Mrs Stevenson, who is, I think, project manager for the bypass, would appear to be in a terrible mess with her filing, which does not auger well. I asked for the SEMMMs meeting minutes – Mrs Stephenson should have them all neatly filed, preferably in her computer. But Mr Simon Oldfield, FOIA Officer at Stockport Council, says it would take 40 hours to locate them.

“Dear Mrs Oliver,

I am writing in response to your request for information (ref FOI 6444).

The relevant Council Service(s) has searched for the requested information and our response is as follows.

The initial request would result in over 18 hours of officer time. We asked for clarification/refinement which we hoped would have reduced the time element. As the clarification you provided was for all minutes – this did not refine the request.

Therefore the information you have requested in this request is exempt from disclosure under Section 12 (Fees) of the Freedom of Information Act.

It is anticipated that this request alone would take in excess of 40 hours to locate and retrieve the requested information……….”