Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The Local Authority Public Administration Bill 2011 would require local authorities to acknowledge written requests from members of the public and public representatives within five working days and provide a meaningful response within a further 15 working days. Exceptions would apply to trivial or vexatious requests, matters lacking sufficient public interest, unavailable information, court-related matters, or information that cannot legally be disclosed. People could complain to the Ombudsman about a missing or refused response, with powers to require an answer, apology or corrective action, and to address repeated deliberate failures.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to compel local authorities to provide members of the public and public representatives with substantive replies to written communications within a prescribed period of time

Last updated 12 April 2018