COUNCILS are breaking Freedom of Information laws by replying to hundreds of requests days, weeks and even months late.

The Argus asked Sussex councils how many times in the past two years they missed the 20 working day time limit and why the delays occurred.

The news comes as access to information is under threat as government considers charging for Freedom of Information requests.

Brighton and Hove City Council was late 330 times in 2014/15 out of 1,601 requests.

It was late 270 times out of 1,428 in 2013/14. It said 92 responses were sent 20 or more days late – on top of the statutory 20 working days.

West Sussex County Council was two days late responding to our request about late responses and apologised for the “miscalculation”.

The local authority was late 106 times out of 1,125 requests in 2014 and 61 times out of 831 in 2013.

Most of their delays were up to an additional 20 days late, on top of the given 20 working days, while one request was a full 70 days late.

A spokesman said more resources would help but any additional funding would be prioritised for other services.

Eastbourne Borough Council had 606 requests in 2013/14 and 659 in 2014/15 and was late responding 99 times overall.

The longest time it took to respond in 2013/14 was 49 working days but 96 per cent of requests were answered on time.

In 2014/15 the council took 107 working days to respond to one request but 88 per cent were answered within the limit.

A spokesman said system changes were to blame for having a “significant impact” on overall delays in 2014/15 but said the problem was now resolved.

He added: “The volume of FOI requests is increasing at a time when we are dealing with significant reductions in government funding.”

Adur and Worthing Councils, who share resources, were late 52 times in 2014 but could not give figures for 2013. They dealt with 1,144 requests between April 2013 and March 2014 and 1,130 from April 2014 and March 2015. The councils blamed staff sickness and annual leave.

East Sussex County Council was late 30 times in 2013 out of 1,154 requests and 36 times out of 1,084 in 2014. One request last year was more than four months late.

Lewes District Council was late 25 times in 2014 from 546 requests. The authority was between 10 and 14 days late on seven occasions. It did not record why it was late or how many times this happened in 2013 when it received 432 requests.

Those intent on changing FOI laws argue requests place an unreasonable burden on local authorities which they claim have to divert funds from other services. But Sussex councils could only estimate the cost of FOI and most do not employ staff solely to deal with requests and responses.

Brighton and Hove City Council does employ three full-time officers and estimated FOI duties costed around £260,000 last year.

Arun District Council employs two full-time officers and claimed abiding by FOI law costs £200,000 a year. West Sussex County Council said it spent £100,000. Eastbourne Borough Council estimated it costs £30,000 annually.

Lewes District Council did not provide a figure but said the staff member who works on FOI among other duties is paid up to £28,817.

East Sussex County Council employs a part-time staff member and two full-time at a cost of £81,000 a year. The staff members also have other duties so the council said was unable to estimate the overall cost.