The Data Protection
Act
1998
(DPA) enables you to access information we hold of which you are
the subject. These requests have a £10 charge. A valid request
will be answered within 40 calendar days of being received. More
information can be found at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
The Environmental
Information Regulations
2004
(EIR) enables you to access environmental information relating
to:
-
air
-
water
-
land
-
natural
sites
-
flora and
fauna
-
the built
environment
-
health
The regulations also cover
information relating to decisions or activities 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. In some cases the 20 working day limit can be extended 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
(FOIA) gives you a general right of access to information held by
public authorities, including Government Office for the North West. The Act
has created two rights:
-
to know if information
exists
-
to have the information
supplied on written request
More information can be
found at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
or
www.dca.gov.uk/foi/index.htm
Government Offices
are required to:
-
maintain a
‘Publication Scheme’, which sets out the information that
we will routinely make available. The Government Office Publication
Scheme is part of the
Publication Scheme of the Department for
Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
-
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
legislation
-
reply to you within 20
working days
-
advise and assist you
in making your request. We may contact you to clarify your
request.
Although there will be no
charge for information that costs Government Office for the North West less
than £600 to produce, we may request a fee if this limit is exceeded.
If you do not wish to pay the fee, we can refuse to supply the
information.
How to request
information
-
Put your request in
writing (this includes fax or email) to the individual concerned if you
have their name. Or you can send your request to:
Information Manager
Government Office for the North West
City Tower
Piccadilly Plaza
Manchester
M1 4BE
Email:
gonwmailbox@gonw.gsi.gov.uk
Fax: 0161 952
4019
-
State clearly what
information is required
-
Give your name and an
address where we can contact you
-
Tell us in what format
you would like to receive the information
