https://substack.com/@theromileygazette?

5th January 2026

To: Information Commissioner’s Office
From: Sheila Oliver

Subject: Complaint Regarding Misapplication of Section 14 FOIA by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Dear Information Commissioner,

I wish to lodge a formal complaint regarding Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s application of Section 14 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, specifically the characterisation of my requests as “vexatious”.

1. Summary of Complaint

The Council appears to have treated me as a vexatious requester rather than assessing individual requests on their merits. This is contrary to FOIA, ICO guidance, and established case law.

2. Grounds of Complaint

a) Improper Targeting of the Requester

  • Section 14 applies to requests, not persons.
  • The Council has suggested that my overall pattern of questioning is vexatious rather than assessing each request on its own merits.

b) Legitimate Purpose and Public Interest

  • Requests related to:
    • Environmental contamination, including asbestos;
    • Traffic congestion and infrastructure;
    • Public expenditure on consultants and design;
    • Drainage and public safety issues.
  • These clearly satisfy the public interest test.

c) Persistence Explained by Non-Response

  • The Council failed to answer substantive questions.
  • Persistence resulted from unanswered concerns, not bad faith.

d) Exaggerated Burden Claims

  • The Council claimed some requests would require 84 hours of officer time.
  • When disclosed, the same material was reviewable in approximately two hours, indicating the burden was overstated.

e) Context Ignored

  • Historical vindication of concerns (contamination, traffic, asbestos) was not taken into account when applying Section 14.
  • The same pattern is now occurring at Padden Brook.

3. Requested Outcome

I respectfully request that the Commissioner:

  1. Determine that Section 14 was misapplied;
  2. Require the Council to reconsider requests properly;
  3. Take into account the pattern of behaviour, not just individual requests;
  4. Ensure that the Council refrains from using “vexatious” as a blanket label in future.

This complaint is made in good faith and in the public interest.

Yours faithfully,
Sheila Oliver