Information Commissioner's Office

Arch The Northumberland Development Company

5 January 2015, Private companies

The complainant has requested information held by Arch: The Northumberland Development Company (“Arch”) in relation to the Berwick Portas Pilot. Arch responded withholding some of the information. During the course of the investigation, it transpired that the withheld information was now otherwise available to the complainant, but he was concerned that further information was held which had not been located. Some further information was then discovered and disclosed. The Commissioner’s decision is that Arch failed to comply fully with section 1 as all the requested information had not been provided in response to the request. The additional information was provided outside 20 working days, and so the Commissioner finds that Arch breached section 10. In addition to this, he finds that the initial response did not provide adequate advice and assistance and therefore Arch breached section 16. The Commissioner is satisfied that on the balance of probabilities all the information has now been located and provided. As such he does not require Arch to take any steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.

FOI 1: Upheld FOI 10: Upheld FOI 16: Upheld