Date: 24 December 2018
Jen Persson
Our Ref: 181303/F15
Via whatdotheyknow : request-535168-
Your Ref: 00000
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Direct Line: 00000
Email: xxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Sir / Madam
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 – INFORMATION REQUEST
I am writing to advise you that the Council has decided not to disclose the information you requested on
28 November 2018. I would like to apologise on behalf of the Council for the delay in responding to you
which has been necessary as we consulted with partners.
In accordance with s.17 of the Act this letter acts as a Refusal Notice. There are two reasons outlined for
our refusal.
Reason 1
The information you requested is being withheld under the exemption(s) described below. In applying
this exemption we have had to balance the public interest in withholding the information against the
public interest in disclosing this information. The reasons why the public interest favours withholding
information are also described below.
The exemption applied is:
Section 31 Law Enforcement
This applies because:
Section 31(1)(a) exempts information if disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the
prevention or detection of crime;
Section 31(1)(b) exempts information if disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the
apprehension or prosecution of offenders;
Section 31()(g) exempts information where the public authority is exercising its functions for any
of the purposes later specified in subsection (2) of the same (particulary (2)(a), (b) and (c)).
The information you requested relates to the certain criminal acts in the form of radicalisation.
It is the Council’s view that the requested information regarding the Channel and Prevent
strategy and, associated multi-agency processes and policies, alongside the number of cases and
the amounts spent on these is caught by this application and that disclosure could lead to the
identification of counter-terrorism work undertaken within the town and borough.
Information Governance Team
Contact
Blackpool Council
T: (01253) 477 477
PO Box 4
Blackpool, FY1 1NA
www.blackpool.gov.uk
The application of this exemption requires a public interest test in disclosure. Whilst the Council
accepts that there is a public interest in transparency and accountability. The Council also
acknowledged that the public would have an interest in knowing that the Council is taking steps
to ensure public safety as far as possible and dealing with such cases. However, it is the
Council’s view that the public would also expect the Council to take appropriate steps to prevent
radicalisation and criminal acts, and there is an expectation that any related policies, strategies
and those of our partners to be held confidentially to avoid others learning how to circumvent
these. There is a real and significant threat to the public from those who are radicalised, and a
threat to those who may be identified by the disclosure of numbers etc.
Therefore on this occasion, it is the Council’s view that the public interest in disclosure does not
outweigh the public interest in maintaining the exemption.
Reason 2
We do hold some information in relation to your request but the cost of locating and retrieving the
information exceeds the ‘appropriate limit’ as stated in the Freedom of Information (Fees and
Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004. In accordance with s.17 of the Act this letter acts as a Refusal
Notice.
You may wish to refine and resubmit your request so that it reduces the cost to within the appropriate
limit. For example, agreeing to a shorter time period or reducing the number of questions in your
request. Please contact me if you would like advice on how to do this.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request you may ask for an internal review and you
should submit this in writing to: FOI Internal Review, Blackpool Council, PO Box 4, Blackpool, FY1 1NA.
Your request for internal review should be submitted within 40 working days of receipt by you of this
response.
If you are not happy with the outcome of the review, you have the right to apply directly to the
Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision. You can contact the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF,
(www.ico.org.uk). If you have any queries about this letter you can contact me, or write to: FOI, PO Box 4, Blackpool, FY1
1NA, or email us a
t xxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx. Please remember to quote your reference number when
you contact us.
Yours sincerely
Mrs D Topping MBA LLM
Information Governance Manager
Information Governance Team
Contact
Blackpool Council
T: (01253) 477 477
PO Box 4
Blackpool, FY1 1NA
www.blackpool.gov.uk