You have the right to ask for any information we hold, on paper or electronically, without stating your reason, subject to any Freedom of Information Act (FOI) or Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) exemptions that may apply.
If you want information about yourself, you need to make a Subject Access Request.
Before requesting information, please check our publication scheme and open data pages to see if the information you are looking for has already been published.
If the information you wish to see is not included within the scheme, you are still able to make a request under the general right of access.
Please be aware that should you request data that has already been published your request will be refused and you will be directed to the appropriate publication location.
You can make a request online, using My Account.
Creating an account is easy and only takes a couple of minutes. All you need to get started is an email address, to use as a login. We will then send you details on how to activate your account.
You can also submit a request in the following ways:
Email: foi@brent.gov.uk
Post:
FOI and Complaints Investigation Officer
Brent Civic Centre
Engineers Way
Wembley. HA9 0FJ
Generally there will be no fee or charge for requested information. However, we will charge for disbursements, or in other words for photocopying, postage etc., where they will exceed £2.
The cost of disbursements based on the following:
The Fees Regulations state that responding to high cost requests that will cost over £450 is discretionary. The Executive of Brent Council has decided that such requests will be refused.
We have an obligation to inform you whether the council holds that information and if it does to provide the information (subject to exemptions) within 20 working days of receipt of your request.
The Act does provide certain exemptions to the general right of access. If any of the information requested is exempt, you will be informed which exemption applies and why. Examples include information that is commercially sensitive, confidential or readily available elsewhere.
Some requests for information may be covered by other legislation, such as environmental information which can be accessed through Environmental Information Regulations or personal data which is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.
Should we be unable to supply anything you request, we will explain the reasons to you.
Requests for environmental information will be exempted from being dealt with under the FOI (Section 39). The effect of this exemption is to ensure that a request for environmental information is dealt with in accordance with the regulations.
Whilst the general guidance for dealing with FOI requests may be extended to cover EIR requests, there are a number of differences between them.
| Legislation | EIR | FOI |
|---|---|---|
| Information covered | Environmental information only | All information held by us |
| Legal origin | The EU | The UK |
| Range of bodies covered | Public authorities Public utilities Public private partnerships Private companies with environmental functions | Public authorities |
| Format for requests | Request can be in any form (although it will often help | Request must be in writing |
| Includes information held on behalf of others | Yes | No |
| Time to respond | 20 working days (can be extended to 40 days if deemed necessary) | 20 working days (can be extended as appropriate if deemed necessary i.e. to allow time to apply public interest test) |
| Time to request further information from the applicant | 20 working days | As appropriate |
| Public interest test | Yes - must take place within set timescales for response | Yes - may require extension of timescales for response |
| Requests with costs in excess of 'appropriate limit' refused | No - requests cannot be refused on grounds of cost alone | At our discretion |
| Charges | Yes - can make a reasonable charge. Must publish a schedule of charges | Yes - can charge for requests above appropriate limit |
| Rules for disclosure | No absolute exceptions. All are subject to the public interest test | Some absolute exemptions prevent disclosure. Only non-absolute exemptions are subject to the public interest test |
| Complaints/appeals procedure for non-compliance | Yes - three stage appeals procedure as per FOI 40 day time limit for internal review by the public authority | Yes - three stage appeals procedure Appeal to the information commissioner |
| Transfer of request | Must inform applicant and gain permission prior to transfer | Requests can be transferred where appropriate |
| Able to neither confirm nor deny whether we hold the information | Yes - where request is refused on the grounds of international relations, defence, national security or public safety | Yes - can be used for any exemption where public authority deems it appropriate |
Should you be dissatisfied with the outcome or handling of your request for information, you have the right to complain. This can be done by submitting a request for a review to the Complaints and FOI Manager within 40 working days of receiving a response. An internal review of the decision will be carried out by a senior manager who will aim to respond to the review within 20 working days, although in some cases this could take up to 40 days.
To request a review, contact the Complaints and FOI manager by:
Email: foi@brent.gov.uk
Write to:
Complaints and FOI manager
Brent Civic Centre
Engineers Way
Wembley. HA9 0FJ
If you remain dissatisfied with the Internal Review of your request, you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to review the Council's decision.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted by:
Online: ICO contact us form
Email: casework@ico.org.uk (please include your telephone number)
Telephone: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 if you prefer to use a national rate number
Write to:
The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow, Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Address:
FOI and Complaints Investigation Officer
Brent Civic Centre
Engineers Way
Wembley. HA9 0FJ