North Somerset Council

The complainant has requested various information relating to the development of a crematorium. North Somerset Council refused the request as vexatious under section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, but subsequently informed the Commissioner that the request would fall under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, and as such, sought to refuse the request as manifestly unreasonable on vexatious grounds under regulation 12(4)(b). The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council is entitled to refuse the request under regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR, but breached regulation 14 by failing to inform the complainant of its refusal within the time for compliance. The Commissioner does not require the Council to take any steps. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2019/0367 dismissed.