Council launches appeal over AFC Telford papers row

The council had been ordered to release hundreds of pages of correspondence with the football club following a complaint made to the Information Commissioner.

Following the decision, it released some information that it had previously refused to under a Freedom of Information request. However, it withheld other correspondence on the grounds in felt it should be kept confidential under certain legislation.

At the time, it said it would appeal the decision made by the Information Commissioner, so it would not have to release the correspondence that it said "relates to ongoing legal discussions relating to the lease for the stadium".

It has now launched the appeal, which has been listed on the Government's website in a table of first-tier tribunal information rights appeals.

Council spokesperson Emily Taylor, said: "Telford & Wrekin Council has appealed part of the ICO decision notice. At the present time, there are no timescales on when the tribunal may make a decision.”

The documents released so far, some of which date back to 2014, include details of a £45,000 loan to AFC Telford from the proceeds of the sale of the Bucks Head pub provided to meet critical stadium safety checks.

The original Freedom of Information request for the correspondence came from Adrian Williams more than a year again, who said the information he received from the council was mostly blacked out.

He said: "I am happy that the commissioner has seen fit to back my position and we will now have to see what is decided by the tribunal."

The authority stated several reasons for refusing to publish more, including health and safety, commercial sensitivity and that information was provided in confidence, according to a report from the Information Commissioner.

However in that report, the Information Commissioner decided that only one of the reasons given was valid – personal data.

It said: "The commissioner requires the public authority to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. To disclose the information that it has withheld by reference to the aforesaid sections."

It did not order the council to disclose information withheld because of personal data reasons.

However, following the decision in March, the council said it still felt it should not have to disclose any information withheld under Sections 41 and 42 of the Freedom of Information Act – information provided in confidence, and legal professional privilege.

The council said it had released copies of ‘the majority’ of correspondence that staff and officers have had with representatives of AFC Telford United.

A statement from the club previously said it welcomed the release of the information as it would end speculation and rumour about the correspondence.