Request ID: FOI-1208-2223 Date published: 17 August 2022
You asked
the name of the business that you say you have engaged in the pilot. It'll be in the public domain, and I now ask you for their details. Please also let me have the contact details of the effective CEO (or equivalent) of TfL.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1208-2223
Thank you for your request received on 21 July 2022 asking for information about the Community Panels pilot contract.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the requested information at this is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) – prejudice to commercial interests.
In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied to as disclosure would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests as well as those of the company we propose to engage in the pilot. The contract has not been finalised, until such time that it is there is still a risk that the company we have chosen could withdraw from the pilot. The name of the company and a copy of the contract (redacted as appropriate) can be requested once the contract has been finalised.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance feel that balance lies in favour of withholding the requested information to ensure that we are able to have as streamlined and speedy a procurement as possible in order to obtain best value for public money when awarding contracts.
The Commissioner for TfL is Andy Byford. Any correspondence regarding this matter should continue to be sent to your established contacts, this will ensure that they can be directed to the right team to respond to in a timely manner.
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
