There is an incredible amount of useful and important information held by various bodies across the public sector. Much of it could be accessible under Freedom of Information legislation if you know how to ask for it.
MySociety has been building websites to improve civic and community life since 2003. As well as launching WriteToThem, PledgeBank and HearFromYourMP they built the No 10 Downing Street Petitions Website and FixMyStreet. More recently they launched WhatDoTheyKnow, a site designed to help you make Freedom of Information requests, read what other people have been asking, and see what replies they’ve been getting. MySociety are also using the site to campaign for improvements to freedom of information law.
Bristol City Council has received 123 requests through the system to date, ranging from enquiries about plans for the new stadium to traffic light changing cycles.
