Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his request for information. This is because it is better dealt with by the Information Commissioner's Office.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the Council’s failure to respond to his request for information within 20 days. Mr X would like the Council to keep to the required 20-day target for responding.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start or may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide there is another body better placed to consider this complaint (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

4. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is the UK's independent authority on information rights matters. It is better placed to determine if the Council has responded correctly to Mr X’s request made under the Freedom of Information Act. So, we will not investigate.
    

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Final decision

5. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is better dealt with by the ICO.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman