Freedom of information response

1.       Names, telephone number and email addresses of key contacts within the Local Authority for managing/organising and purchasing outsourced printed materials - booklets, leaflets, prospectus, magazines, brochures, flyers etc.

We are unable to provide this information under S40.

2.       A description of the decision-making process for onboarding new print suppliers.

It is the I.T. department that have been in control of all the printers.

3.       Company names of your preferred print and publication design suppliers you currently use for printing and design services.

N/A. This question does not fall into the scope of the Freedom of Information Act.

4.       Estimated annual spend on outsourced print. (ball-park is fine)

We do not outsource printing.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide in full the information you have requested.  We do hold the information but an absolute exemption applies.  Personal Information (Section 40,2) 

Personal data of any other person (third party data) is exempt under section 40(2) if disclosure would breach one of the data protection principles. This aspect of Section 40 is an Absolute Exemption and is therefore not subject to the Public Interest Test. 

The names of officers working for the Council is personal data specific to them. It is therefore subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act. Information can be withheld if its disclosure would be likely to breach one or more of the Principles of the Data Protection Act. There is no prior expectation on the part of team Managers (or other officers working below the level of Director) that their names and job titles / positions would be published into the wider public domain under FOI. A disclosure made under FOI constitutes a publication to the world at large. We believe that to disclose this would be likely to breach the first Principle of the Data Protection Act by unfairly contravening their right to privacy and confidentiality in the work place.  

However, in the interests of transparency we are able to share details relating to senior officers (Director  level and above). For these officers, there is already a greater expectation of openness about their role given their level of accountability for service provision and budgetary decision making.  

For your information please see the following link which outlines staff details of Director and above: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/chief-executive-directors-and-services