ICO Decision: Council entitled to withhold homelessness report

ICO Decision Notices

Filed March 13th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The ICO has issued a decision notice regarding Newport City Council's withholding of a homelessness report. The council was found entitled to withhold information under section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) concerning information provided in confidence. No further action is required by the council.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has ruled that Newport City Council was justified in withholding parts of a homelessness report under section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which protects information provided in confidence. The complainant had requested a report on homelessness and LGBTQ+ people in Gwent, and the council had provided a redacted version, citing this section.

This decision confirms the council's right to withhold the specified information. As the ICO does not require the council to take any further steps, there are no immediate compliance actions mandated for regulated entities based on this specific notice. However, it serves as a reminder for public bodies regarding the application of FOIA section 41 in handling sensitive information.

Source document (simplified)

Newport City Council

Date 13 March 2026
Sector Local government
Decision(s) FOI 41: Not upheld The complainant requested a report relating to a research project on homelessness and LGBTQ+ people in Gwent. Newport City Council (the council) provided a redacted copy of the report, citing section 41 of FOIA (information provided in confidence) to withhold the redacted information. The Commissioner’s decision is that the council was entitled to rely on section 41(1) to withhold the redacted information. The Commissioner does not require the council to take any steps as a result of this decision notice.