Microsoft Office software

Dear Mr Townsend,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST 1844

We acknowledge your request for information received on 23 January 2009.

We are considering your request and you should receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days, unless the information is exempt or we require additional time to consider whether disclosure is in the public interest in accordance with section 2 of the Freedom of Information Act.

We will try to supply information in electronic format by email, but if this is not possible we will let you know. If you have any special requirements e.g. language, audio, large print, etc. then please let us know.

The Act defines a number of exemptions which may prevent release of the information you have requested. Before we provide the information we will consider whether it is proper to release it and if any of the exemption categories do apply then the information will not be released. We will tell you if this is the case, and will have a right of appeal.

If the information you request contains reference to a third party then they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken on whether or not to release the information to you. We will tell you if this is the case.

You may have to pay a fee for this information. We will consider this and let you know. If so you will have to pay the fee before we process and release the information. The 20 working day time limit for responses will not start until we receive your payment.

If you have any queries or concerns, then please contact me directly. You can find out more about the Act from the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office - Wales
Cambrian Buildings
Mount Stuart Square
Cardiff, CF10 5FL
Telephone: 02920 2044 8044 Fax: 02920 2044 8045
Email: [email address]
http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.u...

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Office
Bridgend County Borough Council
Level 2, Civic Offices
Angel Street
Bridgend
CF31 4WB
Tel: 01656 643129
Email: [Bridgend Council request email]

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Dear Mr Townsend,

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Information Request 1844

Further to your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, we
would advise you that the information you have requested in respect of the
total sum spent on licences for or purchase of Microsoft Office software
is exempt by virtue of Section 43(2) of the Act.

"Information is exempt information if its disclosure under the Act would,
or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person
(including the public authority holding it)"

Under Section 43 of the Act the information your request is subject to a
qualified exemption and, as such, is subject to a public interest test. We
consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption in Section
43(2)) of the Act outweighs the public interest in disclosing the
information relating to Microsoft Office licences. This exemption applies
because the information requested would be likely to prejudice the
commercial interests of both Microsoft and LAR via whom the Authority
purchase such products.

Microsoft's pricing to the public sector is covered by a confidentiality
clause in the standard contract under the auspices of the Office of
Government Commerce. Disclosure of the exact pricing structure would
prejudice this contract. Microsoft has also expressed concern that the
release of the information you have requested would prejudice their
commercial interests, in particular, the commercially sensitive pricing
levels received by the public sector. Disclosure of the information
requested would compromise this confidentiality.

We therefore consider that the public interest in withholding the
information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it.

In accordance with Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 this
letter acts as a Refusal Notice.

Notwithstanding the above, there may be a public interest in knowing how
much the Authority spends on Microsoft products and services, and in this
respect we are happy to provide information. The total invoiced for
Microsoft products and services this financial year amounted to
approximately £286,000 although not all is apportioned to this period.
(A proportion covers licences/maintenance for future years). The figure
covers both the Authority and the provision of services to schools,
covering the entire range of Microsoft products in use from desktops
through to large server platforms.

You have the right to appeal against our decision. If you wish to appeal
please set out in writing your grounds of appeal and send to:

Mr P A Jolley

Director Legal Services & Monitoring Officer

Bridgend County Borough Council

Civic Offices, Angel Street

Bridgend, CF31 4WB

You can also contact the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office - Wales

Cambrian Buildings

Mount Stuart Square

Cardiff, CF10 5FL

Tel: 02920 2044 8044

Fax: 02920 2044 8045

E:mail : [1][email address]

Christine John
Freedom of Information Office
Bridgend County Borough Council
Level 2, Civic Offices
Angel Street
Bridgend
CF31 4WB
Tel: 01656 643129
Email: [Bridgend Council request email]

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Dear Mr Townsend,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST 1844

We have considered your appeal against the Refusal Notice issued in
relation to provision of information in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000.

Our decision is that your appeal is successful and we are
therefore pleased to provide the following information in respect
of monies spent on licences for or purchase of Microsoft Office Software:

Financial Year 2007/08 £104,023.57

Comprised of:

Corporate £92,005.42

Schools £12,018.15

Financial Year 2008/09 £141,954.78

Comprised of:

Corporate £134,598.76

Schools £7,356.02

If you require any further information or have any queries or concerns
then please contact

The Freedom of Information
Adiministration Assistant,

Bridgend County Borough
Council,

Level 4, Civic Offices,

Angel Street, Bridgend,

CF31 4WB

email: [1][Bridgend Council request email]

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request please
contact ...

Andrew Jolley

Head of Legal Services

Bridgend County Borough
Council

Civic Offices, Angel
Street

Bridgend CF31 4WB

You can also complain to the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office - Wales
Cambrian Buildings
Mount Stuart Square
Cardiff CF10 5FL

[2]http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.u...

Telephone: 02920 448044

Fax: 02920 448045

Email: [3][email address]

Yours sincerely,

Eileen Davies
Group Manager - Legal Services
Bridgend County Borough Council
Level 2, Civic Offices
Angel Street
Bridgend
CF31 4WB
Tel: 01656 643129
Email: [Bridgend Council request email]

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