Freedom of Information (FoI)
Last updated: 05 February 2013 16:54The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FoI) gives anyone the right to ask for any information held by a public authority, which includes Portsmouth City Council. The information must be in a recorded form, so can include documents, minutes of meetings, e-mails, handwritten notes, videos, letters and audio recordings.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and legislation.gov.uk sites feature detailed information on the Freedom of Information act - please follow the links below for more.
- A summary of the Freedom of Information act (or read the FoI act in full)
- Frequently asked questions about Freedom of Information
The Council and Freedom of Information
Follow the links to read Portsmouth City Council's Freedom of Information policy or our FoI fees policy. You can still get information from the Council in the same ways you always have, but in addition you're able to:
- Search our FoI publication scheme for a wide range of information
- Submit a request for information under FoI, if you can't find what you're looking for in our Publication Scheme or website
- Ask to re-use any information you are provided with under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations
Data protection act and personal information
If you are looking for personal information about yourself or about another person on their behalf, please see the ICO page about Data Protection.
If you want to know what personal information the Council has of yours, please view requesting information for further details.
Environmental information
If you require environmental information (such as data about the air, atmosphere, water, soil, land, landscapes, natural sites, wetlands and coastal marine areas) please visit our Environmental Information Regulations page.
Freedom of Information exemptions
Only one absolute exemption need apply for the information to be withheld - absolute exemptions include sections 21, 23, 32, 34, 36, 40, 41 and 44 of the exempt information included in the FoI act. Where information is covered by an absolute exemption, we may refuse to release the information and, in some circumstances, can refuse to confirm or deny whether we hold the information.
If a qualified exemption applies, the information must be disclosed unless the public interest in withholding it is greater than the public interest in releasing it - qualified exemptions include sections 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42 and 43 of the exempt information included in the FoI act.
Contact us
If you have any further queries please email us at foi@portsmouthcc.gov.uk, phone us on 023 9268 8482 or write to us at the address below:
Corporate Information Governance Officer | Customer, community & democratic service | Portsmouth City Council | Civic offices | Portsmouth | PO1 2AL
Further FoI information
Publication schemeRequesting information
Environmental Information Regulations
Re-use of public sector information regulations
FoI fees and disbursements
Freedom of Information advice for contractors
FoI appeals and complaints
Portsmouth City Council's FoI Policy
