Information request Open Government Act

The Open Government Act (Woo) regulates that anyone can ask the municipality to make information public.

You may ask the municipality for administrative information. Anyone can ask for information. The municipality does not have to share all information with you.

Arrange online

You make an information request when you want information that is important only to yourself. You do not need us to make the information public for everyone. Please send an e-mail with the subject information request.

Send email

Approach

Anyone may submit a WOO request. Here's how to request information:

  • Contact the municipality and pass on:
    • what you want information about
    • Which documents you want to view. 
  • This can be: 
  • Questions? Do you have questions or would you like more information? Please send an email to Woo-desk@heerlen.nl Our contact person will help you further.
Cost

The municipality may charge a fee. How much you have to pay depends on how you want to receive the information. You will hear in advance what the cost to you will be.

  • free: digital transmission of the information
  • free: information on paper in A4 size black and white (maximum 5 pages)
  • we charge a fee if you want a lot of information. We will always contact you first
Description

You may ask the municipality for information about policies or from other documents. This is stated in the Open Government Act (Woo).

The municipality can provide the information in the following ways:

  • You will receive a copy.
  • You may view the document.
  • You will receive a summary of the content.
  • You will be given information about the content.
  • You get the information via the Internet.

Municipalities and other governments will also actively make information public themselves. You can find this information on the Open Government Information Platform.

Requirements

The Requirements what your Woo request must comply with:

  • Clear description of what you want information about
  • The information was recorded in a document
  • The information is available at the municipality (and not at, say, a ministry or province).
  • The information must be about a policy of the municipality, including preparation and implementation or a task of the municipality
  • Your contact information such as your name, mailing address, mailing address and phone number
Term

If you have made a Woo request, you will be notified as soon as possible by the person in charge of your request. The municipality has 4 weeks to make a decision. The municipality may extend this period by 2 weeks.

Objection and appeal

You can object if you disagree with the decision on your application. Do this within 6 weeks. Is it important that you get an answer quickly? Then also request a provisional ruling (provision) from the court.

After that, do you disagree with the municipality's ruling on your objection? Then appeal to the court.

Learn more

Government data registry

Read more about reusable government information (open data)

Information about the Woo on the website of the Rijksoverheid

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