Bangor University: response to the 2017 UUK USS valuation

The request was successful.

Dear Bangor University,

Please provide a copy of Bangor University’s response to the 2017 UUK USS valuation consultation.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Alison Cameron

Information Compliance Shared mailbox, Bangor University

Our Ref: FOI1453

 

Dear Dr Alison Cameron

 

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request, received by email on
the 18^th February 2018.

 

We will now consider your request and you will receive the information
requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days, as defined by
the Freedom of Information Act 2000, subject to the information not being
exempt or containing reference to a third party.

 

For your information, the Act defines a number of exemptions which may
prevent release of the information you have requested. There will be an
assessment, and if any of the exemption categories apply then the
information will not be released. You will be informed if this is the
case, including your rights of appeal.

 

If the information you requested 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. You will be informed if this is the case.

 

If you have any queries please contact us.

 

Kind regards,

Compliance Team

 

[1]http://www.bangor.ac.uk/emailtpl/logo-a2... Tîm Cydymffurfio Compliance Team
Swyddfa Cynllunio & Llywodraethu
Planning & Governance Office
E-bost: [2][Bangor University request email]
Email: [7][Bangor University request email]
Prifysgol Bangor, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG
Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG
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Information Compliance Shared mailbox, Bangor University

5 Attachments

Our Ref. FOI1453

 

Dear Dr Alison Cameron,

 

Further to your request for information, the University’s response is
below:

 

 

                “Please provide a copy of Bangor University’s response to
the 2017 UUK USS valuation consultation.”

 

 

It is the University’s view that the information you have requested is
exempt under section 36(2)(b)(i),(ii) and (c) of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000. Disclosure of this information would, in our view,
be likely to make senior officers of the University more circumspect about
responding to such requests from sector bodies in the future. The
disclosure of information on this particular issue could therefore inhibit
the free and frank future exchanges of views and opinions with University
sector bodies which we believe are necessary in order to continue to
operate effectively within the higher education environment in the UK.

 

As is required by the Act the University has carried out a public interest
test. We recognise that there is a general public interest in ensuring the
transparency of University decision making. However, the Freedom of
Information Act recognises the strong public interest in ensuring that
Senior University Officers have space to consider and discuss options
relating directly to the management of the institution. Disclosing this
information would be likely to inhibit the free and frank provision of
advice and exchange of views for the purposes of offering response and
opinion. For these reasons, we consider that the public interest in
maintaining this exemption outweighs the arguments in favour of
disclosure.

 

 

 

Please note that the University has a formal complaints procedure. If you
are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request
and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision you
should write to the University’s Planning & Governance Office in the first
instance ([1][Bangor University request email]) explaining the grounds for your
complaint. In line with guidance from the Information Commissioner’s
Office, an appeal request must be submitted within two months of the
University’s final response to this Freedom of Information Act request.

 

Kind regards,

Compliance Team

 

[2]https://www.bangor.ac.uk/common/img/emai... Tîm Cydymffurfio Compliance Team
Swyddfa Cynllunio & Llywodraethu Planning & Governance Office

E-bost: [3][Bangor University request email] Email: [8][Bangor University request email]

Prifysgol Bangor, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG

[4]https://www.bangor.ac.uk/common/img/emai... [9]https://www.bangor.ac.uk/common/img/emai...
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[13]FfRhA Aur [14]TEF Gold

 

 

 

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Dr Alison Cameron

Dear Bangor University,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Bangor University's handling of my FOI request Bangor University: response to the 2017 UUK USS valuation'.

Your response focusses on Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs which I discuss below. This exemption is subject to a public interest test which I later address.

Section 36 (2) Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs
This exemption is for information that if released, would inhibit the free and frank exchange of views. The current discussion around the USS valuation and potential changes to the scheme are being widely discussed by many individuals, both in the press and privately in university campuses across the UK. The opinion of employers is an extremely pertinent factor in this discussion. Employees need to know and understand their employer’s position about what is reasonable for employer contributions to the USS and future benefit structure of the scheme.

In addition the following universities have published their responses in full: Bath, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, Exeter, Kings College London, Lancaster, Liverpool, London School of Economics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Manchester, Oxford Hertford College, Queen Mary, Queen's University of Belfast, University College London and Warwick.
This suggests that they do not believe that publishing their responses would inhibit a free and frank exchange of views. This suggests that publishing the response is unlikely to severely prejudice your institution’s ability to conduct a free and frank exchange of views.

