Homes & Communities Agency still stalling over Byker Freedom of Information request

6.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Sep 2009

Newcastle East Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman Greg Stone has expressed disappointment after the Homes and Communities Agency has failed to meet its target for responding to a Freedom of Information request he submitted, asking for details of representations and advice to ministers about the Byker PFI refurbishment application which was rejected by Government earlier this year.

A response to the FOI request was received in August asking for more time to consider "where the balance of the public interest lies" in this request, advising that the new target date for a decision was 1st September.

Greg has now received notification that the decision has been delayed until at least the 15th September.

Greg commented "I submitted this FOI request as I believe it is a matter of legitimate public interest for people in Byker to know what assessment was made of the city council's application, what representations were made and by whom, and what the civil service advice to ministers was on deciding whether to approve or reject this bid. Publication of the documents would help to put an end to any misleading rumours, but the continuing delay on this matter only helps to create an impression that the Government would rather not disclose this information."