Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant has requested the proposal form for the Three Valleys Independent Academy, together with copies of representations of support for this proposal, with the names and addresses of the supporters omitted. The Department for Education (the -�DfE-�) withheld the former under the effective conduct of public affairs exemption (section 36(2)(c)), and the latter on the grounds that the provision of this information would exceed the appropriate cost limit (section 12). The Commissioner-�s decision is that the DfE has correctly relied upon section 36(2)(c) to withhold the proposal form. However, he has also decided that it cannot rely upon section 12 in order to withhold copies of representations of support for this proposal, with the names and addresses of the supporters redacted. The Commissioner requires the DfE to disclose copies of representations of support for this proposal, with the names and addresses (including email addresses) of third party individuals redacted.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 12 - Complaint Upheld, FOI 36 - Complaint Not upheld