Link to IOC for full Decision notice pdf file: Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Local government) [2025] UKICO 347106 (16 May 2025)
The Commissioner's decision is that Greater Manchester Combined Authority ('the Authority') is entitled to withhold some of the correspondence the complainant has requested under section 36(2)(b)(ii) of FOIA. This exemption concerns prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs. The Commissioner requires the Authority to take the following step to ensure compliance with the legislation: If the Authority hasn't already done so, disclose to the complainant the information, formerly withheld under section 36, that it advised in its submission can now be disclosed. Under section 40 of FOIA, any personal data should first be redacted from the information to be disclosed.