Malcolm, FYI. An issue has been developing re FOI and I was soon going to brief you anyway, but that has now become more urgent. Can I have an appointment to speak, please?


Regards,
David.
David Edwards
Interim Solicitor, Rother D.C.
Town Hall, Bexhill TN39 3JX Tel: 01424-787840
www.rother.gov.uk

P please consider the environment, and do not print this email unless it is really necessary


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Taylor [mailto:xx@xxxxxx.xxx]
Sent: 29 July 2008 00:14
To: Cllr Carl Maynard
Cc: xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xx.xx; David Edwards; xxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xx.xx
Subject: Freedom of Information Requests to Rother DC

Mr Maynard,

Are you aware that some of your council officers are treating freedom of information act requests incompetently and with contempt for the
requester?* See for example:

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/classification_of_websites_by_ro

Your officers appear unaware of, or unwilling to follow, the good practice guidance issued by the Information Commissioner see:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/freedom_of_information/guidance.aspx

I believe the principles of Freedom of Information have the potential to provide a driving force for better government in this country through enabling many people to scrutinise the work of public authorities such as Rother District Council. I would like to suggest that you and your fellow councillors give some urgent clear guidance to your officers on this matter, perhaps making it council policy to follow the guidance on dealing with FOI requests issued by the Information Commissioner.

Rother District Council is being ridiculed for the stance it is taking with respect to FOI requests for example by The Tax Payer's Alliance (http://tpa.typepad.com/campaign/2008/07/councils-findin.html
) and the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/opensecrets/2008/04/rother_bother.html
) this is not good for the credibility of local democracy in the UK.

Richard Taylor
Cambridge
http://www.rtaylor.co.uk

*In my opinion.