Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant made a four part request for information relating to the 2007 police pay settlement. In response to parts 1 and 3 of this request the public authority denied it held any relevant information and in response to parts 2 and 4 the public authority confirmed that information was held, but cited the exemptions provided by sections 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) (inhibition to the free and frank provision of advice and exchange of views). The Commissioner finds that the public authority stated correctly that no information was held that fell within the scope of parts 1 and 3 of the request. In connection with parts 2 and 4 of the request the Commissioner finds that the exemptions provided by sections 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) are not engaged and the public authority is required to disclose the information falling within the scope of these parts of the request. The Commissioner also finds that the public authority delayed responding to the request for a grossly excessive period and, in so doing, failed to comply with the requirements of sections 10(1) and 17(1).
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 1 - Complaint Partly Upheld, FOI 10 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 17 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 36 - Complaint Upheld