Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant requested information relating to the decision by the public authority to cease its funding of the Third Sector Leadership Centre. The public authority disclosed the information held apart from the advice its board had received from officials in relation to handling the proposed announcement to withdraw the funding. The handling advice was withheld on the basis of the exemption at section 36(2)(b)(i). The Commissioner found that the exemption was not engaged and has ordered the public authority to disclose the handling advice. The Commissioner consequently found the public authority in breach of sections 1(1)(b) and 10(1) (access to requested information and time for compliance with request). He additionally found the public authority in breach of section 17(1)(b) (refusal notice).
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 10 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 17 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 36 - Complaint Upheld