North Northamptonshire Council

The complainant requested information relating to the status of a piece of land from North Northamptonshire Council (“the council”). The council initially applied Regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR to refuse to respond further (manifestly unreasonable request). During the course of the Commissioner's investigation, however, the council amended its position. It said that after carrying out further searches, no information is held by it. The Commissioner’s decision is that, on the balance of probabilities, the council was correct to state that no information is held by it. The Commissioner does not require further steps.