The Government has rejected a Freedom of Information (FoI) request submitted by The MJ asking for the bids submitted as part of the September 4 devolution deadline.

Whitehall received the application on October 2 while The MJ was conducting research into the transparency of the ‘devolution revolution'. 

  

The request was postponed twice because the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) was ‘considering the public interest test and section 35 (i) (a) of the Act, which concerns information that relates to the formulation or development of government policy'. 

A final response received yesterday confirmed the department held the information but was unable to provide it because 'as ministers have yet to take decisions on any future bids it will be clear that the information you have requested relates to the formulation and development of government policy'.

The reply read:  ‘There is always a degree of benefit in making information held by public authorities available as it can be expected to increase public participation in decision making, and aid the transparency and accountability of government. 

‘However, we have been very clear that this agenda is about enabling local leaders to steer their own devolution journey, and the Government will not impose a process of public engagement and will not instruct local areas on how they should engage their neighbourhoods and communities.

‘This is a complex, innovative and iterative policy so it is particularly important that those concerned can continue discussions freely until final agreements are made.'

The rejection came amid lively debate about the future of the FoI Act. 

Whitehall has created an independent commission to review the legislation and could implement charges for requests.

Addressing the independent cross party review of FoI chaired by deputy Labour leader Tom Watson, the former head of the civil service and ex-DCLG permanent secretary Sir Bob Kerslake stressed the importance of the Act.

He said: ‘It tips the balance towards openness and that is absolutely fundamental.

'We have, in my view, a yawning gap between the governing and the governed in this country, and the only way we can restore that trust is to become more accountable - not less. 

‘Anything which seems to restrict that accountability is, in my view, a false move.'

Last week council leaders called for tighter controls on FoI requests, claiming they have been a ‘burden'.

The Local Government Association said: ‘We support the overwhelming view of local authorities in favour of reducing the burden of FoI through stricter controls and/or reducing the fee limit in order to focus resources on disclosure of information on grounds of genuine public interest, rather than on commercial or research interest or on handling frivolous or vexatious requests.'