Information Commissioner's Office

Hertfordshire County Council

15 July 2015, Local government (County council)

The complainant has requested information relating to complaints made under the Equality Act 2010. The Commissioner’s decision is that Hertfordshire County Council has correctly applied the exemption at section 12 of the FOIA where the cost of compliance exceeds the appropriate limit. However, the Commissioner has also decided that Hertfordshire County Council did not provide adequate advice and assistance under section 16 of the FOIA. The Commissioner requires the public authority provide the complainant with appropriate advice and assistance with regard to the requested information that can be provided, to enable him to make an appropriate refined request if necessary. The public authority must take this step within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.

FOI 12: Not upheld FOI 16: Upheld