EIR 12(4)(a)

EIR 12(4)(a) exemption - not held

tbc

What the law says

Regulation 12.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a public authority may refuse to disclose information to the extent that—

(a) it does not hold that information when an applicant’s request is received;

In order to interpret this regulation, it is necessary to consider what is meant by "hold". This requires reference to Regulation 3:

Regulation 3.

(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), these Regulations apply to public authorities.

(2) For the purposes of these Regulations, environmental information is held by a public authority if the information -

(a) is in the authority's possession and has been produced or received by the authority; or

(b) is held by another person on behalf of the authority.

Official guidance

• http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/policy/opengov/eir/guidance/full-guidance/pdf/guidance-7.pdf
• http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/policy/opengov/eir/guidance/holdinginfo.htm
• http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/environmental_info_reg/introductory/eip076_guidance_for_pub_doc_version3.pdf

ICO Decision Notices

Complaints upheld / partly upheld (P)

Complaints not upheld

FS50078600 - Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs - 05/02/2007

FS50209501 - Torridge District Council - 31/03/2010 FER0271919 - Chorley Borough Council - 18/03/2010 FER0239956 - Cheshire East Council (formerly Macclesfield Borough Council) - 04/02/2010 FER0253845 - Rural Payments Agency - 21/12/2009 FS50260693 - Chesterfield Borough Council - 03/12/2009 FS50230572 - Northamptonshire County Council - 09/11/2009 FS50193203 - Huntingdonshire District Council - 05/11/2009 FER0228185 - East Lindsey District Council - 27/10/2009 FER0201165 - Natural England - 24/08/2009 FS50209611 - The Highways Agency - 16/07/2009 FS50204499 - Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council - 17/02/2009 FER0162545 - London Borough of Waltham Forest - 18/09/2008 FS50142681 - Torbay Council - 19/02/2008 FER0162211 - Sutton and East Surrey Water plc - 12/11/2007

Includes DNs up to: 26 April 2010

Environmental Information Regulations 2004

Exceptions

12(3) 12(4)(a) 12(4)(b) 12(4)(c) 12(4)(d) 12(4)(e) 12(5)(a) 12(5)(b) 12(5)(c) 12(5)(d) 12(5)(e) 12(5)(f) 12(5)(g)