Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: Blidworth Parish Council (-�the Parish Council-�) was asked to provide the names and addresses of everyone renting allotments on the site which the Parish Council owns adjoining Dale Lane in Blidworth. In its initial response, the Parish Council refused to provide this information, stating simply that it was -�not allowed-�. When the Commissioner advised the Parish Council of its obligations when refusing requests, it issued a formal refusal citing section 14 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (-�the FOIA-�). Following an internal review conducted on behalf of the Parish Council by Newark and Sherwood District Council (-�the District Council-�), regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (-�the EIR-�) was cited and the Parish Council refused the request on the basis that the allotment holders would not have reasonably expected personal data about them to be disclosed. The Information Commissioner (-�the Commissioner-�) investigated and was satisfied that the information was exempt under regulation 13(1) of the EIR. However, he found breaches of regulation 11(4) and 14(1). Information Tribunal appeal number EA/2009/0066 dismissed.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: EIR 11 - Complaint Upheld, EIR 13 - Complaint Not upheld, EIR 14 - Complaint Upheld