Please provide:
1. The agreed contractual working hours for the A382 scheme.
Permitted working hours are 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and 0900 to 16:00 Saturday. Work outside of these hours must be approved by the Project Manager.
2. Whether weekend working was permitted, required or prohibited.
Saturday working is permitted 09:00 – 16:00
3. Whether evening or extended working hours were considered.
Works after 18:00 are not permitted as a matter of course, however they are being used periodically with permission in order to maintain progress to programme.
4. Any documents explaining restrictions on working hours.
5. Any contractual incentives for early completion or penalties for late completion.
Regarding questions 4 & 5, information regarding restrictions on working hours and contractual incentives is contained within the contract between Devon County Council and the contractor.
This information is exempt from disclosure under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests).
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held; however, its disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of the Council.
This is because sharing this information would jeopardise the Council’s ability as a purchasing authority to achieve best value for money, and may well lead to providers benchmarking against prices submitted. This may then lead to future tenders being less competitive.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, there is a stronger public interest in ensuring best value for money for the taxpayer so the maximum amount of money can be spent on services for the people of Devon.
Therefore, the balance of public interest weighs in favour of withholding this information from disclosure.