ICO Decision Notice: Lambeth Council FOI Data Handling

ICO Decision Notices

Filed February 13th, 2026

Detected February 17th, 2026

Summary

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has upheld Freedom of Information (FOI) complaints against Lambeth Council for its handling of data requests. The Council is required to provide specific requested information in the format specified within 30 days.

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What changed

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a decision notice upholding multiple Freedom of Information (FOI) complaints against Lambeth Council concerning the handling of data requests. The complainant sought local authority and housing association letting data, specifically requesting it in Excel format. The Council initially provided incomplete information and later amended its position, but the complainant maintained the data was incomplete. The ICO found the Council failed to meet its obligations regarding information held, time limits, and the means of communication.

The ICO requires Lambeth Council to disclose the outstanding information in the requested format within 30 calendar days of the decision notice. Failure to comply could result in the ICO certifying the non-compliance to the High Court, potentially leading to contempt of court proceedings. This decision highlights the importance of adhering to FOI obligations, including providing information in the requested format and within statutory time limits.

What to do next

Provide requested information in the specified format within 30 days.
Ensure compliance with FOI obligations regarding information held and time limits.
Consult ICO guidance on safe disclosure practices.

Penalties

Failure to comply may result in written certification to the High Court and potential contempt of court proceedings.

Source document (simplified)

London Borough of Lambeth

Date 13 February 2026
Sector Local government
Decision(s) FOI 1: Upheld, FOI 10: Upheld, FOI 11: Upheld The complainant has requested local authority and housing association letting data. In their request, the complainant specified a preference to receive the requested information in excel format. The London Borough of Lambeth (“the Council”) provided some information in an image of an excel table, and stated that the remaining information was not held. During the course of the Commissioner’s investigation, the Council amended its position and stated that it held information within scope of the majority of the request and would disclose it to the complainant. It stated that the remainder of the information wasn’t held at the time of the request. The Council provided some information in the requested format however the complainant maintained that the data is incomplete. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council has not met its obligations at sections 1(1) (information held), 10 (time limits for compliance) and 11 (means by which communication to be made). The Commissioner requires the Council to provide the requested information within scope of parts B, C and F to the complainant in the format specified in their request, with reference to the Commissioner’s guidance on how to make this disclosure safely. The public authority 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.