Freedom of Information
There’s also a great deal of information about the Council on our website, including an A to Z of our services, and a list of frequently asked questions (see links at the top of this page).
Howden House is in the city centre, about 100 yards from the Peace Gardens.
(no stamp required). Copies of the leaflet are being distributed to all our libraries, and to advice centres, doctors surgeries etc.
Freedom of Information and
the Environmental Information Regulations
The Freedom of Information Act allows anyone to ask for information held by the City Council subject to exemptions.
Under the Environmental Information Regulations, the public has a right of access to environmental information held by Sheffield City Council.
Help and assistance
If our staff think that you would benefit from using your access to information rights they’ll tell you about them. We’ll also help you to ask for information if you need this. For example, if you can’t put your request in writing we’ll help you to do this.
If we can’t find the information you want, we’ll help you to clarify your request (if possible) as quickly as we can. If we still can’t find the information you want, we’ll let you know.
Your request for information
You must ask for information in writing, telling us clearly and exactly what you want and how we can get the information to you. It can help if you let us know why you want the information, and the names of any staff involved, but you don’t have to do this.
We aim to deal with requests for information within 20 working days, or less where this is possible.
Sometimes we have to decide where the public interest lies in disclosing information. If this is the case we’ll make this decision as soon as possible.
We’ll tell you when we expect to have decided this. If we can’t give you a decision on that date we’ll say so and tell you why.
If the information you’re asking for involves someone else (such as another organisation) we may have to consult them. Where disclosure would affect their legal rights we may have to ask for their consent. If you’re concerned about consultations with these third parties, please tell us.
What happens if we don't hold the information you want
We‘ll tell you if we don't hold the information you ask for. If we know who else might hold it, we’ll tell you who that is. We’ll not generally transfer your request to another organisation without telling both you and them that we intend to do so. If you object to a proposed transfer, we won’t go through with it.
Charges and costs
You can ask us not to charge for providing information, and we’ll consider your request.
We’ll always give you any free information which is relevant to your request.
We won’t charge you for application forms, feedback forms, leaflets and any items we’ve decided are free or where the law says we can’t charge.
We’ll charge you for information where the law sets a charge. Where we’ve published a charge for information we provide we’ll expect you to pay this charge.
We won’t charge you where we think that to do this isn’t in the interests of the service we provide.
Where the cost of meeting your request (or yours and others apparently acting with you) is more than the legal limit (currently about 18 hours of working time or £450), we’ll tell you what we can supply within the limit. In some cases no legal limit applies.
In other cases where we have to spend money to give you information, we may ask you to pay this amount. We’ll always let you know if there are any costs in meeting your request. You can then decide whether you want to go ahead with your request.
If we don’t supply the information you have asked for
We may decide not to disclose information to you under exemptions specified in the Freedom of Information Act. If we do, we’ll normally tell you which exemption was used and if this isn't obvious, why.
If we think that the cost of meeting your request would be more than the limits set by law we won’t normally supply the information to you.
If we think that you’ve already been given the information you’re asking for and it’s unreasonable to provide it again we won’t normally supply the information to you.
If we think that your request is intended to make the Council waste resources, we won’t normally supply information to you.
Contact the Council
You can contact us by telephone, fax, email or letter, or you can call into any Council reception point, including our one-stop-shop at Howden House. Opening times, telephone numbers and so on are given at the top of this page.
You can also contact us with a general enquiry by email - to firstpoint@sheffield.gov.uk.
If you wish to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act you can use the form on this website. Please note if you want to make your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act you must make your request in writing.
If you’re not happy with our response
If you’re not happy with our response to your request you can make a complaint. Our leaflet called Tell Us What You Think has more information about making a complaint about any of our services. You can pick up a leaflet from any Council reception.
If you are unhappy with how the Council has dealt with a complaint concerning your Freedom of Information Act request, you can contact the Information Commissioner. The address is Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.
The Information Commissioner is an independent person who has responsibility for overseeing the Freedom of Information Act. For more information visit the Information Commissioner's website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.