FOI request (FOIR-596710982)

Graphical Information Systems

Requested Sun 17 March 2024
Responded Fri 26 April 2024

Can you please answer the following questions regarding the council's use of Graphical Information Systems (GIS), and Street Naming and Numbering and Gazetteer Management software. Specifically, can you disclose:

1. The name and provider of any GIS software.

2. The name and provider of any Street Naming and Numbering software.

3. The name and provider of any Gazetteer Management (LLPG and/or LSG) software.

4. The number of licenses held for each of the above systems.

5. The contract length and date of renewal for each of the above systems.

6. Where do the following roles sit within the organisation?

a. GIS

b. Street Name and Numbering

c. Gazetteer Management

A staff structure chart will be sufficient. Please provide job titles for each role.

Response

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding.

1. Refused - Please see below.

2. None.

3. Refused - Please see below.

4.1 Refused - Please see below.

4.2 Not applicable.

4.3 16 Licences.

5.1 3 year term ending 30/11/2026.

5.2 Not applicable.

5.3 Annual rolling contract - 31/03/2025.

6. All roles within Planning Services.

NOTICE OF REFUSAL

Parts of the information you have requested are commercially sensitive and fall 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.