Freedom of Information Act 2000

Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR)

East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Policy on Providing Information

The council already publishes a great deal of information, either in print or on its website. The council is committed to being as fully open as possible with the information it holds and giving as much access as possible.

The council also expects the public to appreciate that occasionally there will be legitimate and proper areas where it is not in the interests of council tax payers to publicise certain economically sensitive information too soon, or that some items of information may infringe another individual's human and legal rights if made public.

What Council information will become available to the public under the FOIA and EIR?

Most types of information recorded by the Council, as set out in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and certain specific areas of environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Information held on public registers, such as planning applications; Section 106 planning agreements entered into between developers and the Council; names of hackney carriage drivers licensed by the Council; advance agendas of Council meetings and the subsequent minutes of them.

All books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts relating to the Council’s accounts.

The Council’s FOIA and EIR Disclosure Log can be accessed through the link below, the log contains details of previous FOI and EIR requests and the Council’s responses.  The information you require may already be published in this log and a search can be undertaken by putting in keywords.

What information can still be kept confidential?

Information which the councils deem to be financially sensitive and not in the interest of the tax payers to be made public prematurely, such as details relating to bids for contracts, or information concerning contracts the council is about to enter into

  • Personal information relating to anyone else
  • Information which is legally protected or concerning the subject of legal proceedings
  • Other information which is specifically exempted by the FOIA or EIR

How does someone apply to get information?

A request should be made in writing either via email at foi@eastcambs.gov.uk or by post or hand delivery to

East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4PL

The Council will respond to your request within 20 working days.

The council may make a charge for providing certain information.

Please be aware that your request and our response will be published in our Disclosure Log on this website.  All personal information will be redacted before publication.

Information that is supplied will be subject to one of the following licences:

Unless otherwise stated, it will be the UK Open Government Licence. 

For further information please email foi@eastcambs.gov.uk