Our Ref: 7391  

Dear Enquirer,

INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information which will be dealt with under
the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 / Environmental
Information Regulations 2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, we
will let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

If you have any queries about this matter please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Kind regards

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Our Ref: 7391   

Dear Enquirer,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST 

I refer to your Freedom of Information request in relation to contract
data. 

Right of Access 

Section 1(1) of the Act provides any person making a request for
information to a public authority is entitled. 

(a) to be informed in writing by the public authority whether it holds
information of the description specified in the request (which Section
1(6) of the Act designates as the "duty to confirm or deny"), and 

(b) if that is the case, to have that information communicated to him. 

The right is to obtain access to the information itself and not to the
document or record which contains it. 

The Act creates a general right of access to information held by public
authorities subject to various exemptions. 

Q.1 Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and
were successful & not successful at the PQQ & ITT stages
This information is available via contact award notice which is available
on the contracts register and is therefore refused under Section 21 of the
FOI Act. Please see guidance on this refusal below.
Q.2 Actual contract values of each framework/contract (& any sub lots)
This was a framework set up with no guaranteed value of works for any lots
- details can be found on the contracts register. This question is
therefore refused under Section 21 of the FOI Act. Please see guidance on
this refusal below.
Q.3 Start date & duration of framework
This started in 2016 - 2020, however the contract was found not to be
efficient and we carried out no further call offs from 2018 and a more
efficient contract was then set up and used - details can be found on the
Contracts Register or exact start and end date. This is therefore refused
under Section 21 of the FOI Act. Please see guidance on this refusal
below.
Q.4 Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if
so, the duration of the extension?
No
Q.5 Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s)
are being either extended or renewed?
This framework will not be renewed or extended 
Q.6 Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for
this contract?
Commercial Team Manager
Duty to confirm or deny 

The public interest test requires Northumberland County Council to confirm
that we hold information in relation to your request. 

Exemptions 

The Freedom of Information Act sets out various exemptions to the right of
access. 

In the present case the County Council takes the view that the information
relating to your request is exempt under the following provisions; 

Section 21 of the Act states that a public Authority does not need to
provide information under section 1 of the Act if that information is
reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means. 

The information is available by the contracts register which can be
accessed via this
link: [1]https://procontract.due-north.com/Contra...

Notice of Refusal

Please treat this letter as a Notice of Refusal as regards the information
covered by the Section 21 Exemption. 

Advice and Assistance

The County Council recognises its statutory duty to provide advice and
assistance under Section 16 of the Act. 

Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the Council
is seeking to be transparent and open in its response.

Complaints 

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been
handled, you can request an internal review by writing within 2 months
from the date of this response to the Information Governance Office: 

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
NE61 2EF 

Email: [Northumberland County Council request email] 

Information Commissioner 

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a
right by Section 50 of the Act to apply to the Information Commissioner
for a decision as to whether your request has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act at: 

The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire 
SK9 5AF 

Tel: 0303 123 1113
Email: [email address] 

There is no charge for making an appeal. 

Yours faithfully 

FOI Coordinator 
Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email] 
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk 

References

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