https://substack.com/@theromileygazette?
9th January 2026
The Harcourt Street Primary School and Children’s Centre project highlights ongoing questions about transparency and the handling of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests at Stockport Council.
The project, which opened in 2011, was originally estimated at £5.5 million. By completion, costs had risen to over £11 million.
In 2008, resident Sheila Oliver submitted an FOI request seeking documentation on project cost control, risk management, and governance. The council stated that internal reviews had found cost control arrangements satisfactory but did not provide a detailed explanation for the substantial increase in costs.
Ms Oliver says relevant information has continued to be withheld even after the project’s completion. She draws parallels with the Padden Brook case, where she says information relating to public decision-making was similarly delayed.
She also states that she believes the council’s Monitoring Officer, Vicki Bates, has been involved in the withholding or delaying of information in both cases.
Under Section 14 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, a request may only be refused as vexatious where it imposes a genuinely disproportionate burden. ICO guidance makes clear that:
- Persistence alone does not make a request vexatious
- Requests concerning public expenditure carry a strong public interest
- Authorities must consider whether unresolved issues justify continued inquiry
Where a project has concluded and the outcome validates the concerns originally raised — as in the doubling of Harcourt Street’s costs — continued restriction of information may undermine public confidence in FOI compliance and local government accountability.
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Mon 07/07/2008 15:49
Dear Mrs Oliver,
I am writing in response to your request for information below (ref 1156). The information you requested is as follows:
- You have already been provided with this.
- This has been reviewed by a Strategic Accountant who is satisfied with this section.
- The Statement of Reasons is on deposit in the Town Hall reception for public inspection along with a copy of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport (Harcourt Street, North Reddish) (Primary School and Children’s Centre) Compulsory Purchase Order 2008.
- These have previously been provided to you.
- This was in the files you inspected this morning at Hygarth House.
- The tender has not yet closed so this is not available.
- As we have previously informed you, this will not be available until we are at that stage of development.
- Please clarify what you mean by ‘relevant’ contacts.
- This has previously been provided to you.
- This was in the files you inspected this morning at Hygarth House.
- This is currently in draft which is attached.
If you are unhappy with the way we have handled your request you are entitled to ask for an internal review. Any internal review will be carried out by a senior member of staff who was not involved with your original request. To ask for an internal review, contact foi.officer@stockport.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you are unhappy with the outcome of any internal review, you are entitled to complain to the Information Commissioner. To do so, contact:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
01625 545 745
Yours sincerely,
Claire Naven
Claire Naven
Data Protection & Freedom of Information Officer
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
From: sheilaoliver [mailto:sheilaoliver@ntlworld.com]
Sent: 09 June 2008 22:28
To: FOI Officer
Subject: Harcourt Street
Dear FoI Officer
Please may I have by email or if not I will come to your premises to read the documents:-
1) the PEP issued by Mr McKenzie.
2) the reviewe of PEP section 11 (cost control)
3) The CPO statement of Reasons sumissions.
4) minutes of the meeting of 3/4/08.
5) the draft highlight report for the period 15/4/08 to 15/5/08.
6) The final tender list from the OJEU process.
7) GMGU and structural engineer’s proposals for ground works and foundation design.
8) the relevant contacts for consultation from the relevant schools and children’s centre.
9) the amended risk register.
10) the design update.
11) the communication plan.
Many thanks
Sheila
