Tees Valley Combined Authority

The complainant has made a five-part request to Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) for statistical information on the handling of FOI requests by the combined authority during 2024, including numbers of FOI request received, timeliness of responses, internal reviews, ICO investigations and upheld complaints, as well as staff numbers for handling such requests. TVCA stated that the majority of the requested information was publicly available and provided a link to access the information. It stated that the number of staff employed to handle FOI requests was less than five. It refused to provide the precise number under section 40(2) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that TVCA is not entitled to rely on section 40(2) of FOIA to withhold the precise number of staff employed by the combined authority to handle FOI requests. The Commissioner requires TVCA disclose the precise number of staff employed by the combined authority to handle FOI requests within 30 calendar days.