Requesting an Internal Review
If you are not satisfied with the response to your request for information, or the way in which your request has been handled, you can request that we review our response. You should do this within 40 working days of the receipt of your response.
To request a review, you can either;-
Log into your account by visiting the Aberdeen City Council Self-Service portal. You will be able to request a review by following the instructions under your original response.
Email us at: foienquiries@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Write to us at:
Access to Information Team
Aberdeen City Council
1st Floor North
Business Hub 6
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AQ
If you are writing or emailing us, your request for review must include:
- your name and address (email or postal)
- the reference number for your original request for information
- your reason(s) for requesting a review
If required, a panel of senior officers who were not involved in the handling of your original request will review the original response. We will acknowledge receipt of your review request and you will be informed of the outcome within 20 working days from our receipt of your request for a review.
Appealing to the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your request for a review, you can apply directly to the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner (OSIC) for a decision. Generally, OSIC cannot make a decision unless you have been through the Council's review procedure.
To make an application to OSIC, you can contact them by:
Making an appeal on their website: Scottish Information Commissioner
Write to:
The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Email:
enquiries@itspublicknowledge.info
An application to OSIC must be made in writing within six months of receipt of Aberdeen City Council's Review Decision Notice. When applying to OSIC to make a decision you should give your name and address for correspondence. Please note that OSIC will not be able to investigate if you have not used your real name to make your information request.
You must also specify:
- Which request for information your requirement for review relates to
- The reason that you asked Aberdeen City Council to carry out a review of your request
- The reason why you are not satisfied with Aberdeen City Council's review outcome decision
The Commissioner will contact Aberdeen City Council and invite its comments on your application. Thereafter (if no settlement has meantime been reached), the Commissioner must reach a decision within 4 months of receiving your application, or within such other period as is reasonable. You will receive written notice of the outcome of the Commissioner's decision.
Should you wish to appeal against the Scottish Information Commissioner's decision, there is an appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law only. Any such appeal must be made within 42 days after the date of the decision has been issued.