Charges

The Council has determined four categories for charging for information requested under this Scheme as follows:

1. Free of charge. This includes general facts and information on the services offered to the public as well as information published on the Council’s website (for those without internet access, a single print-out of the specific website content can be requested). It also includes answering telephone queries, providing copies of free leaflets and inspection of reference materials at Council Offices.

2. Priced Publications. Where the information required is available in priced publication details of the publication, its cost and where to obtain it will be supplied.

3. Photocopying costs and postage (plus a small administrative charge). This covers information which has already been prepared which the Council can photocopy or provide a computer printout. This includes copies of entries in public registers, copies of the Council’s internal guidance documents and explanatory material on dealing with the public. There will be a minimum charge of £5.00 for such request.

4. Professional charges for locating and preparing information for release. Where preparing or gathering the required material can only be done by specialists or other professionals at a charge to the Council, a written estimate will be given of the cost of providing such information. The cost will have to be paid in advance. The Council will then aim to provide the information within a target of 20 days.

VAT is not payable on requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. The Council has the discretion to waive the charges if appropriate.

No charges will be made where a request for information is refused. There will be no charge to appeal against a refusal to supply requested information. Nor will there be a charge to appeal against any charges made for requested information.

Free of Charge:

Information on the Council’s website is categorised as free of charge (i.e. there is no charge by the Council, although the applicant would have to meet any charges by the internet service provider, telephone charges, personal printing etc)

For those without internet access, a single printout as on the website would be available by post from Ms. Claire Lundy, Information and Communications Officer, Derry City Council, 98 Strand Road, Derry. BT48 7NN. (Tel. 028-71376503).

In addition there are free of charge leaflets or booklets on the services the Council offers to the public. See Appendix A 1 for an up to date list. This appendix will be regularly updated.

Priced Publications:

Where the Council publishes books, reports, other bound documents, CD ROMs, DVDs, videos or other media, which have been priced for sale, then this price will apply. An up to date list including prices and where they can be purchased is included in Appendix A 2. This Appendix will be updated regularly.

Photocopying and Administrative Costs:

While much information will be available free of charge, requests for multiple print-outs, or for archived copies of documents which are no longer available or on the web, will attract a charge for the cost of retrieval, photocopy, postage, etc.

Also, where information is free of charge to view at Council offices or other locations but a standard photocopy or certified copy is requested a charge will be made.

The charges are as follows:

· Photocopy charges (A4) 1- 10 copies 25p each
11-25 copies 20p each
26-50 copies 15p each
50+ copies 12p each

· Certified copy charges per A4 page £2.50 each

· Administrative / Information retrieval time £12.50 per hour

· Postage and Packing at cost

A minimum price of £5 will apply.

The Council will advice the applicant if any such charges at the time of request. The charges will be payable in advance.

Professional Charges:

In exceptional circumstances, the Council may have to employ external specialists or other professionals to gather and prepare information to meet a specific request. A written estimate, to include time and materials spent by Council staff, will be given of the cost of providing such information. The Council will then aim to provide the information within a target of 20 days although this may be extended up to three months. All costs will have to be paid in advance.

In all of the above cases, VAT is not payable.