Smiley Buildings has also reviewed its Freedom of Information procedures and put new controls in place.

We reported last week that internet applicant Nick McBride had lodged a formal complaint with the council, following its refusal to release all the information he had requested.

Mr McBride wanted a breakdown of costs for creating, developing and maintaining the site, as well as the identity of the council's external provider and an estimate of the cost of staff time.

The council responded with only development and maintenance costs which totalled £41,107 and staff costs calculated at £3,500 per annum. Smiley Buildings maintained it was "not possible to break these costs out by function" and insisted that legislation prevented it from making public the identity of its private sector service provider.

However, last Thursday the council reported it had completed a review of Mr McBride's complaint and provided all the information requested.

The council wrote to Mr McBride, "It is agreed that there was a failure to follow due process with regard to this application and that you should have been informed that part of your request had been rejected and the reason for the rejection should have been provided.

"It is also agreed that there was a failure to issue a formal refusal notice, a failure to explain why revealing the name of Larne Borough Council's internet supplier would prejudice its commercial interests and a failure to provide evidence of the application of the public interest test.

"Larne Borough Council apologises for this and for failing to inform you of our complaints and internal review process."

The council added, "Following your complaint Larne Borough Council has reviewed its Freedom of Information procedures and has placed further controls in place.

"With regards to your initial request Larne Borough Council has determined to disclose all the information which it holds."

The letter indicates that from 2003-06 Larne Borough Council's website was developed and maintained by Castle Web Solutions. In 2007 EG Information Consulting was contracted to develop a new website.

The council went on to provide a yearly synopsis of costs for website development, hosting and updates.