Decision notice FS50607698

The complainant submitted a number of requests to Surrey County Council (the Council) seeking information about library staff. The Council provided the majority of the information requested but refused to disclose the number of staff who had received ‘departure payments’ when leaving the Council and also refused to disclose the total cost of these departure payments. The Council argued that both pieces of information were exempt from disclosure on the basis of section 40(2) of FOIA. The Commissioner has concluded that the Council was entitled to rely on this exemption to withhold both pieces of information. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2016/0107 dismissed.