Leicestershire County Council

The complainant made a batch request for information to a number of public authorities about reports of attempts to obtain a school place by fraudulent means. Leicestershire County Council (the council) provided some information in scope of the request and explained that the remaining information was being withheld as it related to third-party identifiable individuals. 
The Commissioner’s decision is that the council was not entitled to rely upon section 40(2) (third-party personal data) of FOIA to withhold the requested information. He also finds that the council failed to provide an adequate refusal notice within 20 working days, therefore was in breach of section 17(1) of FOIA.
The Commissioner requires the council to take the following step to ensure compliance with the legislation.
•        Disclose the requested information.
The council must take this step within 30 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.