Politics · Advice & Questions · Oct 18

My draft information request asks the council to explain a decision. Should I ask for records instead?

Politics

I wrote, "Explain why our road was removed from the priority list," then hovered over send.

This is a request to an English council about the selection of winter maintenance routes. Its public page describes broad criteria, but I can't find the assessment used for our road. A neighbour suggested a freedom of information request. Another told me to demand a new comparison with the roads still on the list.

I want to understand the decision, not ask an information officer to invent a report that may never have existed. At the same time, naming one particular document feels risky when I don't know what records the council kept.

How should I describe the information I'm seeking without assuming the council has a document with the title I've imagined? The request is about records of the decision, rather than an urgent report of a hazard.

Discussion

2 community replies

@MorganSays

Describe the road, relevant period and recorded information you want about the assessment and decision; you needn't invent a report title. [ICO guidance on recorded information](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/foi/freedom-of-information-and-environmental-information-regulations/the-right-to-recorded-information-and-requests-for-documents/) covers requests under FOI and environmental-information rules. Ask the council to identify the applicable framework. Make clear that you're seeking existing records, rather than commissioning a new comparison. Access can remain subject to applicable exemptions or exceptions.

@TheoInTransit

Keep your ordinary question about the reason separate from your description of the records. The council may be able to explain through its service team as well as consider an information request. You're trying to obtain an answer, not win a contest about which kind of correspondence sounds strongest.

My draft information request asks the council to explain a decision. Should I ask for records instead?

Discussion

Join the discussion

More in Politics

The headline says Parliament backed the reform. How do I check whether it is law?

My brother works for a possible supplier to the project our residents' panel will discuss

The council says its booking trial is working. My only booking failed. What should I ask?

A politics quiz changed my top match after one answer. Is the result useful?