Leeds City Council

1. The complainant has made requests for Council Tax (“CT”) data between 2010 and 2023 (including the number of occupants) from Leeds City Council (“LCC”) for 381 separate addresses in the Leeds postcode areas. LCC aggregated the requests, as they were similar in context and overall scope, and refused to provide any of the requested information on the basis that to do so would exceed the cost of compliance (section 12(1) of FOIA).
2. The Commissioner’s decision is that LCC was entitled to aggregate all the requests under section 12(4) of FOI and to rely on section 12(1) of FOIA to refuse them. The Commissioner also finds that LCC did not comply with its section 16 obligation to offer advice and assistance.
3. The Commissioner requires LCC to provide advice and assistance to the complainant as required by section 16(1) of FOIA. LCC 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.