Ward Allocation Scheme grant Cricket Green Ward

Thank you for your email message. We aim to respond to all requests under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information
Regulations 2004 within 20 working days. More information about the way we
deal with information requests is on our web site at
[1]www.merton.gov.uk/foi
 
Information Governance Team
London Borough of Merton.
020 8545 4634
 
 
 

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1. http://www.merton.gov.uk/foi

Thank you for your email message. We aim to respond to all requests under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information
Regulations 2004 within 20 working days. More information about the way we
deal with information requests is on our web site at
[1]www.merton.gov.uk/foi
 
Information Governance Team
London Borough of Merton.
020 8545 4634
 
 
 

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. http://www.merton.gov.uk/foi

Dear Ms Vogel,

Freedom of Information Act 2000 / Environmental Information Regulations
2004 Information request

We have now considered your information request as set out below. 

You asked:

In the main body of a response to an earlier FOI request
([1]https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url...
) you said that Cricket Green Ward had received a Ward Allocation Scheme
grant of £15,000 to repaint the fence surrounding the Mitcham War Memorial
on Lower Green West.

In the table provided in response to that earlier FOI request:

- the status of this application is marked as "pending"
- the amount applied for is marked as "unknown"
-  the service is marked as "grants to community groups"
- the feasibility status is marked as "pending"
- the date submitted for feasibility is marked as "27/04/21"
- the year of spend / spend status is marked as "pending"

For this particular grant please provide the following information:

- what is the amount applied for?

Response: The request did not state any amount applied for

- which ward councillor(s) put this application forward? 

Response: Councillor Makin submitted the request by email which was
subsequently accepted as an application in lieu of receipt of a valid
application form.

- what community group(s) are associated with this application?

Response: The British Legion was consulted.

- what activity has happened to realise the repainting since 27/04/21?

Response: Investigate request, established its validity and feasibility,
requested quotes

- What is the current feasibility status of this bid?

Response: The painting of the railings is feasible.

In addition please provide all email correspondence and any other
documentation that exist relating to this bid.

My Answer:

Please see responses in blue next to your questions.  Please find email
correspondence/documentation attached.  Please note that quotations
including amounts and quoting party name has been excluded under Section
43(2) of the FOI Act.

This exemption applies to information where disclosure would be likely to
be prejudicial to the commercial interests of any person. 

Disclosure of this information would be likely to prejudice the council’s
commercial interests, because release of this information would give
insight into the costs charged for this type of work. This would allow
competitors an insight into pricing. In addition release of this
information could harm our relationship with the supplier resulting in a
loss of confidence which would harm future negotiations.

As section 43(2) is a qualified exemption, we have gone on to consider the
public interest test. We accept that there is a general public interest in
openness and transparency to promote accountability. In this case the
public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest
in disclosing the information. 

Please note that the response to your previous FOI request did not include
any reference to a £15k grant being given to repaint the fence.  A budget
of £15k was allocated to each of the 20 wards in Merton at the incept of
the Ward Allocation Scheme and it was for the ward councillors to submit
project applications to the council it terms of their proposed projects
that they wish to be funded by their ward’s £15k budget.

Please be aware that the names and contact details of individuals below
the level of Assistant Director have been withheld under Section 40(2).
This is because it is personal information and those involved would not
expect their details to be revealed to the world at large, which
disclosure under FOI has to be considered as.

If you have any queries or concerns about this please contact me.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request or wish to
appeal against the decision to exempt any part of your request, you should
request an Internal Review at [2][Merton Borough Council request email] or write in to Freedom
of Information team, Merton Council, Civic Centre, Morden, SM4 5DX.

If you escalate to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) without
following the council’s internal review process, the ICO will refer you
back to the council to enable the correct process to be followed.

You can also appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
[3]https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/offi...

There is no charge for making an appeal.

Yours sincerely

Tim Catley, Planning Contributions Manager, Future Merton

dd. 020 8545 3449

Disclaimer: Any officer advice in relation to the Community
Infrastructure Levy provided in this email, or elsewhere, shall not be
regarded as definitive advice. It is not intended to replace the need to
read, understand and comply with the Community Infrastructure Levy
Regulations 2010 (as amended) (the “Regulations”) and (where consistent
with the Regulations) government advice and guidance on CIL. Applicants,
developers and landowners are accordingly advised to seek their own
professional advice. This statement does not apply to any statutory
notices or decisions given under the Regulations that may be attached or
included in this email.

Validation checklists must be adhered to when submitting a new
application:
[4]http://www.merton.gov.uk/living/planning...

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References

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1. https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url...
2. mailto:[Merton Borough Council request email]
3. https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/offi...
4. http://www.merton.gov.uk/living/planning...