London Borough of Lambeth

The complainant has requested minutes from the London Borough of Lambeth (LBL)’s “Investment Committee”. There was an exchange between the parties to clarify what this group was then LBL provided some redacted information but refused to provide the remainder. It cited section 36 (prejudice to provision of advice) as its basis for doing so. It failed to provide the complainant with an internal review. The Commissioner’s decision is that LBL is entitled to rely on section 36(2)(b) as its basis for withholding the requested information. LBL should, however, provide the names of senior officers as they appear in the minutes, redacted copies of which it has already provided to the complainant. This information is not otherwise exempt under section 40 (personal information). The Commissioner is also satisfied that other minutes of meetings are not held. The Commissioner requires LBL to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Disclose the names of senior officers as they appear in the redacted minutes which LBL has already provided. The public authority must take these steps 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.