Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) was passed on 30th November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. It sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities.

The Act came into force in January 2005 and anyone wishing to exercise the right has to make a written request to the local authority. If such a request is made the Council is under obligation to inform that person whether or not the requested information exists and to supply access to the information, unless it is subject to an exemption.

Making a request for information

If you wish to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act you must:

• Make your request in writing, this includes email
• Supply your name and address so that we can respond to that request
• State clearly the information you require, so that we can identify and locate it

Where the request is for information that is subject to the Act, it will be dealt with accordingly. Requests for information not subject to the Act will be handled in line with the Council’s Customer Care Standards.

To make a request you need to write to:

Freedom of Information
Stevenage Borough Council
Daneshill House
Danestrete
Stevenage
Herts
SG1 1HN

Email: foi@stevenage.gov.uk

Click here to complete an online request form

Click here to download FOI request form

Publications Scheme

Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 states that it is the duty of every public authority to adopt and maintain a publication scheme and to publish information in accordance with that scheme, reviewing it from time to time.

The Act states that a publication scheme should specify:

• the classes of information a public authority publishes or intends to publish
• how the information will be published
• whether or not a charge will be made for the information

Click here to download the Council's Publications Scheme.

Appeals/complaints

If you feel that your request was not dealt with properly then you should follow our complaints procedure, which is available stevenage.gov.uk or contact the Customer Service Centre for information.

Click here to find information about the Council's complaints process

If you have done this and still feel that your request was not dealt with properly then you should contact the Information Commissioner’s office at the address below and ask them to investigate.

Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Tel: 01625 545700
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk