Dear Kevin

I acknowledge receipt of your email received by this office on 2 February 2020 in which you requested information regarding Zinc Network.

Your request will now be dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and has been allocated reference FOI20-052 which should be quoted in all correspondence. We will respond to your request within 20 working days starting the next working day after receipt, therefore you can expect to receive a response no later than 28 February 2020.

Where we consider that we will not be able to meet this deadline or if further time is required to consider the public interest test we will contact you as soon as possible and give you a revised date for response.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and, if that is the case, we will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.

Yours sincerely

Adran Cynllunio Strategol a Llywodraethu
Prifysgol Caerdydd
2il Lawr, Friary House
Heol y Brodyr Llwydion
Caerdydd
CF10 3AE
Ffôn: +44 (029) 2087 5327
Ebost : [email address]  

Mae'r Brifysgol yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu'n Saesneg.  Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu unrhwy oedi.

Strategic Planning and Governance
Cardiff University
2nd Floor, Friary House
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF10 3AE
Tel: +44 (029) 2087 5327
Email: [email address] 

The University welcomes correspondence in Welsh or English.  Corresponding in Welsh will not lead to any delay.

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Dear Kevin

Further to our recent email, unfortunately we will not be in a position to provide you with a response by the date originally stated. We anticipate we will require a further 10 working days. You can therefore expect to receive a response no later than 13 March 2020.

We apologise for the inconvenience.

Yours sincerely

Adran Cynllunio Strategol a Llywodraethu Prifysgol Caerdydd 2il Lawr, Friary House Heol y Brodyr Llwydion Caerdydd
CF10 3AE
Ffôn: +44 (029) 2087 5327
Ebost : [email address]  

Mae'r Brifysgol yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu'n Saesneg.  Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu unrhwy oedi.

Strategic Planning and Governance
Cardiff University
2nd Floor, Friary House
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF10 3AE
Tel: +44 (029) 2087 5327
Email: [email address] 

The University welcomes correspondence in Welsh or English.  Corresponding in Welsh will not lead to any delay.

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Dear Kevin

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information request dated 2
February 2020.

For ease of reference, I have reproduced your questions below and set out
our corresponding responses.

The webpage of Zinc Network (registered company network 06651251) mentions
Cardiff University as one of their key clients.

I'd like to know:

 1. How much Cardiff University has paid Zinc Network for its services?
 2. What exact projects/campaigns/services Zinc Network has rendered to
Cardiff University?
 3. When these services were rendered?
 4. Minutes of all communication between Cardiff University and Zinc
Network relating to services rendered.

Cardiff University previously had a working, collaborative relationship
with Zinc Network under the University’s Research and Development remit;
it would be inaccurate to describe the University as a client.

In relation to questions 1, 2 and 4, the University considers that the
information requested is exempt from disclosure under Section 43(2) of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000. This exemption may be applied where to
release information would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial
interests of the University or any third party.

Section 43(2) Commercial Interests

It is considered that to disclose the information requested would be
likely to prejudice both the commercial interests of the University and
Zinc Network.

Consideration of likely prejudice for Cardiff University

We have a thriving and innovative research culture, one that connects our
academics to industry, business, government and the third sector in Wales,
the UK and internationally. Developing alliances with other academic
organisations, industry and government is essential for us to realise our
research ambitions. These alliances allow us to combine complementary
expertise, increase our research capacity and help us to turn original
thought into real world impact. They also provide exciting
cross-organisational opportunities and alternative funding streams for
academics. If the University is to work effectively with commercial
organisations there needs to be mutual trust and the assurance that
commercially sensitive technologies and financial and business information
can be shared on an entirely confidential basis. Indeed, under its 2018-23
strategy The Way Forward the University has a KPI to develop further
collaborative relationships with industry and any disclosure of
information which undermines this trust would be detrimental to the
achievement of our goals as an organisation.

It is also considered that disclosure of this information would be likely
to have a negative effect in terms of the ability of the University to
partner with other commercial organisations if it was considered that the
University might have to disclose information generated as a result of the
partnership that would likely be prejudicial to either party’s interests.

Consideration of likely prejudice for Zinc Network

The exemption under Section 43(2) of the FOI Act means that consideration
must be given to the likely prejudice to the commercial interest of third
parties as well as the public authority holding the information.

To release the information requested would be prejudicial to Zinc
Network’s commercial interests. Their market is extremely competitive and
disclosure of the information that would give commercial insight to
competitors and allow them to exploit the information for their own
advantage. Given that it is a highly specialised and competitive market,
the impact of any such disclosure would likely have a magnifying effect.

In order to apply, the exemption requires that a public interest test be
considered and this is documented below:

Public Interest Test

Factors in favour of disclosure

Openness and Transparency - it is in the public interest that the
University, as a public authority, is as open and transparent as possible
in the way it operates.

Factors in favour of non-disclosure

Commercial Interests - it is not in the public interest to disclose
information that would undermine the ability of the University to
undertake and develop its commercial functions and to differentiate itself
from competitors.

