Freedom of information

We have produced a publication scheme that sets out all of our published information, how it can be obtained and whether or not there is a cost. Most, but not all, of the published information is available on this web site free of charge.

The Publication Scheme is available lower down this page in both PDF and Word format, under the Relevant Documents heading. 

If you can’t find the information you want in the Publication Scheme then you may ask for it. The Council then has to tell you whether it holds the information and give it to you (as long as one of the exemptions does not apply). Normally we will have to give you the information you want within 20 working days.

In most cases requests for information will be free. Where fees do apply and how they are calculated are set out on the fees page (see the 'Relevant documents' section of this page). If a fee is payable it must be paid in advance and if it is not paid within 3 months then the request will lapse and the Council will not have to respond.

To ask for information please use the email contacts below. Please include the following details:

• Your name and address (and phone number if you want)
• How you would like us to contact you if there is a query (for example via e-mail or telephone)
• The information or documents you would like to access
• The way you would like the information to be sent to you (for example on paper or via e-mail)

Most information that the Council holds is available to you subject to a number of exemptions (see the 'Relevant documents' section of this page). If an exemption applies we will tell you which exemption that is, why it applies and how we took that decision. See the exemption page for more information.

If you are not satisfied with the way we handle your request, with the fee charged, or with the reasons we have given for refusing to provide information, you have the right to appeal. See the FOI Appeals and complaints page for more details.

Contacts

Please choose the most likely contact for your information from the list below.  If you are asking for information, that may be held in two or more departments, please just send your request to the main contact.  He or she will make sure all the relevant information is gathered no matter where it is held.

Information on:	Contact:
Audit, Performance Management, Council Planning	paul.stillwell@lewes.gov.uk
Council's budgets and accounts	steve.jump@lewes.gov.uk
Council meetings, committees, councillors and elections	david.feintuck@lewes.gov.uk
Council Tax collection, Housing Benefits	ian.morris@lewes.gov.uk
Environmental Health, 'Green' issues	colin.gordon@lewes.gov.uk
Housing	lorrayne.chambers@lewes.gov.uk
Legal matters, land charges	catherine.knight@lewes.gov.uk
Parks, open spaces, community safety, car parks, other community issues	victoria.lawrence@lewes.gov.uk
Planning matters, Building Control	helen.dugard@lewes.gov.uk
Recruitment, personnel, information technology	john.clark@lewes.gov.uk
Waste collection, streetsweeping, recycling	brian.bransbury@lewes.gov.uk
Other	foi@lewes.gov.uk

Or if you prefer, you can write to:

The Freedom of Information Officer
32 High Street
Lewes
BN7 2LX

Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations >
FOI Appeals and complaints >
Exemptions from FOI requests >
Policy - Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) >