Governance & compliance
Freedom of information & information rights
Freedom of information can feel like a trap: a request arrives, a clock starts, and the wrong answer causes more trouble than the request itself. We help public bodies and the organisations that work with them handle requests calmly and correctly.
Who this is for
Local authorities and other public bodies, council-operated venues and the trusts that run them, and cultural organisations that receive information requests or are drawn into someone else’s.
If a request has arrived and you are not sure how far your obligations reach, this page is for you.
At a glance
- Whether the Act applies to you
- Responses within the time limit
- Exemptions applied properly
- The Environmental Information Regulations too
How we help
We advise on whether the Freedom of Information Act applies to you at all, which is not always obvious for an arm’s-length venue or a charity delivering a public service. When a request comes in, we help you answer it in time, work out what must be disclosed, and apply the exemptions properly, including those protecting commercial interests, personal data and confidential information.
We also advise on the Environmental Information Regulations, which sit alongside the Act and cover more than people expect, and we help with internal reviews and complaints to the Information Commission (ICO).
Talk to us
Not sure where to start? Book an online appointment and we will point you to the right help.
Email hello@proartsplus.co.uk or call 0330 127 1414 during office hours.
How it works
- Triage
We look at the request and what it is really asking for. - Deadlines
We confirm your obligations and the time limit. - Draft
We prepare a response that discloses what it should. - Follow-through
We stay with you through any review or complaint.
Both regimes have a 20-working-day deadline, so get in touch early.
Why ProArtsPlus
Our work with councils and their venues means we understand both sides of these requests: the public body’s duty to be open, and the commercial and personal sensitivities inside cultural operations. We help you meet the duty without giving away what you are entitled to protect.
Frequently asked questions
Does freedom of information apply to our venue?
It depends on who runs it. The Act applies to public authorities, which include councils and publicly owned companies, so a venue a council runs directly is covered. An independent trust or operator running a council venue is not normally a public authority in its own right, but its operating agreement will often require it to help the council answer requests, and information it holds on the council’s behalf can fall within a request to the council. We help you work out where you stand.
How long do we have to respond?
Promptly, and no later than the twentieth working day after the request arrives. Some situations allow more time, but the default deadline is tight.
Can we refuse a request?
Sometimes. There are exemptions covering personal data, commercial interests, confidential information and more, and some apply only if the public interest favours withholding. We help you apply them properly.
What are the Environmental Information Regulations?
A separate regime, similar to freedom of information, for environmental information. It is defined broadly and often covers requests about buildings, land and activities, so we advise on both together.
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Not sure where to start?
Tell us what you are dealing with and we will point you to the right help.