Public interest test:

Transparency and openness
There is a substantial public interest in full transparency and openness around the process of agreeing on the valuation for the USS and potential changes to the scheme. Providing a copy of your university’s response would inform USS members, students, and members of the public about the pressures facing your institutions, its position, and its rationale for the changes it would like to see for the scheme. This would allow ordinary USS members to be involved in this process and aid collaborative decision making.
Scrutiny of spending public money

Furthermore, significant concerns have been raised about the valuation method and the process for agreeing to any changes to the scheme. Publishing your institution’s response would enable the public to better scrutinise how public money is being spent. It would also ensure that the valuation and reform process was fully open and transparent. It would provide clarity about your institution’s position, and ensure that the valuation was handled in a fair, equitable way that maximised value for money.

Suspicion of wrongdoing
Publishing your institution’s response would alleviate any suspicion of wrongdoing. For example that an institution was lobbying the USS to protect its private interests, rather than USS members’ interests. Publishing the response would provide a full picture of the pressures facing your institution and would remove any suspicion of manipulating facts or engaging in ‘spin’.
The fact that some of the responses and many universities’ summaries of their responses are available in the public domain strengthens the case for disclosure.

In the public interest
There is a strong public interest in transparency and accountability. This is particularly important to improve the public and USS members’ understanding about the pressures facing the scheme and their employers. Publishing your institution’s response will help reinforce good decision making with respect to the USS. It will uphold standards of integrity and will ensure justice and fair treatment for all. Finally, publishing the response will help secure the best use of public resources for recruiting and retaining the staff at our universities.

Of public interest
There have been numerous articles in the press about the ongoing discussions around the USS. This issue is undoubtedly of public interest.

In 2015-16 there were nearly 2.28 million students in the UK. These students have a major interest in having a well conducted pensions scheme for their tutors. There are almost 400,000 USS members who have an interest in understanding their employer’s position on the USS. All these individuals, and more, have an interest in universities in the UK maintaining a competitive and well managed pension scheme. The public at large has an interest in ensuring that public money is being well spent. Publishing the response may help achieve this.

In summary, there are unlikely to be major detrimental effects of publishing the response. There are very large potential public benefits from publishing the response. It is vital that the valuation and reform of the USS are conducted in a totally open and transparent way. Withholding the response could lead to an erosion of members’ trust. Many of the 160 signatories who have lead other identical FOI requests have published a letter in the Financial Times calling for greater transparency over the USS. I very much hope you would be able to help achieve this.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/b...

I look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,
Dr Alison Cameron
Bangor University

Information Compliance Shared mailbox, Bangor University

5 Attachments

Dear Dr Alison Cameron,

 

We acknowledge receipt of your request for an internal review.

 

Kind regards

Compliance Team

 

[1]https://www.bangor.ac.uk/common/img/emai... Tîm Cydymffurfio Compliance Team
Swyddfa Cynllunio & Llywodraethu Planning & Governance Office

E-bost: [2][Bangor University request email] Email: [7][Bangor University request email]

Prifysgol Bangor, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG

[3]https://www.bangor.ac.uk/common/img/emai... [8]https://www.bangor.ac.uk/common/img/emai...
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[12]FfRhA Aur [13]TEF Gold

 

 

 

 

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Information Compliance Shared mailbox, Bangor University

6 Attachments

Our Ref: FOI1453

 

Dear Dr Cameron

 

Thank you for your email dated 17^th March 2018 requesting an internal
review of the University’s decision regarding your freedom of information
request, under Section 7 of the University’s Freedom of Information
Policy.  As outlined in our Policy the University Secretary has reviewed
the initial decision made by other officers.  

 

The University has considered all the information, including your initial
request, the University’s response dated 16^th March and your
representations of 17^th March. In the light of this, we have decided to
release the document requested. It is our view that the exemption used by
the University is a valid one, however the public interest consideration
is particularly strong, and tips the balance in favour of disclosure of
the information.

 

We therefore attach the University’s response to the 2017 UUK USS
valuation as requested.

 

With kind regards,

Compliance Team

 

[1]https://www.bangor.ac.uk/common/img/emai... Tîm Cydymffurfio Compliance Team
Swyddfa Cynllunio & Llywodraethu Planning & Governance Office

E-bost: [2][Bangor University request email] Email: [7][Bangor University request email]
Ffôn: Phone:

Prifysgol Bangor, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG

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[12]FfRhA Aur [13]TEF Gold

 

 

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