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Freedom of information requests

You have the right to ask us for the recorded information we hold on any subject.

Read a guide to making a freedom of information request on GOV.UK or read a guide from the Information Commissioner's Office about accessing information from a public body.

Making a freedom of information request

You can make a freedom of information request:

  • online
  • by email
  • by post.

Before submitting a new freedom of information request, you should check our disclosure log to find out whether we've provided the information you're looking for before.

Make a freedom of information request

If you make a request by email, post, or fax, you need to include:

  • your name and an address for correspondence
  • what information is required
  • how you would prefer to receive this information. For example, a summary of the information, a copy of the documents that the information comes from, or a visit to inspect records in person.

We will then tell you in writing whether or not we hold the information you have asked for. If we do, we will either:

Contact details

  • email: freedomofinformation@kent.gov.uk
  • write: Information Resilience and Transparency Team, Kent County Council, Room 2.64, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XQ.

Disclosure log

We maintain a record of all completed requests for information that we have received and dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004, called our disclosure log.

Response time

We will respond to your request as soon as possible, and within 20 working days of us receiving your written request.

If your request is unclear we will contact you to find out exactly what information you are looking for. The 20 working days begins from the date you confirm details of your request.

Fees and charges

Most information in our publication scheme is available free of charge, or if not, costs are shown.

If you are asking for information not listed on the publication scheme, you may be required to contribute towards costs such as photocopying, translation services, or postage. We will advise you of the cost and you will need to pay this before we proceed with your request.

If you refuse to pay then we are not obliged to supply the information you've asked for.

If the costs of getting the information will exceed £450 we do not have to comply with your request.

Withheld information

There are 23 exemptions that can be used as justification to withhold information. These include things like if releasing the information would breach the data protection legislation, would prejudice an ongoing court case or would hinder the prevention or detection of crime.

We will tell you why we are not providing the information you have asked for, which exemption applies and how you can get our decision reviewed.

If following review, you are still unhappy with our response, complain to the Information Commissioner.