Oxford City Council

The complainant has requested information with regards to Oxford Direct Services accounts. Oxford City Council (the council) refused the request under section 12 of the FOIA as it considered that the cost of compliance would exceed the appropriate limit set by section 12 of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that section 12 of the FOIA is not engaged. The Commissioner requires the council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Issue a fresh response to the complainant’s request without relying on section 12 of FOIA. The 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 FOIA and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.