Charging for Environmental Info Requests

The Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) give the public the right to access information held by public authorities. In most cases we provide this information free of charge, however in some cases we may charge for the information for example if the request requires significant resources or costs. There are rules in place to ensure that charges are reasonable and transparent.

EIR allows authorities to charge for the actual costs of providing the information, which can include:

Disbursements: These include photocopying, printing, and postage fees. The costs must be reasonable and transparent.
Electronic format: If the information is provided electronically, there may be a cost for formatting or preparing it.
Provision of information in digital format such as CD, DVD or USB may be chargeable.

Exemptions from Charging

Public authorities must be reasonable in their approach to charging and should not overburden the requester with fees.
If the request is for routine information or is for the public good, the public authority may choose not to charge or charge very little.

How are charges calculated?

We will always inform you in advance if a charge applies. You will have the opportunity to confirm whether you wish to proceed with the request once you know the cost.

Please note: we do not charge for the time taken to locate or retrieve the information.

Charges are calculated on a case-by-case basis, based on the actual cost to us of producing and delivering the information. We will provide a breakdown of any fees upon request.

How to Avoid Charges

Here are some tips to reduce the likelihood of charges:

Narrow down your request: The more specific your request, the less time and resources it may require to fulfil.
Request information that is already available: Check if the information you need is already publicly available on the authority's website or through its publication scheme.
Request electronic copies: Requesting information in an electronic format (e.g., PDF, Excel) rather than paper can help reduce charges for reproduction.

Your Rights

If you disagree with the charges or feel they are unreasonable, you have the right to challenge the decision by requesting an internal review. The public authority will reconsider the charge and the reasons behind it.
If you remain dissatisfied after an internal review, you can appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which can assess whether the charges are reasonable.

Ards and North Down Borough Council owns the copyright to the information we produce. If information is to be re-used or reproduced, commercially or otherwise, written approval must be obtained from the Chief Executive.