This is by far one of the most bizarre FOI based stories I have seen in the media recently… 

Brighton and Hove city council have spent £140,000 during the last two years on the cost of sheep (which they hire) as an environmentally friendly way of trimming the grass.

The Brighton Argus report:

They are considered a charming animal attraction by most.

But the sheep responsible for keeping the ancient downland and chalkland of Brighton and Hove trimmed have soared in cost.

A freedom of information request to Brighton and Hove City Council has revealed that the programme has cost more than £140,000 over the last two years.

You can read the full story here.

Matthew Burgess
http://www.mattburgess.co
I am a journalist and author. I am a journalist at the UK edition of WIRED magazine. In 2015, my first book Freedom of Information: A Practical Guide for UK Journalists, was published. My second book Reed Hastings: Building Netflix, was published in March 2020. I created FOI Directory in 2012 and have maintained it in my spare time ever since.