Make a request for information

Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) can be made via email or in writing to:

Email: corporateinfomanager@tendringdc.gov.uk

Letter:

Corporate Information Manager
Tendring District Council
Corporate IT Services
Town Hall
Station Road
Clacton on Sea
Essex
CO15 1SE

Requests for information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 can also be made verbally. The Corporate Information Manager can be contacted via telephone on 01255 686 063.

Requests must include:

• your full name
• a contact address, this can be an email address or postal address
• a detailed description of what information you would like. The Council can only provide information that is already held in a recorded form.

Be as clear as possible:

• be exact with which information you would like.
• ask for specific information and avoid open ended questions. ‘What’ or ‘how much’ questions will lead to much clearer responses than ‘why’ questions.
• provide a timeframe if appropriate. For example: ‘How many car park fines were issued in 2020?’

The Council does not accept requests that are:

• based on an assumption or opinion
• complaints or comments. If you would like to complain, please visit the Council’s complaints process -  Corporate complaints (tendringdc.gov.uk)
• unclear. The Council will contact you to ask for further clarification
• too expensive or time consuming

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 [FOIA] and the Environmental Information Regulations [EIR] are for the provision of recorded information that is held by a public authority. It is not the purpose of FOIA or EIR to provide opinions, statements on decisions, clarifications, answer general enquiries/complaints or to provide information that is accessible to requesters.

The Information Commissioner’s Office webpages for the public include some useful advice for requesters on how to word their requests to get the best result. They are aimed at the public and provide guidance on how to use section 1 rights responsibly and effectively. Future requests are less likely to be refused if framed in accordance with these guidelines. You can view the relevant section ‘How should I word my request to get the best result?’ on the 'How to access information from a public body' page of the ICO’s website