15 July 2014, Local government (Borough council)
The complainant requested information about the academic and professional qualifications relating to the Ombudsman himself and a number of named employees. The Public Services Ombudsman (‘the PSOW’) stated it did not hold information relating to the Ombudsman and refused to provide the other requested information under section 40(2). During the course of the Commissioner’s investigation, the PSOW located some information relevant to the Ombudsman, which it disclosed to the complainant. The Commissioner’s decision is that the PSOW does not hold any further recorded information relating to the academic and professional qualifications of the Ombudsman and that it correctly withheld information relating to other members of staff under section 40(2). The Commissioner does not require any steps to be taken. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2014/0210 allowed.
FOI 14: Not upheld