Cheshire West and Chester Council

The complainant has requested information relating to ‘gagging orders’ to which former planning staff have been subjected to. The Commissioner’s decision is that Cheshire West and Chester Council does not have a duty in this case to comply with section 1(1)(a) of the FOIA on the basis of the exemption contained within section 40(5)(b)(i). He does not require the public authority to take any steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.