Connecting Devon and Somerset board reports

Please provide copies of the CDS Programme Board Reports from the July 2019 Board meeting and the following meeting which took place on or about September 11, 2019.

We can confirm that CDS does hold the information which you have requested. However, we are not able to provide the requested information for the CDS Board meetings referred to in July and September as this information is exempt for the following reasons:

a) Information shared with the CDS Board would or would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the County Council and other persons and we consider this to be exempt under s.43 (2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
i) Information included commercially confidential information from the supplier on its proposals;
ii) Information shared included potential procurement options and assessment of a number of suppliers’ capability and capacity provided in confidential meetings with CDS. Disclosure before a tender process would prejudice the successful tender process and therefore the commercial interests of Devon County Council and the applicants. Whilst the Council acknowledges the need to be transparent, it is not in the public interest to prejudice any forthcoming tender process and create further  expense for the council.

b) Some of the information shared with the Board at the September meeting included legal advice which we consider to be exempt under s.42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

c) Some of the information shared with the Board at the September meeting included information that was provided to CDS in confidence which we consider to be exempt under s.41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.