TFL proses to building apartments on the car parks of Arnos Grove tube station and paid a private company/companies to conduct a public consultation exercise. Please may I have all relevant documents detailing: - how much TFL paid to GiveMyView and any other companies for this public consultation exercise - the detailed results of the public consultation exercise and specifically, documents showing: a) how many members of the public took part b) a detailed breakdown of the opinion of those who took part...how many were in favour of the plan, how many were against and any documents summarising - with figures if possible - the reasons why people were for and against the plans

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TfL Ref: FOI-3018-1920 

 

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9 January 2020 asking for information about consultations. 

 

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our Information Access Policy. You asked: 

 

TFL proposes to building apartments on the car parks of Arnos Grove tube station and paid a private company/companies to conduct a public consultation exercise.

 

 

Please may I have all relevant documents detailing:

 

- how much TFL paid to GiveMyView and any other companies for this public consultation exercise 

In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to provide this information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) – commercial interests.  

 

In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of requested costs would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests and those of our joint venture partner as it would provide competitors with an advantage by giving an insight into how much we are likely to pay for public consultation services . There is also a commercial harm likely to arise in respect of TfL’s ability to obtain best value for money in relation to future consultation tenders as prospective bidders may use this information and therefore reduce the competitiveness of the tender process in future tender exercises. Likewise, this has the potential to harm the interests of our joint venture partner, Grainger, by revealing information as to what they pay for public consultation services additionally.

 

 

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. TfL recognises the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, particularly where the use of public assets is concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that TfL is able to obtain the best value from public assets, and that the marketplace is able to retain its competitiveness, outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of TfL’s processes. 

 

Please note, information on TfL’s expenditure over £250 is published at https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/expenditure-over-250  

 

- the detailed results of the public consultation exercise and specifically, documents showing:

 

a) how many members of the public took part 

86 people attended the Meet the Team events and 75 people attended the two day public exhibitions. 

 

b) a detailed breakdown of the opinion of those who took part...how many were in favour of the plan, how many were against and any documents summarising - with figures if possible -  the reasons why people were for and against the plans. 

We are currently analysing responses which will be used in our planning submission and published in due course. Therefore in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with the information you have requested as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information, under Section 22 of the Act. In this instance the exemption has been applied as the information you have requested is intended for future publication as part of the Statement of Community Involvement when the planning application is submitted in Spring 2020.

 

 

This exemption is subject to a public interest test, which requires us to assess whether the public interest in applying the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. In this instance, it is considered that the public interest favours the publication of this information, in context and according to the pre-determined schedule, rather than in response to your request, to ensure the information is provided accurately and in an accessible manner.

 

 

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. 

 

Yours sincerely, 

 

Melissa Nichols 

 

FOI Case Officer 

General Counsel 

Transport for London 

 

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