Transferring a Request for Information

If in the course of processing a request for information, it becomes apparent that although Nottingham City Council do not hold the information requested we are aware of another Public Authority who may hold it we will adopt the following procedure: We will also use this procedure if the information is partly held by Nottingham City Council and partly held by another Public Authority.

1. We will contact the person making the request and inform them that we believe another Authority holds the information they seek.

2. We will provide contact details for any other Authority so that the requester can contact them directly to request the information should they wish and;

3. We will offer to forward the request ourselves with the consent of the individual making the request if this would be preferable.

4. We will inform the requester of our actions in relation to the transfer.

Before we undertake the above, we will contact the relevant Authority in order to establish whether or not it is likely that they do in fact hold the information requested.

If Nottingham City Council holds information relating to another organisation - for example that of a partner organisation or a commercial company - any disclosure could potentially affect the interests of the other party. Nottingham City Council seek to make all third parties aware of the Authority's obligations under information rights legislation.

Therefore even in circumstances where a third party may object to Nottingham City Council releasing their information, the information will have to be disclosed upon request unless an exemption applies.

In some cases, explanatory material or advice may be sought from the third party and be given to the applicant together with the information in question if it is thought that such material may assist and advise the requester in gaining further insight into the information provided in answer to their request.