Freedom of Information
What is the Freedom of Information (FOI)?
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 came into effect on 1
January 2005. It gives you the right to access information
held by public authorities. Thurrock Thames Gateway Development
Corporation complies with the obligations set out in The
Act.
What does this mean in practice?
Since January 2005, all public authorities in the UK must:
- Reply to written requests for information.
- Confirm whether or not they hold the information
requested.
If you make a request for information, you can expect to be
provided with that information unless it is subject to one of the
exemptions in The Act. The
information may be held in any form, for example emails, paper
documents or video recordings. The legislation is
retrospective.
Who can make a request for information under FOI?
Any person or organisation anywhere in the world can make a
request under FOI. You do not have to be a UK citizen or live in
the UK to use The Act.
Does FOI apply to personal information?
FOI applies to all public sector information. Information which
concerns living individuals is covered by the Data Protection Act
1998. Information which concerns deceased individuals is covered by
the FOI.
Does FOI apply to environmental information?
Environment information is covered by the Environmental
Information Regulations Act 2004.
FOI and the Private Sector
Currently The Act does not apply to private sector information,
unless that information is held for a public authority.
Accessing Information
You can get the information in two ways:
The scheme lists the information routinely made available.
Please check the scheme to see if the information you want has
already been published.
Written Request
Requests for information must be made in writing, which can
include email. When requesting information please make sure you
state your name and address.
General Enquiries
When requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act
2000 please direct your request to:
Information Manager
Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation
Gateway House
Stonehouse Lane
Purfleet
Essex
RM19 1NX
Or email, info@thurrocktgdc.org.uk.
Timescales
The Corporation will respond to written requests for information
within 20 working days where it can. We will also try to provide
advice to people who have made, or who are thinking of making, a
request. This will help people understand their rights under the
Act and identify the information they want.
Some of the exemptions outlined in the Limits on Disclosure
section will require the Corporation to consider whether it is in
the public interest to withhold information. In some instances
consideration of the public interest may take longer than the 20
days. In these cases we will provide an estimate of when we will
have reached a decision within 20 days of receiving the
request.
Requests for Personal Data
The Data Protection Act 1998 governs the processing of personal
data (information relating to living individuals). This makes it
possible for you to request access to personal data that the
Corporation may hold about you. A request for disclosure of such
information is called a Subject Access Request.
Should you wish to know more about your rights under the Data
Protection Act 1998 you should consult the Office of the Information Commissioner's
website (new window).
Limits of Disclosure
The Corporation will give the full information wherever it can,
however, in certain limited circumstances, it will be necessary to
retain confidentiality where it is not in the public interest to
disclose.
In any case where information is refused, we will specify
which exemption is being claimed and why. All requests for
information will be carefully considered with close regard to the
public interest. The FOI Act provides 23 exemptions from the
general rights of access, explained in detail by the Office of the Information
Commissioner (new window).
If the information requested is already reasonably accessed
through the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation
(TTGDC) publication scheme we will simply direct the applicant
to the information.
Fees
You will be informed in writing If the TTGDC charges a fee.
Until you pay the fee, the 20 days target for responding to FOI
requests will be put on hold.
If you do not pay the fee within three months, it is
assumed that you no longer want the information.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with the response, you may ask for your
request to be reviewed internally by the Corporation’s Chief
Information Officer at the address listed above.
If you remain unhappy, you may appeal to the Information
Commissioner for a decision on the handling of your request. The
Information Commissioner is an independent statutory body which
oversees the operation of The Act and can be contacted at the
following address:
FOI Compliance Team (Complaints)
The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF