Freedom of Information
The Crofters Commission is strongly committed to complying with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. This act gives you the right to request information and for it to be given to you unless there are good reasons not to.
Before making a request
We already have a large amount of information available on our website and in our annual report. We also include a large number of publications, information on consultations, Board papers etc on our website. You may not need to request information at all as it may already be available on our website - we recommend that you look on our website first. Click here to view FOI requests.
How to request information
Freedom of Information requests should be made in writing (which includes email) and sent to: Crofters Commission, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW or email: info@crofterscommission.org.uk and insert FOI into the subject heading. Please ensure you provide your name, an address or email address for correspondence and if possible a telephone number.
How you should word your request
To help us identify what you require and answer your request more promptly, please be specific about the information that you are looking for eg: does a specific date or time period apply, are there any references you can give that will help us to identify the information - such as the names of crofts, townships, grazings etc
While you do not have to explain why you want the information, if you are happy to do this it may help us to answer your request more satisfactorily.
Will there be a fee
The Crofters Commission does not usually charge for making requests or for providing information under Freedom of Information but we may charge if the request imposes unreasonable and significant demands on the financial and human resources of our organisation. You will be informed of any fee in advance of us providing information.
Timescales
We will aim to respond to your request within 20 working days, however if a request is complex or involves large amounts of information, meeting this deadline may not always be possible. Where we are not able to respond to your request within the deadline, we aim to contact you to explain why and advise that we are working on providing you with a response.
Your right to review and appeal
If we have handled your request and you are unhappy with our response, tell us why within 40 working days, and it will be looked at afresh. We will aim to provide you with our review response within 20 working days.
If you remain unhappy with our response, you then have the right to appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner. You should keep copies of all the correspondence you have had with us, as if you decide to appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner you will be asked to provide these.
The Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews, Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
