Freedom of Information (FOI)

Overview

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2000 promotes openness and accountability as well as giving everyone the right to access recorded information held by the public sector.
It is to assist with a better understanding of how we carry out our duties, why we make our decisions and how public money is spent.


Access to information

A lot of information is available online, however, if you cannot find the information you are looking for, you can ask for it via a Freedom of Information request.

You must make your request in writing (emails are accepted) and you have the right to be told whether we have that information and a right to see it.  However, there are some types of information that is excluded.


Publication scheme

The Freedom of Information Act requires the public authority to provide a publication scheme which lets people know the information we make available.  Details relating specifically to STG Partnership can be found on the About STG pages.


Making a request

If you wish to make a Freedom of Information request, you can email us at foistg@medway.gov.uk or you can write to us at STG Building Control Partnership, Foord Annexe, Eastgate House, High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1EW.  You need to provide us with a name and correspondence address and clearly state the information you are requesting.

We will let you know whether the information you have requested is available and if it is the information will be sent to you.  We have 20 working days to respond to a request for information. 


Excluded information

Some information cannot be made public or may need to be assessed / processed under different legislation.  For example, information relating to private individuals, this is protected under the Data Protection Act 2018 and your request would be reviewed under this legislation instead of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  Other exclusions include information used as criminal evidence, security information, data bound by public interest tests and information that is already publicly available by other means.  We will advise you on how your request will be processed.


Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Further information about the publication scheme and Freedom of Information Act 2000 can be obtained from the Information Commissioner’s Office:
Phone: 01625 545745
Post: ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Website: ico.org.uk