Freedom of information

This service allows you to make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides public access to information held by public authorities.

It does this in two ways:

• as a public authority we are required to publish certain information about our activities
• members of the public are entitled to request information

We are required to respond to requests for information within 20 working days of receipt.

Before you start

Before making a formal request for information, it's worth checking our Disclosure Log. This resource lists responses to questions we've previously been asked by the public under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Search our Disclosure Log

We also have a Publication Scheme which sets out information about our decisions, policies, procedures, and financial details. You may find the information you need there.

How we respond to requests

When we respond to requests for information there are set procedures from the Information Commissioner's Office which we must follow:

• we will aim to respond to your request within 20 working days
• in some cases an exemption may apply and a request may be refused if it would cost too much or take a member of staff too long to deal with the request
• we are not obliged to deal with requests if the estimated cost of finding the information exceeds £450, this is worked out by charging £25 per hour of work, accumulating to 18 hours of work
• if we think that dealing with the request will cost more than the appropriate limit, we may charge a fee for providing the information; we will let you know if this is the case
• we need not comply with vexatious or repeated requests, an exemption under the act may apply
• some information may be exempt from disclosure under the act, where an exemption is applicable the public authority must adhere to a number of obligations

Personal information

The act does not give people access to their own personal data (information about you and your records). If you wish to see information we hold about you, please make a data protection subject access request.

Requesting Environmental Information Regulations

To make a request for information under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), please submit an EIR Request.

How to make a Freedom of Information request

You can submit your request for information using our online form.

Submit a request online

You can also make requests by email foi@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

Or by post

Complaints about Freedom of Information requests

If you are unhappy with the way in which we have dealt with your request or disagree with what we have provided, you can request a review. We will respond to your complaint within 20 working days and if you remain dissatisfied at this stage you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office.