Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

The complainant has requested information from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (the council) relating to named councillors use of the internal audit department and correspondence/communications between those named councillors and council staff, including the Chief Executive, concerning audit investigations. He also requested the information relating to house deals regarding one named councillor and house and land deals relating to another named councillor. The council belatedly provided some links to information in the public domain but withheld the remainder of the information under section 30(1) and (2), section 41(1) and section 40(2). The Commissioner’s decision is that the council has correctly withheld the information under section 30(1)(b) and section 40(2). She also considers that no further information is held in relation to part one of the request on the balance of probability. However, the council breached section 10(1) by failing to provide links to its website within 20 working days. The Commissioner does not require the council to take any steps. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2019/0115 disposed by consent.