Department for Communities and Local Government

The complainant has requested information regarding the lobbying and communication around the decision to use the Devolution Act and suspend the existing involvement of the Boundary Commission in relation to the merger of Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Department for Communities and Local Government has incorrectly applied the exemption for information that relates to the formulation or development of government policy at section 35(1)(a) of the FOIA. She requires the public authority to disclose the information withheld under section 35(1)(a) of the FOIA in order to ensure compliance with the legislation. This decision notice is currently under appeal to the Tribunal.