The Environmental Information Regulations 2004
came into force on 1 January 2005. A copy of the regulations as
originally made can be obtained from the
Office of Public Sector
Information website.
The regulations give members of the public the
right to access certain environmental information if that
information is held by the Council. The request can be made by
letter, email, telephone or in person.
Environmental Information includes
information about:
- The state of the elements of the environment
including air, water, soil, land and biological diversity.
- Factors such as substances, energy, noise,
radiation and waste which affect the elements of the environment
such as those mentioned at paragraph 1.
- Measures (such as policies, plans, programmes
and agreements) and activities likely to affect or protect the
elements at paragraph 1 or likely to affect the factors mentioned
in paragraph 2.
- Reports on the implementation of environmental
legislation.
- Cost benefit and other economic analyses and
assumptions used within the framework of the measures and
activities mentioned at paragraph 3.
- The state of human health and safety, including
contamination of the food chain, 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 referred to in
paragraph 1 or, through those elements, by any of the matters
referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3.
Usually the authority will be obliged to provide
such information as it has. There are a number of exceptions,
but if any of these applies we will explain why. Most requests
must be dealt with in 20 working days. If, for example, the
information requested is complex or a large amount of information
has been requested, the period for our response can be
extended.
The Council is entitled to make a reasonable
charge for the provision of information under the 2004 Regulations.
This is also subject to certain exemptions. Anyone making a
request for information will be informed if a charge is to be
made. Payment is normally required before the information will
be provided. It would assist if anyone making a request would
use the Freedom of Information application form and specify in the
completed form that the information is requested under the
Environmental Information Regulations. See
Freedom of Information for
application form.
Further information and guidance on these rights
can also be obtained from the
Information Commissioner's Office
website.
For Further Information:
Contact: Technical Assistant (Corporate and Legal
Services)
Address: Eden District Council, Town Hall, Penrith, CA11 7QF
Telephone: 01768 212122
Email: FOI@eden.gov.uk
Fax: 01768 890470
