Blackpool - Element 2 funding

Dear Department for Transport,

Thank you for your response to my previous FOI request (ref: 7900).

I am concerned that the DfT appear to have provided funding to
Blackpool Council so that they could continue working with the
private company - GAIST to develop a highway asset management
system. It appears that GAIST are now actively marketing this
product to other local authorities.

Is the DfT aware or did they check who would hold the Intellectual
Property Rights to the proposed solution?

Did the DfT validate what extra facilities this new system would
provide over and above commercial off the shelf solutions already
available? If so, what are they?

Is the DfT in the business of funding new software solutions to
compete with the private market place?

What exactly has Blackpool achieved which couldn't have been
achieved with systems that were readily available?

Please could you provide your feedback on these points/questions.

Yours faithfully,

Jim Barnes