May 08, 2025 | Organisational Information and Performance , Police Properties and Estate
Request Number: FOI/13994
Category: Crime/Incident Statistics Serious and Organised Crime
Subject: Surveying and geospatial activities
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold some information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.
We further consider the information you seek in request numbers 2 and 10 are exempt by virtue of Section 84 and Section 40 of FOIA respectively, and have detailed our rationale as to why this exemption applies. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request 1
What are the biggest challenges your organisation currently faces in surveying and geospatial activity?
Answer
Rationalisation of the PSNI Estate to digital formats while ensuring integrity of generated data and that it is securely held.
Request 2
Are you confident in your full knowledge of the condition and knowledge of your impact on our local environment?
Answer
It is our opinion this is not a valid FOI request by virtue of being general question, and not request for information held. Section 84 of FOIA relates to recorded information held by a public authority and that it does not extend to providing explanations unless the answers are already held in a recorded form.
"Information is defined in section 84 of the Act as 'information recorded in any form'. The Act therefore only extends to requests for recorded information. It does not require public authorities (in this case the PSNI) to answer questions generally; only if they already hold the answers in recorded form. The Act does not extend to requests for information about policies or their implementation, or the merits or demerits of any proposal or action - unless, of course, the answer to any such request is already held in recorded form." (Day vs ICO & DWP – EA/2006/0069 Final Decision)
Please see below a link to the ICO guidance - How to access information from a public body:
https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/official-information/
Accordingly, we have determined that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold the information to which you seek access.
Request 3
What are your organisation's key strategic objectives for the next 12-24 months, and how does surveying and geospatial fit into these?
Answer
The PSNI Estates Strategy has 7 Estate specific goals which are listed below:
1) Safe, secure and compliant
2) Modern
3) Right size and right place
4) Affordable
5) Sustainable
6) A great workplace
7) Welcoming to the public.
The PSNI recognises the benefit of geospatial mapping and 3d modelling of our Estate. The organisation has responsibility to insure the integrity and security of data held and generated is secure.
Request 4
Please detail any planned development of sites or assets
Answer
Development of a New Police College and development of province wide police stations.
Request 5
Do you have a supplier for drainage mapping and surveying?
Request 6
If so, please can you supply details of the contractual arrangements in place including date of award, details of any Framework used or link to the advertisement, contract value and duration
Answers 5 and 6
PSNI does not have a direct supplier for drainage mapping and surveying. Any drainage mapping and surveying services would be procured on behalf of the PSNI through and as part of external consultant appointments as specialist services.
Request 7
If not, please can you indicate what evaluation of the requirement for surveying and geospatial works have been undertaken?
Answer
The PSNI is at the initial stages of evaluating our requirements for surveying and geospatial works as part our ongoing Asset Management Strategy.
Request 8
Please share your planned procurement pipeline for surveying and geospatial works for the next 12 months
Answer 8
Any drainage mapping and surveying services would be procured on behalf of the PSNI through and as part of external consultant appointments as specialist services.
Request 9
How do you engage with potential new suppliers—through open tenders, direct engagement, or supplier days?
Answer
The PSNI would engage with potential new suppliers initially through pre market engagement notices issued through our Centre of Procurement Excellence – Department of Finance, Construction & Procurement Delivery.
Request 10
Please can you confirm the individual responsible for managing your surveying and geospatial contracts or wider development contracts and provide their contact details and role title?
Answer 10
PSNI has made the decision not to provide the details for Request 10 as requested.
The requested information contains details of an individual employed within the PSNI and therefore we have made the decision to exempt the information and have detailed our rationale below.
Please note that any queries can be directed to [email protected].
Partial exemption
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
a. states that fact,
b. specifies the exemption in question and
c. states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 40(2)(a)(b) by virtue of Section 40(3)(A)(a) – Personal Information - Information constitutes personal data and disclosure would contravene any of the Data Protection principles
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
Section 40 is a class-based exemption, therefore it is not necessary to evidence the harm caused by disclosure or carry out a public interest test.
Exemptions Explained
Section 40(2) of the FOIA is an absolute exemption which means there is no requirement on the PSNI to consider whether there is a public interest in disclosure. It is an interface exemption and we must consider whether release of the information would breach the General Data Protection Regulations (‘GDPR’). A low level nature of the information requested can potentially identify individuals including members of staff. This information is a ‘personal data’ under the GDPR (Article 4) and DPA (Part 1 s.3).
The six data protection principles are good information handling standards which PSNI must comply with in relation to how it handles personal information, including deciding whether to disclose it or not. In particular, the first principle requires personal data to be processed in a lawful and fair manner. In considering whether it is ‘fair’ to any individual to release information about them, PSNI considered the likely expectations of those individuals, including police officers and staff and the nature of the information involved.
Individuals must have confidence that their information is treated sensitively and appropriately by PSNI. We consider those individuals would not have any reasonable expectation PSNI would disclose such information of this nature about them. We consider it would be extremely unfair to those individuals and therefore a breach of the first principle of data protection legislation. This information is therefore exempt under section 40(2) of the FOIA as it contravenes data protection legislation to release it and PSNI has made the decision to withhold that information.
The release of information under the Freedom of Information Act is considered a release into the public domain and not just to the individual requesting the information. Once information is disclosed by FOI there is no control or limits as to who or how information is shared with other individuals, therefore a release under FOI is considered a release to the world in general.
Request 11
Please provide a list of frameworks that you procure related services through
Answer
PSNI does not have a direct supplier for drainage mapping and surveying. Any drainage mapping and surveying services would be procured on behalf of the PSNI through and as part of external consultant’s appointment.
Request 12
Do you plan to repurpose any sites for renewable energy or solar farms?
Answer
No – this is not considered PSNI Core Business.
Request 13
Do you have any issues with subsidence in your properties? If so, where?
Answer
No major issues have been identified.
Request 14
When developing/purchasing/selling a site, how do you verify that the boundaries are correct?
Answer
Through PSNI’s conveyancing solicitor and in house land surveyor.