Hou83 Report into the Cwmaman Communities First project (Saesneg yn unig)

30 July 2012

Dear

Request for Information – reference 6244

My colleague wrote to you on 3 July 2012 following your request for information. In your request you asked for:

Disclosure of the final investigation report into the Cwmaman Communities First project.

I have decided that the information described above is exempt from disclosure, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  

We have considered the request in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and in particular we have given consideration to whether the exemptions provided by section 31(1) (a) “prevention or detection of crime”, (b) “the apprehension or prosecution of offenders” and (c) “the administration of justice” should be applied.

The Audit Reports for Cwmaman Communities First are being considered as part of an ongoing Police investigation with the suspect named throughout the reports along with other witnesses who are yet to be seen and, particularly if the report is made public at this time, on whom influence might be brought to bear.   We have consulted the police and as a result of their advice we believe that disclosure would prejudice their investigations to the extent that it would be likely that both the detection of any crime and any subsequent prosecution of any offenders would be prejudiced which would prejudice the administration of justice.  

The public interest is, we believe, better served by allowing the appropriate authorities to carry out their investigations unhindered and only once those investigations are completed, should the reports be made available to the public, along with the outcome of the investigations.

As such we believe the public interest lies, at this point in time, with the exemptions being applied and the Report being withheld.

If you believe that I have not followed the relevant laws, or you are unhappy with this response, you may request an internal review by writing to:

Kate Cassidy
Director for Communities and Social Justice
Welsh Government
Merthyr Tydfil Office
Rhydycar
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 1UZ

When dealing with any concerns, we will follow the principles set out in the Welsh Government’s Code of Practice on Complaints which is available on the Internet at www.wales.gov.uk or by post.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner.  Normally, however, you should pursue the matter through our internal procedure before you complain to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545 745
Fax: 01625 524 510
Email: casework@ico.gsi.gov.uk

Also, if you think that there has been maladministration in dealing with your request then you may make a complaint to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales who can be contacted at:

Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
Ffordd yr Hen Gae
Pencoed
Bridgend
CF35 5LJ

Yours sincerely

Communities Division
Welsh Government