Adopted: 17 August 2026  Next Review: August 2027

What is Freedom of Information?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) gives people a general right of access to recorded information held by public authorities. Information held by public authorities should be available and accessible unless a legal exemption or exception applies. Requests for environmental information are dealt with under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 rather than FOIA. Environmental information may include information about land, open spaces, biodiversity, trees, water, drainage, emissions, noise, planning-related matters, or activities likely to affect the environment.

The act was introduced to help bring about a culture of openness within the public sector and give the public a better understanding of how authorities carry out their duties; why they make the decisions they do; and how they spend public money.

Every public authority has two main duties under FOIA:

  • To adopt and maintain the ICO model publication scheme and PPC’s guide to information, which set out:
    • details of information it will routinely make available;
    •  how the information can be obtained;
    •  whether there is any charge for it.
  • To comply with all requests for the information, unless there is an exemption from disclosure. The authority normally has a maximum of 20 working days to respond to the request; however there are circumstances when this time limit can be extended.

PPC will review and update its publication scheme, guide to information and disclosure log regularly to ensure published information remains current, accessible and easy to locate.

How do I make an FOI request?

If there is something you would like to know about Perranzabuloe Parish Council’s (PPC) activities, please take the following steps:

  • Search the disclosure log on PPC’s website (https://www.perranzabuloe-pc.gov.uk) to see whether the information you are looking for has already been published.
  • If you cannot find the information you are seeking in the disclosure log, you can submit your request by email to clerk@perranzabuloe-pc.gov.uk or by post to: Clerk, Perranzabuloe Parish Council, Chyanhale, Ponsmere Valley, Perranporth TR6 0DB.
  • A request under FOIA must be in writing, state the requester’s real name, provide an address for correspondence, and describe the information requested. Requests may be submitted by email or letter.
  • When you submit your request, give as much detail as possible to help us correctly identify the information you are seeking. If PPC does need more detail from you to identify the information, an Officer will contact you.
  • Before you submit your request, it recommends that you visit the Information Commissioner’s Office website.

PPC will provide reasonable advice and assistance to anyone making, or intending to make, a request for information. This may include helping the requester clarify the information sought, explaining what information PPC holds, or directing the requester to information already published.

How long does it take?

PPC will normally respond to FOIA and EIR requests within 20 working days. If the request requires clarification, the response period will not begin until sufficient clarification has been received. Where the public interest test applies and additional time is needed, PPC will explain this to the requester and provide a revised response date.

Exceptions and exemptions

There are legal reasons why information may not be released. These are known as exemptions under FOIA and exceptions under the EIR. If PPC withholds information, it will explain which exemption or exception applies, unless doing so would itself disclose information that should not be released.

Requests under FOIA may be refused because:

  • it is a matter covered by data protection legislation
  • it is already reasonably accessible to the applicant, including through PPC’s publication scheme or guide to information
  • it might be considered prejudicial to the effective conduct of public affairs.

Internal review and complaints

If a requester is dissatisfied with PPC’s response, they may ask PPC to carry out an internal review. Requests for internal review should be submitted as soon as possible, and preferably within 40 working days of the response. PPC will aim to complete internal reviews within 20 working days, or within 40 working days where the case is complex. If the requester remains dissatisfied after the internal review, they may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

FOI Log – FOI Log updated 1 April 2026
FOI Log – FOI-Log-updated-3-July-2026
FOI Log – FOI Log updated 13 July 2026