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.

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Note: If you want information that is important only to yourself, make an information request. For example, you need the information to file a complaint or objection. You do not need us to make the information public for everyone. Send an email to gemeente@heerlen.nl with the subject information request. 

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: 
  • Do you have questions or want more information? Please send an email to gemeente@heerlen.nl Our contact 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 your Woo request must meet:

  • Describe clearly what you want information about
  • Document the information
  • 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. This includes the preparation and implementation or a task of the municipality
  • Provide your contact information such as 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 Rijksoverheid site

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