The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives you the right to access and ask for information held by Conwy County Borough Council and other public bodies.
The Publication Scheme
The Publication Scheme details all the information routinely available under Freedom of Information. Please check this as the information may already be publicly available.
Requesting information
Contact us:
- By email: info-gov.unit@conwy.gov.uk
- By post: Information Governance Unit, Conwy County Borough Council, PO Box 1, Colwyn Bay, LL29 0GG
In your request you can request documents, reports or correspondence. Please:
- be specific and provide a clear description of what we should be looking for
- include your name and address or email address and phone number so that we can contact you if we need to clarify your request
- state if you require the information in a specific format e.g. a hard copy or electronic, large print etc.
You can find advice on making effective information requests on the Information Commissioner’s Office website.
Documents:
content
The Information Commissioner's Office has published
guidance on Freedom of Information and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Using AI to help draft information requests
AI tools can be helpful, but they can also introduce errors or create overly complex requests that increase the burden on public bodies and cost to the taxpayer.
We are seeing an increase in requests and secondary correspondence that appear to have been drafted by generative AI. These can require additional clarification because of inaccuracies or unnecessary complexity. This creates delays for both requesters and our teams.
When using AI to help draft an information request, please make sure the final wording has been checked and reflects your actual information needs.
Before you submit a request or secondary correspondence, please check:
- You are only asking for the information you are genuinely looking for.
AI tools sometimes generate broad or excessive wording that goes beyond the information you actually want or need.
- The request is clear, concise and focused.
Short, straightforward requests are easier for us to process and usually lead to quicker, more accurate responses.
- There are no obvious factual inaccuracies.
AI can misrepresent legislation or misstate what organisations do. Please review the text of your request carefully and don't assume AI is right. If it has referred to something you don’t understand, check what it is.
- The tone is appropriate.
AI generated content can sometimes sound abrupt, or otherwise inappropriate. Please check the tone before sending.
Charges
If we can provide the information within 18 hours of staff time there will be no charge, however, charges may be made for costs incurred such as photocopying, printing, postage and packing, but only if these charges amount to more than £10. If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided and payment may be requested prior to the provision of the information.
Responding to your request
We will respond to your request within 20 working days. If there is likely to be a delay, we will tell you. This time limit might occasionally be extended if we have to consider complex legal issues, but we will endeavour to let you know. We will also explain why the delay is necessary. We will always try to provide information as soon as possible.
We can refuse to give you the information you request if:
- providing the information exceeds £450 (based on 18 hours at a cost of £25 per hour)
- we do not hold the information you are looking for
- the information is exempt from disclosure under the Act
- your request is considered vexatious or repeated
If you are not satisfied with the response
If you have not received the information you asked for, or if some of it has been withheld, the Council has a complaints procedure for Freedom of Information requests. If you are not satisfied with our response you must put your complaint in writing within 20 working days of receiving the Councils response giving the reasons for your complaint:
- By email: info-gov.unit@conwy.gov.uk
- By post: Information Governance Unit, Conwy County Borough Council, PO Box 1, Colwyn Bay, LL29 0GG
Requesting personal information
If you want your own information, you are entitled to it under Data Protection, rather than Freedom of Information. The rules for personal and non-personal information are slightly different. See Applying for your data.
Policy document