Freedom of Information guide
3. Reply to a request for information
You should reply to a straightforward request as soon as possible within the 20 working day period. Send the Information rights team a copy of your response so we can keep a record and close the log.
Contact the Information rights team: informationrequests@cheshireeast.gov.uk about any requests that are unusual or need special attention, for example if:
- the request quotes the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations or the Data Protection Act
- the information is not readily available
- you think the information may take a long time to collect
- the information requested needs collating across a number of departments
- you are not sure if the information can be disclosed or if an exemption applies
- it involves a lot of photocopying or printing or additional costs.
Exemptions
To achieve a proper balance between the right to know, the right to personal privacy and the delivery of effective government we may decide we cannot release information but we must explain why we cannot supply it and issue a formal ‘refusal notice’. Refusals are limited and must cite one of the exemptions under the terms of the Act.
Where information is not to be released we will prepare and issue the refusal notice and act as a point of contact for the requestor. Once the refusal notice has been drafted, the service holding the information will need to obtain in writing the permission of their portfolio holder to withhold the requested information.
Contact us if you need any help and we will advise on the application of exemptions under FOI.