We have a public duty to provide access to information, both through FOI requests and complaints, particularly in relation to decisions made by us.
Where we have provided a full response, we may on occassion decline to handle requests/complaints that are vexatious or repetitious in nature.
About complaints
If we determine that your complaint is vexatious or repetitious, we will contact you to inform you of our decision and the reasons for it.
If you are unhappy with our decision, unless your complaint has already been considered by the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman, you can request the LGSCO looks into your concerns on your behalf - visit the Local Government Social Care Ombudsman's website.
About freedom of information requests
Whilst we will work to support customers who are seeking to exercise the right to know, the Information Commissioner’s supports a different approach to repetitious or vexatious request that impose a significant burden on the council and:
- Do not have any serious purpose or value.
- Are designed to cause disruption or annoyance.
- Have the effect of harassing the public authority.
- Can otherwise fairly be characterised as obsessive or manifestly unreasonable.
If we determine that your FOI request is vexatious or repetitious, we will contact you to inform you of our decision and the reasons for it.
If you are unhappy with our decision, you can contact the Information Commissioner who will look into the case for you. Find out more on the Information Commissioner's website.