Utilities & Infrastructure

90 FOI requests relate to this topic across 16 authorities. Full disclosure rate: 42.2%.

By Authority

By Year

Outcomes

Notable Cases (12)

[+] Prepaid meter disconnections

2024-06-18 | Manx Utilities Authority | All information sent

The requester asked for the number of prepaid meter electricity disconnections over the past five years, but the authority disclosed that historical data is unavailable due to system limitations, providing only a recent six-week statistic instead.

• Historical disconnection data for the past five years is unavailable because it was not stored prior to the rollout of smart meters.
• Disconnection event data is currently only retained for a period of six weeks.
• Between 3 June 2024 and 15 June 2024, 1,549 disconnection instructions were sent to prepaid meters.

Data: 1,549, 3 June 2024, 15 June 2024, 5,500, six weeks

[~] Releasing Raw Sewage into Peel Bay

2024-06-17 | Manx Utilities Authority | Some information sent but not all held

A request was made for three years of detailed sewage discharge and defect statistics for Peel Bay, but the authority only provided defect data and partial flow records starting from 2022 due to data format limitations and server failures.

• Manx Utilities does not hold the requested data for the full three-year period as some records only date back to 2022.
• The Peel Promenade pumping station is automated to pump only during ebbing tides during the bathing season.
• Tide data is supplied by the National Oceanography Centre and interpreted via industry-specific software.

Data: 2,900 cubic meters, 2022, 3 years, 17 June 2024, 11 July 2024

[-] Airfield Operations Electricians Market Rating Exercise

2024-06-04 | Cabinet Office | Some information sent but part exempt

A request was made for emails and evidence regarding a Market Rating exercise for Airfield Operations Electricians between 2021 and 2024, resulting in the disclosure of some correspondence while parts were exempt.

• The Market Rating exercise for Airfield Operations Electricians requires approval by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
• Staff involved were initially at a base grade of Skill Zone 3 before a market rating review could be conducted.
• The process requires a rationale, organizational chart, job description, and confirmation of funding from the Chief Executive.

Data: 2021-10-25, 2021-11-30, 2022-03-10, Skill Zone 3, 2024-06-04

[-] Raggat

2022-05-04 | Manx Utilities Authority | Some information sent but part exempt

The requester asked for the cost of demolishing Glenfaba House at The Raggat and whether the site remained empty due to objections from Knockaloe Beg. The authority disclosed the demolition cost but refused to answer the second part, citing it as a rhetorical question and noting that the reasons were already available in public press coverage.

• The demolition of Glenfaba House occurred in March/April 2019.
• The total cost for demolition and additional works was £31,900.
• The authority declined to answer the question regarding Knockaloe Beg objections, labeling it rhetorical.

Data: £31,900, March/April 2019, 2022-05-04, 2022-05-17, 2426273

[+] Media

2020-11-20 | Treasury | All information sent

The request sought the total amount of money paid by the Isle of Man Treasury to specific media organizations since the March 2020 state of emergency. The Treasury disclosed full payment details for the period between March 16 and November 26, 2020, revealing significant funding for Manx Radio and Mannin Media while others received nothing.

• The Treasury made payments to media organizations between March 16 and November 26, 2020.
• Manx Radio received the largest payment of £1,147,252.96, covering subvention and minor capital works.
• Mannin Media received £28,104.24 during the specified period.

Data: 16 March 2020, 26 November 2020, £1,147,252.96, £0.00, £3,039.50

[+] Water loss

2018-08-01 | Manx Utilities Authority | All information sent

The requester asked for annual water loss figures due to leaks for Manx Utilities Authority. The authority disclosed that the known leakage level for 2015-16 was 6.99 Megalitres per day, explained the challenges in reducing it further, and noted that leakage has been halved since 1997.

• Current known leakage level (2015-16) is 6.99 Megalitres per day.
• Leakage equates to 164 litres per property per day or 6.04m3 per km per day.
• Leakage levels have been halved from 1997 figures to a record low in 2005.

Data: 6.99 Megalitres per day, 164 litres per property per day, 6.04m3 per km per day, 1200 km, 1997

[-] MER electric shock incident

2017-09-29 | Department of Infrastructure | No information sent - all held but exempt

A request was made for details and investigation reports regarding a 2013 electric shock incident involving a Manx Electric Railway conductor, but the Department of Infrastructure withheld all information citing ongoing legal proceedings.

