COUNCIL REJECTS FORMAL REQUEST FOR VALUE OF FOREST E-BIKE DEAL
Richmond Council has rejected a Freedom of Information request to reveal the value of their new deal with e-bike operator FOREST despite their unsupported claim that the switch from LIME e-bikes represented ‘value for money for local taxpayers.’
Teddington Town asked this question on March 16: Can you please tell me the value of the contract with the e-bike supplier which is about to change to Forest from Lime per year. In other words how much does the Council pay the provider?
The Council’s full response stated: “The e-bike operator pays the Council an annual fee to operate in the borough. We cannot share the amount the council is paid as this is deemed commercially sensitive information.
“We judge that the requested information is exempt under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. Section 43(2) states that information is exempt from disclosure if its disclosure would or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person, including the public authority holding it.
“Disclosure of the requested information is likely to prejudice the commercial interest of Forest, as it could weaken their position in a competitive market by placing market sensitive information in the public domain, and to which other e-bike operators might refer should the Council decide to negotiate with other providers in the future. Disclosure would also be likely to prejudice the Council’s ability to secure the best possible value for any future contracts, as companies may be unwilling to provide the full information required if they believe this will be disclosed to competitors.
“This exemption requires the Council to consider the public interest test and, whilst the Council recognises the public interest in the transparency of the procurement process, it must consider the strong public interest in securing best value for taxpayers. In addition, it could be considered that an agreement is provided on a confidential basis on the understanding that it will not be placed in the public domain. As a consequence, the greater public interest lies in withholding these parts of the requested information.”
In its announcement about the change from Lime to Forest the Richmond council statement said: “An important step towards maintaining rental e-bikes in Richmond upon Thames has been given the green light, with the Council’s Transport and Air Quality Committee this week approving a recommendation to appoint Forest as the borough’s next hire e-bike operator, subject to contract, from this summer.
“Rental e-bikes are now firmly part of Richmond’s transport mix – with more than 1.5 million journeys made last year alone – providing a quick, easy, and sustainable travel option. Residents have told the Council they want the service to continue, but better managed – feedback which directly shaped the recent procurement process.
“The recommendation followed a rigorous and transparent process, including borough-wide consultation garnering more than 1,000 responses, an open Select Committee-style public hearing with all operators, and detailed evaluation of bids.
“Operators were assessed on service quality, safety, parking management, customer experience, pricing, and value for money for local taxpayers. Bids were considered from both single operators and two-operator models. The Council thanks operators who took part in the process, and to Lime for their five years of service in the borough.
“All operators demonstrated a strong level of service, with Forest scoring highest overall against the Council’s evaluation criteria.
“The new arrangement once in place will deliver a good deal for users through competitive pricing, more bikes and unify the service within borough and into all neighbouring boroughs. In financial terms the Council will receive a significant annual concession payment from the new operator, enabling the Council to deliver value and resilience for taxpayers in a challenging time.
“The Council will now work to finalise a contract with the operator and ensure a smooth transition, including clear information for residents.
“Further information will be widely publicised ahead of the change taking effect.”