Cost of Ronaldsway Airport SUVs

Summary

A request was made for detailed costs, specifications, and authorization records regarding two SUVs purchased for bird scaring at Ronaldsway Airport. The Department of Infrastructure responded on 14 October 2024, stating that some information was sent but part of the request was exempt.

Key Facts

• The request concerns the purchase of two SUVs for bird scaring operations at Ronaldsway Airport.
• The Department of Infrastructure received the request on 23 September 2024.
• The outcome was determined as 'Some information sent but part exempt' on 14 October 2024.
• The response references a Manx Independent article by Adrian Darbyshire reporting a core model list price of £44,600.
• The authority cited the Climate Change Act regarding default positions for electric vehicle procurement.

Data Disclosed

• 2024-09-23
• 2024-10-14
• £44,600
• 19th September 2024
• 4143593
• 5 pages
• 1 document

Original Request

I refer to the supporting uploaded file which concerns the public authority's purchase of two SUVs for "bird scaring" operations at Ronaldsway Airport. I note that the public authority has refused to disclose to the FOI requester the information which the requester requested, which is included in his/her request here - "I have reason to believe a new vehicle purchased for use at the IOM airport primarily for the scaring of birds and other duties I have reason to be aware THAT was A very expensive vehicle and was specked up also I would therefore like to to know the cost of THIS vehicle its type and any other item costs therein". Adrian Darbyshire gave some further information concerning the request in an article in the Manx Independent dated the 19th September 2024, in which he has reported that the list price of the core model is £44,600. I would like the following information - 1. whether the price of the core model was £44,600 and, if not, what the price of the core model was; and 2. how much did the public authority pay for each of the vehicles; and 3. if the modification costs are, as Adrian has reported, for the addition of beacons, livery, airside communications systems, armoury holder and a vehicle mounted bird dispersal system and what the costs are for these associated items is; and 4. copies of the quotations referred to in the news article which the spokesperson says were obtained; and 5. what the Fleet Services minimum specifications are where these ae provided for; and 6. a copy of the assessment which was apparently made of the whole life costs and other items referred to; and 7. who authorised the purchase of the vehicles and all the associated items; and 8. a copy of such person's authority to incur the costs of such vehicles and associated items; and 9. which Financial Direction /Regulation he/she was authorised under. Adrian has reported also that a DOI Spokesperson said - "Where possible and practical the default position is for procurement of "cars " (emphasis added) is full electric in order for the department to comply with its obligations under the Climate Change Act" in this regard, I require to know whose default position the spokesperson was referring to, the correct title of the Climate Change Act and under which section or sections of the Act the public authority was obligated to comply with. I require to have also copies of the quotations referred to which the spokesperson says were obtained to meet Fleet Service's requirements.

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: 4143593 14 October 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 23 September 2024, which states:

"I refer to the supporting uploaded file which concerns the public authority's purchase of two SUVs for "bird scaring" operations at Ronaldsway Airport.

I note that the public authority has refused to disclose to the FOI requester the information which the requester requested, which is included in his/her request here -

"I have reason to believe a new vehicle purchased for use at the IOM airport primarily for the scaring of birds and other duties I have reason to be aware THAT was A very expensive vehicle and was specked up also I would therefore like to to know

the cost of THIS vehicle its type and any other item costs therein".

Adrian Darbyshire gave some further information concerning the request in an article in the Manx Independent dated the 19th September 2024, in which he has reported that the list price of the core model is £44,600.

I would like the following information -

1. whether the price of the core model was £44,600 and, if not, what the price of the core model was; and

2. how much did the public authority pay for each of the vehicles; and

3. if the modification costs are, as Adrian has reported, for the addition of beacons, livery, airside communications systems, armoury holder and a vehicle mounted bird dispersal system and what the costs are for these associated items is; and

4. copies of the quotations referred to in the news article which the spokesperson says were obtained; and

5. what the Fleet Services minimum specifications are where these ae provided for; and

6. a copy of the assessment which was apparently made of the whole life costs and other items referred to; and

7. who authorised the purchase of the vehicles and all the associated items; and

8. a copy of such person's authority to incur the costs of such vehicles and associated items; and

9. which Financial Direction /Regulation he/she was authorised under.

Adrian has reported also that a DOI Spokesperson said -

"Where possible and practical the default position is for procurement of "cars " (emphasis added) is full electric in order for the department to comply with its obligations under the Climate Change Act"

in this regard, I require to know whose default position the spokesperson was referring to, the correct title of the Climate Change Act and under which section or sections of the Act the public authority was obligated to comply with.

I require to have also copies of the quotations referred to which the spokesperson says were obtained to meet Fleet Service's requirements."

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

1) £44,600 is the advertised price on the Volvo website for this vehicle.
2) The Department has purchased these vehicles through the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework. Within the Terms & Conditions of this agreement, pricing is confidential and therefore commercially sensitive. This is stipulated by the Manufacturers, as their models sold through this framework to public sector organisations come with varying discounts. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is absolutely exempt under section 26 of the Act, as disclosure would constitute an actionable breach of confidence. 3) Section 30 applied – please see below

4) Quotations are received through the CCS Framework and therefore cannot be released due to the confidentiality clause.

5) The minimum specifications are agreed between the end users of the vehicle (Airport in the case of the Wildlife Management Vehicles) and Fleet Services. With regards Fleet Services minimum specifications, it is a vehicle the Fleet Services can support maintenance of, so that downtime from planned and

reactive maintenance can be kept to a minimum. In addition, it is a vehicle that can be maintained at minimum cost. The End User of the vehicles will provide what they need the vehicle to do in terms of operations.
6) A blank copy of the assessment used is included within the Financial Regulations document under Financial Practice Note (FPN) C.03.
7) Fleet Services are the budget holders for these vehicles. Procurement of the assets are approved at a Fleet Management Team meeting with authority to proceed signed off by the chair of the meeting. These vehicles were signed off by the Fleet Engineering Manager.
8) The Fleet Engineering Manager has Authority to raise orders up to £100,000 from Capital Schemes. The have delegated responsibility to raise orders up to £250,000 from Capital Schemes in the absence of the Head of Fleet Services. 9) Financial Practice Note (FPN) C.03 is used for the procurement of Vehicle/Plant assets.
10) When Agreeing specifications with the End Users for cars and light commercial vehicles, Fleet Services default is to procure a full electric vehicle. End Users are required to demonstrate why they cannot operate an electric vehicle for the operation the vehicle is to be used for.
• Climate Change Act 2021
• Climate Change (Interim Target) Regulations 2022 • Climate Change (Interim Target) (No.2) Regulations 2022 • Isle of Man Climate Change Plan 2022-2027 11) Quotations are received through the CCS Framework and therefore cannot be released due to the confidentiality clause. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is absolutely exempt under section 26 of the Act, as disclosure would constitute an actionable breach of confidence.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt from disclosure under section 30 of the Act as disclosure WOULD to prejudice the commercial interests of person including your public authority. The disclosure could damage the reputation and business confidence of the affected parties, leading to a loss of trust from partners. This could negatively impact the overall operations for both the public authority and supplier. Additionally, the commercial interests of the public authority, including financial aspects, would be at risk. As section 30 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

• Accountability for spending of public funds
• To promote trust and transparency

Factors in favour of withholding • The need to protect the commercial interests of private sector
• The modifications are still in process/ live

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 4143593 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.