9 July 2015, Local government (Unitary council)
The complainant requested information from North Lincolnshire Council (“the council”) on the subject of what representations Leonard Cheshire Disability had made to the council regarding increases in the fees paid for the social care provided by them in order to pay carers the living wage. The council relied on the exemption under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the FOIA”). This exemption relates to commercial interests. At the start of the Commissioner’s investigation, the council decided to withdraw its reliance on the exemption and disclose the information. The Commissioner finds that the council breached sections 1(1)(b), 10(1) and 17(1) of the FOIA. There are no steps to take.
FOI 1: Upheld FOI 10: Upheld FOI 17: Upheld