Independent public-interest journalism. Not affiliated with Ceredigion County Council.

High priority ICO · PSOW

FOI & Transparency

A decade of ICO decision notices, late responses and weak internal-review practice — the largest single cluster of documented failure in the public record.

The core story

ICO decisions in 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2025 and 2026 show repeated failures to answer FOI/EIR requests on time or correctly. In several cases the council changed its disclosure position only after the ICO intervened.

ICO decisions against the council (2016–2026)

24%

Ombudsman intervention rate in 2024/25

63%

recommendations complied with on time (2024/25)

Key findings

ICO found FOIA s.10 breaches in 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2025 and 2026.
Internal review arrangements were criticised as insufficient more than once.
Timely compliance with Ombudsman recommendations fell from 78% (2023/24) to 63% (2024/25).

What we're seeking

Full ICO decision notices 2016–2026.
Internal FOI/complaints policy documents.
Council response to each ICO finding.

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