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Introduction

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) give you the right to ask the council for any information we may hold. However, requests for information we hold about you, or other private individuals, are not covered by these regulations and follow a separate process. For details please visit our Your rights on the information we hold about you page.

information

Please note, on 1 April 2023 the structure of local government in Somerset changed. Somerset Council is now a unitary council, replacing the previous Somerset County Council and four district councils – Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West & Taunton and South Somerset. FOI and EIR requests should now be made to Somerset Council. If the information you require relates to a former council or specific area/service/function, please provide as much detail as you can to help ensure that we provide the information you need.

If you would like to request information under the FOIA or EIR and are unable to find that information through our Publication Scheme for our previous responses, you can write to us or fill in our online form to request the information. You must make your FOIA request in writing and the quickest way is to fill in our online form using the button below:

The online form is also the easiest way to make an EIR request though these can be accepted verbally if required.

All requests must contain:

  • Your name and email or contact address for correspondence
  • A description of the information you require

There are guides on making a request on the GOV.UK and Information Commissioner’s Office websites.

Freedom of Information statistics

Below is the number of Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Requests that have been received and sent out within the 20 working day deadline. Figures up to and including the financial year 2022/23 relate to the former Somerset County Council. Figures from 2023/24 onwards will relate to the new unitary Somerset Council.

Time Period Number Received Number in timePercentage on time 
April 2022 to March 2023 
April 2021 to March 2022  993 946 95.27% 
April 2020 to March 2021  971  837  86.20% 
April 2019 to March 2020  1187  1026  86.44% 
April 2018 to March 2019  1340900 67.16% 
April 2017 to March 2018  1249830 66.45% 
April 2016 to March 20171219  772  63.33%
April 2015 to March 2016  1192  692  58.05% 
April 2014 to March 2015  1331758  56.95% 
April 2013 to March 2014  1237  763  61.68% 
April 2012 to March 2013 846  599  70.80% 
April 2011 to March 2012  934837  89.61% 

Last reviewed: September 15, 2023 by Qi

Next review due: March 15, 2024

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