FOI/EIR Requests for Event Permits - London City Law

Events and Special Uses England 4 Minutes Read · published February 02, 2026 Flag of England

This guide explains how to request Freedom of Information (FOI) or Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) records about event permits in London, England, and what to expect from councils and the Greater London Authority when you make a request. It covers response times, remedies and the local offices that issue event permits so you can act promptly and avoid delays.

What FOI and EIR cover for event permits

FOI applies to recorded information held by public authorities; EIR covers environmental information such as permits, consents and monitoring data where the information relates to the environment or environmental impact of events. For mayoral and GLA records see the GLA FOI page GLA Freedom of Information[1]. For regulator guidance on EIR timelines and scope see the ICO EIR guidance ICO EIR guidance[2].

Make your request precise: include event name, date range and which council team holds the permit.

How local event permits are issued

Event permits in London are normally issued by the relevant borough council (events or licensing teams), the City of London for events in the Square Mile, and by specialist agencies for certain venues or roads. Example municipal guidance for events and filming is published by the City of London City of London events guidance[3]. If you are unsure which authority holds a permit, contact the council events or licensing team listed on its official site.

Penalties & Enforcement

Statutory response times: FOI and EIR require public authorities to respond within 20 working days; the ICO guidance confirms the 20-working-day limit under EIR and FOI provisions. See the ICO and GLA pages cited above for authoritative timing statements [2][1].

Monetary fines and penalties for refusing or failing to comply with FOI/EIR are not set out as simple fixed fines on many municipal pages; enforcement is typically through ICO decisions and notices. Where the official source does not list fixed fines, this guide states "not specified on the cited page" and cites the regulator or authority.

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page for councils; ICO may issue enforcement notices rather than fixed monetary fines on the cited pages.
  • Escalation: first/initial breaches usually prompt an ICO decision notice or requirement to disclose; repeat or deliberate concealment can lead to stronger measures under statute, but specific local fine amounts are not listed on the cited council pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement notices, decision notices, orders to disclose, and potential court action if notices are not followed.
  • Enforcer and contact: the Information Commissioner’s Office enforces FOI/EIR for public authorities; local enforcement and permit compliance are handled by the issuing council’s licensing, events or environmental health team (see Help and Support / Resources below).
  • Appeals and review: internal review requests should be made to the authority first; appeals to the ICO are permitted after internal review or after 40 working days if no satisfactory response (check the ICO for exact appeal timing).
  • Defences and discretion: exemptions under FOI (e.g., commercial sensitivity) or exceptions under EIR may apply; authorities may rely on specific exemptions or consider redaction or partial disclosure rather than full refusal.
If a council says information is held by another body, ask them to transfer or to confirm the responsible authority in writing.

Applications & Forms

To request FOI/EIR records you normally submit a written request (email or online form) including a clear description of the records sought and a postal or email address for the response. Councils publish their own FOI/EIR request forms or contact points; for mayoral/GLA FOI see the GLA FOI page. Specific event-permit application forms (event licence, road closure, street trading) vary by borough; if a specific municipal page does not list fees or a form, the text will state "not specified on the cited page" and provide the official contact.

  • Common event permit forms: event application, road closure application, premises licence application — names and fees differ by council; check the issuing borough’s events/licensing pages.
  • Deadlines: FOI/EIR responses are normally due within 20 working days; application deadlines for event permits vary by borough and event scale.

Common violations and typical remedies

  • Failure to respond to an FOI/EIR request within 20 working days — remedy: internal review, then ICO complaint.
  • Withholding information without citing an exemption/exception — remedy: ICO decision notice requiring disclosure or explanation.
  • Improper redaction of environmental data — remedy: ICO enforcement under EIR guidance.

Action steps

  • Identify the likely holder (borough events, licensing or GLA) and check its FOI/EIR contact or online form.
  • Submit a clear written request describing the event permit records you need and your preferred format for disclosure.
  • Allow 20 working days for a response; ask for an internal review if unsatisfied, then appeal to the ICO.
  • If the permit relates to safety or an ongoing breach, contact the issuing council’s events or environmental health team immediately to report concerns.
If you think a council is deliberately concealing information, record communications and include dates when you escalate to the ICO.

FAQ

Who should I contact to request an event permit record in London?
Contact the events or licensing team of the borough where the event took place, or the Greater London Authority for mayoral records; use the authority’s FOI/EIR contact or form.
How long will the authority take to respond?
Authorities must respond within 20 working days for FOI and EIR requests, subject to statutory exceptions or extensions; consult the ICO guidance for details.
What if the council refuses my request?
Ask for an internal review, then complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if still dissatisfied.

How-To

  1. Identify the authority that issued the event permit (borough events/licensing team or GLA).
  2. Draft a written FOI or EIR request with precise details: event name, dates, location, permit reference if known, and your contact details.
  3. Submit using the authority’s official FOI/EIR email or online form and note the submission date.
  4. Wait 20 working days; if no satisfactory response, request an internal review.
  5. If internal review is unsatisfactory, appeal to the ICO with your correspondence and the authority’s responses.

Key Takeaways

  • FOI and EIR responses are normally due within 20 working days.
  • Start with the issuing borough’s events or licensing team and use internal review before contacting the ICO.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] GLA Freedom of Information
  2. [2] ICO guidance on EIR
  3. [3] City of London events and filming

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