Mid Sussex District Council
- Date 10 March 2026
- Sector Local government
- Decision(s) EIR 12(4)(a): Not upheld, EIR 12(5)(b): Not upheld, EIR 5(1): Not upheld, EIR 5(2): Upheld
The complainant has requested information regarding an investigation carried out by the council relating to a poisoning allegation. Mid Sussex District Council (“the council”), said that some information is not held, and applied the exemptions in Regulations 12(4)(e) (internal communications), and Regulation 12(5)(b) of FOIA to withhold other information. The Commissioner’s decision is that the council was correct to apply the exceptions cited, and that, on a balance of probabilities, it does not hold any further information falling within the scope of the complainant's request. He has however, found that the council did not comply with Regulation 5(2) in that it did not provide its initial response within 20 working days of receiving the request. The Commissioner does not require the council to take any further steps.