I am formally requesting DAP to provide me with all the information held regarding the commissioning and execution of the investigation of 3 Rivers Housing Company undertaken by DAP for Mid Devon District Council. This to include all emails, documents and notes of conversation, both internal and external, in connection with this investigation.
Whilst the final outcome report of the investigation has now been published, and is now public knowledge, I understand that you might wish to redact some of the information requested. I ask that you keep any redaction to the absolute minimum allowed by the legislation and justify each and every redaction made with the appropriate legal justification being claimed
We can only consider this request on behalf of Devon County Council. Devon Audit Partnership (DAP) provide their service to both Devon County Council and Mid Devon District Council.
Any information which is held by DAP on behalf of Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) and not for Devon County Council will be for the ongoing purposes of auditing 3 Rivers and is therefore exempt from disclosure pursuant to section 33 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Further, any information which is held by DAP on behalf of MDDC will be held in confidence and is therefore exempt from disclosure pursuant to section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Further, any disclosure of the information held by DAP with regard to 3 Rivers could compromise their working relationship with MDDC and create difficulties for other audits which are taking place. It is not in the public interest to compromise any public audits and increase public spending on audits; whilst we acknowledge the need for transparency the commercial interests of the council have to be considered. This information is therefore exempt from disclosure pursuant to section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.