Freedom of Information guide

 

1. Overview

The Freedom of Information Act and related legislation gives the public the right to be told if information is held (this is the Council’s duty to confirm or deny) and the right to have access to it. Anyone can make a freedom of information request ; they don’t need to say why they want information and we cannot ask them.

Any written request from the public should be dealt with as a freedom of information request; the query should be dealt with as soon as possible with a response sent within a maximum of twenty working days. Requests for environmental information may be made verbally.

Deal with requests as soon as possible; don’t leave them until the time limit is about to expire.

Policy and Procedure

We favour the disclosure of information balanced with the confidentiality of information relating to personal data, commercial interests, legal processes, and instances where disclosure would not be in the public interest.  In certain circumstances, requests for information may be refused.

• Cheshire East Council FOIA and EIRs Policy and Procedure (PDF, 241KB)