Dear Dean Kirby

Freedom of Information Act 2000 Ref:  42/2020

Thank you for your correspondence received on the 17th August 2020.

Your request is being considered under the Freedom of Information Act
2000.

Please note: On 16th March 2020 the Local Government Secretary announced
that as part of the government’s response to the coronavirus statutory
deadlines for Freedom of Information requests have been temporarily
suspended. We will continue to aim to respond to your query within 20
working days, but please be aware that this may not be possible at the
present time.

The FOI Act defines a number of exemptions that may prevent release of the
requested information. There will therefore be an assessment of your
request to determine if any exemptions apply to the information requested.
If the information cannot be released, or only released in part, you will
be informed of the reasons why, together with any rights of appeal.

If the information requested refers to a third party, they may be
consulted before deciding whether it can be released.

Yours sincerely

Laura Metcalfe  |  Governance and Administration Manager
07388 371543  |  [1][email address]
Tees Valley Combined Authority
| TEES VALLEY MAYOR
Cavendish House, Teesdale Business Park,
​Stockton‑on‑Tees, Tees Valley, TS17 6QY
​Switchboard: 01642 524400
​[2]www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk
[3]Facebook [4]LinkedIn [5]Facebook TeesValleyCA

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There was no attachment sent with the response to your Freedom of
Information request.

The response was as follows:-

Dear Dean Kirby,

Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Ref: 42/2020

Thank you for your correspondence received on 17^th August. In response to
your request I can now provide the following information. 

1 - The date and duration of the overseas trip, as well as the Chinese
city that was visited. Hong Kong, a two day trip in March 2018.
[1]https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-...

2 - The full name, title and position of those who went on the overseas
trip as well as the number of people who travelled.  Ben Houchen, Tees
Valley Mayor, One person from TVCA (we do not hold details of other
travellers, the Department of International Trade (DIT) might).

3 - The reason or reasons why they went on the trip and an explanation as
to how the trip benefited your region. – The trip was organised by the UK
Government to promote the Northern Powerhouse in Hong Kong, which allowed
the Mayor to promote the South Tees Development Corporation.
 [2]https://teesbusiness.co.uk/2018/03/27/ma...
4 - A list of places they visited and the people they met (please provide
as much detail as possible)  - TVCA does not hold this information – the
DIT might.
5 - The cost of the trip (please provide a breakdown of costs including
travel costs, accommodation costs, expenses and any other costs). The trip
was organised and funded by the Department for International Trade.
6 - Please state whether the mayor's office or combined authority met the
costs of the trip, or whether an individual, group, company, consortium,
charity or another organisation met the costs, including Chinese companies
or government bodies. The trip was organised and funded by the Department
for International Trade.
7 - Please provide the full name of the individual, group, company,
charity or organisation that met the costs. If it is a group or
consortium, please state who or what composes the group or consortium. See
answer to question 5
8 - Details of any gifts received, who received it, each gift's value and
which organisation, individual gave them each gift. No gifts were received
9 - Details of any financial benefits received by the mayor/combined
authority/your region as a result of the trip - eg free office space in
China. None were received.
10 - A copy of the itinerary for each trip. TVCA does not hold this
information – the DIT might.

If you have any queries or concerns please contact me in the first
instance.

However, if you are unhappy with the way your request for information has
been handled, you can submit a complaint by writing to:

Chief Executive, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Cavendish House, Teesdale
Business Park, Stockton on Tees, TS17 6QY. 

If, after your complaint has been determined, you remain dissatisfied with
the handling of your request or complaint, you have a right to appeal to
the Information Commissioner at:

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), Wycliffe House, Water Lane,
Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.  Telephone: 0303 123 1113:  Website:
[3]www.ico.gov.uk. 

The ICO does not make a charge for an appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Sally Henry | Governance Officer

Tees Valley Combined Authority

[4]cid:image001.jpg@01D48D8C.5185FB60

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