University of Exeter

The complainant has requested information about a Community Panel and a Resident Liaison Group. The University of Exeter (‘the University’) disclosed the majority of the requested information and withheld the names and job titles of the group members under section 40 and 41 of FOIA. These exemptions concern personal data and information provided in confidence respectively. The Commissioner’s decision is that the University correctly applied section 40(2) to the majority of the requested information but incorrectly applied both section 40(2) and section 41(1) to the name of the Community Panel Chair. The Commissioner requires the University to take the following step to ensure compliance with the legislation. The complainant has the name of the Community Panel Chair through the associated Terms of Reference that the University disclosed to them. However, the University should disclose the Chair’s name where it appears in the redacted Community Panel meeting minutes that the University also disclosed to the complainant. First-tier tribunal (General Regulatory chamber) information rights appeal EA/2023/0310 appeal allowed.