Charges for information
This is a summary of the fees that may be charged by Newark and Sherwood District Council for requests for information made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and how those fees are calculated.
Download our fees policy (PDF File, 301kb) for a detailed explanation of our fees.
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) requests
Information in the publication scheme
Information in our publication scheme has, where practicable, been made available to download from our website. We do not charge for information downloaded from the website.
Where information in the scheme is not available to download, or you require a printed copy of the information in the scheme, we may make a charge based on the disbursement costs below.
Estimating the cost of a request
We’ll make an estimate of the costs we expect to incur in dealing with your request. This will take into account the time staff will spend on activities such as finding the information, at a rate of £25 per person per hour.
Where the estimated cost is less than £450
If the estimated cost is equal to or less than £450, no charge for any time spent dealing with or responding to a request will be made. The only charge will be for any disbursements incurred in responding to the request. The table below gives examples of the kinds of disbursements that will be charged for, and the current cost.
| Description of disbursement | Basis of charge |
|---|---|
| Photocopying at 10 pence per A4 sheet (black and white) | Actual cost |
| Photocopying at 20 pence per A4 sheet (colour) | Actual cost |
| Photocopying at 40 pence per A3 sheet (black and white) | Actual cost |
| Packing and second class postage | Actual cost |
Where the estimated cost exceeds £450
There is no obligation on the Council to comply with a request where the estimated cost will exceed £450. If the cost is estimated to exceed £450 we can provide help to refine the request, to see if it can be brought within this limit. If the request cannot be brought within this limit we will normally decline your request.
Fees notices
Where we propose to charge a fee for responding to a request, we’ll issue a fees notice first.
If the actual cost of responding to the request is more than we originally stated in the notice, we will cover the additional cost. If the actual cost is less we will refund the excess money.
Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) requests
Under the EIRs the council is permitted to make a ‘reasonable charge’ for supplying environmental information. For consistency the council will use the same charging format as for FoI requests with the exception of requests estimated to cost over £450.
Where the estimated cost exceeds £450
Where the estimated cost exceeds £450 we will, in the first instance, provide help to refine the request, to try to bring it within this limit. If this is not acceptable we’ll respond to your request, but will charge you for both the staff time and any disbursements we incur in so doing.
When charges will not be made
You will not be charged for:
- accessing any public registers or lists of environmental information held by us
- examining information requested at a place which we make available for that examination
If you require a hard copy of any of the information on this page please contact us. A charge may be made in accordance with the above policy.