Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant requested a copy of all information and documentation relating to the -�Heaton Report,-� a report about human resources and management issues across Craigavon Borough Council-�s (-�the Council-�s-�) leisure sites. The Council initially refused to disclose this under section 40 of FOIA (personal data of third parties), however it eventually, following the Commissioner-�s intervention, disclosed a copy of the Heaton Report itself to the complainant. It stated to the Commissioner that it did not hold any further information relevant to the complainant-�s request, however upon further searching it located one further relevant document (-�the withheld information-�), which it withheld under section 40(2) and section 36(2)(c) (disclosure would otherwise prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs) of FOIA. The Commissioner-�s decision is that Craigavon Borough Council has correctly applied the section 36(2)(c) exemption to the withheld information. He has not considered the application of section 40(2) as he is of the view that section 36(2)(c) covers the entirety of the withheld information. He is also satisfied that the Council holds no further information relevant to the complainant-�s request, other than that which has already been disclosed to the complainant.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 36 - Complaint Not upheld