Department for Education
- Date 3 August 2020
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) EIR 12.5.g: Not upheld, EIR 5.2: Not upheld
The complainant has requested ecological information relating to Claverham Community College from the Department for Education (the “DfE”). The DfE initially refused to provide the information under Regulation 12(5)(g) – protection of the environment. During the Commissioner’s investigation the DfE reconsidered the request and disclosed the information because it believed the public interest was, by that time, weighted in favour of disclosure. Having been asked by the complainant to investigate the position at the time of the request, the Commissioner has determined that the DfE correctly cited Regulation 12(5)(g) and that the public interest then favoured maintaining the exception. Consequently, the Commissioner has concluded that the DfE did not breach Regulation 5(2). The Commissioner requires no steps to be taken.