
The
rules governing the public's rights to examine and make copies of local government
accounts are profiled in this section.
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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
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