This document sets out Audit Commission policy on payment of fees for Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) requests.
The Audit Commission has set out in its FoI policy and principles how it will charge for FoIA requests.
In taking those decisions it is mindful that its primary use of resources is to improve public services through audit and inspection and not to process complex FoIA requests.
The Audit Commission will provide information free of charge where reasonably possible. The Audit Commission’s general policy is not to charge for information supplied other than to recover the costs of communicating the information in the applicant's preferred format (e.g. printing, paper, postage etc.).
Exceptions to this policy are:
- Where the information requested is already available as part of our normal charged publications service, in which case it will only be provided through that service.
- Where the cost of providing the information is calculated to be too expensive to the organisation. There is no obligation for a public authority to provide information if the estimated cost of doing so would exceed the 'appropriate limit' set by regulations at £450. This equates to eighteen hours work at £25 per hour which is the fixed rate specified. In this event the applicant will be advised that the effort required exceeds the appropriate limit and we will work with them to identify any changes to the request that would reduce the effort required but would still provide information relevant to the request Where information is considered to be too costly to provide (because it is over the appropriate limit) or where the request is vexatious or repeated, the Audit Commission will issue a decision notice refusing disclosure and explain why. We will also include a copy of our complaints procedure.
- Where the request falls under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). For those requests we will charge the full amount incurred in satisfying the request where it is above the appropriate limit set out above. The 20 working days commitment takes effect from the date on which the applicant confirms that he/she wishes to proceed with the request and the necessary payment has been received and cleared by the applicants’ bank.
If the Audit Commission considers there is a strong public interest in the information requested we would seek to publish the information on our website rather than respond to the individual request. The reason for this is to reduce our costs and enable value for money to be maintained, whilst ensuring that information is widely available.
The Audit Commission may wish to review its policy on charging in light of any changes to the existing regulations and after experience of costs incurred. But its aim will be to avoid charging except as stated above and to keep any fees as low as reasonably possible.