The complainant requested from Liverpool City Council (the Council) information broadly concerning the arrangements relating to stray dogs. The Council refused the request under section 14(1) of the FOIA on the basis that it was vexatious. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council failed to provide sufficient evidence to support its position to refuse the request for information. Therefore, the Council is not entitled to rely on section 14(1) of the FOIA with regard to the request. The Commissioner requires the Council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Issue a fresh response to the request for information as required by section 1 of the FOIA and without relying upon section 14 of the FOIA. The Council must take these steps 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 14(1): Complaint upheld
Citations:
[2019] UKICO fs50856542
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Information
Updated: 24 November 2022; Ref: scu.650436