FOI Request
How do I make a Request for Information using the Freedom of
Information Act ?
Thanet Council routinely publishes a great deal of information.
You may be able to find the information you need yourself, through
the Council's Publication Scheme or elsewhere on our website.
However, if you can't find what you want then please make a Request
for Information.
How do I request information
not covered by the Publication Scheme ?
If you cannot find an item in the Publication Scheme then you
can ask us if we hold, and will provide, the information you are
looking for.
Requests for information must be made in writing, including
e-mails. You must state the name and address of the person applying
for the information and the required information. To request
information from us you can:
How long will you take to answer my request ?
The Council aims to respond to your request within 20 working
days from the receipt of your request. If we are unable to do so we
will contact you to explain why, or ask for more information to
help us complete your request.
What if I want information that is exempted from the Act
?
"Exempt information" means information that Thanet District
Council is not obliged to disclose under the Freedom of Information
Act. This would include:
- Where publication would harm the effective conduct of public
affair
- Where disclosure is prejudicial to criminal proceedings
- Where publication risks the health and safety of an
individual
- Where disclosure would compromise commercial interests.
- Personal information relating to either the enquirer or any
other individual (You already have the right to see
personal information that we hold about you under the Data
Protection Act 1998. Any personal information we hold remains as
confidential as it has always been).
Any document in the Publication Scheme that contains information
that falls into one of the exempt categories will not be supplied,
or will be supplied with the exempt information deleted.
Should we be unable to supply anything you request, we will
explain the reasons to you.
Do I need to pay for the information I want?
Much of the information we publish is free. Sometimes there will
be a charge, for instance if the information has been produced for
sale, or if you want a number of paper documents.
If the charge is not included on the Publication Scheme then we
will inform you of the charge so you can decide if you want us to
go ahead with your request.
All items that are on the Thanet District Council website can be
viewed free of charge.
Some charges are reviewed annually and may be changed. The
current charge for any document in the publication scheme can be
obtained from the department that holds the document.
I am having problems accessing documents on your
website from my computer
If you are having a problem accessing a document on the web-site
from your own computer please contact Thanet Council’s Web Editors
at Web.editor@thanet.gov.uk