ICO Decision Notice: FOI exemption for parking machine data upheld

ICO Decision Notices

Filed March 13th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a decision notice regarding a Freedom of Information (FOI) complaint against East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The ICO found that the council correctly applied the law enforcement exemption (FOI 31(1)(a)) to withhold parking machine data, and the public interest favors maintaining this exemption.

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What changed

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has ruled that East Riding of Yorkshire Council was correct in withholding parking machine data from April 5-12, 2025, by citing section 31(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which relates to law enforcement. The ICO's decision notice confirms that the exemption was properly applied and that the public interest supports keeping the information exempt.

This decision means that no further action is required from the council regarding this specific complaint. For public bodies, this reinforces the validity of using the law enforcement exemption in similar circumstances, particularly when disclosure could prejudice law enforcement activities. Compliance officers should note that the ICO has affirmed the council's position, indicating a consistent application of FOIA exemptions.

Source document (simplified)

East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Date 13 March 2026
Sector Local government
Decision(s) FOI 31(1)(a): Not upheld The complainant has requested information about the total amount collected by Bridlington Park and Ride parking machines during 5-12 April 2025. East Riding of Yorkshire (the council) refused to disclose the requested information citing section 31(1)(a) of FOIA (law enforcement) as its basis for doing so. The Commissioner’s decision is that the council has correctly applied section 31(1)(a) of FOIA to withhold the requested information and that the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner does not require further steps as a result of this decision notice.