Freedom of Information (FOI)

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) gives an individual a right of access to recorded information held by public authorities such as the information held by Malvern Hills District Council. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 we have a responsibility to publish information held through our publication scheme and to process individual requests for recorded information.

In accordance with the Act, we do not charge for processing requests under the Freedom of Information Act, providing the cost of processing does not exceed the statutory limit of £450 (18 hours at £25 per hour).  When estimating how long it will take to process a request, we take into account the time it will take us to locate, retrieve and extract the information requested.

If the estimated cost of processing exceeds £450, we can refuse to supply the information or could ask you to pay a fee, which would include a contribution in respect of officer time spent in dealing with your request.  This will be calculated in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Fees and Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004.  You will be informed of any charges involved with your request and we will send you a ‘Fees Notice’ on request, that you will need to pay before a detailed search begins. We will always try and assist you in refining your request in the first instance, so that your request comes within the 18 hour time rule.

Disbursements

Any costs associated with processing your requests are payable in all cases. Examples of costs to Malvern Hills District Council; include the costs of postage, reproducing the information and printing.

Making more than one request

For the purpose of calculating the statutory limit, where we receive two or more requests within 60 days of each other, from an individual or group of individuals who appear to us to be acting together or in pursuance of a campaign, we may be entitled to aggregate the costs of processing these requests.