Dear Mr Muller

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000: Request for information

Thank you for your request for information, relating to FOI/4210/AR. You have requested the following information:

1) “Can you please let me know if Verrus has been awarded a new contract for its cashless mobile phone payment service provided to motorcycles and scooters?”

2) “Can you also let me know the length of the contract, whether it is a new one or not and are there any breaking closes? What kind of fee is Verrus being paid? Is it a percentage or a fixed fee? Can you please provide me with a breakdown of Verrus fees or charges regarding the Motorcycle phone payment service since the scheme started in August 2008?”

With regards to this point we assume that you are referring to the existence of any break provisions within the contract.

3) “Was Verrus the cheapest commercial proposition?”

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In response to your request I can advise you of the following information.

1) No, there is no new contract for cashless payment for motorcycles and scooters.

2) The existing Verrus contract provides pay by phone services for all parking payments at all paid for bays in the City. The contract is for a period of five years, with the option to extend for a period of up to a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance. There are no break clauses in the contract. It is a fixed fee.

The breakdown of the fees is exempt from provision under section 43 (2) of the Freedom of Information Act; it is commercially sensitive as this information is still considered market sensitive at this time. It is considered that disclosure would prejudice Verrus' ability to negotiate contracts and give their competitors an unfair advantage.

While we need to be open and transparent with regard to decisions made; the public interest in maintaining a free and competitive market place outweighs the public interest in disclosure and therefore, the exemption at section 43 is engaged.

In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act this letter acts as a Public Interest Refusal Notice.

3) The contract was awarded to Verrus following a full tender process in accordance with EU procurement regulations. The tenders were scored against the following evaluation criteria:

The contract was awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous proposal, having regard to price and quality. Price was not the main consideration in the award of contract.

I trust you will find the information provided useful. Should you have further queries or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Parking Customer Relations.

If you are not satisfied with this response please set out your reasons in writing and send to:

Customer Relations

PO Box 396

Warrington

WA55 1EL

Phone: 0207 641 1743

Fax: 0207 641 1744

Email: [email address]

Should you still be dissatisfied with the outcome of any such complaint you have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, pursuant to section 50 of the FOIA. The contact details are:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625-545-700

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk