Leigh on Sea Town Council

The complainant requested information from Leigh-on-Sea Town Council (“the Council”) relating to the employment of Council staff and the training of Councillors. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council has breached section 10(1) (time for compliance) of FOIA by failing to provide the complainant with some information within the scope of the request within 20 working days. He also finds that the Council has breached section 17(1) (refusal notice) of FOIA by failing to provide the complainant with an appropriate refusal notice within 20 working days. The Commissioner requires the Council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. The Council must provide the complainant with a fresh response to the request which complies with the requirements of FOIA. The Council must take these steps within 30 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.