Dorset County Council

The complainant requested from Dorset County Council (the Council) information regarding a report which concerns the Partnership for Older People Programme (POPP). The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council has correctly withheld the information to the request under section 41(1) (information provided in confidence) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that as the information had been supplied by an internal colleague within the Council, the exemptions is not engaged. The Commissioner requires the Council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Disclose the requested information – the original report. The Council must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the FOIA and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.