Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, anyone has the right to request information held by public authorities or companies wholly owned or controlled by public authorities in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and non-devolved public bodies in Scotland. Anyone can ask for information held by a public body, either as an individual, or on behalf of an organisation.

For more details on how we hold and release information, please see our Data Protection policy.

How do I make a request for information?

The Freedom of Information Act says that requests must be in writing; this can be by email to governance@cbhomes.org.uk. If you need to send your request by post, please address it to FREEPOST COLCHESTER BOROUGH HOMES.

We will respond to all requests for information as soon as possible and in any event within 20 days of receipt of a valid request. If we are unable to comply with your request within that time, we will tell you as soon as we can. Information can only be supplied if it is held in our records.

What should my request include?

Please provide:

• your name
• an email or postal address
• as detailed a description as possible of the information you need

Please tell us when you make your request if you require the information in a particular format. Your telephone number will also help should we need to contact you.

You will be acknowledged by email as soon it is logged. This will usually be within 48 hours of receipt.

We can only provide you with information held by us. If you require information held by Colchester Borough Council, please see their website here.

Further advice and information about submitting requests is available on the Information Commissioner’s website.