Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act (Woo), you can request various documents from the government. Although not everything is public, a great deal of information is accessible to residents of Westland.
What constitutes a document?
Under the Woo, a document is regarded as a written document or other material containing information. This includes, among other things:
- Correspondence such as letters and e-mails
- Analyses and policy notes
- Minutes of meetings
- Visual materials such as photos and videos
- Data in digital form
Types of documents you can request
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Official decisions | Permit applications, subsidy awards |
| Policy documents | Strategies, guidelines |
| Communication | Letters with residents or organisations |
| Studies | Research results, assessments |
| Agreements | Contracts with service providers |
| Meeting documentation | Agendas, partial minutes |
Proactive disclosure
A lot of information is now published without a request, such as:
- Laws and local rules on overheid.nl
- Documents of the Westland Municipal Council
- Decisions via the Woo on rijksoverheid.nl
What cannot be requested?
- Information that does not exist
- Data not held by the government
- Documents falling under an exception rule
- Information already public
Frequently asked questions about Woo requests in Westland
Can I request chat messages from civil servants?
Yes, if they concern work-related communication relating to an administrative matter, they fall under the Woo.
Is the government obliged to create documents for me?
No, the Woo only concerns existing documents. Nothing new is created.
Are historical documents requestable?
Yes, there is no time limit, but documents may have been destroyed in accordance with the Archives Act.
Practical questions about document requests
How do I submit a request to the Municipality of Westland?
You can submit a Woo request to the Municipality of Westland via their website or by e-mail. Clearly state what information you are seeking. The response period is normally four weeks, with a possible extension of another four weeks. Be specific to avoid delays.
Are there costs associated with a request?
Usually it is free, but for extensive requests, costs for copies or postage may be charged. The municipality will inform you in advance.
What if my request is refused?
In case of refusal, you will receive a written explanation. Within six weeks, you can lodge an objection with the Municipality of Westland. If this is also rejected, you can appeal to the District Court of The Hague. Consider advice from the Juridisch Loket Westland.
How quickly will I receive a response?
The standard period is four weeks, with a possible extension of four weeks for complex cases. After eight weeks without response, you can send a reminder.
Can I request documents about a specific civil servant?
Yes, provided they concern work-related matters. Personal data will not be disclosed if privacy takes precedence.
Are there documents that are always refused?
Yes, for example, state secrets, information concerning national security, or documents with privacy-sensitive data will not be disclosed.
Can I request documents outside Westland?
Yes, you can submit a request to any government body in the Netherlands, regardless of your place of residence.