Your right to access information
The laws that give you the right to access information held by public bodies like us.
On this page
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act
The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request any recorded information we hold. Make a request for information.
What is recorded information?
Recorded information includes:
- paper and electronic records
- emails
- letters
- sound or video recordings
- microfiche
- maps
- photographs
- handwritten notes
- Teams Chat
- Recorded Teams meetings/calls
How we deal with your requests
Our Freedom of Information Act Policy (pdf format, 184 KB) sets out how we will respond to information requests under the FOI Act.
Publication scheme
We publish information on this website as part of normal business practice. The publication scheme sets out what information this includes. The aim is to help people better understand how the council works.
Learn more about what is included in our publication scheme page.
Information we may not release
We do our best to give you what you requested, but it may not be possible. Some information is exempt. For example, where it would reveal personal details about someone. Find out more about FOI exemptions (pdf format, 73 KB).
We may refuse a request if the cost for us to provide the information would cost more than the information is worth.
Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) Act
The Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) give you the right to access environmental information held by the council. Make a request for information.
What is environmental information?
Environmental information is classed under the EIR as the following.
- The state of the elements of the environment, such as air and atmosphere, water, soil, land, landscape and natural sites including wetlands, coastal and marine areas, biological diversity and its components.
- Factors, such as substances, energy, noise, radiation or waste, including radioactive waste, emissions, discharges and other releases into the environment.
- Measures (including administrative measures), such as policies, legislation, plans, programmes, environmental agreements, and activities.
- Reports on the implementation of environmental legislation.
- Cost-benefit and other economic analyses and assumptions used within the framework of the measures and activities.
- The state of human health and safety, including the contamination of the food chain, where relevant, conditions of human life, cultural sites and built structures inasmuch as they are or may be affected by the state of the elements of the environment.
Environmental information we may not release
The EIR set out exceptions that may restrict access to some information, for example, commercial confidentiality.
Find out more about FOI exemptions (pdf format, 73 KB)
Please be aware that some information may also be withheld because it is covered by the Data Protection Act.
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
The GDPR gives you the right to request and amend the personal information Oxfordshire County Council holds about you. Make a request for your personal information.