Efficiency and effectiveness – it is not in the public interest to
disclose information that would erode the efficiency and effectiveness of
the organisation by damaging its opportunities to develop income streams
and undermine its ability to use that income for reinvestment in its
public task as a provider of higher education.

Given the above, it is considered that it is in the greater public
interest to withhold the information from disclosure at this time.

In relation to question 3, the University ended its work with Zinc Network
in 2019.

I trust this information satisfies your enquiry.  The University has a
Freedom of Information Complaints Procedure should you feel dissatisfied
with this response or the way in which your request was handled.
Complaints must be made in writing and must set out why you believe the
University has not met its obligations under the Freedom of Information
Act.  You may email your complaint to [1][email address] where
it will be forwarded to the Director of Strategic Planning and Governance
who will be responsible for overseeing the review.

If you remain dissatisfied following the outcome of your complaint, you
have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for
consideration.  The Information Commissioner can be contacted at the
following address: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House,
Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
Cardiff University. If you require further assistance please feel free to
contact me.

Yours sincerely

Gwasanaeth Sicrwdd Assurance Services

Adran Cynllunio Strategol a Strategic Planning and Governance
Llywodraethu
Cardiff University
Prifysgol Caerdydd
2^nd Floor, Friary House
2il Lawr, Friary House
Greyfriars Road
Heol y Brodyr Llwydion
Cardiff
Caerdydd
CF10 3AE
CF10 3AE
Email: [3][email address] 
Ebost : [2][email address]
   

  The University welcomes
correspondence in Welsh or English. 
Mae'r Brifysgol yn croesawu Corresponding in Welsh will not lead
gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu'n Saesneg.  to any delay.
Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu
unrhwy oedi.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]

Thank you for your email. We will aim to reply to your requests in due
course, however due to the current situation there may be some delay. If
you have submitted an information request under the FOI Act or a subject
access request under Data Protection legislation we may not be able to
reply within the statutory deadline. We would appreciate your
understanding and patience at this time.

 Diolch am eich ebost. Fe geisiwn ymateb i’ch ceisiadau maes o law, ond
efallai bydd rhywfaint o oedi oherwydd y sefyllfa bresennol. Os ydych wedi
cyflwyno cais am wybodaeth o dan y Ddeddf Rhyddid Gwybodaeth neu gais am
fynediad at wrthrych o dan ddeddfwriaeth Diogelu Data, efallai na fyddwn
yn gallu ymateb o fewn y terfyn amser statudol.

Dear Kevin,

I acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information Act Complaint received by this office on 01/06/20.

Your complaint has been referred to the Director of Strategic Planning and Governance who will aim to respond to your request within 20 working days starting the day after receipt. Therefore, you can expect to receive a response no later than 29/06/20.

In some circumstances we may not be able to meet this deadline and if this is likely to be the case we will contact you as soon as possible and give you a revised date for response.

Yours sincerely

Assurance Services
Strategic Planning & Governance

Gwasanaethau Sicrwydd
Adran Gynllunio Strategol a Llywodraethu
Cardiff University

Prifysgol Caerdydd
2nd Floor, Friary House

Llawr 2, Friary House
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff

Heol y Brodyr Llwydion
Caerdydd
CF10 3AE

E-mail: [email address]

We welcome correspondence in Welsh or English. Corresponding in Welsh will not lead to any delay.

E-bost: [email address]

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth trwy’r Gymraeg neu’r Saesneg. Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu unrhyw oedi.

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Dear Kevin

Further to our last email, unfortunately we have not been in a position to
provide you with a response by the intended date of 29/06/20. Please rest
assured we are continuing to work on your request and will respond in due
course as soon as we are able to do so. Please accept our apologies for
any inconvenience this may cause.

Regards

Assurance Services   Gwasanaeth Sicrwdd
Strategic Planning & Governance   Adran Gynllunio Strategol a
Llywodraethu
Cardiff University   Prifysgol Caerdydd
2nd Floor, Friary House   Llawr 2, Friary House
Greyfriars Road   Heol y Brodyr Llwydion

Cardiff Caerdydd
CF10 3AE   CF10 3AE
E-mail: [1][email address]   E-bost:
[2][email address]
We welcome correspondence in Welsh
or English Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth trwy’r
Gymraeg neu’r Saesneg

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]

Dear Kevin

With regards to your request for an internal review, please see the
attached document.

Yours sincerely

+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Assurance Services | |Gwasanaeth Sicrwydd |
|-----------------------------------+-+----------------------------------|
|Strategic Planning & | |   Adran Cynllunio Strategol a |
| | | |
|Governance | |   Llywodraethu |
|Cardiff University | | |
|E-mail: | |Prifysgol Caerdydd |
|[1][email address] | | |
|The University welcomes | |  |
|correspondence in Welsh or English.| | |
| | |E-bost: |
| | |[2][email address] |
| | | |
| | |Mae'r Brifysgol yn croesawu |
| | |gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu'n |
| | |Saesneg. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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