South Wonston Parish Council, FOI 14, Not upheld

The ICO issued a Decision Notice on 1 April 2026 finding that South Wonston Parish Council correctly applied section 14(1) of FOIA to refuse a request for financial information, determining the request was vexatious. The Commissioner upheld the council's refusal and does not require any remedial steps.

For public authorities handling FOIA requests, this decision reinforces the valid use of section 14(1) for vexatious requests and provides guidance on applying this exemption appropriately. Parish councils and local government bodies should document the basis for vexatious request determinations carefully, as the ICO will assess whether the refusal was objectively justified. Complainants dissatisfied with ICO decisions have 28 days to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights).