Link for IOC full Decision notice pdf file: London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames (Local government) [2025] UKICO 356826 (31 March 2025)
A public authority will breach section 17 of FOIA if it fails to issue a refusal notice within 20 working days. Based on evidence available to the Commissioner, the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames (the Council) did not provide a refusal notice within the statutory time frame. Therefore the Commissioner finds a breach of section 17(5). The Commissioner also finds that the Council breached section 16 by failing to provide the complainant with advice and assistance.