Bristol City Council

The complainant has requested all of the information held by Bristol City Council (the council) that relates to a dispute over a particular barge, and also the council’s proposed purchase of that barge. The council refused to comply with the request on the grounds that it would exceed the cost of compliance to do so (section 12 of the FOIA). The Commissioner’s decision is that the council is entitled to rely on section 12(1) as its basis for refusing to comply with the request. She is also satisfied that the council has met its obligations under section 16 of the FOIA by offering advice and assistance to the complainant. However, the Commissioner has found that the council has breached section 17(1) of the FOIA as it failed to issue a refusal notice within the prescribed 20 working days. The Commissioner does not require the council to take any steps as a result of this decision notice.