the council's website as promptly as possible and, once there, should be regularly reviewed for accuracy, timeliness and completeness.

Business unit managers are responsible for ensuring they and their staff:

• receive EIR training;
• their unit has documented procedures for dealing with EIR requests;
• their unit has documented procedures for pro-actively publishing information;
• their unit publishes and maintains their environmental information;
• they and their staff comply with this policy.

Failure to comply with this policy may lead to disciplinary action.