We’ve just had a response from Shepway to our Freedom of Information request for the pre application advice the council has given itself:
“I am writing to inform you that we have searched our records and the information you requested is not held by the council. Pre-application advice has not been given; therefore Regulation 12(4)(a) applies to your request. Regulation 12(4)(a) provides an exception to the duty to disclose information when information is not held.”
Really?