Request
I understand the construction of the NLHPP has been delayed due to under delivery by the contractor Acciona. I am worried about the lack of transparency, poor governance and the cost implications of this delay. I would like to see please:
- minutes from all the Programme Committee meetings since 18th January 2024
- all correspondence between the NLWA and the 7 constituent councils regarding the delay in constructions and its implications for council budgets, waste management, and the decentralised heating networks.
- the report of the audit conducted by ARUP on the project
- all correspondence between NLWA leadership team and the NLWA board regarding the audit findings
Response
We have reviewed the requested material and have provided below access to all documents that are publicly available and appropriate to disclose to the public.
However, other information within the scope of your request has been withheld under Section 43(2) of the FOIA, which exempts information where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any legal person (including the public authority holding the information).
The information we are not disclosing includes material, which if made public, risks putting the Authority in breach of its contract with Acciona. For this reason, we have determined that the public interest in maintaining the s43 exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
The Programme Committee is convened when there are major decisions requiring determination outside the normal cycle of full Authority meetings. It is the Authority’s usual practice to bring regular updates and all major decisions to full Authority meetings, which all members attend, deputations can be made and minutes published – see - Our Meetings | NLWA
| Date of correspondence | Document | Link |
| 08 Feb 2024 | Authority meeting | 8 Feb 2024 NLHPP Update and Reports.pdf |
| April 2024 | Authority meeting | April 2024 NLHPP Update and Reports.pdf |
| 20 September 2024 | Authority meeting | 30 Sept 2024 NLHPP Update and Report.pdf |
| 7 Nov 2024 | Informal briefing | 7 Nov 2024 Transition and Programme Update.pdf |
| 5 Dec 2024 | Authority meeting | 5 Dec 2024 NLHPP Update Report.pdf |
| 13 Feb 2024 | Authority meeting | 13 Feb 2025 NLHPP Update Report.pdf |
| 19 Jun 2024 | Authority meeting | 19 Jun 2025 NLHPP Update Report.pdf |
