Kirklees Council’s received more requests for information than ever last year.
The council received 1,498 Freedom of Information (FoI) requests in 2014/15 – almost six per working day and a rise of 71 on the previous year.
The probes cost the council almost £400,000 to deal and is a rise of 28% in inquiries over the past two years.
When FoI law was introduced in 2005 the council received fewer than 300 requests per year.
But by 2012 the level had breached more than 1,000 and has continued to rise.
A report to councillors reveals the response rate of the three strong team of officers who deal with the inquiries was not within guidelines last year.
The one full time and two part time officials responded to requests within the mandatory 20 working days only 84% of the time.
The Information Commissioner says councils should aim for 100% with a minimum standard of 85%.
Analysis of the source of FoI requests show the majority were from members of the public and businesses. About 16% were from the media.
The Examiner frequently uses FoI law to source information for stories of public interest.
Out of the 1,498 requests last year, the council refused to provide the information to 422 (28%). The majority of the refused information was available elsewhere already, however 12% were denied as they would have been too expensive to process. About 10% were denied for reasons of confidentiality.
Earlier this year the government set up a commission to review the FoI law amid concerns sensitive information was being released. It is thought many MPs and public officials favour a curb on what can be revealed.
FoI requests have this year revealed that ten West Yorkshire Police officers had been convicted of criminal offences in the last three years and nationally, that British pilots were involved in bombing Syria.
