London Borough of Sutton

The complainant submitted a request to the London Borough of Sutton (the Council) seeking information about changes to parking restrictions at a particular location. The Council disclosed some information to the complainant but withheld additional information on the basis of regulations 12(5)(f) (interests of the person who provided the information to the public authority) and 13(1) (personal data) of the EIR. The complainant disputed the application of these exceptions and also argued that the Council was likely to hold further information. During the course of the Commissioner’s investigation the Council located additional information part of which it disclosed and part which it sought to withhold. The Commissioner’s decision is that on the balance of probabilities the Council has now located all of the information it holds falling within the scope of the request and that the information which the Council is seeking to withhold is exempt from disclosure on the basis of regulations 12(5)(f) and 13(1) of the EIR. However, given its delays in handling this request the Council breached the procedural requirements contained at regulations 5(2) and 14(2) of the EIR.