Information Commissioner's Office

Bridgnorth District Council

12 May 2015, Local government (District council)

The complainant has requested information relating to tenders for provision of the 2014 Christmas lights. Bridgnorth Town Council disclosed some information and withheld other information because it was subject to “commercial confidentiality”; it also suggested that the request was vexatious. The Commissioner’s decision is that Bridgnorth Town Council: Failed to issue a compliant refusal notice and breached section 17(1) and 17(5) of the FOIA. Failed to demonstrate that the request was vexatious under section 14(1) and failed to show that the exemption for prejudice to commercial interests (section 43(2) was engaged. The Commissioner requires the public authority to disclose the requested tender information to the complainant. The public authority must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.

FOI 14: Upheld FOI 17: Upheld FOI 43: Upheld