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'Westminster Calculations'.
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Knowledge and Information Management Team |
Information Services |
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101 Orchardson Street |
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London |
This matter is being dealt with by : |
NW8 8EA |
Email: [Westminster City Council request email] |
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Tel No: 0207 641 |
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Fax No: 0207 641 2872 |
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To Mr Ben Tweedy
E: [FOI #18510 email] |
Date: 28th October 2009 |
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Dear Mr Tweedy
Re: Request for Internal Review - Request 4422
We are in receipt of an email from you dated 1st October 2009, in which you query the response to your recent request to the Council (our ref: 4422), and ask the following questions:
Please explain how you came to a cost of “less than 31p per day”?
Who made this calculation?
Did they use a calculator?
Who wrote the entire FAQ section before it was uploaded to your website?
Who, if anyone, checked over this FAQ section before it was uploaded to your website?
Even though I have pointed out your error, it still remains unchanged in your FAQ section of your website. When will this error be corrected?
Is basic maths a skill required to work for Westminster City Council's parking department?
What steps will be taken to ensure that obvious mathematical errors are not uploaded to your website in the future?
Can I buy an annual motorcycle parking permit at the rate of 32 pence per chargeable day as you have stated, which would be £97.60 per annum?
Can you confirm that you do not wish to revise your original statement which was “in fact, the cost to park per day is an estimated 32 pence per day?”
Response
I have reviewed your correspondence regarding this request and can advise you that on this occasion your request for information will not be processed, for the reasons given below.
Your original request asked the Council how they reached the figure of 31p per day, as cited on the FAQ section of the website. Even though this was not a request for recorded information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Council responded, confirming that the figure of 31p on the website was reached in error. Your response indicated that you were not prepared to accept the Council's answer, and this is evidenced by the following statement, taken from your email of the 1st October 2009:
“I can see that it's wrong, and thanks for telling me it is, but the question I asked is how you came to that figure. Was it guess work? Or are you purposefully trying to mislead the public? Or are you just lazy? Or are you just really, really bad at basic maths?”
Further, your request on the What do they know website is annotated with the comment “Excellent follow up, Ben this will keep them really busy and get even more narked with the Parking department…”.
It is our view that this is not a valid request for information; instead it is intended to cause disruption and annoyance to staff by asking questions which have either been answered, or which convey your dissatisfaction of the error rather than ask for recorded information.
Therefore, based on this evidence, this request is believed to be vexatious under the terms of Section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In accordance with Section 17 of the Act, this letter acts as a Refusal Notice.
You have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, pursuant to section 50 of the FOIA. The contact details are:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625-545-700
Yours sincerely
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Under the Data Protection Act 1998, Data Subjects have rights to challenge, alter or erase the inaccurate and unlawful processing of their information. In the first instance please contact The Data Protection Officer, Information Services, 101 Orchardson Street, London NW8 8EA. If you are not satisfied with our response you may contact The Information Commissioner: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF