Durham County Council

The complainant requested information with regards to the status of specific footpaths. The Commissioner’s decision is that Durham County Council (the council) should have refused the request under regulation 12(4)(c) of the EIR (request formulated in too general a manner) and breached regulation 9 of the EIR as it did not provide the complainant with appropriate advice and assistance in order to clarify the request. The Commissioner requires the council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. In accordance with regulation 9 of the EIR, provide the complainant with appropriate advice and assistance as outlined in this decision notice. 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 Freedom of Information Act 2000 and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.