FOI & EIR Requests in Glasgow - 20 Days

Introduction

Making an information request in Glasgow, Scotland requires knowing whether your request falls under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA) or the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations (EIR). Both regimes generally require a response within 20 working days and have distinct routes for internal review and appeal. This guide explains how to submit a valid request to Glasgow City Council, what to expect in the 20 working-day period, how to ask for reviews, and where to escalate if the council does not comply. Practical steps, common pitfalls and official contacts are given so you can act quickly and preserve appeal rights.

How to make a valid FOI or EIR request

Requests should be clear, describe the information required, and be addressed to Glasgow City Council's information governance or FOI contact. Provide a return contact (email or postal address) and any preferred format for the information. If you need help identifying the right team, contact the council's FOI office. For legal time limits under FOISA see the Act and for EIR see the regulations.^{[1] [2]}

• State the dates, locations and teams relevant to the records you want.
• Be specific about format (digital copy, transcripts, minutes).
• Include contact details for clarifying questions.
• Mention if you have already tried informal channels.

Response times and extensions

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations, public authorities normally have 20 working days to respond to a request. Where clarification is needed or exceptions apply, the time to respond may be extended as set out in the legislation.^{[1] [2]}

• Standard response period: 20 working days from receipt.
• Extensions: allowed where exemptions or exceptions require consideration; details are in the relevant Act or Regulations.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement comes primarily through the Scottish Information Commissioner who can investigate complaints, issue decision notices requiring release, and require the authority to take action. Statutory fines and criminal penalties are not clearly quantified on the cited legislative pages; details such as monetary amounts are not specified on the cited pages and may depend on separate orders or prosecutorial discretion.^{[1] [2]}

• Enforcer: Scottish Information Commissioner for both FOISA and EIR complaints and decisions.
• Fines: not specified on the cited page.
• Non-monetary sanctions: decision notices, enforcement notices and orders to disclose information are used.
• Inspection/complaint pathway: internal review request to Glasgow City Council, then complaint to the Scottish Information Commissioner.
• Appeals/review: internal review first; escalate to the Commissioner if unsatisfied—time limits for escalation are not specified on the cited page.
• Defences/discretion: public interest tests, exemptions and exceptions such as personal data or legal privilege may apply.

Applications & Forms

Glasgow City Council accepts written FOI/EIR requests by email or post and may provide an online request route; a specific universal form number is not published on the cited legislative pages. Fee policies (where reproduction or disbursement costs apply) are set by the council or under the Regulations and are not fully detailed on the Act pages cited here.^{[1] [2]}

Common violations and typical outcomes

• Late response or no response — likely outcome: internal review request and complaint to the Commissioner.
• Unlawful withholding (wrong exemption claimed) — likely outcome: decision notice requiring disclosure.
• Failure to provide information in requested format — outcome: review and direction to comply where reasonable.

Action steps

• Draft a clear request with dates, titles and preferred format and send to Glasgow City Council's FOI contact.
• Mark the day you sent the request and count working days toward the 20-day limit.
• If no response, ask for internal review within the council before escalating.
• If internal review is unsatisfactory, submit a complaint to the Scottish Information Commissioner.

FAQ

How long will Glasgow City Council take to respond?

Both FOISA and the EIR generally require a response within 20 working days from receipt of the request.^{[1] [2]}

Do I need to use a special form?

No mandatory universal form is required by the cited legislation; you can submit a clear written request by email or post as described on the council's FOI pages.

What if Glasgow refuses my request?

Ask the council for an internal review, then you may complain to the Scottish Information Commissioner if you remain dissatisfied.

How-To

1. Identify whether FOISA or EIR is the correct route and gather precise details about the information you want.
2. Send a written request to Glasgow City Council's FOI/EIR contact with your contact details and preferred format.
3. Track the date received and allow 20 working days for a response.
4. If refused or no response, request an internal review from the council.
5. If still unresolved, file a complaint with the Scottish Information Commissioner.

Key Takeaways

• Expect a 20 working-day response for FOI and EIR requests.
• Be specific in your request to reduce clarifications and delays.
• Use the internal review route, then the Scottish Information Commissioner to escalate.

Help and Support / Resources

• Glasgow City Council - Freedom of Information
• Scottish Information Commissioner
• Scottish Government - Freedom of Information policy

1. [1] Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - legislation.gov.uk
2. [2] The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 - legislation.gov.uk