FOI request (FOIR-852674595)

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding your council's digital transformation initiatives. I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions, or send on to the correct person:-

This freedom of information request is for communications (print, post, and digital)

 

Dear Sir or Madam,

This request is made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I would be grateful if you could provide the information below for your local authority.

Unless otherwise stated, please provide figures covering the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Print and Postal Communications

1. The total number of letters sent by the authority.
2. Of these letters:
• a. Number sent via 1st class post
• b. Number sent via 2nd class post
3. The number of letters printed and posted in‑house.
4. The number of letters sent via a hybrid mail service.
5. If hybrid mail is used:
• a. The name of the hybrid mail provider (e.g. Whistl, UK Mail, etc.).
• b. The date the current arrangement was agreed.
• c. The contract expiry date (if applicable).

Digital Communication Portals

6. The number of digital communication portals currently operated by the authority.
7. The name(s) of the digital portal provider(s).
8. For each digital portal:
• a. The month and year it went live
• b. The number of citizens registered
• c. The approximate number of communications sent via the portal during the period.
9. The preferred framework used (if any) for procuring digital communication platforms.

Digital Transformation and Channel Mix

10. Please state whether the authority has an active digital transformation programme relating to citizen communications (yes/no).
11. Whether the authority uses email as an outbound communication channel for residents (yes/no).

Responsible Roles

12. The name of the Manager responsible for:

• a. Print and post management
• b. Parking services
• c. Accounts payable
• d. Digital transformation

13. For each role above, please provide a Specific email address where available.

If any of the information is already publicly available, please direct me to the relevant webpage.

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding your council's digital transformation initiatives. I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions, or send on to the correct person:-

This freedom of information request is for communications (print, post, and digital)

 

Dear Sir or Madam,

This request is made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I would be grateful if you could provide the information below for your local authority.

Unless otherwise stated, please provide figures covering the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Print and Postal Communications

1. The total number of letters sent by the authority.

Answer: Information not held

2. Of these letters:

Answer: N/A

• a. Number sent via 1st class post
• b. Number sent via 2nd class post
2. The number of letters printed and posted in‑house.

Answer: Information not held

4. The number of letters sent via a hybrid mail service.

Answer: Information not held  

5. If hybrid mail is used:
• a. The name of the hybrid mail provider (e.g. Whistl, UK Mail, etc.).

Answer:

NOTICE OF REFUSAL

The information you have requested is commercially sensitive and falls under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act – Commercially Sensitive Information

 

Information prejudicing commercial interests – commercial interest relating to an organisations commercial activity and may include trading activity procurement and relationships with third parties.

 

The exemption afforded by Section 43 is subject to what is known as the ‘public interest test’.  When applying the test in a particular case a public authority is deciding whether the public interest is better served by non-disclosure than by disclosure. 

 

Although the Freedom of Information Act does not define ‘in the public interest’, there is a presumption under Freedom of Information that openness is in the public interest.  In applying the public interest test a public authority will take into account the distinction that has been often made by courts between things that are in the public interest, and things that merely interest the public.  Where applicants have not identified public interest considerations succinctly or accurately, the public authority has a responsibility under the Act to make their own assessment of the public interest considerations in the particular case.

 

We have identified the following public interest factors that may be seen as encouraging the disclosure of information:

 

a)    accountability of public spending

 

We consider these factors to be of limited relevance in relation to the information in question.

 

Public interest factors seen as encouraging non-disclosure are, generally, the exemptions themselves.   In consideration of this matter we came to the following conclusions:

 

a)   ensuring that companies are able to compete for business fairly

b)   damage to reputation and/or financial interests

In weighing the factors for and against disclosure we have concluded that the likely benefit to the applicant and the wider public of disclosure is outweighed by the likely prejudice caused by such disclosure and that therefore the public interest is better served by non-disclosure. 

 

For the reasons given above we will not be communicating to you the information you have requested.

 

 

• b. The date the current arrangement was agreed.

Answer: October 2018

• c. The contract expiry date (if applicable).

Answer: November 2027

Digital Communication Portals

6. The number of digital communication portals currently operated by the authority.

Answer: One

7. The name(s) of the digital portal provider(s).

Answer:

NOTICE OF REFUSAL

The information you have requested is commercially sensitive and falls under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act – Commercially Sensitive Information

 

Information prejudicing commercial interests – commercial interest relating to an organisations commercial activity and may include trading activity procurement and relationships with third parties.

 

The exemption afforded by Section 43 is subject to what is known as the ‘public interest test’.  When applying the test in a particular case a public authority is deciding whether the public interest is better served by non-disclosure than by disclosure. 

 

Although the Freedom of Information Act does not define ‘in the public interest’, there is a presumption under Freedom of Information that openness is in the public interest.  In applying the public interest test a public authority will take into account the distinction that has been often made by courts between things that are in the public interest, and things that merely interest the public.  Where applicants have not identified public interest considerations succinctly or accurately, the public authority has a responsibility under the Act to make their own assessment of the public interest considerations in the particular case.

 

We have identified the following public interest factors that may be seen as encouraging the disclosure of information:

 

a)    accountability of public spending

 

We consider these factors to be of limited relevance in relation to the information in question.

 

Public interest factors seen as encouraging non-disclosure are, generally, the exemptions themselves.   In consideration of this matter we came to the following conclusions:

 

a)   ensuring that companies are able to compete for business fairly

b)   damage to reputation and/or financial interests

In weighing the factors for and against disclosure we have concluded that the likely benefit to the applicant and the wider public of disclosure is outweighed by the likely prejudice caused by such disclosure and that therefore the public interest is better served by non-disclosure. 

 

For the reasons given above we will not be communicating to you the information you have requested.

 

8. For each digital portal:
• a. The month and year it went live

Answer: Information not held

• b. The number of citizens registered

Answer: 29,000

• c. The approximate number of communications sent via the portal during the period.

Answer: One newsletter each week, 52 for the year

9. The preferred framework used (if any) for procuring digital communication platforms.

Digital Transformation and Channel Mix

10. Please state whether the authority has an active digital transformation programme relating to citizen communications (yes/no).

Answer: No

11. Whether the authority uses email as an outbound communication channel for residents (yes/no).

Answer: Yes

Responsible Roles

12. The name of the Manager responsible for:

• a. Print and post management

Answer: Verna Connolly, Head of People and Business Support – email: vconnolly@hastings.gov.uk

• b. Parking services

Answer: Natasha Tewkesbury, Head of Community and Regulatory Services – email: ntewkesbury@hastings.gov.uk

• c. Accounts payable

Answer: Kit Wheeler, Chief Finance Officer – kit.wheeler@hastings.gov.uk

• d. Digital transformation

Answer: Stephen Dodson, Head of Strategic Programmes – email: sdodson@hastings.gov.uk

13. For each role above, please provide a Specific email address where available.

Answer: Please see above