City of London Corporation

The complainant requested information relating to the implementation of a 20-mph speed limit in the City of London. Due to the City of London Corporation’s (CoL) interpretation of the request, it initially provided some information of relevance and a couple of documents. However, the Commissioner and the complainant interpreted the request differently and so CoL was asked to review its response. Having reviewed its response, CoL decided that to comply with the request would exceed the appropriate cost limit provided under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act). The Commissioner’s decision is that CoL is correct to state that complying with the request would exceed the appropriate cost limit. However, it breached section 17(5) because it did not apply section 12 within 20 working days of receiving the request. The Commissioner requires the public authority to take the following step to ensure compliance with the legislation. Provide advice and assistance to the complainant about ways the scope of the request could be refined in accordance with section 16 of the Act.