References for Contract

Following on from your notification last month in respect to our tender application I wonder if you could please assist me with providing copies of the references obtained on our behalf. Our trustees have asked me to review and gain learning from our tender submission, your support would be greatly appreciated.

We would like to get copies of these references and therefore I have been asked to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act to receive references supplied as part of the above referenced tender process which relate to New Highway.

In accordance with section 1(1) (a) of the Act our response is provided below;

I have now considered your request and I am not obliged to provide the information requested.

Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Cheshire Constabulary, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you with a notice which a) states that fact, b) specifies the exemption in question and c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.

The information is exempt in accordance with Section 41 (1) (a) Information Provided in Confidence. This is an absolute exemption

The information you have requested was provided to the Authority in confidence by third parties. This was a reassurance given by the Authority to prospective referees.

We have determined that there is no strong public interest in disclosing this information on the contrary the public interest is served by respecting the confidentiality as do to otherwise, apart from any legal consequences would be likely to lead in non cooperation when seeking future referees.