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

After the Covid Inquiry: It's time for serious devolution

By Vijay K Luthra | 26 November 2025

Devolution is a resilience issue after the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, say Patrick Diamond and Vijay K Luthra.

IMPROVEMENT

The Casey Commission: True stories that shift policy

By Jess McGregor | 26 November 2025

As the National Children and Adults Services Conference gets under way in Bournemouth today, Jess McGregor praises Baroness Casey for bringing clarity of pur...

IMPROVEMENT

How councils can increase SME apprenticeship uptake through strategic partnerships

24 November 2025

Local authorities can boost apprenticeship starts within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by forming innovative partnerships, a leading training pro...

IMPROVEMENT

Punching above our weight in adult social care

By Elaine Allegretti | 19 November 2025

Fiona Taylor and Elaine Allegretti explain how Barking and Dagenham achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating in adult social care.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman