No Deal Brexit Planning

The request was partially successful.

Dear University of Bristol,

1 - A copy of the University's impact assessment, contingency plans, risk register or project documentation on how the University will manage a "No Deal Brexit" in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal

2 - Any specific impact assessment, contingency plans, risk register or project documentation specifically around the continuation of teaching in the event that we leave the EU without a deal.

3 - Any specific impact assessment, contingency plans, risk register or project documentation specifically around the continuation and funding of research in the event that we leave the EU without a deal.

4 - Any specific impact assessment, contingency plans, risk register or project documentation specifically around the mobility and security of UK/EU students or staff, either studying or working in Leeds/abroad during the immediate point in time that we leave the EU without a deal.

5 - Any specific impact assessment, contingency plans, risk register or project documentation specifically around the first 7 days in the event we leave the EU without a deal.

I look forward to your response

Yours faithfully,

C. Morris

University of Bristol FOI mailbox, University of Bristol

Thank you for your e-mail.  The University will endeavour to respond to
your request under the Freedom of Information Act within 20 working days.

However, we are currently receiving a high volume of requests, and we
would be grateful if you could bear with us if, on occasion, we are unable
to respond within the statutory time-frame. We apologise for any
inconvenience that this may cause.

We may need to ask you certain questions to clarify your request to ensure
we fully understand what information is being requested. If so, the 20
working day deadline will be calculated once we have received such
clarification. 

 

The University's A-Z index can help in locating information that is
publicly available on the University's
website: [1]http://www.bristol.ac.uk/index/

 

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at: [2]http://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/s...

 

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For further information about the University's FOI procedure, please
see: [4]http://www.bristol.ac.uk/secretary/foi/

References

Visible links
1. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/index/
2. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/s...
3. https://www.hesa.ac.uk/
4. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/secretary/foi/

University of Bristol FOI mailbox, University of Bristol

1 Attachment

Dear C Morris

 

Freedom of Information Request (our reference FOI19-409)

 

We refer to your Freedom of Information request dated 11^th September. We
apologise for the delay in responding to your request. You requested the
following information:

 

“1 - A copy of the University's impact assessment, contingency plans, risk
register or project documentation on how the University will manage a "No
Deal Brexit" in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal

2 - Any specific impact assessment, contingency plans, risk register or
project documentation specifically around the continuation of teaching in
the event that we leave the EU without a deal.

3 - Any specific impact assessment, contingency plans, risk register or
project documentation specifically around the continuation and funding of
research in the event that we leave the EU without a deal.

4 - Any specific impact assessment, contingency plans, risk register or
project documentation specifically around the mobility and security of
UK/EU students or staff, either studying or working in Leeds/abroad during
the immediate point in time that we leave the EU without a deal.

5 - Any specific impact assessment, contingency plans, risk register or
project documentation specifically around the first 7 days in the event we
leave the EU without a deal.”

 

University’s Response

 

Further to Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the “Act”) we
confirm that the information requested is held by the University of
Bristol (the “University”), however, some of the information is exempt
from disclosure.

 

Two documents have been identified which are relevant to this request. The
first document has been withheld in its entirety under section 43 –
commercial interests. Please find attached the University’s Brexit Risk
and Impact Plan - a working document that is regularly updated by the
University’s Brexit planning group.  Some information has been redacted
under section 43 – Commercial Interests.

 

Exempt Information

The exemption applicable is section 43(2) of the Act as disclosure would,
or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of the
University. Section 43(2) is a qualified exemption that requires the
University to weigh the public interest in favour of disclosure, which is
presumed from the FOIA, against the public interest in withholding the
information. Please find this below.

 

While it is recognised that there is an expectation for the University to
operate with openness and accountability, and that there is a legitimate
public interest in knowing that the University is adequately prepared for
a no deal Brexit, the University will not disclose information which would
have detrimental consequences for us.

 

The withheld document and redacted sections of the Brexit Risk and Impact
Plan provide detailed information of the inner workings of the University,
including our plans and strategies. The University operates in an
extremely competitive sector. If the information is disclosed, it could be
used by competitor institutions to their commercial advantage.  Therefore,
disclosure of the exempt information could cause the University genuine
commercial prejudice if it was available to competitors within the sector.
To allow universities to compete effectively they must be able to withhold
certain information from public disclosure in order to develop successful
strategies. On balance, the University has found Section 43(2) can be
applied to this information.

 

Further information can be found on the University’s website. I have
provided a link for ease of reference:
[1]https://www.bristol.ac.uk/staff/brexit/

 

Internal Review Procedure

 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, then you have a
right under Section 50 of the Act to request an internal review.  All such
requests must be sent to us within 40 days, and must clearly state our
reference number (at the top of this email) and your reason for requesting
an internal review.  We will respond to your request for an internal
review within 20 working days of receipt.

 

Your request for an internal review should be sent to:

 

Director of Legal Services

Secretary’s Office

University of Bristol

Senate House

Tyndall Avenue

Bristol

BS8 1TH

 

Or you can email your request to [University of Bristol request email],
quoting your FOI reference number at the head of this letter.

 

Information Commissioners Office

 

Should you remain dissatisfied with the final outcome of the internal
review then you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner (the
“ICO”) for an independent review.  The ICO is the Government’s Independent
Body responsible for overseeing the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the
Data Protection Act 2018 and The Environmental Information Regulations
2004.

 

Please note the ICO will only review cases that have exhausted the
University’s internal review procedure. All correspondence to the ICO must
quote the University’s reference number and your reasons for your appeal. 
The ICO’s contact details are as follows:

 

The Information Commissioners Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

More information can be found at the ICO’s website
at [2]http://www.ico.org.uk

 

Kind Regards

 

Freedom of Information Team

University of Bristol

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/staff/brexit/
2. http://www.ico.org.uk/