Oxford City Council
- Date 5 February 2023
- Sector Local government
- Decision(s) EIR 11.4: Upheld, EIR 12.5.e: Upheld, EIR 14.1: Upheld, EIR 5.1: Not upheld
The complainant requested information relating to the construction of eco homes. Oxford City Council (the “council”) disclosed some information and withheld other information under the exemption for commercial interests (section 43(2) of the FOIA. During the Commissioner’s investigation the council disclosed additional information and reconsidered the request under the EIR, withholding information under the exception for commercial confidentiality (regulation 12(5)(e)). The Commissioner’s decision is that the council wrongly handled the request under the FOIA and breached regulation 5(1), 11(4) and 14(1) and that it failed to demonstrate that the exception in regulation 12(5)(e) was engaged. The Commissioner requires the council to disclose the cost of contracts identified in part 4 of the request.