Apology over response delay

Angus Council has apologised to the Scottish Information Commissioner after failing to comply with regulations regarding a Freedom of Information request.

The local authority was asked for information about the number of people in the area who have died while waiting for a social care package to commence, or who waited more than a year.

Claire Miller lodged her request on September 19 last year and was unhappy with the response she received three days later, so wrote to the council again that same day asking for a review.

On October 27, she sent a reminder, as she had not received a response.

On November 17, she wrote to the commissioner’s office, saying she was dissatisfied with the council’s failure to respond to her query.

A report by Alison Davies, deputy head of enforcement, found the council was notified in writing on December 6 that an application had been received from Ms Miller and was invited to comment.

The commissioner received submissions from the council on December 20 in which it acknowledged it had not carried out a review within the timescale and apologised for its failure to do so.

Scottish public authorities have 20 workings days to comply with a requirement for review and the commissioner found Angus Council had failed to do so.