Schedule of charges for information requests

Freedom of Information

Fees that may be charged when the cost of compliance does not exceed the appropriate limit (£450)

The majority of requests are responded to free of charge.  Prior to the undertaking of any work which would incur a charge the University will advise the requestor of the amount in a fees notice.  The following communication costs may be charged for:

• Common practice is to send the information electronically, however, if this is not possible or the requester would prefer a hard copy then the University may charge for photocopying/ printing (10p per A4 sheet) and postage (standard rates).

• The University can also charge for the time it takes a member of staff to redact exempt information. This cost can be included because it is part of the costs of communicating the information under regulation 7. Regulation 7(5) of the Fees Regulations confirms that a public authority can only charge £25 per hour for this activity. For example, if it takes one employee 45 minutes to black out the information which is not to be disclosed then the University can charge £18.75 for this activity.

Fees that may be charged when the cost of compliance exceeds the appropriate limit

Where it would exceed the appropriate limit (£450) to comply with a request, the University may charge for providing the information.  Prior to the undertaking of any work which would incur a charge the University will advise the requestor of the amount in a fees notice.  This charge would include the above communication costs as well as:

• the costs which may be taken into account in calculating whether the appropriate limit is exceeded; and

• staff time spent on spent locating, retrieving and extracting the information. Regulation 7(5) indicates that staff time is to be charged at the flat rate of £25 per hour, irrespective of whether a higher rate is actually incurred by internal staff or charged by external contractor staff.

If complying with a request would exceed the appropriate limit, the University is not obliged to comply with it. If this is the case, the University will issue a refusal notice stating that it is relying on section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act.