Freedom of Information requests
Following a decision of the First Tier Information Rights Tribunal EA/2018/0033, the Authority no longer publishes business rates data on its open data webpage. It will no longer disclose information about business rate accounts in response to FOI requests.
To promote openness and transparency, we are committed to publishing increasing amounts of our data. You don't have to ask us for permission to re-use our data, but you do have to accept the Open Government Licence’s terms.
You may also want to view the National Archives’ guidance document.
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act lets anyone ask for records kept by Welsh, English or Northern Irish public authorities, as well as government departments. It can reveal how authorities make decisions, as well as run or form services. For an overview of organisations affected, visit the Information Commissioner’s website.
The FOI Act works alongside the Data Protection Act, which allows people to access information about themselves such as personnel records, or data held by credit reference agencies. It also works with the Environmental Information Regulations, which releases information about the environment.
Request information
All authorities under the act have a Publication Scheme. The scheme lists regularly released information, and where the information can be found, with contact details for relevant departments. To make a request:
- Check the Publication Scheme for information that is already published. We refer to such information as ‘business as usual’, and you can get the information from where it is noted in the scheme.
- If the information is not in the Publication Scheme, you can request it. Remember that you can order the response in a particular format. For instance, you may want a paper or electronic version, and as with disabled people, there may be a right to certain formats. If so, discuss your needs with the relevant department first.
- All requests must be made in writing by letter or email. Clearly state the information needed, which can be any recorded information such as emails, notebooks, videos or tapes. Give your name, and contact details. You do not need to say why you want the information.
- Usually, we must reply in 20 working days of receipt. If we’re unable to do this we will state why, and tell you when to expect a response.
Address: Freedom of Information Office, Bridgend County Borough Council, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB
Email Address: foi@bridgend.gov.uk
The cost of making a request for information
Information can often be supplied free of charge but you may sometimes have to pay a fee to cover:
- administrative costs
- photocopying or postage costs
- finding and supplying the information
You will be told in advance if there is a fee.
Declined requests for information
We will provide the requested information unless there is a good reason not to do so. For instance, your request might relate to someone else’s personal details, and the FOI Act lists any exemptions.
We must state why we have declined a request. You can ask for a reconsideration, and if rejected again, you can ask the Information Commissioner’s Office for a review.
The Information Commissioner’s Office is an independent body that enforces the FOI Act, the Data Protection Act, and the Environmental Information Regulations. To learn more, visit the Information Commissioner’s website.