Sandwell Council is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
The FOIA gives individuals, regardless of motive or destination, the right to submit a request for recorded information that the council holds.
Publication scheme
If you are considering submitting a request for information, you may want to look through the council's publication scheme.
We publish our responses to any requests we have answered under the Freedom of Information Act.
View responses to FOIs published by the Council
If you cannot find the information you need in the publication scheme you can submit a request directly to the council.
How to submit a Freedom of Information Act request
Requests must be submitted to the council in writing.
You can either:
Submit a Freedom of Information Act request online
Or write to:
Information Management Unit
Oldbury Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE
How we process your request
Once the council receives your request you will receive an acknowledgement letter confirming which area of the council is dealing with your request, and a date by which you should receive your response by.
Responding Officers will deal with your request in line with the council's Freedom of Information Procedures which are currently being reviewed.
Responding Officers have 20 working days to respond to your request. If an Officer requires clarification regarding your request they will contact you as soon as possible. The 20 working days will start once the Council has received your response. If, however, you do not respond to a request for clarification from an Officer within 2 months, your request will be considered to have lapsed and will be closed.
Exempt information
If the Council considers some or all of the information you have requested exempt from disclosure you will receive a refusal notice detailing what exemption is being applied and why the information is being withheld.
For further information regarding Freedom of Information Act Exemptions please visit the Information Commissioner's Office website.
Requesting a review
If you are unhappy with the handling of your request or the response you received, you have the right to ask for an internal review.
Internal review requests should be submitted within 40 days of the date of receipt of the response to your request. You can request a review online:
Request a review of your FOI request online
Or write to:
Information Management Unit
Oldbury Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE
Please remember to quote your original FOI request enquiry number on your request for an internal review.
If you are still unhappy following an internal review you have the right to submit a request to the Information Commissioner's Office for a review to be carried out by them.
You can submit your complaint to the Information Commissioner's Officer via email to casework@ico.gsi.gov.uk or by post to:
First Contact Team
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
SK9 5AF
Further information on submitting complaints to the Information Commissioner' Office can be found on the Information Commissioner's website.
Or you can call the Complaints Helpline on 0303 123 1113.
For further information regarding the Freedom of Information Act 2000, your rights and the council's obligations, please visit the Information Commissioner's website.
Charges
Under certain circumstances, the Council may charge for the information requested. Details of the charges are set out in the Council's Information and Document Charging Policy.
Records management
For further information on retention guidelines for Local Authorities please visit the Information and Records Management Society website.