Freedom of information?

[Anotherdayanotherbattle]

We want to do a a freedom of information request. We basically want all correspondence between housing officer and housing panel. But we are not sure how to do it.

You need to be very, very precise in what you ask them. What you've posted above is far too broad.
What correspondence? Between which two parties? In what date range?

If you ask too much they'll say it's too expensive. So you could consider breaking it down into smaller requests, and then submitting multiple requests.

You need to find out the correct email/contact for the organisation from whom you are requesting the information. Don't just send it to a generic email address - find the information officer's details and contact them specifically.

It would be something like please can we requested all correspondence between emgency housing panel and Jill Smith ( housing officer) Between the dates of aug5th 2024 to 20th Nov 2024. Under freedom of information.

We have the actual housing officers details. But im not sure how that works if the reason for the request is because we feel she is not being completely honest and we are making a complaint regarding that person.

I don’t think that would be an FOI. It sounds more like a Subject Access Request

Just sending in a written request for information from a public authority is valid. But if you want to be sure it gets to the right place, put "FOI request" or "Freedom of Information Act request" on it.

Be clear about what you want. If you're a bit too wide or "fishing" for information it's more likely to be refused. If you're saying you want correspondence from a named housing officer, you may be getting into personal data territory if you have a particular issue with them and e.g. you're looking for evidence to make a complaint about their performance. So keep it neutral. And if you don't specify a timeframe, you may be asking them to look through years of files.

You may be more successful if you say you want correspondence about [particular subject], from [particular team], during [particular timeframe]. And you could add that if anything is unclear, or if there is too much information to consider, to please contact you to give you the opportunity to narrow or refine your request.

The ICO has a guide on making effective requests here: ico.org.uk/for-the-public/official-information/preparing-and-submitting-your-information-request/

Google it

If this is an issue about how you've been treated, as the other poster says it may be subject access - that's a different provision, you can ask an authority to explain how they're processing your personal data and to give you copies of what they hold about you. https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/getting-copies-of-your-information-subject-access-request/

But the authority is entitled to remove third party personal data. You aren't really entitled to see information about someone else - they have their own personal data rights, you'd expect the authority to not share your data with anyone else who asked for it. So it depends how this member of staff has interacted with you, for what you may be allowed to see.

Oh I thought they were the same thing . So do I do the same but under SARS.

Bear on mind some detail may be redacted.