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Requesting information

Requesting Information under the Data Protection Act, Environmental Information Regulations, Freedom of Information Act and Re-Use of Public Sector Regulations.

How to make a request for information

There are several laws which allow you to request information from Hertsmere Borough Council.   These are known as access to information laws.  The main ones are:

Data Protection Act - this law covers personal information or information about you
Environmental Information Regulations - this law covers information which is environmental in nature such as waste services, flora and fauna, food hygiene
Freedom of Information Act - this law covers information which is not personal or environmental in nature.
Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations - this law details the any rules which may apply should you wish to re-use or re-publish any of our information.

All requests (other than for Envirommental Information which can be made over the telephone) must be made in writing (this does include email and fax). You can download the request form as a pdf and mail it back to us at:

Hertsmere Borough Council
Civic Offices, Elstree Way
Borehamwood
Herts WD6 1WA
General Enquiries:
Tel: 020 8207 2277

You can also email us at foi@hertsmere.gov.uk, or, if you prefer, you can write to us at the above address.

Your request must include:

  • A clear description of what information you are looking for
  • A contact name
  • An address for correspondence

Remember that we will have a better chance of finding the information you want if you include as much detail as possible

There are two types of information available:

  • information included in the Publication Scheme
  • information not included in the Publication Scheme

There is a slightly different process for each type of information, as explained below.

Requests for information included in the Publication Scheme

If you wish to make a request for information that is included in the publication scheme, the scheme will show the format that this information is available. For example, information on the Internet, in paper copy or available for inspection at Council offices. If you wish to make a request for a hard copy of information please send your request to the Information Officer at the details shown on the contacts page.

Requests for information not included in the Publication Scheme

If you wish to make a request for information that is not included in our Publication Scheme you should put your request to us in writing, and provided it is not covered by one of the exemptions in the Acts, we will provide the information to you.

How long will it take?

It depends on which law the request is being processed.  For Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations requests, the Council must reply within 20 working days of receiving your request. In some circumstances this time limit can be extended and you will be advised if this is the case.  If we require you to provide additional information to identify and locate the requested information, the 20 day period would start when we receive this additional information. If a fee is applicable, the 20 day time limit will stop from when you are informed of a fee, until the fee has been paid.  For requests for personal information under the Data Protection Act, the council must respond within 40 calendar days. 

Will I be charged for the information?

If you are requesting information contained in the Council’s publication scheme, the scheme will give details of whether (and how much) the Council will charge for providing the information.

If you are requesting information not contained within the publication scheme, we may charge you a fee, you will be advised if this is the case.

A £10.00 fee may be charged for processing requests for personal information under the Data Protection Act, you will be advised if this is the case.

How can I receive the information?

You may request that the information be supplied to you in any form. However, we will take into account the cost and practicality of supplying the information in the requested form before complying with your request. In particular, you may ask for information in permanent form, in summary form, or for permission to inspect records containing the information.

What happens if my request is refused?

A request for information may only be refused if it falls under one of the exemptions within the specific law it is being processed under. If your request is refused, we will tell you why and identify which exemption we are applying. If you are unhappy with the outcome, we will give you details of how to apply for an internal appeal through our  Access to Information complaints procedure. If after this internal appeal, we still refuse your request and you are not satisfied with this response you may ask the Information Commissioner to review our decision.

Each access to information law described above has it's own section within this publication scheme where further information can be found.