01792 636184
EV4.1881(227)
Your ref:-
23/05/2012
Dear Mr. Jarman,
Thank you for your request for information which was received on 8th May 2012.
This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
You requested the following:
“The Local Authority is requested to provide a list of motor vehicles owned or leased to the council.
Please include; Registration Mark, Fleet number (if used), Chassis Make and Model, Body Type.”
I confirm that the Council does hold the information that you have requested. However, some of the information is being withheld, namely the motor vehicle registration numbers. This is being withheld because the following exemptions apply under the Act:-
Section 31(1) (a) – Law Enforcement. _
It is considered thatthe exemption under Section 31(1) (a) applies
to the motor vehicle registration numbers. Section 31(1) (a) exempts information if its disclosure would, or would be likely to; prejudice the prevention or detection of crime
It is our view that the release of the registration numbers, together with the release of the fleet/chassis information would enable the illegal activity of cloning to take place.
Theexemption is a qualified exemption and as such is subject to the application of the public interest test. We have considered matters in favour of disclosure such as openness, transparency and accountability, but weighed against this is the harm that would be caused to the Council’s security in releasing this information.In all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Section 38(1) (b) – Health & safety.
Due to the sensitive nature of the work carried out by some of the staff who use lease vehicles or fleet vehicles e.g. social care staff, we consider that the exemption under section 38(1) (b) applies. This exempts information where disclosure would, or would be likely to endanger the safety of any individual. It is also subject to the public interest test. The matters in favour of disclosure are set out above, but it is our view that this is outweighed by the prejudice which would be caused to the Council in release of the information.
In all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
However, please find the remainder of the information requested attached to my email.
If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can request a review by writing to the Corporate Complaints Manager, City & County of Swansea, Room 2.2.3, The Civic Centre, Swansea SA1 3SN.
If you are still unhappy with the handling of your request, you have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
The Information Commissioner’s Office – Wales,
2nd Floor, Churchill House,
Churchill Way,
Cardiff CF10 2HH
Telephone: 029 2067 8400
E-mail:
There is no charge for making an appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Freedom of Information Officer,
The Environment Department