Make a request for information (FOI and EIR)

You can ask Tendring District Council for recorded information we hold under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).

We aim to respond to all Freedom of Information and Environmental Information requests within 20 working days. (For complex or high-volume EIR requests, we may extend the deadline by up to 20 extra working days – to 40 working days total – and we will inform you if an extension is needed.)

How to make a request

Email: corporateinfomanager@tendringdc.gov.uk

Post: You can send your request to the address below.

Environmental Information Regulations (EIR): verbal requests

You can also make an EIR request verbally. Telephone the Corporate Information Manager on 01255 686 063.

What to include in your request

• Your full name
• A contact address (email address or postal address)
• A clear description of the information you want (we can only provide information that is already held in a recorded form)

Tips to help us respond quickly

• Be specific about exactly what you want.
• Ask for particular facts or figures and avoid open-ended questions. For example, ‘what’ or ‘how much’ questions usually lead to clearer responses than ‘why’ questions.
• Include a timeframe if relevant (for example: ‘How many car park fines were issued in 2020?’).

Requests we may not deal with under FOI or EIR

• Requests that ask for opinions or are based on assumptions, rather than asking for recorded information.
• Complaints or general comments. If you want to complain, please use the Council’s corporate complaints process.
• Unclear requests. We may contact you to ask for more detail or clarification.
• Requests that would take an unreasonable amount of time or cost to answer.

FOI and EIR give you a right to access recorded information held by a public authority. They are not intended to provide explanations, opinions, or responses to general enquiries or complaints.

We can provide copies of recorded information we hold. We cannot create new information to answer a question, or give commentary on decisions, as part of an FOI or EIR request.

Further guidance

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) provides advice for the public, including how to write an effective request for official information: How to access information from a public authority

If you need help making your request, include as much detail as you can and we will contact you if we need clarification.