Copy of spec and contract with financial info redacted out as it relates to Ballacottier School

Summary

A request was made for the name of the contractor responsible for cleaning Ballacottier School and other schools, but the Department of Education refused the request stating they do not hold the information.

Key Facts

• The Department of Education and Children does not hold the requested information regarding cleaning contractors.
• Responsibility for cleaning services and contracts lies with the Estates Shared Services Section of the Department of Infrastructure.
• The applicant was advised to submit a new request to the Department of Infrastructure via the online portal.
• The request was refused under section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The response was issued on 10th April 2017 regarding a request received on 3rd April 2017.

Data Disclosed

• 2017-04-03
• 2017-04-10
• IM83235I
• 11(3)(a)
• IM1 5EZ

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)(a) - Practical refusal reason: the public authority does not hold the information

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

10th April 2017

RE: REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Reference Number – IM83235I

Thank you for your request dated 3rd April 2017 to the Department of Education and Children seeking the provision of information under the Freedom of Information Act.

You asked:

The name of the contractor who is responsible for the cleaning of Ballacottier and any other schools where the same contractor is responsible for cleaning.

Department Response

Under section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act we are refusing your request on the grounds that a practical refusal reason exists, namely that the Department of Education and Children does not hold the information that you have requested:-

 Practical refusal reason 11(3)(a) – the public authority does not hold ….. the information that the applicant has requested.

However I would advise that responsibility for provision of cleaning services and contracts falls to the Estates Shared Services Section of the Department of Infrastructure and you should submit your request to that department via the on-line portal, which can be found at https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/how-to-make-a-freedom- of-information-request/

Review Process

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 Review/Complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to: Mr Andrew Shipley, Legal and Administration Manager, Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 5EZ.

An electronic version and paper version of our Review/Complaint form can be found by going to www.gov.im.about-the-government/freedom-of-information/ Your Review/Complaint request should explain why you are dissatisfied with the response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been conducted.

Department of Education and Children

Rheynn Ynsee as Paitchyn

Appeal Process

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/contact-us/

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 at www.gov.im/foi