Freedom of information (FOI)

​The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request any information from any public authority.

It promotes openness and accountability among public sector organisations, so that everyone can understand how authorities make decisions, carry out their duties and spend public money.

The information you want may already be included in our publication scheme, so please check here first.  Information relating to frequently asked business rates requests can be found on our specific business rates FOI page, and to benefits requests can be found on our benefits data and information page. If you are not able to find the information you need, you may put your request in writing or online using the freedom of information request form.

Please be advised that we are not responsible for:

  • Social Care
  • Children’s Services
  • Schools & Education
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Maintenance of Roads, Pavements and Verges
  • Libraries
  • Household Waste Recycling Centres (Tips)

These matters are handled by West Sussex County Council and therefore requests of this nature should be submitted to Make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request - West Sussex County Council

Submit a Freedom of Information request

We will respond within 20 working days. Please do not contact us during this period, unless you have further information to add to your request.

Charges

We will usually provide the information requested free of charge. However, where a charge is made you will be notified of the amount payable in writing prior to us providing the information.

Under the Freedom of Information Act there is an upper limit of £450 above which we do not have to provide information. The general guideline for working out whether or not a request may exceed this total is whether the amount of work involved in retrieving the information is likely to exceed 18 hours (2.5 working days).

We aim to let you know if the information request will cost more than £450 as early on in the process as possible so that you have the option to adjust your request to bring it under the £450 limit. As soon as the charge is worked out a letter will be sent requesting that payment is made before the information can be sent. We can also provide the information on a cost recovery basis if needed.