FOI request (FOIR-762105884)

Software systems

Requested Mon 03 November 2025
Responded Fri 07 November 2025

This FOI request concerns the software systems currently in use by your local authority to support the functions listed below. Please note that more than one function may be served by the same software, or each may be covered by a different software system or even different providers, depending on your technological configuration.

Where the requested information is already in the public domain, please provide the relevant URLs and guidance on how to access it.

Function:

• Planning

• Building Control

• Land Charges

• Environmental Health

• Licensing

In case of bundling the above functions, please specify which functions are covered by the contract.

1. Software System in Use

For each of the functions mentioned above, please provide:

a. The name of the software/product.

b. The vendor/provider.

c. Whether the version used at your local authority is on-premise or cloud-hosted.

d. The year of original implementation.

e. Was it a direct awarded or RFP (if RFP, please provide the link for all relevant information).

f. The respective contract’s end date; term extension clauses and respective conditions; and current plans to use the extension option (if applicable).

2. Supplier Performance

For each of the functions mentioned before:

a. Is the vendor currently (or in the last 12 months) under any performance improvement measures, as described in their respective contract?

3. Expenditure

For each of the functions mentioned before:

a. Please indicate the total contract value (TCV), the implementation cost and the total on-going annual subscription cost.

4. Licenses/Users

For each of the functions mentioned before:

a. Current number of active users licences.

b. Current number of active users.

5. Other

Are there any ongoing discussions, proposals, or binding decisions related to local government reorganization involving your authority (as part of the Local Government Reorganisation programmed), including potential structural changes such as consolidation into a unitary authority or shared service arrangements with neighbouring councils? If it is public knowledge, can you provide the councils with which the consolidation will occur?

If possible, please complete the requested information in the attached Excel template for ease of processing.

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Response

Notice of Refusal

Disclosure of information relating to ICT systems, infrastructure and security constitutes a security risk as it would leave the Council's computer assets more vulnerable to a malicious hacking attack. This means that disclosure would:

• Make the Council more vulnerable to crime (Section 31)

• Risk harming the systems on which the day-to-day business of the Council relies (Section 43)

Section 31 (Law Enforcement)

Section 31(1)(a) states that information is exempt if its disclosure is likely to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime. ICO guidance states that this can be used to protect information on a public authority's systems which would make it more vulnerable to crime. This exemption can be used by a public authority that has no law enforcement function:

• To protect the work of one that does

• To withhold information that would make anyone, including the public authority itself, more vulnerable to crime

The crime in question would be a malicious attack on the Council's computer systems. Since the disclosure of the withheld information would make the Council's systems more vulnerable to such crime, the exemption is engaged.

The exemption is subject to the public interest test. There is an overwhelming public interest in keeping the Council's computer systems secure which would be served by non-disclosure. This outweighs the public interest in accountability and transparency that would be served by disclosure.

Section 43 (Commercial Interests)

Section 43(2) states that information is exempt if its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it).

Disclosure of information relating to ICT systems, infrastructure and security puts the council at risk of a malicious hacking attack.

This would compromise the Council's ability to provide its services and carry out 'business-as-usual' should our systems be compromised. Were our systems to be compromise, the cost of a system recovery would be detrimental to the Council's commercial interests.

The exemption is subject to the public interest test. There is an overwhelming public interest in keeping the Council's computer systems secure which would be served by non-disclosure. This outweighs the public interest in accountability and transparency that would be served by disclosure.