I believe that it depends on what the request says. If it is about inividual CT payers then you would be correct. However, if someone put in questions such as:
How much CT did you (the council) collect last year?
How much do you think will be collected next year?
What are the current arears in an area?
What discussions went on in council meetings regading the level of CT?
Could be covered by FOI.
If someone asked a general question such as "What information do you have about CT in the area?" You would have to decide what you can and what you can't disclose and inform the person who asked. Unless, of course, you thought that ascertaining this would be too expensive.
However, as always, I stand to be corrected.
Tony
-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Yuill, Allan
Sent: 24 February 2005 13:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FOI - Disclosure of Council Tax Information
Hi all,
As a Council we are starting to receive FOISA requests for access to
information held on our Council Tax system. I stuck my oar in when I
discovered this as the information was going to be disclosed. I am
strongly of the opinion that the legal counsel advice to the Information
Commissioner on the use of Council Tax information applies to the
disclosure under FoI legislation. That is, the Local Government Finance
Act and secondary legislation applies and it will need additional
legislation before it can be disclosed under FOI.
Is this a valid interpretation, or am I totally off base?
Allan Yuill
Corporate Resources (IT)
Council Offices, 2 The Cross
Kilmarnock KA1 1LR
Phone: +(44)1563 57 6836
Fax: +(44)1563 57 6825
Mailto:[log in to unmask]
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