The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives you the right to access recorded information held by public authorities such as Carmarthenshire County Council.
Requests for personal information held by organisations about you are dealt with separately under the Data Protection Act 1998.
How is a request made?
Anyone can make a request for information. A request must be in writing and be addressed direct to the Council.
It must include a name and an address for a response.
The information being sought should also be described clearly and as precisely as possible.
A request can be submitted in a number of ways:
- By letter, or by using the form provided in the leaflet available from Customer Service Centres, libraries etc.
- By E-mail: foia@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
- Or by completing our online request form.
Once we receive a request, and if we need it, clarification to enable us to search for the information that has been requested, we are required to provide a response within 20 working days.
Will I always get the information I ask for?
The Act gives you the right:
• to be told whether the information is held by us
• to receive the information (and where possible, in the manner requested, such as an electronic copy, summary, or an inspection of files)
Although we will always make information available wherever possible, there may also be cases where there is a valid reason why we can’t provide it.
It might be that we simply don't hold the information that has been asked for, or one the exemptions in the Act might apply. If this is the case, we will provide a full explanation in writing as to why we are unable to provide the information.
The Council’s Code of Practice on Public Access to Information contains more information regarding these exemptions and details our approach to openness and access to information. In responding to requests, we will provide information recorded both before and after the Act came into force in line with our Records Management Policy and Retention Guidelines.
Are there charges for providing information?
When it is necessary to provide photocopies or printed material, the Council applies standard charges and where necessary, the cost of postage will be added. We will not charge for any copies which cost less than £2.00 in total. All charges are inclusive of VAT.
The cost per copy is as follows:
A4 black & white - 10p
A4 colour - 20p
A3 black & white - 20p
A3 colour - 40p
A2 - 50p
A1 - £2.00
A0 - £5.00
Who do I contact?
The contact point for requests under the Act is John Tillman, Information & Data Protection Officer, Building 14, St David’s Park, Carmarthen, SA31 3HB, telephone (01267) 246108 or E-mail foia@carmarthenshire.gov.uk .
The Publication Scheme
The Council already makes a large amount of information available through our Publication Scheme. This information is published routinely and can be accessed without the need to make a request under the Act.
Further Information
The Information Commissioner is an independent body which ensures that public authorities comply with the Act and has produced a Charter for Responsible Freedom of Information Requests, which includes advice on how to make effective use of this legislation.