Badsworth Parish Council FOI Upheld - SID Data Request
Summary
The Information Commissioner's Office has upheld a Freedom of Information complaint against Badsworth Parish Council. The council failed to adequately ascertain whether it holds further Speed Indicator Device data requested by a complainant. The ICO requires the council to conduct comprehensive searches within 30 calendar days and either disclose responsive information or issue a compliant refusal notice.
Public authorities handling FOI requests for data held by third-party contractors should verify whether those contractors hold information on the authority's behalf before concluding searches. The ICO's requirement here specifically extends to checking third-party data custody — authorities should audit their contractor relationships and data-sharing agreements accordingly.
What changed
The ICO found Badsworth Parish Council failed to adequately search for Speed Indicator Device data requested under FOIA. The council must now conduct thorough searches within 30 calendar days, disclose any responsive information found, or issue a compliant refusal notice. The council must also determine whether any third party holds relevant information on its behalf. Other public authorities should ensure their FOI searches are comprehensive and documented, including verification of information held by third parties managing their systems.
What to do next
- Conduct searches aimed at identifying all the information it holds within the scope of the request and either disclose this information to the complainant or issue them with a refusal notice that complies with FOIA.
- Identify if the third-party that oversees the unit holds any information on the council's behalf, within the scope of the request. If it does, the council should either disclose this information to the complainant or issue them with a refusal notice that complies with FOIA.
Archived snapshot
Apr 22, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Badsworth Parish Council
- Date 16 April 2026
- Sector Local government
- Decision(s) FOI 1: Upheld The complainant submitted an information request to Badsworth Parish Council (the council) for the data from a Speed Indicator Device (SID). The council provided some data and stated that it was all the information it held in relation to the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that, on the balance of probabilities, the council failed to adequately ascertain whether or not it holds further information falling within the scope of the request. The Commissioner requires the council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: • Conduct searches aimed at identifying all the information it holds within the scope of the request and either disclose this information to the complainant or issue them with a refusal notice that complies with FOIA. • Identify if the third-party that oversees the unit holds any information on the council’s behalf, within the scope of the request. If it does, the council should either disclose this information to the complainant or issue them with a refusal notice that complies with FOIA. The council must take these steps within 30 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.
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