Swaffham Bulbeck Parish Council

The complainant requested a copy of a specified letter in which she is named, together with the names of any councillors whom had received a copy. Initially, Swaffham Bulbeck Parish Council (the ‘Council’) refused to provide the requested letter, relying on section 36 of FOIA – the exemption for prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs. It confirmed that the letter had been shared only with the Chairperson. Following an internal review, the Council disclosed the two parts of the letter which included the complainant’s name and maintained section 36 applied to the remainder. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Council has properly relied on section 36(2)(c) of FOIA to withhold the remainder of the requested letter, for the reasons set out in this notice. No steps are required as a result of this notice.