Government House eval, costs, footage and plans

Summary

A Freedom of Information request to the Department of Infrastructure sought details on Government House evaluations, costs, footage, and plans. The authority disclosed specific maintenance, oil, and renovation costs along with floor area data, but withheld architectural plans citing national security exemptions.

Key Facts

• Oil invoices for Government House totaled £9,612.46 plus VAT between April 2016 and March 2017.
• Maintenance costs for the period April 2016 to March 2017 were £20,202.31 plus VAT.
• Renovation spending from April 2012 to March 2017 amounted to £144,078.46 plus VAT.
• The internal floor area of Government House is approximately 14,100 square feet.
• Architectural plans are held but withheld under Section 28 of the FOIA regarding national security.

Data Disclosed

• £9,612.46
• £20,202.31
• £144,078.46
• 14,100 ft2
• 26.98 acres
• 1st April 2016
• 31st March 2017
• 1st April 2012
• s28 of the FOIA

Exemptions Cited

• Section 28 of the FOIA (National security and defence)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

The Department’s records show that invoices for oil from the 1st April 2016 to the 31st March 2017 total £9,612.46 plus VAT.

The Department’s records show that £20,202.31 plus VAT was spent on maintenance costs for Government House for the period of the 1st of April 2016 to the 31st of March 2017.

1. The internal floor area of Government House is approximately 14,100 ft2. You may wish to know that Bemahague Estate is approximately 26.98 acres. Bemahague Estate is the estate within which Government House sits.

2. Yes, the Department does hold plans of Government House. However, if you were to request a copy, we would have to consider an exemption under s28 of the FOIA ‘National security and defence’.

You may however find the following links of general interest.

https://www.gov.im/media/1349227/government-house-registered-building.pdf

https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/cabinet-office/external- relations/crown-services/office-of-lieutenant-governor/

1. The Department’s records show that £144,078.46 plus VAT was spent on renovations for Government House from the 1st of April 2012 to the 31st of March 2017.

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 to foi.doi@gov.im or by delivery/post to The FOI Co-ordinator, Department of Infrastructure, Sea Terminal Buildings, Douglas, IM1 2RF. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at www.gov.im/foireview

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/

Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.