I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the council’s approach to fire door inspections across its estate and housing portfolio. Please could you provide the following:

1. Does the council currently have a formal contract in place for fire door inspections across: Contract No:
a) its housing stock (including general needs and supported housing); and
b) its corporate estate (e.g. offices, schools, libraries, leisure centres)?
DN521809 - Yes, there is a contract for Supply and Installation of Replacement Windows and Doors including the supply and installation of Fire Doors.

2. If a contract is in place:
a) What is the name of the supplier or suppliers appointed to deliver fire door inspections? Breyer Group Plc
b) What is the scope of the contract? (e.g. number of properties, estimated number of doors, property types covered): These details are being withheld under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Commercial Interests. Disclosure of this information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of both the Council and its contracted supplier by undermining their competitive position in current or future tendering processes. Releasing sensitive operational and pricing information may also compromise the Council’s ability to achieve best value in future procurement activity.
c) What is the contract duration, including start and end dates and any extension options? 01/09/2021 - 01/04/2025
d) What is the pricing structure — including the current rate per door inspection? These details are being withheld under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Commercial Interests. Disclosure of this information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of both the Council and its contracted supplier by undermining their competitive position in current or future tendering processes. Releasing sensitive operational and pricing information may also compromise the Council’s ability to achieve best value in future procurement activity.
e) Was this contract awarded via a framework or dynamic purchasing system? If so, which one? Material Decision

3. If no contract is in place:
Are there any plans to tender for a formal fire door inspection contract within the next 12 months?
This information is exempt under Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Information Intended for Future Publication. Internal discussions and planning are ongoing, and any future procurement activity will be publicly announced in due course via the appropriate channels (e.g. Contracts Finder or other procurement portals). As such, the Council is not obliged to release this information at this time.

We recognise the importance of transparency in public procurement but must also balance this with the need to protect commercially sensitive information and ongoing planning processes. The exemptions applied are intended to safeguard the Council’s ability to act in the public interest by ensuring fair competition and value for money.