Freedom of Information statistics

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) provide a statutory right of access to information held by public authorities. As a public authority, the Council is required to respond to requests for information within prescribed timescales and apply any exemptions or exceptions in accordance with the legislation.

The monitoring and reporting of Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations statistics enables the Council to demonstrate compliance with its statutory obligations, promote transparency and accountability, and identify trends in information requests. The data provides assurance that requests are being managed appropriately, that disclosure decisions are made in accordance with the legislation, and that performance against statutory response deadlines is regularly reviewed.

These statistics also support effective information governance by highlighting areas where additional resources, training or process improvements may be required to manage demand and improve performance. Regular reporting helps ensure that the Council continues to meet the expectations of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and maintain public confidence in its handling of information requests.

The quarterly figures therefore provide an overview of request volumes, response times and disclosure outcomes, enabling Members and senior officers to monitor compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and to oversee the Council's commitment to openness and transparency.