London Borough of Hillingdon

1. The complainant has requested information relating to applications for relief in business rates liability under Section 44A of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. The London Borough Council of Hillingdon (the council) disclosed some of the information but refused to disclose the remaining information citing section 31(1)(a) of FOIA (Law enforcement) and section 41(1) of FOIA (Information provided in confidence) as its basis for doing so. The Commissioner’s decision is that the council was correct to rely on section 31 of FOIA to withhold the information and the public interest lies in maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner does not require further steps to be taken.