Lynda, I'm not clear about this. Does our standard FOI response need alteration?


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: Anne Bruin
Sent: 28 July 2008 10:48
To: David Edwards
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Amounts paid to Common Purpose and similar organisations

David,
not sure if I have already advised, but in previous correspondence where customers are asked to contact me I was still quoted as CSM, not Team Leader - customer Services.  Can we make sure that is amended for future signposting please?

If I am to action this one, can I have papers please Thanks Anne

-----Original Message-----
From: David Edwards
Sent: 23 July 2008 17:11
To: Carole Curley; Anne Bruin
Subject: FW: Freedom of Information request - Amounts paid to Common Purpose and similar organisations


 FYI


Regards,
David.
David Edwards
Legal Services Manager, 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 Jackson [mailto:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx]
Sent: 23 July 2008 16:41
To: David Edwards
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Amounts paid to Common Purpose and similar organisations

     Dear Lynda and/or David and/or Anne,

     Please treat this as a formal complaint regarding the response to
     my FOI request of 14th July. I was informed that such a complaint
     be made by contacting Anne Bruin, but no email address was provided
     for her.

     I believe I have fully complied with the Act by supplying a request
     in writing, that states my name and an address for correspondence,
     and that describes the information requested.

     The statement of David Edwards, Interim Solicitor, that I have not
     fully complied by providing an address for correspondence is
     self-evidently false due to the correspondence that has transpired.
     From other public correspondence the Council has had on FOI matters
     it is also abundantly clear that he, and the Council as a body, are
     well aware of the guidance issued relating to electronic requests.
     He has made it perfectly clear, however, that he views
     "WhatDoYouKnow.com" as an "amateurish website", and seems to be on
     a campaign to refuse to comply with the Act where a requestor uses
     this site.

     I can only assume that the reference to a "repeated request" refers
     to the fact that in my request I referred to a prior request made
     by another individual. However, as my request was explicitly
     seeking clarification of that request I do not see how it can, in
     any way, be classed as vexatious or repeated. Classing a request as
     vexatious is a very serious matter, and whilst Mr Edwards has
     stopped short of actually doing so, his insistence that I prove to
     his satisfaction that it is not so is manifestly an unreasonable
     request in the circumstances.

     On the contrary, the refusal by the Council to simply state: "Yes,
     the wording we chose previously was unfortunately ambiguous - we
     can confirm that no payments whatsoever were made to this (or any
     related) organisation" does not help avoid an inference being drawn
     that, rather, the wording of the original response was deliberately
     crafted to be misleading and to avoid releasing information, and
     that this current refusal is part of an attempt to prolong such a
     deception.

     The hoops that Mr Edwards is now attempting to make me jump through
     to receive a simple response to this appear to be a clear violation
     of both the letter and the spirit of the Act, and I would request
     that an internal review of this matter be carried out.

     I look forward to your response.

     Please confirm receipt of this correspondence.

     Richard

    

     -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
     published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
     http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/about#officers
     -------------------------------------------------------------------