FOI request (FOIR-686372704)

Print arrangements

Requested Mon 10 February 2025
Responded Wed 05 March 2025

Please would you provide details of your current contract covering reprographics/print arrangements as follows:

1. Number of Multi-functional devices at Hastings Borough Council?

2. Name of current supplier(s)?

3. Contract start date?

4. Contract end date?

5. Is there an option to extend this contract?

6. Does the Council have a print room? If yes, when does the contract end?

7. Does the Council have additional printers? if yes, how many and is there a contract?

8. What route to market, open tender or framework. If yes, which one used?

9. Name of person responsible for print at the Council?

Response

1. 13

2. REFUSED

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 organisation's 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.

3. 2019

4. 2025

5. Yes

6. No

7. No

8. East Sussex Procurement Hub:

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/business-commerce/supplying-council/contract-schedule/

9. Mark Bourne, 014224 451066