Requests for information

Scottish Borders Council must reply to your request for information within 20 working days of receiving it so it's important it reaches the right person.

Your request must be made in writing by:

e-mail using our online form
fax or
letter

Requests made under the Environmental Information Regulations may be made by other means such as by phone.

Please state clearly what you want to know and supply a contact name and address. It may be helpful - and save time -to add an e-mail or phone number in case we need to clarify the details of your request.
If your enquiry is quite specific use our Publication Scheme or the website to find a contact.

If you are not sure where to send your request you should go to our contact details page and send your enquiry by post fax or e-mail and we will ensure your request is passed on.

Exempt information

There are a number of exemptions listed in the Act such as

The information is otherwise accessible
Information is intended for future publication or part of ongoing research
Personal data which falls under Data Protection Act
Where disclosure prejudices law enforcement, legal proceedings, the Council's regulatory, administrative or enforcement activity, or our local functions and duties
Where disclosure is otherwise prohibited by law
Where requested information relates to the commercial interests or confidentiality of any person or organisation

If we refuse your request we must say why and state which exemption was used.

We will also tell you, if we withhold information other than under an "absolute exemption" (under the Act), the reasons for claiming that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. You may ask us to review our decision if you are dissatisfied with the reasons given.