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Freedom of Information and Environmental Information

The Freedom of Information (FoI) Act and the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) give people a right of access to information held by public bodies, including ourselves, unless that information is subject to any of the exemptions contained in the legislation.

Under FoI we produce a Publication Scheme which sets out the categories of information we publish. In addition we have produced a Publication Guide to this scheme which tells you more about what we publish, where you can find it and details of any charges for accessing the information.

If you are having difficulty or cannot find the information you are looking for in the Publication Scheme, and would like to make an FoI request, then please either;

complete the online form or
complete the downloadable form on this page and send it to The FoI Officer, West Oxfordshire District Council, Elmfield, New Yatt Rd, Witney, OX28 1PB

The forms may be used for Freedom of Information or Environmental Information requests. You do not have to specify which you are using for your request as we have to decide.

We will normally respond to your request in full within 20 working days. However, if there is any concern about what information is required, or there are any related charges or we have to apply an exemption that is in some cases subject to the Public Interest Test this time may be extended.

Please note the supply of information under FoI or EIR does not constitute permission for its use in a way that would infringe copyright and you should obtain permission from the copyholder before any such use.

If you are disappointed with the response to your enquiry you can ask us to review our decision and actions. You must do this within 40 working days of the date of our response stating the reason for your dissatisfaction and we will respond within 20 working days of receipt. If you are still dissatisfied or we are unable to resolve any other complaint then you can contact the Information Commissioner, who is the independent regulator.

Environmental Information Regulations

The EIRs cover a wide variety of environmental information including:

Raw data on subjects such as air and water quality levels, industrial discharge rates, soil quality and biodiversity.
Regulatory measures affecting the environment, including policies, plans, programmes and agreements.
Reports on the implementation of environmental legislation.
Economic analyses, including cost benefit analysis on regulatory measures.
Health & safety information, on subject such as food and land contamination and quality of life.

The main differences between the EIRs and the FoIA are that:

Requests for information can be oral as well as written.

The Environmental Information Regulations Exemptions are narrower and fewer.
The exemptions are all subject to the Public Interest Test.

FoI Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Publication Scheme is a guide to the information we routinely publish or intend to publish. The scheme will assist you in requesting information from the Council, and can be inspected at our offices at Woodgreen and Elmfield, Witney.

There is also a Publication Guide which tells you more about what we publish, where you can find it and details of any charges for accessing the information.

For further information, please contact Keith Butler, Head of Legal and Democratic Services, via 01993 861000.