3 year Calibration Costs Gatso Speed Cameras

Dear Essex County Council,

I have been advised that Essex Police,quote,"...purely carries out
enforcement and, while we may send the cameras off to Serco for
their annual calibration, the invoicing is sent to Essex County
Council who are the lead in the camera partnership"

I am aware that Serco are the intermediate charging agents for
Gatso Speed and Gatso redlight cameras,they have a monopoly over
the servicing of these cameras and they may implement cost
increases in excess of inflation and sometimes may increase charges
mid year.

In this regard I wish to know the cost trends which have occured
and would like to post this FOI request.

Please confirm the cost of single calibration of one Gatso Speed
Camera for each of the past three years, with the same data for one
Gatso Red Light Camera, indicating any VAT applicable, so that
comparisons and trends may be appreciated.
If the costs have increased more than once during any given year
please advise of the actual dates that each price change were
implemented.
Any explanation provided by Serco regarding each price increase, if
greater than 5%, would be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

dennis fallon

Dear Mark Ralling Assistant Business Services Partner - ESH,

Thank you for confirming Gatso calibration charges
Quote " 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11
Red Light Camera £430 £452 £527
Speed Camera £553 £609 £658

The figures which are exclusive of VAT are the same as those
provided to
you by other Safety Camera Partnerships as these are national
prices".

In the absence of information to the contrary I will presume that
these charges were applicable for years commencing April 2008,April
2009,and April 2010, and that you confirm there were no additional
mid year increases implemented.

Thank you for completing this request.

Yours sincerely,

dennis fallon