Milton Keynes Council
- Date 28 April 2022
- Sector Local government
- Decision(s) FOI 14(1): Not upheld, FOI 17(5): Upheld
The complainant submitted a request to Milton Keynes Council (“the Council”) requesting the names of Council planners dismissed following alleged investigations into corruption.
The Council refused to disclose the requested information, citing section 40 of FOI as a basis for non-disclosure, however it later changed its position and stated that it would have refused to comply with the request on the grounds that it was vexatious within the meaning of section 14 (1) (vexatious requests) of FOIA.
The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council was entitled to rely on section 14(1) to refuse the request. As the Council failed to issue its refusal notice within 20 working days, it breached section 17(5) of FOIA. The Commissioner does not require further steps. First-tier tribunal (General Regulatory chamber) information rights appeal EA/2022/0125 appeal struck out.