(by email) / My ref / IL0 - UNCLASSIFIED
Your Ref: / 1-71263600
Please ask for: / Carole Bishop
Telephone No: / 0121 569 6855
Email: /
Date: / 10th July 2015
Dear Mr Jennings,
Freedom of Information Request – Fleet Engineer/Workshop Manager & Passenger Transport Services
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request dated 22nd June 2015 which asked for the following information:
1. Name and contact details of our fleet engineer/workshop manager
2. Name and contact details of companies that we sub contract work to.
3. Name and contact details for the person responsible for passenger transport services.
My response is listed below however regarding the contact names of subcontractors, Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides for an absolute exemption when the information requested consists of personal information and its disclosure would infringe the principles set out in the Data Protection Act 1998. It is the Council's position that contact names for the subcontractors constitute personal data as defined in Section 1(1) of the Data Protection Act 1998, as it would allow for the direct identification of individuals.
Disclosure of information constituting personal data may only be disclosed if it does not breach of any of the data protection principles. The council is satisfied that disclosure of the requested information would not be fair and lawful. In assessing fairness, the council has taken into consideration:
o whether the information is sensitive personal data;
In this case, the information comprises of names and is therefore not considered to be sensitive personal data as defined in Section (2) of the Data Protection Act 1998.
o the possible consequences of disclosure on the individual;
The Council is concerned that disclosure of the information would be to the detriment of the individual's right to privacy, as this would identify them as working for a particular company.
o the reasonable expectations of the individual.
At the time the information was collected, the data subject cannot have expected it would be available in the public domain, as the information was intended to be used by the Council for the administration of work to be carried out.
o any legitimate interests in the public having access to the information and the balance between these and the rights and freedoms of the individuals who are the data subjects.
The council acknowledges that the public have legitimate interest in transparency and accountability for public decisions. However, I do not believe that disclosure of the information requested would be of any benefit to transparency or public scrutiny, as these are elements of an individual's private life, even more so as a contact number for each subcontractor has been supplied to you.
The disclosure of their personal data may have a prejudicial effect on the individuals concerned and it is therefore the council’s considered position that the information you requested cannot be disclosed.
1. The contact name of our workshop manager is Mark Robinson, email address telephone 0121 569 6857.
2. We use various sub contractors on an adhoc basis and I list company names and telephone contact numbers below:
Imperial Commercials 01384 424500
Premier Tail Lifts 0121 552 5503
JW Hydraulics 01902 408771
Lodge Tyres 01902 647773
R.V.W. Pugh 01588 620545
RS Recovery 01215522076
In addition to the list above main vehicle agents may be used as deemed necessary from time to time.
3. The contact details for the manager of our integrated passenger transport unit is Alan Roberts email telephone number 0121 569 4187
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your request, and should be addressed to:
Information Management Unit
Sandwell Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE
Email –
If you are not content with the outcome of an internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Yours sincerely
Carole Bishop
Fleet Manager
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Fleet Services
Transport Dept, Waterfall Lane, Cradley Heath, West Midlands B64 6RL