FOI and EIR Requests in Liverpool - City Rules

Civil Rights and Equity England 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 12, 2026 Flag of England

Liverpool, England residents and businesses can request information from Liverpool City Council under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). This guide explains when to use each regime, how to submit requests to the council, typical response times, enforcement routes and practical steps to appeal or escalate if you are dissatisfied with the council's reply.

When to use FOI vs EIR

Use FOI for recorded information held by the council about its functions, decisions, spending, policies and communications. Use EIR when the information is environmental in nature, for example about land, air, water, waste, emissions, planning decisions affecting the environment, or environmental regulation. For detailed scope and differences, see Liverpool City Council's FOI guidance Liverpool FOI guidance[1] and central guidance on FOI obligations from the Information Commissioner's Office ICO FOI guide[2].

If the information is about environmental impacts, start under the EIR rather than FOI.

Making a request

Requests should be clear and reasonably specific. Provide a name, contact details, and describe the information sought; specify whether you prefer a particular format. Public bodies normally respond within 20 working days under both regimes. The Liverpool City Council page explains how to submit a request and where to find contact points for information requests Make an FOI request[1].

  • Standard response time: 20 working days for FOI and EIR unless an exception or exception procedure applies.
  • How to apply: use the council's online request route or email the information governance team as set out on the council FOI page.[1]
  • Be specific: include date ranges, projects, or documents to reduce delays and scope refusals.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for failures to comply with FOI/EIR is primarily handled by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO can issue decision notices requiring a public authority to release information or take specified steps. The ICO may also issue enforcement notices and, in certain circumstances tied to obstructive behaviour or data protection breaches, monetary penalties; specific fine amounts for FOI non-compliance are not provided on the ICO's FOI guidance page.[2]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page for standard FOI/EIR non-compliance; see the ICO for enforcement powers.[2]
  • Escalation: decision notices and enforcement notices from the ICO; escalation details and monetary penalty regimes are set out on ICO pages and related legislation. Environmental Information Regulations 2004[3]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: decision notices ordering disclosure, enforcement notices, and publication requirements.
  • Enforcers: the ICO enforces FOI/EIR nationally; Liverpool City Council's Information Governance/Legal teams handle initial complaints and internal reviews. Contact details and submission routes are on the council FOI page.[1]
  • Complaint and inspection pathways: request an internal review from the council first, then complain to the ICO if still dissatisfied; the ICO explains its complaint process and powers on its guidance pages.[2]
  • Appeal/review time limits: council response time is 20 working days; specific statutory deadlines for appeals to the ICO are not specified on the cited council page and the ICO pages provide procedural guidance.[1][2]
  • Defences/discretion: statutory exemptions and exceptions can lawfully withhold or redact information, and public interest tests apply under FOI; EIR has separate exceptions and public interest considerations as set out in the EIR text.[3]
If the council refuses, request an internal review before contacting the ICO.

Applications & Forms

Liverpool City Council provides online submission routes and contact points for FOI requests on its transparency pages; there is no single statutory form number published on the council page. For EIR, apply in the same way but indicate that the request is for environmental information. Fees: the council and ICO guidance explain when charges may apply; specific fees are not generally published as a standard for FOI/EIR requests and are "not specified on the cited page" where absent.[1][2]

How to get a faster, compliant response

  • Search council publications and published datasets before applying; many records are proactively published.
  • Be precise: list dates, authors and file types to narrow scope and reduce refusal risks.
  • Ask for information in a preferred format (email, PDF, CSV) to speed handling.
Proactive publication reduces the need to make FOI or EIR requests.

FAQ

What is the difference between FOI and EIR?
FOI covers recorded information held by public authorities; EIR covers environmental information specifically, such as data about land, air, water, waste and emissions.
How long will the council take to reply?
Public authorities normally have 20 working days to respond to FOI and EIR requests, subject to exceptions and extension procedures.
What if the council refuses or charges for information?
Request an internal review from Liverpool City Council, then complain to the Information Commissioner if you remain dissatisfied; guidance on appeals is available from the ICO.

How-To

  1. Decide whether the information is environmental (use EIR) or general council information (use FOI).
  2. Search Liverpool City Council published data and reports to see if the information is already public.
  3. Prepare a clear written request with contact details, specific descriptions, dates and preferred format.
  4. Submit the request via the council's FOI route shown on the Liverpool FOI guidance page.[1]
  5. If refused, ask the council for an internal review and follow the council's review procedure.
  6. If still dissatisfied, file a complaint with the ICO and provide copies of the request, council response and internal review outcome.[2]

Key Takeaways

  • Use FOI for council records and EIR for environmental information.
  • Expect a 20 working day response unless exceptions apply.
  • If refused, use internal review then complain to the ICO.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Liverpool City Council - Freedom of Information
  2. [2] Information Commissioner's Office - Guide to FOI
  3. [3] Environmental Information Regulations 2004 - legislation.gov.uk

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