Funding to Jacksons

Summary

A request was made to the Department for Enterprise regarding government funding received by Jacksons for a new car dealership, but the request ultimately lapsed after the authority initially sought clarification and later cited exemptions regarding economic interests.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 24 December 2017 and lapsed on 19 March 2018.
• The Department for Enterprise initially placed the request on hold to clarify the specific grant schemes and timeframes.
• The authority stated that confirming or denying the existence of such information would prejudice the economic interests of the Island.
• Annual reports to Tynwald listing companies receiving assistance via the Financial Assistance Scheme and Enterprise Development Scheme are publicly available.
• The final outcome was that the requested information was not provided because the request lapsed.

Data Disclosed

• 24 December 2017
• 19 March 2018
• 4 January 2018
• 11 October 2011
• 28 days
• section 19
• section 30(1)(a)
• IM114687I

Exemptions Cited

• Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (refusal to confirm or deny)
• Section 30(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (prejudice to economic interests)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Page 1 of 2

Our Ref: IM114687I

Date: 4 January 2018

Dear ####

We write further to your application dated 24 December 2017 and received by us 27 December 2017.

Your request is as follows:

“Can you advise of Jacksons who are having the large car dealership premises being built have received any government monies in the past or when its finished.”

In order to identify and locate the information that you have asked for we need some further information from you.

Firstly, you ask for information on “any government monies” that Jacksons may have received. It is likely that we will hold only information on money provided by the Department for Enterprise. However financial assistance is provided to businesses through a number of different schemes. Can you specify which schemes you have in mind? You will find a list on the Isle of Man Government website here: https://www.gov.im/categories/business-and-industries/business-support-and-assistance/

Secondly you ask for information from “in the past”. The Can you specify a timeframe for this information, bearing in mind that the Freedom of Information Act 2015 only covers information created on or after 11 October 2011.

As I am unable to continue without this, I will put your request on hold until I hear back from you.

We will not be able to process your request until this information is received and you have 28 days from the date of this notice in which to respond. Should you respond after this the Department for Enterprise can refuse to provide you with the information requested.

Should you have any queries regarding this letter or your request, please do not hesitate to contact me quoting the above reference.

Via email:

Department for Enterprise Rheynn Gastid Dellal

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor St Georges Court Upper Church Street Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624) 685375 Website: www.gov.im/ded

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Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found www.gov.im/foi.

Yours sincerely

Page 1 of 3

Our Ref: IM114687I

Date:

Dear

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”)

Thank you for your request dated 24 December 2017. Your request Your request was as follows: “Can you advise if Jackson’s who are having the large car dealership premises being built have received any government monies in the past or when it’s finished.” Response to your request
The Department provides money to businesses through a number of schemes and for a number of different purposes. It should be noted however that the Department publishes an annual report to Tynwald which lists all of the companies who have received assistance via the Financial Assistance Scheme and Enterprise Development Scheme and the total value of the payments made. The latest edition of this report can be found at http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020162018/2017-GD-0071.pdf Previous reports can be found here: http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020142016/2016-GD-0004.pdf

http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020162018/2016-GD-0094.pdf

http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/20112014/2014-GD-0022.pdf

Department for Enterprise Rheynn Gastid Dellal

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor St Georges Court Upper Church Street Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624) 685375 Website: www.gov.im/ded

Page 2 of 3

We endeavour to provide information whenever possible. However, under section 19 of the Act, a public authority may refuse a request where to either confirm or deny whether it holds information would itself be absolutely exempt information or qualified exempt information under the Act. In this instance, if the information you requested did exist or was held by us, an exemption under section 30(1)(a) of the Act would apply to that information. This exemption would apply because we consider that releasing information as to whether a business has received money from the Department through any of the different grant schemes or whether it is likely to in the future, prejudices the economic interests of the Island as businesses might be put off applying for grants from the Department if these details were to be made public. We also consider that to reveal whether the information you have requested exists, or is held by the Department for Enterprise, would be contrary to the public interest. For these reasons, we are refusing your request under section 19 of the Act. It should be noted however that the Department publishes an annual report to Tynwald which lists all of the companies who have received assistance via the Financial Assistance Scheme and Enterprise Development Scheme and the total value of the payments made. The latest edition of this report can be found at http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020162018/2017-GD-0071.pdf Previous reports can be found here: http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020142016/2016-GD-0004.pdf

http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020162018/2016-GD-0094.pdf

http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/20112014/2014-GD-0022.pdf

Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to me at the above address. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1 Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or 2 Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: www.inforights.im/ Page 3 of 3

Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found www.gov.im/foi.

Yours sincerely