West of England Combined Authority

The complainant requested from The West of England Combined Authority (‘the council’) information relating to the appointment of its Interim Chief Executive. The council refused the request on the basis that the exemption in 43(2) of FOIA applied (prejudice to commercial interests). The Commissioner’s decision is that the council was not correct to withhold the information under section 43(2). The Commissioner requires the council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. To disclose the withheld information to the complainant subject to the redactions specified under section 40(2) of FOIA, and the appropriate redaction of bank account details.