Copeland Borough Council

The complainant requested information relating to her belief that the Mayor failed to register a pecuniary interest within 28 days of being elected. Copeland Borough Council (the Council) refused to comply with 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 the decision to refuse the request for information and it is not entitled to rely on section 14(1) of the FOIA with regard to the request. The Commissioner requires the Council to issue a fresh response to the request that does not rely on section 14(1) of the FOIA.