FOI & EIR Requests - Glasgow City Law Guide

General Governance and Administration Scotland 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of Scotland

Making a Freedom of Information (FOI) or Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) request in Glasgow, Scotland lets you ask Glasgow City Council for recorded information it holds. This guide explains who handles requests, statutory deadlines, how to submit an application to the council, what enforcement options exist if you are refused, and practical steps to appeal or complain. It is focused on council-held records and the routes available locally and via the Scottish Information Commissioner.

What is an FOI or EIR request

FOI requests (under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002) cover recorded information held by public authorities; EIR requests cover environmental information and are dealt with under the Environmental Information Regulations. Glasgow City Council is the relevant authority for council records and services.

How to prepare your request

  • Be specific: name the department, the time period and the type of record you want.
  • State the preferred format for the information (email, PDF, paper).
  • Provide a contact email or phone so the council can clarify your request.
  • If you have a reference for a previous enquiry, include it to speed handling.
Clear, narrow requests get faster, more useful responses.

Submitting a request

Glasgow City Council accepts FOI and EIR requests via its online request process or by post; use the council's official request page to start a request and find postal addresses and email contacts for specific services. Glasgow City Council FOI page.[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

Statutory response time: public authorities must respond to FOI requests within 20 working days under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002; where time limits differ for EIR or exceptional extensions apply, the law and guidance set the rules. See the statutory provision for the 20-working-day requirement. Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 s.10.[2]

Monetary fines and financial penalties for failure to comply with FOI/EIR are not routinely specified on the council page and specific penalty amounts are not listed on the cited pages; enforcement is typically by the Scottish Information Commissioner who can issue decisions and orders rather than fixed-per-day fines. Not specified on the cited page. Scottish Information Commissioner.[3]

If you miss a statutory deadline for appeal, you may lose the right to a timely review.

Escalation and sanctions:

  • Enforcement is led by the Scottish Information Commissioner, who can issue enforcement notices and decisions requiring release or corrective action.
  • Non-monetary sanctions include enforcement notices, orders to provide information and recommendations; criminal sanctions are not commonly applied for routine FOI refusals.
  • Appeals from council internal review decisions go to the Scottish Information Commissioner, with statutory time limits for applying to the Commissioner detailed on that office's site or guidance.

Applications & Forms

The council provides an online request form and accepts written requests by post or email via its FOI page; no bespoke numbered national form is required to make a valid FOI/EIR request. For details and submission methods use the council FOI page. Glasgow City Council FOI page.[1]

You do not need to mention FOI or EIR by statute if your request clearly asks for recorded information.

Action steps

  • Step 1: Draft a concise written request stating what you want and the preferred format.
  • Step 2: Submit via the council online form or by email/post listed on the council FOI page. View submission options.[1]
  • Step 3: If you receive a refusal or no response within 20 working days, request an internal review from the council, then consider applying to the Scottish Information Commissioner.
  • Step 4: Pay any specified charges only if the council issues a fees notice for reproduction costs; fees vary and should be set out in the council response.

FAQ

How long will the council take to respond?
The statutory timescale for FOI is 20 working days; EIR timescales and permitted extensions are covered by EIR rules and guidance.
Do I need to use a special form?
No special national form is required; use the council's online request form or send a clear written request by email or post.
What if the council refuses my request?
First ask for an internal review from the council; if still dissatisfied you can apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a decision.

How-To

  1. Write a concise request that identifies the information, date range and preferred format.
  2. Submit the request via the Glasgow City Council FOI online form, email or post listed on the council FOI page.Council FOI page.[1]
  3. If you receive a refusal, ask the council for an internal review within the time given in their refusal letter.
  4. If still dissatisfied, apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for review following the Commissioner's guidance.

Key Takeaways

  • FOI requests for Glasgow City Council records are usually answered within 20 working days.
  • Use the council online form for fastest handling and keep contact details in your request.
  • If refused, exhaust the council's internal review then contact the Scottish Information Commissioner.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Glasgow City Council - Freedom of Information
  2. [2] Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 s.10 (response times)
  3. [3] Scottish Information Commissioner

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