FOI & EIR Requests - 20 Working Days in Glasgow

Housing and Building Standards Scotland 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland public information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA) and the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) normally follow a 20 working day statutory timescale. This guide explains how to make a request to Glasgow City Council, what to expect during the 20 working days, routes for review and appeal, and who enforces compliance in Scotland.

Be precise about the information and dates you request to speed handling.

Penalties & Enforcement

Who enforces and what can happen when authorities fail to comply: Glasgow City Council administers requests locally and has an internal review process; statutory enforcement and further remedies are handled by the Scottish Information Commissioner and by the courts where appropriate. Official guidance for submitting requests to Glasgow is available on the council website Glasgow City Council FOI pages[1], and the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 sets the statutory framework including the 20 working day response deadline Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002[2].

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited pages for Glasgow practice; the legislation and regulator pages should be consulted for monetary penalties or compensation details.
  • Escalation: usual pathway is initial response, internal review by the council, then complaint to the Scottish Information Commissioner; specific escalation timeframes or graduated fine ranges are not specified on the council page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement notices, orders to disclose information and court action are possible remedies under the statutory regime.
  • Enforcer and complaints: the Scottish Information Commissioner enforces FOISA and EIR in Scotland; start with Glasgow City Council's internal review and complaint route on the council FOI page Glasgow City Council FOI pages[1].
  • Inspection and evidence: retain copies of your request, any acknowledgment, and dates to support an appeal or complaint.
  • Appeal and review routes: internal review by Glasgow City Council followed by complaint to the Scottish Information Commissioner; statutory time limits for bringing a complaint are described by the regulator and not fully set out on the council FOI page.
If you do not receive a substantive response within 20 working days, seek the council internal review and keep records of correspondence.

Applications & Forms

How to apply and what forms to use:

  • Submitting a request: Glasgow City Council publishes its FOI/EIR request guidance and contact points on its FOI pages; use the online form or the contact details listed there to submit a request.[1]
  • Fees: typical FOI requests do not carry a statutory application fee in Scotland but charges for reproduction or retrieval may apply; specific fees are not specified on the cited council page.
  • Deadline: responses are subject to the 20 working day statutory timescale under FOISA/EIR unless an extension applies under the law [2].

Action Steps

  • Draft a clear, specific request describing the records or information, date ranges and format required.
  • Submit via the Glasgow City Council FOI route shown on the council site and keep the acknowledgement.
  • Allow 20 working days for a response; if you need to escalate, follow the council internal review process.
  • If internal review is unsatisfactory, complain to the Scottish Information Commissioner using the regulator's published complaint form and guidance.
Keep a single thread of correspondence and reference request dates when escalating.

FAQ

How long will Glasgow take to respond to an FOI or EIR request?
Public authorities in Scotland are governed by FOISA/EIR and normally must respond within 20 working days; see the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 for the statutory framework.[2]
What can I do if my request is refused or ignored?
Ask Glasgow City Council for an internal review using the council FOI contact details, then if still dissatisfied complain to the Scottish Information Commissioner; the council FOI page explains the first steps.[1]
Are there fees to make a request?
Fees for standard FOI requests are not usually charged, though costs for copying or retrieval may apply; specific fee details are not specified on the cited council page.

How-To

  1. Identify precisely the information you want and check Glasgow City Council published disclosures and open data first.
  2. Use the Glasgow City Council FOI contact route or online form to submit a written request, including your name and a contact address.
  3. Note the date of submission and retain a copy of the request and any acknowledgment.
  4. Wait up to 20 working days for a substantive response; the council may extend or refuse for valid exemptions with reasons.
  5. If refused or dissatisfied, request an internal review from Glasgow City Council following the instructions on their FOI page.
  6. If the internal review does not resolve the matter, submit a complaint to the Scottish Information Commissioner with copies of your request and council correspondence.

Key Takeaways

  • Statutory target: 20 working days for FOI/EIR requests in Scotland.
  • Start with Glasgow City Council's FOI pages to submit and to request an internal review.
  • Escalate unresolved cases to the Scottish Information Commissioner with documentation.

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