Runnymede Borough Council

The complainant requested information from Runnymede Borough Council about the number of applicants for social housing properties. The Council disclosed some of the requested information but refused to provide the remainder under section 12 (exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council was entitled to apply section 12, and that it has complied with the requirement of section 16. However, the Council breached section 17 by failing to issue a refusal notice under the correct legislation. The Commissioner does not require the Council to take any steps.