Dear Ms Thomas

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST

We acknowledge your request for information.

We are considering your request and you should receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days. If there are any areas of your request that need to be clarified then we will contact you at the earliest opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

Rhys Davies
Information Compliance Manager /Rheolwr Cydymffurfio i Wybodaeth
University Secretary's Office/Swyddfa Ysgrifennydd y Brifysgol
University of South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru
Treforest
Pontypridd
CF37 1DL

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Dear Ms Thomas,
 
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST
 
Thank you for your request for information received on the 3^rd April
2018.  Please find below the University’s response.
 
1. A copy of the latest university strategic plan
 
Please find attached the University’s Strategic Plan
 
2. The student numbers planned for the duration of the plan - split into
full time and part time.
 
The University holds information on student projections  but considers
that the information is exempt by virtue of Section 43 (Prejudice to
commercial interests) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 
 
Section 43 (2) Commercial Interests. 
 
This exemption applies as the data, if released to the public domain,
would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the University. 
 
Disclosure of this would involve the University providing data that would
be of use to other institutions who would be able to build a more accurate
picture of our future position and understand better the forecasting data
for the University. 
 
Disclosure of market sensitive information would benefit other
institutions currently operating within the area and could influence their
strategies to the detriment of this institution.  This would be likely to
have a negative impact on the University’s ability to remain competitive
in the sector.  
 
The University operates in a highly competitive environment whereby the
economic viability of the institution relies primarily on its ability to
recruit students.  The University receives 90% of its income from student
fees and with 7 other higher education institutions within a 90 minute
travel time of the University there is a need for it to ensure that it
remains competitive by protecting information it considers to be
sensitive.
 
In considering the Public Interest Test, the following factors were
considered:
 
Public interest factors in favour of disclosure
 

* The importance of transparency and the accountability.

Public interest factors in favour of maintaining the exemption
 

* Releasing this information would compromise the University’s position
within the sector as the information would be used by competitors to
understand our operation and to re-evaluate theirs.  
* There is a strong public interest in maintaining fair competition in
the higher education sector and in ensuring that the University of
South Wales is able to compete fairly, and as far as is possible on a
level playing field. 

 
It is considered that whilst there is a public interest in ensuring that
there is transparency, the University has concluded that there is greater
public interest in maintaining the exemption given in particular the
impact disclosure would have on fair competition and the advantage this
information would provide to competitors. 
In respect of your request for information regarding this part of your
request in accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act
2000 this letter acts as a Refusal Notice.
 
 
3. Is there any intention to merge with other universities or colleges?
 
There is no intention to merge with any other university or college
 
 
Should you have any further queries do not hesitate to contact the
Information Compliance Manager, University of South Wales, Pontypridd,
CF37 1DL. If you are not satisfied with the University’s response, you are
entitled to use the University’s complaints procedure available from
[1]http://uso.southwales.ac.uk/ig/foi/.
Further information about the Act is available from :
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
[2]http://www.ico.gov.uk/
Yours faithfully,
Rhys Davies
Information Compliance Manager
 
 
 
 

References

Visible links
1. http://uso.southwales.ac.uk/ig/foi/
2. http://www.ico.gov.uk/