1. In respect of your council’s Street Works Permit Scheme please can you provide me with a copy of the original Permit Fees Cost Matrix Workbook for the Permit Scheme as referred to in section 3 and B 10 ff of the Traffic Management Act 2004 Permit Fees Guidance document (published July 2008 and subsequently withdrawn 17 May 2016).
As identified, the ‘Permit Fees Cost Matrix Workbook’ was withdrawn in May 2016. Devon County Council (DCC) introduced its permit scheme in April 2020 after the Workbook had been repealed.
Here is a link to the original consultation for the DCC Works Permit Scheme: The 2019 permit for works scheme consultation – Works Permit Scheme
2. The total amount paid to any external consultants (including names, if available) in connection with the development, implementation, or operation of the street works permit scheme, including preparation of the permit fee matrix.
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 the consultants work in a commercial company which continues to operate and bid for work in competition with others working within the sector. Disclosing the amount paid may potentially prejudice their commercial interests in bidding against competitors for business.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, the balance of public interest weighs in favour of withholding this information from disclosure.