What could it cost?

Most requests should be dealt with free of charge.

If you ask for information that is not in the authority's publication scheme, an authority cannot charge you for the first £100 it costs to find and provide you with the information.

If you have a disability and because of that you want information in a particular format, any extra costs to enable providing the information in that format cannot be passed onto you.

Q. So what is the most I would have to pay?

A. If the cost to the authority is more than £100 but £600 or less, the authority can charge you 10% of the cost of providing the information, but the first £100 is always free. So the maximum it can charge you in most situations is £50 (this would be where the cost to the authority is £600). 

For example, if the cost to the authority is £200, it can only charge you £10 - (10% x (£200 - £100))

Q. What is a fees notice?

A.  A fees notice tells you the estimated cost due, explains how this has been calculated and tells you how to complain about or appeal against the fee.

Q. When calculating the fees notice, what can I be charged for?
A.  The authority can charge you for:

• time taken by staff to gather the information.  A maximum of £15 per hour can be charged.
• reasonable costs for photocopying or providing the it in another format if you have requested for a copy of the information.

You cannot be charged for time taken by staff to decide whether or not an exemption applies to your request ("what can't I see?" gives you more information).

Once a fees notice has been sent to you, the authority cannot increase the fee at a later date if it discovers the cost was more than originally estimated.  If the cost turns out to be less than it estimated, you should be refunded the overpayment which you have made.

Q.  What if I do not want to pay for the information?

A.  When you receive a fees notice you must decide whether or not to pay for the information.  If you decide not to pay then the authority does not have to send you any information.

Q.  How long do I have to decide?

A.  Once you have received a fees notice you have to decide whether or not you are going to pay, and respond to the authority, within 3 months of the date shown on the fees notice. 

Q.  What if I think the fees notice is unreasonable?

A.  If you are unhappy with the fees notice you can ask the authority to review its decision regarding the amount it wants to charge you.  The fees notice will provide information explaining how to complain or appeal.

what can't I see? >>