7th November 2025
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Subject: Complaint Regarding Stockport Council’s Handling of Information Requests Related to the Vale View School Development
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to submit a formal complaint regarding the conduct of Stockport Council in relation to information requests concerning the planning, design, and construction of Vale View Primary School.
There is widespread concern among residents that the school, built to replace existing educational facilities, was constructed at a size inadequate to serve the community’s needs and may not meet the standards originally represented in planning and consultation materials. Members of the public, including myself, have sought clarification and documentation about the project — such as feasibility assessments, funding allocations, and building specifications — under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).
However, Stockport Council has repeatedly refused to provide this information, often classifying reasonable questions as “vexatious.” This approach prevents legitimate public scrutiny of a matter involving substantial public funds and public welfare, contrary to the transparency obligations required under FOIA and EIR.
Given the scale of public investment and the concerns regarding the adequacy of the development, I believe the Council’s refusal to engage openly raises serious governance and accountability issues. The lack of transparency could also undermine public confidence in how capital projects of this nature are planned and delivered.
I therefore request that the ICO investigate:
- Whether Stockport Council has correctly applied the “vexatious” exemption to information requests related to Vale View School.
- Whether the Council has failed in its duty to provide access to environmental and planning information as required by the EIR.
- Whether the pattern of refusals represents a breach of the principles of openness and accountability expected of a public authority.
I also ask that the ICO provide guidance on how members of the public can ensure that legitimate requests for information about major local developments are treated fairly and lawfully.
Please let me know if you require copies of correspondence, refusal notices, or evidence of specific information requests. I will be happy to provide these.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and to a fair review of Stockport Council’s conduct.
Yours faithfully,
Sheila Oliver
Editor, The Romiley Gazette
Within one year of the new £10m school opening, they were talking about re-opening the old school. Why did the corrupt LibDems claim I was vexatious for mentioning year after year that the new school was deliberately being built too small?
Despite the huge cost of this one primary school – circa £11m, the LibDems knew all along it was being built too small. So, why go ahead and build it then? And why ban me as vexatious for pointing this out?