• The incident occurred on May 30, 2013, involving tram no.9.
• A conductor suffered an electric shock when a controller in the rear cab went live.
• The Department of Infrastructure refused to release investigation reports or full details.

Data: May 30 2013, tram no.9, June 4 to 10, 2013, 2017-09-29, 2017-10-06

[-] Spreadsheet Costings knockaloe site and Anderson Land

2017-08-31 | Manx Utilities Authority | Some information sent but part exempt

A request for 25-year whole life cost spreadsheets for proposed sewage works at Knockaloe and Anderson Land was partially fulfilled, with specific budget estimates withheld due to commercial sensitivity and other data confirmed as not held.

• Manx Utilities Authority responded to a Freedom of Information request regarding regional sewage treatment strategy costings.
• Some information was provided, but specific budget estimates for land acquisition and capital purchases were exempted.
• The authority cited ongoing speculative negotiations with land owners as a reason for withholding commercial data.

Data: 25 year, 2017-08-31, 2017-09-19, IM101028I, 6 pages

[~] Whole life costings for rising mains Peel STW

2017-08-14 | Manx Utilities Authority | Some information sent but not all held

The request sought whole life costings for rising mains to three proposed Peel sewage treatment works sites. Manx Utilities disclosed costs for two viable options but withheld information for the third site as it was not held, citing commercial and economic interest exemptions for the remaining sensitive data.

• Operational costs for the pipelines are considered insignificant, so whole life costs consist primarily of capital costs.
• The Glenfaba Road site (Option b) was discounted as not-deliverable, so no cost information is held for it.
• Cost data for the Peel Power Station site (Option a) and Knockaloe Farm site (Option c) was released.

Data: 12 August 2017, 14 August 2017, 31 August 2017, IM98957I, 3.5%

[~] Electric tram maintenance

2017-08-04 | Department of Infrastructure | Not required to fulfill request

A request for electric tram maintenance schedules and specific parts costs was partially refused by the Department of Infrastructure due to ongoing investigations and the practical difficulty of compiling data. While detailed maintenance records were withheld, a summary table of supplier costs for the Snaefell Mountain Railway from April to July 2017 was provided.

• Maintenance schedules were withheld under Section 31 of the FOIA as they are part of ongoing internal and external investigations by the Health and Safety Inspectorate.
• Specific parts and costs could not be provided individually because doing so would require substantial analysis and manual compilation of paper invoices.
• The Department cited the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 as the legal basis for maintaining the schedules for compliance audits.

Data: 2017-08-04, 2017-09-07, Section 31(1), Section 33(1), Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974

[~] Whole life costings for Peel site 3,knockaloe and Kirk Michael

2017-08-02 | Manx Utilities Authority | Some information sent but not all held

The request sought whole life costings for sewage works at Peel site 3, Knockaloe, and Kirk Michael; costings were provided for Peel site 3 and Knockaloe, but information for Kirk Michael was withheld as it was not held due to a change in design solution.

• Peel site 3 whole life cost is £7,808,628 but the site was discounted as not deliverable.
• Knockaloe farm proposed site whole life cost is £17,356,608.
• Manx Utilities does not hold whole life cost analysis for Kirk Michael in its current IRBC form.

Data: £7,808,628, £17,356,608, 25 years, 3.5%, 2 August 2017

[~] RSTS2 25 year whole life spreadsheets

2017-07-06 | Manx Utilities Authority | Some information sent but not all held

A request was made for 25-year whole life spreadsheets regarding regional sewage works options for Peel, St Johns, and Central Valley. Manx Utilities Authority released some information but withheld specific budget estimates citing commercial and economic interest exemptions.

• The request concerned the Regional Sewage Treatment Strategy-Phase 2 (RSTS2).
• Manx Utilities is currently undertaking speculative negotiations with land owners for the project.
• Disclosure of budget estimates was refused to prevent unfair competitive advantage in land acquisition and tendering.

Data: 25 year, 6 July 2017, 28 July 2017, IM94201I, 30(2)(b)

Frequently Mentioned Data

• 25 year (mentioned 3 times)
• 2015 (mentioned 3 times)
• 2021-08-30 (mentioned 3 times)
• 1997 (mentioned 2 times)
• 25 years (mentioned 2 times)
• 3.5% (mentioned 2 times)
• 31 August 2017 (mentioned 2 times)
• IM99 1PS (mentioned 2 times)
• section 8(3)a (mentioned 2 times)
• Freedom of Information Act 2015 (mentioned 2 times)

Exemptions Cited