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Introduction

You can ask to see any recorded information we hold on paper or electronically, subject to any Freedom of Information Act (FOI) or Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) exemptions that may apply. You will need to provide a name and address (email or postal). 

Before you request information

Before requesting information, please check our publication scheme and open data pages to see if the information you are looking for has already been published.

Merton Council routinely publishes data relating to its services and previous FOI requests. Please be aware that should you request data that has already been published your request will be refused and you will be directed to the appropriate publication location.

How long it takes

By law, we must provide the information you ask for in 20 working days from the next working day after we received your request. If we need you to clarify your request, the 20 days will start from the next working day after we receive your clarification.  If we cannot give you the information you asked for, we will tell you why, and what you can do.

Performance information

Performance in relation to responding to these requests is reported to the Corporate Management team monthly and an annual report is also produced.

Our charges

We don’t usually charge for information requests. But if you ask for a large amount of information, we may charge you for printing, photocopying and postage. We will tell you if a charge applies before we process your request, and you can cancel or reduce your request at that time.

Cost of requests

Research carried out by University College London indicated that the average time to deal with a request is 7.5 hours, which at the rate of £25 per hour (the amount assumed in the legislation) means that each request costs an average of £187.50 to handle. Using this guideline, the total cost to Merton Council of dealing with FOI and EIR requests is:

Year Requests Cost
2022/23 1,415 £256,312
2021/22 1,391 £260,813
2020/21 1,341 £251,437
2019/20 1,609 £301,688
2018/19 1,813 £339,938
2017/18 1,795 £336,563
2016/17 1,633 £306,188
2015/16 1,500 £281,250
2014/15 1,489 £279,188
2013/14 1,543 £289,313
2012/13 1,263 £236,813
2011/12 1,259 £236,063

Use of information

You may reuse the information we supply under the terms of the Open Government Licence, as described on the data.gov.uk website.

Appeals

If you are unhappy with the response you have received or the handling of your request, you can appeal to us. We will review our decision and/or its handling and let you know the outcome.

Details of how to appeal are contained within the response to your request.

Following our review of your request you can then appeal to the Information Commissioner if you remain unhappy.

Make a request

If you have been unable to find the information you require on our website you may request the information by completing an information access form.

Freedom of Information request form

If you cannot access the request form you can submit your request in writing to FOI, London Borough of Merton, Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX.

You may also submit your request directly via email to FOI@Merton.gov.uk