High Peak Borough Council

The complainant requested a breakdown of fees paid to consultants between 1998 and 2011, in connection with a development project. High Peak Borough Council (HPBC) provided some information relating to limited companies, but withheld the remainder on the grounds that it was the personal data of sole traders and was therefore exempt under section 40(2). The Commissioner’s decision is that HPBC cited the exemption provided by section 40(2) incorrectly and that this information should have been disclosed. The Commissioner requires the public authority to disclose the names of and fees paid to the three consultants whose details were withheld.