Brighton & Hove City Council

The complainant has requested information relating to school improvement plans and meetings relating to Longhill School from Brighton & Hove City Council (“the Council”). The council refused the request on the basis that section 14 of FOIA applied (vexatious request). The Commissioner’s decision is that the council was not entitled to rely upon section 14(1) of FOIA to refuse to comply with the request. The Commissioner requires the council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: issue a fresh response to the request dated 17 March 2025 in accordance with section 1(1) of FOIA, either by disclosing the requested information or issuing a refusal notice compliant with section 17 of FOIA (relying on any exemptions it considers applicable).