8th November 2025

To: The Information Commissioner’s Office
Subject: Covering letter – complaint regarding misuse of “vexatious” designation by Stockport Council

8th November 2025

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find attached my formal letters of complaint concerning Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s misuse of the term “vexatious” under Section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.

The issues I raised with the Council were vitally important, concerning the safety of children, the adequacy of contamination investigations at the Vale View Primary School site, and the transparency of public decision-making. These are clearly matters of significant public interest, not personal or trivial concerns.

I wish to emphasise that the Information Commissioner’s Office has already confirmed in writing that I have never been rude or abusive in my correspondence. The complexity of the Vale View situation — involving planning, environmental contamination, and child safety — inevitably required a substantial number of information requests. Each request was specific, relevant, and aimed at understanding and documenting the Council’s decision-making. There is no evidence whatsoever that any of my requests were frivolous, repetitive, or intended to cause disruption.

Stockport Council has long been aware that I am a serious and experienced campaigner, having successfully worked with Friends of the Earth and Mr. Parfett to expose and challenge planning corruption involving Tesco at Portwood, Stockport. That case demonstrated both the validity of my concerns and my commitment to lawful, evidence-based public advocacy.

Given that background, I am deeply concerned that the Council’s use of the “vexatious” label appears to have been a deliberate attempt to silence legitimate scrutiny of its handling of a potentially contaminated school site and related public safety issues.

I would therefore be grateful if the ICO could treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and review Stockport Council’s actions in full.

Thank you for your attention and for the vital role you play in safeguarding transparency and public accountability.

Yours faithfully,


Sheila Oliver
Editor, The Romiley Gazette

Letter To The Information Commissioner About Refusal To Ask Questions About Contamination At A New Primary School Site.
Letter To The Information Commissioner About The Dangerous Traffic Situation Deliberately Created Around A New Primary School.
Letter To The Information Commissioner About A School Deliberately Having Been Built Too Small, An Offence Under The Fraud Act 2006.
Letter To The Information Commissioner About Being Told It Is Vexatious To Question The Development Of A Recreation Ground Without The Requisite Public Inquiry.
Letter To The Information Commissioner Regarding Stockport Council Information Governance Malpractice.
Letter To The Information Commissioner Regarding Financial Irregularities At Stockport Council.
Letter Sent To The Information Commissioner About Drainage At The Vale View School Site.
Letter Sent To The Information Commissioner Regarding The Failure To Comply With A £625,000 Sport England Planning Condition.
Request to Remove Vexatious Branding On Grounds of Proven Financial Irregularities.
Letter Sent To The Information Commissioner About Padden Brook.