“17A Requests involving substantial collation or research

• “(1) In deciding whether to refuse a request under section 17(f), the local authority must consider whether doing either or both of the following would enable the request to be granted:

  • “(a) fixing a charge under section 13:

  • “(b) extending the time limit under section 14.

  “(2) For the purposes of refusing a request under section 17(f), the local authority may treat as a single request 2 or more requests from the same person—

  • “(a) that are about the same subject matter or about similar subject matters; and

  • “(b) that are received simultaneously or in short succession.

“17B Duty to consider consulting person if request likely to be refused under section 17(e) or (f)

• If a request is likely to be refused under section 17(e) or (f), the local authority must, before that request is refused, consider whether consulting with the person who made the request would assist that person to make the request in a form that would remove the reason for the refusal.”

• “(3) An investigation and review under subsection (1) or subsection (2) may be made by an Ombudsman only on complaint being made to an Ombudsman in writing or orally.

• “(3A) A complaint made orally must be put in writing as soon as practicable.”