You can apply for access to any information recorded in any form held by Southampton City Council.
The first place to start is Southampton City Council’s Publication Scheme. Please see the link to the left for more information.
The Publication Scheme is a list of the information that Southampton City Council makes readily available to the public as a matter of routine. As well as describing the types of information the City Council will make available, the scheme also indicates whether a charge is made for any types of information and also the form in which information is published (for instance on a website or as leaflets).
Make an Information Request.
Requests must be made in writing by letter, email, fax, or by completing our requests form to be found online.
When making a request for the information ensure that you;
State your name
State the address you would like any correspondence sent to
State clearly what information is required
Ensure that you are very clear and specific otherwise you may be asked to clarify which will result in a delay in receiving the information.
State how you would prefer to receive this information
Link to FORM
Any requests should be sent through to:
Information Compliance Officer
Corporate Legal Team
Southampton City Council
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LY
Telephone: (023) 8083 2676
Fax: (023) 8083 2308
Email: foi.requests@southampton.gov.uk
As a general rule the information itself will not cost you anything. However, if gathering the information costs Southampton City Council more than £450.00, then you will be charged. You will also be charged for any necessary copying and postage charges. Details of our charging policy can be found on the following link.
Link to Charging Policy
You will not receive the information.
Generally, Southampton City Council will send the information to you by letter at the address you have provided. However, you can request that the information be provided to you in other formats, including email. You can also request to come into the Council offices and inspect the documents. However, if the information is readily available in another form e.g. Web, we are no longer obliged to provide you with a further copy.
Southampton City Council must respond within 20 working days of the date of request (four weeks).
NOTE: If your request is unclear, we will contact you to clarify exactly what information you are looking for. The clock starts ticking from the date we confirm the correct details of your request
There are a number of exemptions contained in the Act that may unfortunately apply to a request. An example of this would be that the information requested contains personal information of another (this would breach Data Protection Act principles). However, if this is the case you will be told the reason why the information is withheld, including details of the exemption applied.
If you are told that the information will not be supplied then you will be given a reason why and how this decision can be reconsidered. This will be reviewed by our Corporate Complaints Department.
Corporate Complaints Officer
Corporate Policy & Performance
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LY
Telephone: 023 8083 3050
Fax: 023 8083 4008
Email: complaints@southampton.gov.uk
For further information on Southampton City Council’s complaints policy click on the link below:
http://www.southampton.gov.uk/customer-service/comments/process.aspx
If, following the review you are still not satisfied then you can raise your concerns to the Information Commissioner at:
EIR/FOI Complaints
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Email: mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk
Further information can be found on the Information Commissioner’s Website
www.ico.gov.uk
The Freedom of Information Act 2000
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/contents
The above link will take you straight to the Act.
Information Compliance Officer -Southampton City Council
foi.requests@southampton.gov.uk
If you have any further queries that have not been answered by the above, contact our Information Compliance Officer.
The Information Commissioner
www.ico.gov.uk
The Information Commissioner deals with most enforcement issue arising out of all aspects on information management. The above link will take you to its website. This will provide information on how you can exercise your rights under information legislation.
Campaign for Freedom of Information
www.cfoi.org.uk
The Campaign for Freedom of Information campaigns against unnecessary official secrecy. It monitors existing access rights and provides practical guides to help people use them.
Copyright © Southampton City Council 2009
