FOI request (FOIR-165929658)

Facilities Contract Data

Requested Mon 06 January 2020
Responded  Fri 07 February 2020

I would like the organisation to review my freedom of information request below, that is focused around contract data for services around facilities management.

For each of the different contracts below, can you please provide me with all the information using the questions below:

1. Office and building cleaning - Service contract that is focus around office, commercial and building cleaning services.

2. Lift service and maintenance - Service contract for lift service and maintenance.

3. Food - Service contract that is focused around catering services.

4. General waste services contracts - The organisation's primary general waste service contract.

5. Laundry services where clothes and linen can be washed and ironed.

Contract profile questionnaire for each type of contract:

a. Supplier/Provider of the services.

b. Total Annual Spend - The spend should only relate to each of the service contract listed above.

c. A description of the services provided under this contract. Please include information if other services are included under the same contract.

d. The number of sites the contract covers.

e. The start date of the contract.

f. The end date of the contract.

g. The duration of the contract. Please include information on any extension periods.

h. Who within the organisation is responsible for each of these contracts? Please provide the name, Job Title, contact number and email address.

Response

NOTICE OF REFUSAL

The information requested in respect of suppliers names and annual spend is exempt 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.

1 - Office and building cleaning

Contract covers Council Buildings x 14, 4 x car parks, Bus Shelters, and 3 x Hastings signs

Contract started in April 2017 for 3 years, extension for 2 years if required.

Contact:

Verna Connolly

Executive Manager of People, Customer and Business Support

Email: vconnolly@hastings.gov.uk

Tel: 01424 451066

2 - Lift service and maintenance

3 sites with different providers which include regular service visits and some maintenance, each site and contract has different services included.

One is due to expire on 31/10/2020 and the other 2 are rolling contracts.

Contact:

Peter Grace

Assistant Director Financial Services and Revenues

pgrace@hastings.gov.uk

Tel: 01424 451066

3 - Food

Hastings Borough Council does not have any food services.

4 - General waste services contracts

Commercial collection of refuse or recycling over 7 sites.

This is a rolling contract.

Contact:

Mike Hepworth

Assistant Director Environment and Place

mhepworth@hastings.gov.uk

Tel: 01424 451066

5 - Laundry Service

Hastings Borough Council does not have any laundry services