Please send me or publish online all the consultation responses for the Devon County Council Consultation Reference: 6049 Braunton Pay & Display Proposal.
This information is exempt from disclosure under Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act (Information Intended for Future Publication).
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held but is intended for future publication in a report being prepared for Cabinet, and will be available on this Democracy Devon webpage in March 2024. Given the publication date is imminent and in line with accepted practices, it is reasonable to withhold this information.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency, which is why we are publishing the responses online in the near future. As the publication date is imminent, there is a low public interest in releasing it under a freedom of information request. There is a strong public interest in preserving staff resources and tax payers money by not duplicating efforts in providing this information unnecessarily under a freedom of information request. Additionally, it is not in the public interest to undermine the consultation process by releasing the information prematurely.
Therefore, in all circumstances of this case, the balance of public interest weighs in favour of withholding this information from disclosure.