A court has ordered the district council to release confidential documents relating to its controversial relocation project.
In March 2014, East Devon District Council (EDDC) was ordered by the Information Commissioner to publish progress reports given to behind-closed-doors working group meetings on the authority’s proposed move from Sidmouth.
The council chose to appeal the decision rather than release the documents.
The appeal was heard by a tribunal at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in August 2014.
In a decision published yesterday (Tuesday), the tribunal ordered the council to publish a redacted version of the reports.
The judge in the case also took the ‘unusual and unfortunate step’ of criticising the council’s conduct during the appeal, which he described as ‘discourteous and unhelpful’ at times.
Before any documents are published, EDDC can choose to apply to appeal the decision of the tribunal.
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