24 January 2017, Local government (District council)
The complainant has requested information from Horsham District Council about the proposed restoration of a quarry site. The Council disclosed some information and withheld the remainder under the exception provided by section 12(4)(e) of the Environmental Information Regulations. The complainant subsequently contested the Council’s application of this exception. The Commissioner’s decision is that part of the withheld information does not constitute internal communications for the purposes of regulation 12(4)(e). The remaining withheld information does constitute internal communications, but the public interest test favours disclosure. The Commissioner requires the public authority to take the following steps: Disclose the withheld information, ensuring that any personal data is redacted in accordance with the Council’s obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998.
EIR 12(4)(e): Upheld