Official Information Requests - LGOIMA and Privacy
Please be as specific as you can be in making your request; it helps us to find the information quickly for you. Make sure you include either a postal or email address so we can provide you with a response.
How long will it take to process my request?
We will acknowledge your request and endeavour to make a decision as soon as practicable but within 20 working days.
However, if your request is complex, involves a large amount of research and collation, or requires us to consult with other parties, and we cannot provide you with the information within 20 days, we may extend the time limit. We will let you know if need to do this.
If the information you want is held by another organisation covered by the Act, we may transfer your request to that agency. If we transfer your request, we will let you know within 10 working days of receiving your request.
Urgent requests
You may ask that your request be treated as urgent. If you do, please give reasons explaining the need for urgency.
Withholding information
We may withhold information for specific reasons. If we do, we will explain the reason why.
The specific reasons enabling us to withhold information are set out in sections 6 and 7 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. The most common reasons to withhold information are to:
- protect peoples' privacy
- maintain legal privilege
- enable the Council to carry on its commercial activities
What will it cost?
Generally, there will be no charge for your request. Occasionally however, if a request is for a significant amount of information, or requires substantial collation and research, we may consider imposing a charge.
- We can recover any actual costs (e.g. reproducing a photograph)
- Time in excess of one hour is charged at $100/hour
- Additional copying is charged at 20 cents per page
If we are going to charge you, we will advise you of the cost of processing your request before we begin working on it. You can then decide if you want to continue, withdraw or refine your request. We may ask you to pay some or all of this cost in advance.
Review of decisions
If you are unhappy with a decision to withhold information, to charge a fee, to extend the time frame on a request or have concerns about how we have dealt with your request, you are able to have the decision reviewed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Need more information?
If you have any questions regarding official information requests, email us:
