AFTER a seven-month wait, the outcome of a costly tribunal which examined whether East Devon District Council should publish reports regarding its controversial relocation project, is expected imminently.
So far, the council has spent £10,200 on legal costs in its appeal against the Information Commissioner’s decision that it should have disclosed certain information regarding its relocation project, as a result of a Freedom of Information request made by Sidmouth resident Jeremy Woodward.
Following the hearing at Exeter Magistrates’ Court on August 28, further written submissions were made and, at the time, a four-week wait was expected. However, the legal process instead continued for almost seven months, and due to legal sensitivities the authority has not been able to give any details as to why.
In February 2013, Mr Woodward requested all internal correspondence between council officials regarding the office relocation. This, and requested minutes from Office Relocation Working Party group meetings, were refused.
However, the commissioner ruled that reports written by an outside consultant were not covered by exemptions and should be revealed.
Deputy chief executive Richard Cohen told the First Tier Tribunal at Exeter Magistrates’ Court that the role of the author of the reports, project manager Steve Pratten, who works for Davis Langdon LLP, closely resembles that of an officer and therefore the contents of his reports should not be disclosed.
The judgement was expected last Friday, March 27, but was not forthcoming.
Criticism was heaped on the council for scheduling its full council meeting, to decide upon its office relocation, two days before the tribunal decision was due. On Wednesday, March 25, members resolved to relocate from its Sidmouth headquarters to new purpose-built offices in Honiton, and Exmouth Town Hall.
A council spokesperson, said: “The council is surprised that the target date has passed and the outcome of the tribunal’s deliberations has not yet been handed down.
“Along with all the other parties, we await the judgment and hope that the waiting will soon be over, but we are subject to the tribunal’s scheduling.”
East Devon Watch 