Requesting information- how to access information Cernach holds

Subject Access Requests (SAR)

You have the right to find out what personal data we hold about you. To access this information you can make a Subject Access Request or SAR.

You can make a SAR to find out:

The information we hold about you;
How we are using it
Who we share it with
Where we got our data from.

You should receive a response from us within one calendar month. It’s important to note that a request must be made in writing, either by hand or email and we may need you to provide identification to ensure we're giving information to the right person. A reasonable fee for the administrative costs of complying with a request may be charged if it is excessive or you request more copies of the information.

Freedom of Information (FOI)

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 gives everyone a right of access to information held by Scottish public authorities. Under FOI we are required to publish information and as a result we routinely publish information such as our policies and procedures, annual performance and our financial information, which are available by clicking here.

Under Freedom of Information legislation information may be withheld if there is a good reason for doing so. If we withhold information, we will let you know why. If you are unhappy with our decision, or with the way we have dealt with your request, you can ask us to review our decision. Our guide to information also sets this out in a bit more detail here.

If you do not agree with the outcome of the review, you can ask the Scottish Information Commissioner to investigate.

Environmental Information Regulations (EIR)

Alongside FOI individuals can also request environmental information. The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (the EIRs) provide a separate right of access to the environmental information that we hold.

The definition of environmental information is very broad and includes:

The state of elements of the environment and their interaction (air, water, soil, land and landscape, natural sites, flora and fauna)
Discharges, emissions, noise, radiation, waste measures and activities affecting the environment (e.g. policies, legislation, plans, activities)
Reports on implementation of environmental legislation
Cost benefit and economic analysis
Effects of the environment on conditions of human life (including flood, buildings)

Find out more in our Environmental Information Regulations Policy.

How to make a request

If you have a request for information, please email us at FOISA@cernachha.co.uk or contact the office on 0141 944 3860 for support.