The appeals / complaints process for the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations and Data Protection Act is slightly different to the Corporate Complaints Procedure.
Informal Stage
If you feel that your rights under the Data Protection Act have not been upheld please contact the relevant Council department in the first instance.
In the case of Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Requests many issues can be resolved informally by the department dealing with your request, for example if you feel that your request has not been properly understood. If you are still unhappy you can follow our formal appeals / complaints process.
Formal appeal/complaints process
If you feel that your rights under the Data Protection Act have not been upheld after contacting the relevant Council department you can lodge a formal appeal/complaint.
You can appeal under the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations about how we have handled your request, for instance:
- Failure to provide the information you requested
- Failure to respond to your request within statutory deadlines
- Failure to give you advice and help
- Failure to give the information in the format in which you asked for it
- Failure to properly explain any reason for refusing your request
- Failure to correctly apply an exemption under the Act
To lodge a formal appeal/complaint, please contact:
Dan Perkins
Head of Legal and Governance
Corporate Information Governance Unit
Penallta House
Tredomen Park
Ystrad Mynach
Hengoed. CF82 7PG
Following an appeal / complaint there will be an independent investigation and review by Mr Dan Perkins, Head of Legal and Governance of Caerphilly County Borough Council. If you are still unhappy you can take the complaint to the next level by contacting the Information Commissioner.
The Information Commissioner
If you are still unhappy with the outcome of your complaint you may contact the Information Commissioner.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office - Wales
Cambrian Buildings
Mount Stuart Square
Cardiff. CF10 7WF
Tel: 029 2044 8044
Fax: 029 2044 8045
Email: wales@ico.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ico.gov.uk
The Information Commissioner's Office will usually only consider your complaint if it has first been through our appeals process.