FS50837710

The complainant has requested information from Halton Borough Council which concerns live business rates accounts with a value greater than or equal to £5,000. The Council has refused the complainant’s request in reliance on section 40(2) of the FOIA on the grounds that the information is the personal data of third parties, and also in…

FER0856931

The complainant requested information regarding applications submitted to participate in the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (the scheme). Ofgem refused the request under regulation 12(4)(b) of the EIR (manifestly unreasonable). The Commissioner’s decision is that Ofgem was entitled to refuse the request under regulation 12(4)(b). The Commissioner finds that the public interest lies in maintaining…

FS50883393

The complainant has requested information held by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (the MHCLG) relating to a submission regarding the development of a garden community/village in his area. The MHCLG initially refused the request, applying section 35(1)(a) of FOIA (formulation and development of government policy). However, it subsequently provided information. The complainant…

FS50880905

The complainant has requested information about the council’s award of contract to a company, Avanti School’s Trust (AST), to run a school in the county. The council provided the majority of the information however it withheld some information from disclosure, applying section 43(2) (prejudice to commercial interests), and section 40(2)(personal data). The Commissioner’s decision is…

FER0853248

The complainant has requested information relating to certain comments that were included in correspondence sent by Hastings Borough Council (the council) to the Local Government Ombudsman (the LGO). The complainant has confirmed that he has now received the information that he required. However, the Commissioner has found that the council has breached regulation 5(2) of…

FS50843630

The complainant has requested correspondence that relates to a Planning Contravention Notice (PCN) issued by Hastings Borough Council (the council). The council refused the request under regulation 12(5)(e) of the EIR. The Commissioner’s decision is that the council is entitled to rely on regulation 12(5)(e) as its basis for withholding the requested information, and the…

FS50877760

The complainant has requested information about council-owned buildings. The London Borough of Barnet provided some information but the complainant argued that it was not what she asked for. The Commissioner’s decision is that the London Borough has complied with its duty under section 1(1)(b) of the FOIA because it has provided the information which it…

FS50848833

The complainant has requested the audio recording of a Professional Conduct Panel hearing into a case against five teachers. The request was refused by the Department for Education (the DfE) under section 40(2), 31(2) and 14 of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the public authority has correctly applied the section 40(2) exemption to…

FS50887463

The complainant requested copies of photographs taken of signage in a particular car park. The Commissioner’s decision is that Carmarthenshire County Council (‘the Council’) failed to respond to the request within 20 working days and has therefore breached section 10 of the FOIA. However, as the Council has now provided the complainant with a response,…

FS50882663

The complainant has requested email correspondence between a law firm and University College London (UCL) about an academic at UCL. UCL has disclosed some relevant information and has withheld the remainder under section 36 (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) and section 41 (information provided in confidence) of the FOIA.  UCL had originally…