Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant made a number of requests for information relating to the councils introduction of wheeled bins into the area. The council responded, after 20 working days. Its response sought to answer the questions of the complainant in an informal way rather than a formal response under the Regulations. The council provided some information, said that it did not hold other information and asked the complainant for clarification of other parts of his request. After the Commissioner's intervention the council provided a formal response applying Regulation 12(4)(a) to some requests, and asking for clarification of other statements or requests made by the complainant. The Commissioner's decision is that the council has now complied with its obligations under the Regulations. He has decided however that it breached Regulation 5(2) in that it did not provide its initial response within 20 working days. It also did not initially state which exceptions which it was applying to the request when first responding to the complainant. The Commissioner does not require the council to take any steps. This decision notice is currently under appeal to the Information Tribunal.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: EIR 5 - Complaint Upheld