London Borough of Croydon

The complainant has requested information relating to Rapid Reviews conducted by the London Borough of Croydon (the council) following child deaths and serious injuries. The council provided some of the information but relied on section 21 of FOIA (Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means) to withhold part 3 of the request. It also decided in relation to part 2 of the request that the information is held on behalf of Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) and therefore, does not fall within the provisions of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the requested information is held by the council for the purposes of FOIA. He also considers that the council was not entitled to rely on section 21 of FOIA to withhold part 3 of the complainant’s request as the links provided do not enable the complainant to access the relevant information. The Commissioner requires the council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Issue a fresh response to the request in accordance with FOIA, on the basis that the requested information is held for the purposes of FOIA for part 2 of the request. Disclose the information it withheld under section 21 in relation to part 3 of the request.