Public Services Commission

Summary

The requester asked for correspondence regarding the Public Services Commission, its pay offers, and union negotiations involving specific ministers. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold the information because the Public Services Commission is a separate public authority and the correspondence is held on its behalf.

Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office does not hold the requested information.
• The Public Services Commission is a separate public authority from the Cabinet Office under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• Correspondence held by the Cabinet Office in this context is held on behalf of the Public Services Commission.
• Hon Kate Lord-Brennan's role as Chairperson of the Commission is distinct from her role as Minister for the Cabinet Office.
• The requester was advised to submit a new Freedom of Information request directly to the Public Services Commission.

Data Disclosed

• 4019493
• 2024-07-29
• 2024-08-21
• Freedom of Information Act 2015
• Public Services Commission Act 2015
• section 8(2)
• IM1 3PN
• IM1 1AG
• 01624 686244
• 01624 685000

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held by the public authority (held on behalf of another person)

Original Request

Dear Sir, Please may you provide me with all correspondence between the Public Services Commission and all trade unions to which there is mention of, or discussion about the Public Services Commission (PSC), its pay offers, negotiations with unions or similar. Please may you provide me with all correspondence held between the Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan and the Public Services Commission to which there is mention of, or discussion about the Public Services Commission (PSC), its pay offers, negotiations with unions or similar. Please may you provide me with all correspondence held between the Treasury Minister Alex Allinson and Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan and the Public Services Commission to which there is mention of, or discussion about the Public Services Commission (PSC), its pay offers, negotiations with unions or similar. Thank-you.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244
Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 4019493 21 August 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 29 July 2024, which states:

"Dear Sir,

Please may you provide me with all correspondence between the Public Services Commission and all trade unions to which there is mention of, or discussion about the Public Services Commission (PSC), its pay offers, negotiations with unions or similar.

Please may you provide me with all correspondence held between the Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan and the Public Services Commission to which there is mention of, or discussion about the Public Services Commission (PSC), its pay offers, negotiations with unions or similar.

Please may you provide me with all correspondence held between the Treasury Minister Alex Allinson and Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord- Brennan and the Public Services Commission to which there is mention of, or discussion about the Public Services Commission (PSC), its pay offers, negotiations with unions or similar.

Thank-you."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet
Office does not hold the information that you have requested.

The Freedom of Information Act 2015 (the Act) entitles Isle of Man residents to information held by a public authority. The definition of held is set out at section 8(2) of the Act which stats that information is held by a public authority if it is held

“a) by the public authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person b) by another person for or on behalf of the public authority.”

The Public Services Commission is a separate public authority to the Cabinet Office for the purposes of freedom of information. Any communication held by the Cabinet Office in the scope of the request is held by the Cabinet Office on behalf of another person, namely the Public Services Commission.

The Public Services Commission Act 2015 requires the Chief Minister to appoint a chairperson and vice-person to the Public Services Commission who must be members of Tynwald. The appointment of Hon Kate Lord-Brennan MHK as chairperson of the Commission is distinct and separate to her role as Minister for the Cabinet Office.

You may also wish to contact the Public Services Commission (PSC) who may be able to help you, or submit a Freedom of Information request here: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/make-a-freedom- of-information-request/.

Public Services Commission Illiam Dhone House
Circular Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1AG
Telephone: 01624 685000

Please quote the reference number 4019493 in any future communications.

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.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. 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 2015; 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 right to a review can be found 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. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely