Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Lacks FOI Email for Over Two Years

A council in Northern Ireland has become the only local authority in the region without a dedicated Freedom of Information (FOI) email address, raising concerns about transparency and accessibility. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council transitioned to an online form system for FOI requests nearly two and a half years ago, ending its previous email practice in August 2023.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows the public, including journalists, to request information from public authorities, fostering accountability in government. While all other councils in Northern Ireland maintain a clearly advertised FOI email address, Lisburn and Castlereagh’s shift to an online-only system has attracted scrutiny.

Belfast Live contacted each of the eleven councils in Northern Ireland to confirm their FOI procedures. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) stated that public authorities should include an email option for FOI requests. The ICO guidance clearly advises against removing email addresses, noting that relying solely on online forms could hinder access for some individuals.

A spokesperson for Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council defended the change, stating, “We introduced a new equality-screened protocol and accompanying system for FOI in August 2023. As the system is the most efficient way for the Council to process FOIs, the email address was removed and is no longer the primary means of contact for FOI.”

The council reported a 33% increase in FOI requests since adopting the online portal. Despite this, the spokesperson acknowledged that if an individual cannot use the online system, requests can still be accepted in other formats. However, the council did not specify what these formats entail.

When contacted by Belfast Live, the former FOI email address yielded no automated response, indicating it is not actively monitored. This situation became apparent when a reporter attempted to submit an FOI request in October. After waiting the required 20 working days for a response, a follow-up email elicited a timely reply.

Compounding the issue is the fact that search results for making an FOI request for Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council prominently display the now-defunct email address, potentially misleading the public.

The ICO was asked if they were aware of any Northern Ireland councils offering an online-only FOI form without an email alternative. The ICO responded, “We do not hold this information.” As the only council in the region without a viable FOI email option, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council remains an outlier.

Belfast Live has reached out to the ICO to inquire whether it plans to evaluate the council’s FOI arrangements in light of these findings. The situation underscores the importance of transparent communication channels for public access to information, particularly in a democratic society.

For those with experiences regarding FOI requests in Northern Ireland, feedback can be directed to [email protected]. For the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage and subscribe to the daily newsletter.