Liverpool City Council

The complainant has requested information about the procedures and policies followed by Liverpool City Council for placing children for adoption during the period of 1944 onwards. The complainant has also requested the procedures and policies the Council followed in respect of the child’s religion at birth and those followed where the child’s adoption placement broke down. The Commissioner’s decision is that Liverpool City Council is entitled to rely on section 12 of the FOIA. It is likely, on the balance of probabilities, that complying with the request would exceed the appropriate limit. The Commissioner also finds that the Council is under no obligation under section 13 of the FOIA to offer the complainant the opportunity to pay for the information he seeks, having determined to apply section 12. The Commissioner does not require the Council to take any further action in this matter.