Jurby airport data

Summary

The request sought details regarding a Jurby airport map, departmental papers, and ministerial communications concerning the airfield strategy. The Department of Infrastructure provided the map's creation date and submission method, confirmed no specific department paper existed, and disclosed a link to a strategy document, but withheld information on Council of Ministers proceedings under a policy formulation exemption.

Key Facts

• The map in question was produced by the Airport on 14/10/2022 for safeguarding purposes.
• The map was submitted as a PDF as part of the Northern Area plan.
• No specific Department paper exists solely regarding Jurby Airfield.
• Information regarding when the Council of Ministers was informed was withheld under Section 34 of the Act.
• The public interest test determined that protecting the deliberative process outweighed the interest in disclosure.

Data Disclosed

• 14/10/2022
• 4053509
• 2024-08-12
• 2024-09-20
• Section 34
• MAP 1bN PIP3
• 2023-GD-0028

Exemptions Cited

• Section 34 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (formulation or development of government policy and communications between Ministers)

Original Request

A map was provided to the North & West Planning Inquiry, lodged by the CO. MAP 1bN PIP3. a) please provide the data of date constructed and date completed. b) written confirmation of how the map was requested and how was the data provided.c) was there a department paper on the subject of Jurby airfield, if so please provide a copy. d) when were the council of Ministers informed of the proposed strategy for Jurby airfield, and please provide the paper. e) were the constituent MHK's informed by a protocol of courtesy of the Jurby airfield strategy prior to the Inquiry.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 4053509 20 September 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 12 August 2024, which states:

"A map was provided to the North & West Planning Inquiry, lodged by the CO. MAP 1bN PIP3. a) please provide the data of date constructed and date completed. b) written confirmation of how the map was requested and how was the data provided.c) was there a department paper on the subject of Jurby airfield, if so please provide a copy. d) when were the council of Ministers informed of the proposed strategy for Jurby airfield, and please provide the paper. e) were the constituent MHK's informed by a protocol of courtesy of the Jurby airfield strategy prior to the Inquiry."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information.

a) The map was produced by the Airport for safeguarding purposes on 14/10/2022 for inclusion in the Northern Area plan.

b) The map was provided as a PDF and was submitted by the Airport as part of the Northern Area plan.

c) There was no Department paper specifically in relation to Jurby Airfield.

d) While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt from disclosure under section 34 of the Act as it is held by the Department of Infrastructure and it relates to the formulation or development of government policy and communications between Ministers (including, in particular, the proceedings of the Council of Ministers or of any committee of the Council of Ministers).

e) The strategy was outlined in the Function Future and forms document, accessible via the link below: https://tynwald.im/spfile?src=cots12&file=/business/opqp/sittings/20212026/2023-GD- 0028.pdf

As section 34 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure • Public interest in disclosing factual information used to provide an informed background to decision taking.

Factors in favour of withholding • The policy is live
• To protect the deliberative process and provide a safe space to protect information in the early stages of policy formulation and development
• To protect collective responsibility
• The need to facilitate free and frank discussion of all policy options without inducing the need to defend them

In taking these factors into account the Department of Infrastructure determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Please quote the reference number 4053509 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.