The Blob Replies (Eventually): Shropshire Council’s FOI Vanishing Act
It finally happened. After weeks of silence, a sound emerged from the echoing corridors of Shropshire Council HQ — a faint rustle of paper, a cautious cough, and then… an apology.
Not for what they’ve done, but for being *late* in telling us nothing.
In a properly run organisation, of course, this information would be merely a keystroke away.
Yes, the Cornovii FOI requests — five of them — have achieved the rarest of council miracles: acknowledgement. The Council admits they’re late — now more than seven weeks late — on requests originally submitted on 21st September.
We are now at 10th November, and still no proper answers. That’s not “a little behind”; that’s well beyond the legal limit of 20 working days that the Freedom of Information Act allows.
When it comes to transparency, Shropshire Council seems to think the clock stops when the inbox fills up.
FOI, Meet the Great British Shambles
Freedom of Information was designed to shine light on public authorities. Shropshire Council has managed to turn it into a blackout curtain.
The FOIs in question — politely worded, legally sound, and painfully overdue — concern Cornovii Developments Ltd, the council’s very own housing venture, financed by public loans to the tune of £69 million.
Each request asked straightforward questions: who’s accountable, where’s the money, and why the secrecy?
So far, the only thing to arrive has been the apology — accompanied by the sound of nothing but silence from Shropshire Council and Cornovii Ltd.
Cornovii: Building Homes, Dodging Answers
In a county staring down a possible Section 114 notice — local government’s version of the red card — you’d think transparency might be fashionable. Instead, Cornovii’s operations are cloaked tighter than a magician’s pockets.
The Section 114 Firesale Scenario and Worst Case Cornovii Collapse reports tell their own grim tale:
– Council loans at risk of turning to bad debt;
– Unsold homes likely to be offloaded at discount;
– Cross-directorships more tangled than a bowl of spaghetti.
And yet… not a single substantive response from the Shropshire Council departments concerned or from Cornovii Ltd itself.
Councillors, Commanders Without Troops
The Blob Must Be Loving It
Officers delay, councillors despair, and residents foot the bill.
Transparency deadlines expire, while Cornovii’s debts quietly age like unclaimed wine in the cellar.
And through it all, the Blob hums contentedly, untroubled by law, duty, or conscience.
Final Thought
This line came from a member of the public who has experienced it first-hand — someone who’s watched councillors give clear direction, only for officers to delay, divert, or quietly ignore.
“Monday came and went, confirming what I’ve suspected for some time: councillors – even Cabinet Members – give direction, while officers delay, divert, or simply ignore.
The Blob really shouldn’t be allowed to win, yet it usually does; that’s why we always seem to be playing catch-up.
In my military days we had a name for it – dumb insolence.”
It’s the kind of observation that many councillors probably *recognise*, but would never admit out loud. After all, silence keeps the peace — at least between meetings.
A mere apology for delay isn’t compliance — it’s contempt dressed as courtesy.
Shropshire Council might wish to remember: the Freedom of Information Act sets limits for a reason.
And if anything illegal is discovered — heaven forbid — then remember:
Justice delayed is justice denied.
Just saying.
The Alternative Council 