Copies of correspondence

Dear Requester

Request for information – FOI12277

Thank you for your letter dated 20^th March 2012, with the following being dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000:

‘Would you be kind enough to forward to me copies of letters or the e-mails of Mr. xxxxxx and Mr xxxxxx and oblige.  May I also request to you to let me know the name of your surveyor and the person responsible for making the Bridleway as a road for all vehicular traffic.’

Ordnance Survey does not hold copies of written communication with Mr xxxxxx or Mr xxxxxx regarding the issue you raise. This is because the discussions took place by telephone; therefore Ordnance Survey is unable to provide this information as it is not held.

Ordnance Survey does hold the name of the surveyor/person responsible for making the bridleway a road for vehicular traffic. However, this information is exempt under Section 40 (2) (a) of the FOIA as it constitutes personal data and the release of this information would breach one of the Data Protection principles.

In applying this exemption, we have considered whether disclosure of the personal data in question would be 'fair' (as described in Part II of Schedule 1 to the Data Protection Act).  We have given particular consideration to the likely expectations of the data subject regarding the disclosure of the information.

We have concluded that disclosure in this case would not be 'fair', given that the individual/s are not Senior Civil Servants (SCS) and the nature of the work conducted by Civil Servants below SCS grade is such that they should not be held publicly accountable for their work through the release of personal data.

We have determined, that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in is not applicable as the information requested is either not held or falls under Section 40 (2) (a) which is an absolute exemption and requires no public interest test.

Your enquiry has been processed according to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal to our Appeals Officer at:

FOI Appeals Officer
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Adanac Drive
SOUTHAMPTON
SO16 0AS

Please include the reference number above. The Appeals Officer will ensure that the process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of additional information if appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry.