The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) allows you to
access information about you, such as your own medical records, credit
reference files or personnel file. DPA requests have a £10 charge. We
will answer a valid request within 40 calendar days of receiving it. More
information can be found at
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
The Environmental Information Regulations 2004
(EIRs) allows you access to environmental information relating to:
- air, water, land, natural sites, flora and fauna, built environment and
health
- all information relating to decision or activities affecting, or likely
to affect, any of these, including environmental protection and cost
benefit analysis.
Enquiries can be made on the telephone or in writing and you should receive
a response within 20 working days. However, the 20 working day limit can be
extended up to 40 working days if the request is for complex or high
volumes of information. More information can be found at
www.sustainable-development.gov.uk
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) gives you a
general right of access to all types of recorded
information held by public authorities, including us. The act has created
two rights for you:
- to know if information exists
- to have it supplied on written request.
What we must do
- Maintain a publication scheme that sets out the information that
we will routinely make available. Our publication scheme is part of
the publication scheme of the
Department for Communities and Local Government.
- Tell you whether we hold the information requested and provide it or
explain why it has not been provided, quoting the relevant exemption under
the act.
- Reply to you within 20 working days.
- Advise and assist you to make your request. We may contact you to
clarify your request.
- Although there will be no charge for information that costs us less
than £600 to produce, we may request a fee if this is exceeded. If
you do not wish to pay the fee, we can refuse to supply the information.
More information about the Freedom of Information Act can be found at
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
or
www.dca.gov.uk/foi/index.htm
What you need to do
For any of the three types of query, FOI, EIR or DPA, please put your
request in writing (this includes by fax or email) to the appropriate
individual or team, or you can write to:
Information Manager
Government Office for the North East
Citygate
Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4WH
Fax: 0191 202 3830
Email:
information_management@gone.gsi.gov.uk
State clearly what information is required.
- State your name and an address for correspondence.
- You may request the information in any format. However, we may take
into account the cost of supplying the information before complying with
your request.
- If you wish to appeal against an FOI/EIR decision made by us you will
advised of your right of appeal in a leaflet accompanying the response.
