The council has been ordered by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to release details of its contract with a commercial partner for repairs and maintenance of Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre, in Stowmarket.

Former county swimming champion Ray Cattermole, 70, made the request under the Freedom of Information Act because he feels disabled users have been short-changed over improvements at the centre.

Mr Cattermole, who has helped with the Big Splash Swimming classes for the disabled, was concerned the centre was concentrating on high-earning areas, like the gym and family swimming, at the expense of disabled fitness.

"You don't get this from the ICO without a struggle. I have been pushing for this for three to four years," he said.

The council has been give 35 days to provide the information.

"I got the impression from what was going on that their main concern was preparing the centre for privatisation," said Mr Cattermole, who lives in Earl Stonham.

The council provided an edited version of the contract but told Mr Cattermole it was unwilling to release the financial information, saying it would breach confidentiality, set a precedent and possibly prevent the council getting best price for future projects.

But assistant commissioner Anne Jones said the contract, which is four years old, was unlikely to prejudice the commercial interests of either the council or the contractor.

She also criticised the council for taking months to deal with Mr Cattermole's request for an internal review and for unacceptable delays in providing additional information and explanations throughout the investigation.

"The council repeatedly refused to provide material in a timely manner and the ICO has now formally reminded the council of its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act," an ICO spokesman said.

A council spokeswoman said: "We have been so transparent in the way we deal with freedom of information, so this has come as a surprise to us.

"We are inclined to appeal and are taking advice."

Have your say on this article - scroll to the top of the
story and click on 'comment' or email the editor with your
views.
href="http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/sectionhome.
aspx?sectionid=843">Click here to go back to our main news
index.