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'City status diamond jubilee competition'.
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18 August 2010
Mr Peter Kemp By e-mail |
Our Ref: F0003852 Your Ref: |
Dear Mr Kemp
I am writing in response to your freedom of information request of 8 June in which you requested documents, papers, minutes or emails relating specifically to the city status competition announced by Peter Mandelson.
I wrote to you on 23 June and my colleague, Peter Crowe, wrote to you on 20 July to say that we considered that some of the information was exempt under section 35 (Formulation of Government Policy) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 but that we needed more time to consider whether the balance of the public interest lies in our providing you with the information or in maintaining the exemption and withholding the information. We have now completed our assessment of the public interest test.
I have set out below a limited amount of that information, but we consider that the majority of the information is exempt under section 35(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) of the Freedom of Information Act. A limited amount of the information is also exemption under section 35(1)(b) (ministerial communications) of the Act. In summary, most of the information withheld concerns early stages of discussion on policy developments and planning.
In favour of releasing the information, we considered the following arguments:
the general public interest in disclosure if it is advanced by the specific information in question
greater transparency makes government more accountable to the electorate and increases trust
as knowledge of the way government works increases, the public contribution to the policy making process could become more effective and broadly-based
the public interest in being able to assess the quality of advice being given to ministers and subsequent decision making
in relation to the ministerial communications, the decisions that ministers make have a significant impact on the lives of citizens and there is a public interest in their deliberations being transparent
However, on balance we considered the public interest to lie in withholding the information because:
Discussions are at an early stage, and any plans for the Jubilee are subject to change. Releasing details would therefore arguably not particularly increase knowledge of how government works as it would only outline the first stages of the process and the end arrangements could potentially be quite different.
There needs to be sufficient space for officials and ministers to think through options for the scheme. Premature release of the information would be likely to lead to pressure to select or close off individual options before they had been fully thought through. Were such information to be published, it is likely that officials would be more reluctant to be frank in their advice, or would otherwise be less likely to record the information. This would reduce our ability to effectively manage the risks.
In relation to the ministerial communications, the following arguments were also considered:
Collective responsibility is a constitutional convention which is described in the ministerial code as follows: "Collective responsibility requires that ministers should be able to express their views frankly in the expectation that they can argue freely in private while remaining a united front when decisions have been made." If ministers feel inhibited from being frank and candid with one another because of the risk of subsequent disclosure, the quality of debate lying behind the collective decision will be diminished.
Ultimate responsibility for government decisions lies in the Cabinet. Collective responsibility seeks to ensure that decisions do not become personalised.
Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained on the Department's website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/1384250.pdf].
This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the Department's review.
For my part can I say that am sorry that it has taken so long to respond to your request. The information within the scope of your request relates to a number of other Government departments and it took rather longer than we would have hoped to consult with all those who have an interest in this case.
Yours sincerely
Mrs M A Crosby
Date of document |
2 December 2009 |
Name of document |
Update and draft Parliamentary announcement - Submission to Lord Mandelson |
“There are three key policy issues to consider at this stage: an additional bank holiday, a Diamond Jubilee medal and competitions for civic honours, including city status.
Competitions for City Status and Lord Mayoralty Colleagues in the Ministry of Justice are working up a timetable and should be in a position to launch competitions in the spring of 2010. This is relatively straightforward;...”
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Date of document |
25 January 2010 |
Name of document |
Minutes of Diamond Jubilee meeting on 25th January 2010 |
Attending: Frances Macleod, DCMS (chair) DCMS DCMS Press Office GOE Cabinet Office FCO MoD CLG MoJ Home Office Scottish Executive NIO Northern Ireland Executive Privy Council Office Govt Equalities Office HM Treasury
Apologies: BIS Welsh Assembly DfT DCSF Scotland Office Wales Office
MoJ provided a brief update. Guidance and criteria are currently being developed and will be made available in early summer. CLG and the Territorial Offices will be closely involved. Perth, Wrexham and Blackpool have all expressed an interest in city status and Richmond has expressed an interest in receiving Royal Borough status.
The meeting had a short discussion about the forthcoming General Election. It was noted that purdah would start on 25 March (if a General Election was called for 6 May). All agreed there is a risk around securing Ministerial decisions before and after a General Election.
The rest of this document has been redacted as not relevant to the enquiry. |
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Date of document |
22nd March 2010 |
Name of document |
Agenda and Minutes of Diamond Jubilee meeting on 22nd March 2010 |
Agenda
Update on Key policy issues
Minutes of Diamond Jubilee meeting on 22 March 2010
Attending: Frances Macleod, DCMS (chair) DCMS DCMS Press Office MoD CLG GOE MoJ Home Office NIO Govt Equalities Office Welsh Assembly DfT LGA DCSF FCO HM Treasury Cabinet Office
Apologies: Northern Ireland Executive Scottish Office Scottish Executive
City Status Competition MoJ reported that proposals will be submitted to Ministers in June and the competition launched in Sept/Oct. They also reported that MoJ are working closely with CLG on development of the criteria. They requested that information on the DCMS website and core briefing pack be updated to reflect the change in timing (from Spring to later in the year). (Action: DCMS)
The rest of this document has been redacted as not relevant to the enquiry.
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Date of document |
19th May 2010 |
Name of document |
Agenda and Minutes of Diamond Jubilee meeting on 19th May 2010 |
Agenda
Update on key policy issues
Minutes of Diamond Jubilee meeting on 19 May 2010
Attending: Frances Macleod, DCMS (chair) DCMS DCMS Press Office GOE MoD CLG MoJ Home Office Scottish Executive NIO Govt Equalities Office Welsh Assembly DfT LGA
Apologies: HM Treasury FCO Northern Ireland Executive DCSF Scotland Office Wales Office Cabinet Office
City Status Competition
MoJ reported that that the initial submission is still being drafted. It is likely to go to new Ministers before the end of June.
The rest of this document has been redacted as not relevant to the enquiry.
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Department for Communities and Local Government Zone 3/J1 Eland House Bressenden Place London SW1E 5DU
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Tel 0303 444 2573 Email [email address] |
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