Here to Help - Providing Access to Information

The Freedom of Information Act came into force on 1 January 2005.  It means that that you are entitled to ask for any information that you feel the Council holds.  In practice, it will be business as usual for this Council and you will notice no difference to the way in which a request is handled in the majority of circumstances. 

However, there are certain types of information that we may not be obliged to provide, such as information relating to matters of law enforcement or personal information.  In particular, access to personal information is strictly controlled by the Data Protection Act 1998.  To help, we have produced a Publication Scheme in accordance with the Act setting out the types of information we already routinely publish and how the information can be obtained.

You do not have to know about or consult the Scheme prior to requesting information from us or you may not be able to find/obtain particular information via it.  In these circumstances we expect you to continue to either telephone or write (by post or email) to the Council.  There is generally no charge for providing the information.  The Act states that we must usually comply with written requests for information that we hold within twenty working days else you will be informed of the reason for the delay and given an estimated time for completion.

Should you be dissatisfied with the way we have handled a request for information or the reasons given for refusing to provide certain information, you have the right to object.  In the first instance, you should telephone us 01372 732000 or email contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk.  If, having followed our complaints procedure, you are still dissatisfied you may refer your complaint to the Information Commissioner, who is completely independent of the Council.  Further information can be obtained at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk or by telephoning 01625 545700 (Information Commissioner's Head Office switchboard).

Download Request for Information Form (opens in pdf format)

Data Protection Policy

The Data Protection Act 1998 is designed to protect personal data about living individuals (Data Subjects).  The Act also places obligations on those organisations that process personal data (Data Controllers).

This document sets out our policy regarding data protection.  The Data Protection Acts 1984 and 1998 and the EC Data Protection Directive form the background to the document.  The Policy is drafted using the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, although there are transitional arrangements in respect of certain parts of the Act.  The Freedom of Information Act will affect our use of non-personal information and the operation of this policy.  The Human Rights Act 1998 will enhance the protection and individual rights given under the Data Protection legislation.

Download Epsom and Ewell's Data Protection Policy

NB: EEBC's Register Entries, held by the Information Commissioner, are as follows:

Z7075379 - Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
Z6255830 - Electoral Registrar of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council

Further Information

Telephone: 01372 732000
email:  contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk