Conwy County Borough Council

The complainant made a verbal request for information from the Council in relation to the strengthening and replacement of a local bridge. The Council considered the request under the Act and stated that the three reports requested were exempt from disclosure by virtue of the Local Government Act 1972. The Council later confirmed its reliance on section 36 of the Act. The Commissioner determined that the information was environmental, and asked the Council to reconsider the request under the EIR. The Council stated that the three reports in question were exempt from disclosure by virtue of regulation 12(4)(e). The Commissioner’s decision is that regulation 12(4)(e) is applicable to the information, but he has decided that the public interest in maintaining the exception does not outweigh the public interest in disclosure.