It's Your Right to Know

12 September 2005: The ONB legal challenge to Lincolnshire County Council (2005)



Orchard News Bureau took Lincolnshire County Council to the High Court after the authority withheld financial records from public inspection.

The council censored invoices and related documents relating to its 2003/2004 accounts, and claimed it was entitled to do so under data protection rules.

The council attempted to argue that information contained in the accounts could not be disclosed without the permission of contractors and consultants.



But Mr Justice Leveson ruled that the council had no legal justification to use the data protection act to censor the accounts.

He told the council that ONB and others were entitled to view the records during the statutory public inspection period.

He also put the authority on notice that any future attempt to withhold financial records using either the data protection act, or the human rights act, would trigger a judicial review hearing.

The council released the censored accounts.

For guidance, contact Orchard News Bureau Ltd.

London & Regional Updates
The 2010-2011 accounts of major local authorities were open to public inspection last summer. For additional information relating to unitary, metropolitan and shire counties etc. (copies of relevant notices and links to relevant websites), check the links below Information on the 2011-2012 accounts will be posted soon.

A to Z
All Principal UK Authorities


ENGLAND
London Borough Councils

Metropolitan Councils

County Councils

Unitary Councils

Metropolitan Police Authorities

Other Police Authorities


WALES
Unitary Councils

Police Authorities


SCOTLAND
Unitary Councils

Police Boards


N. IRELAND
Unitary Councils

ONB Briefings


Click here for links to C.I.J. slideshow & video briefings