Under the provisions of the FOI Act, please provide a copy of the TfL briefing note titled: ‘Meeting with Lambeth Council, Coin Street Community Builders and the Garden Bridge Trust, 16 June 2016’ The note may be dated 14 June 2016. I am aware that this was the subject of a previous FOI Request (FOI-2228-1617). That request was refused on the following grounds: “…in the circumstances prevailing at the time your request was received and in accordance with Regulation 12(5)(e) we are not obliged to provide the information you have requested as provision of this information is likely to have a negative impact on the commercial interests of the Garden Bridge Trust (GBT). The document describes part of an ongoing commercial negotiation between the parties which has not yet been concluded and provision of the document at this stage is likely to hinder these ongoing negotiations by placing the GBT at a commercial disadvantage. There is a strong public interest in the release of information that would inform and engage public debate on issues pertinent to the Garden Bridge. The release of the information covered by this exception would also therefore help reassure the public that we are considering the most appropriate options and advice regarding the project . However, at this point in time, we feel that the balance of public interest lies in favour of withholding the information you have requested to ensure that the GBT are able to continue to negotiate competitively during this ongoing process.” As I’m sure you are aware, the Garden Bridge project has officially been cancelled. The Garden Bridge Trust has publicly declared its intention to wind up the charity, which is further evidenced by the recent deletion of its website, Twitter and Facebook accounts. The basis of this previous refusal therefore no longer applies as there is no ongoing commercial negotiation between the parties involved.

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TfL Ref: FOI-2659-1718

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 17 December 2017 asking for information about the Garden Bridge.

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.

Please see the information you have requested attached.

Please note that in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply some of the information requested as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) which exempts information where disclosure would be likely to prejudice commercial interests. The document contains some detail regarding the lease agreement between Coin Street Community Builders and Lambeth Council. Having sought the views of those parties, we have agreed that provision of this information is likely to have a negative impact on their respective commercial positions.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. Whilst we recognise that there is a public interest in transparency, we feel that there is a greater public interest in protecting the commercial interests of Lambeth Council and Coin Street Community Builders who have an ongoing interest in the area through the terms of their current lease.  

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Lee Hill

Senior FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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