Start with published information
Before making a request, check the publications, meetings and decisions, transparency and governance sections. Information that is already public can normally be accessed immediately without a separate request.
Publication scheme
The Authority publishes information about its organisation and governance, the Mayor and constituent councils, meetings and decisions, strategies and plans, financial information, scrutiny and audit, consultations, transparency and complaints routes.
Publishing information routinely reduces the need for individual requests and makes the Authority's work easier to scrutinise.
Making a request
Use the form below when you want recorded information held by SHCSA that you cannot find through the published routes. Describe the information clearly and include useful details such as the subject, dates, record type or Authority activity concerned.
A reference is created when the request is submitted. The request is then handled through the Authority's information-rights process.
What the Authority can search
SHCSA can search information it holds for its own functions and administration. That can include governance, meetings, decisions, correspondence, programmes, finance, contracts, consultation responses and other official records.
The fact that a subject concerns Steadfast and Hearth does not mean SHCSA holds every relevant record. Constituent councils, central departments, police, health bodies and other public authorities maintain their own records for their own functions.
Clarification and review
If a request is too broad or unclear for the Authority to identify the information sought, the information-rights process can ask for clarification. Where a response includes a refusal or withholding decision, the response explains the basis for it and the review route available under the applicable information-rights framework.
Protected information
Some recorded information cannot be disclosed in full. Personal information, legally privileged material, confidential commercial information, security-sensitive material and other protected information are handled under the law that applies.
Where information is withheld, the response explains the basis for that decision and any review route that applies.
Personal information
Requests for your own personal information are handled under the relevant data-protection rights. If the request concerns both general recorded information and your own personal data, the Authority can separate the appropriate handling routes.
Records and accountability
Information rights depend on sound record-keeping. SHCSA maintains official records for its meetings, decisions, delegations, finance, interests, consultations, scrutiny, audit, workforce, performance, risk and other material business so that its administration can be understood and scrutinised.