Make a freedom of information request
Anyone can make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for recorded information held by the council.
Examples of previous requests:
- list of of council owned buildings
- names of the software systems we currently use
- number of noise complaints received
If you ask for environmental information, for example carbon emissions data your request will be handled under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR).
If you would like to request personal information we may hold about you, please refer to our Subject Access Request process.
Before making a request
You might not need to make a FOI request if we have already published the information.
Search our website using search terms or phrases to see if the information you want is already available, for example, business rates information.
Check our publication scheme which provides a guide to the information we routinely publish, for example, current financial information.
If your request will be concerning IT, IT security, attacks, ransomware, malware and related topics, please read our scheme response before proceeding with your request.
Ways to make a FOI or EIR request
Your request must be made in writing and should include:
- the name of the person making the request
- an email or postal address for correspondence
- describe the information requested
You can ask for EIR information in writing or by phone 01452 396 514.
By email
Send your request to FOI@gloucester.gov.uk
By post
Send your request in writing to the following address:
Gloucester City Council
Eastgate Management Suite
Eastgate Street
Gloucester
GL1 1PA
Other ways to make a request
If you cannot make your request in writing because of a disability, contact us by phone 01452 396 514 and we will help you to make the request another way.
What happens next?
We will let you know when we have received your request. We may contact you if we need more information.
We will check what information we hold and how much work it will take to respond.
We aim to respond within 20 working days.
We will either send you the information or explain why we cannot provide some or all of it. This may be because:
- we do not hold the information
- the information is already publicly available
- it would cost too much to find and provide the information
- we need more time to respond
- the information is exempt from disclosure
Refusing the Request
There is some sensitive information that we cannot make publicly available. The Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations both have a list of exemptions that can be applied in these circumstances. If this applies, we will tell you why we cannot give you some or all of the information you requested.
If we think the cost of getting the information is too high, we might ask you to be more specific so we can provide just the information you need.
If you are unhappy with our reply
To ask for an internal review, make a complaint and include your request reference number. Someone not involved in the original decision will review it.
If you are still unhappy after the review, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO is independent and will decide whether we have applied the law correctly.