Staffordshire University

The Commissioner’s decision is that Staffordshire University (‘the University’) correctly applied section 36(2)(b)(i) of FOIA to the requested health and safety report as disclosing the report would be likely to inhibit the free and frank provision of advice. To the degree that any information in the report is environmental information, regulation 12(4)(e) of the EIR is engaged, which concerns internal communications. However, for both section 36(2)(b)(i) and regulation 12(4)(e) at the time of the request the public interest favoured disclosing the report. The Commissioner requires the University to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Disclose the inspection report that falls within scope of the complainant’s request, with any personal data redacted as appropriate.