Nottingham City Council

The complainant has requested information relating to a planning application. Nottingham City Council initially responded to the request by disclosing some information, and explaining that the remainder was withheld under the exceptions provided by regulation 12(4)(e) (Internal communications) and regulation 13 (Personal data). During the course of investigation, the Council revised its position, and instead sought to withhold the information under regulation 12(4)(b) (Manifestly unreasonable requests) on the grounds of cost. The Commissioner’s decision is that regulation 12(4)(b) is engaged and that the balance of the public interest favours maintaining the exception. However, the Council’s handling of the request breached regulation 5(2) (Time for compliance), regulation 11(4) (Representations and reconsideration) and regulation 14(2) (Refusal to disclose information). The Commissioner does not require further steps, but refers the Council to the points raised in ‘Other matters’.