Southend-On-Sea City Council
- Date 22 December 2023
- Sector Local government
- Decision(s) FOI 16(1): Upheld
The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council has failed to comply with its obligation, under section 16 of FOIA, to provide advice and assistance.
The Commissioner requires the Council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Either provide the complainant with advice and assistance to help him submit a valid request or explain, to him, why it would not be reasonable in the circumstances to do so.
Council must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.