Title

IMPROVEMENT

Council rapped for slow FOI response

Trafford MBC is being monitored by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) following concerns about how quickly it is responding to freedom of information (FOI) requests.

Trafford MBC is being monitored by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) following concerns about how quickly it is responding to freedom of information (FOI) requests.

The regulator said the council had failed to respond to a number of requests within the statutory time limit of 20 working days.

It warned that it could take enforcement action against the council if there were no improvements by the end of the month. 

Gerrard Tracey, the ICO's principal policy adviser, said: ‘The law sets limits on how quickly public authorities must respond. Trafford has not been meeting that requirement and we'll now be reviewing its performance.'

A statement from the council read: ‘The council has been cooperating fully with the ICO since monitoring started at the beginning of May. 

‘Measures have been put in place to help secure improvements in response times across the organisation. 

‘Figures submitted in relation to requests received during May show that the percentage of responses returned within the 20-day limit was higher than the ICO's target for responses.

‘The council is looking to continue to build on this success.'

IMPROVEMENT

How data and community voice are shaping Luton's climate future

By Leonie Taylor | 03 August 2026

Senior researcher Leonie Taylor shares her experiences of The Young Foundation’s work with Luton BC, mapping a fair path to net zero.

IMPROVEMENT

EXCLUSIVE: Public rebuffed over reorganisation plans

By Paul Marinko | 30 July 2026

Ministers have gone against the public’s preferred reorganisation option in the majority of areas, The MJ can reveal.

IMPROVEMENT

How to keep away from the cliff edge and thrive

By Steve Guest | 30 July 2026

Nicola Chiverton and Steve Guest outline how, with the right planning and leadership development, a period of significant change and challenges can become on...

IMPROVEMENT

Councils' financial pressures: The story behind rising EFS demand

By Joanne Pitt | 27 July 2026

Analysis by CIPFA of requests by councils for exceptional financial support (EFS) shows some are stabilising their position and fewer are citing commercial p...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman