Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

The complainant requested copies of correspondence and communications between HRH The Prince of Wales (or officials acting on his behalf) and specific individuals and departments within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (the Council) regarding issues around homelessness, rough sleepers, provision of housing and the Homewards initiative. The Council disclosed some information and withheld other information under sections 37(1)(aa) (communications with the heir to or second in line to the Throne) and 41 (information provided in confidence). During the course of the Commissioner’s investigation withdrew reliance on section 41 and also sought to rely on section 40(2) (personal information) for some of the withheld information. The Commissioner’s decision is that, on the balance of probabilities, the Council does not hold any further information falling within the scope of the request, and it is entitled to rely on sections 37(1)(aa) and 40(2) as its basis for refusing to provide the remaining withheld information. However, in failing to respond to the request within the statutory time period, the Commissioner finds that the Council breached section 10 of the FOIA. The Commissioner does not require any steps to be taken.