Dorset Council

The complainant has requested information from Dorset Council (“the council“) relating to their complaint about street lighting near their property. The council refused the request on the basis that Regulation 12(4)(a) (internal communications) and Regulation 13 (personal data) applied. The Commissioner’s decision is that the majority of the information is personal data relating to the complainant, and that it is therefore exempt from disclosure under the EIR under Regulation 5(3) (personal data of the applicant). Of the remainder, the Commissioner's decision is that the council was not correct to withhold information under Regulation 12(4)(e) (internal communications), but that it was correct to withhold other information under Regulation 13(1) (personal data). 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 any appropriate redactions under Regulation 5(3) and Regulation 13 of the EIR.