Communications, marketing, advertising, promotions and public relations

Dear Mr Kemp

REF NO: 1638.1.

Thank you for your recent enquiry, received on 26 January 2010. I can
confirm that your enquiry is receiving attention and a response will be
provided within 20 working days following receipt of your enquiry as
allowed under the Freedom of Information Act legislation.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will
let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

Please do not hesitate to contact me direct on (01642) 729696 or email
foi@middlesbrough. gov.uk should you require any further advice or
assistance with this or any other matter.

Yours sincerely

Steph Robson
Freedom Of Information Officer

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Dear Mr Kemp

REF NO: 1638.1.
I am writing to confirm that Middlesbrough Council has now completed its
search for the information you requested on 26 January 2010. However,
please be advised that some of the information requested cannot be
disclosed for the reasons given below.

1) How many staff work in communications, marketing, advertising,
promotions and public relations in your authority. For the avoidance of
doubt this should include staff in a central department and directorates,
plus any retained freelance workers.

Four full-time staff and four part-time staff are employed by the Council,
including one freelancer.

There are many staff across the Council who carry out ad hoc
communications, marketing, advertising and promotions activities however
it is just one element of their role.

2) The structure of communications, marketing, advertising, promotions and
public relation (ie structure chart/organogram with job roles)

I have attached (below) the organisational structure which includes the
Communications Manager role and Press Office function. However, as the
other roles are located at different levels within Directorates it is not
possible to represent them on this chart.

3) The job title of the most senior staff member employed in
communications, marketing, advertising, promotions and public relation.

Communications Manager

4) The age of the most senior staff member employed in communications,
marketing and public relations.

The Council feels that the information requested is exempt under section
40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. Section 40 of the Act provides an
absolute exemption where disclosure of personal data about someone other
than the requester would contravene any of the data protection principles
provided by the Data Protection Act

The first data protection principle requires that personal data shall be
processed fairly and lawfully.

The age of the most senior staff member employed in communications,
marketing and public relations bears no relation to the appointment of the
person and we do not consider this to be relative to any decisions or
actions made in their duties as an officer of the Council. The Council
feels that the disclosure of this information would contravene the first
data protection principle as the information would not be expected to be
given out without their consent. Consent has not been given.

5) The average age of staff members employed in communications, marketing,
advertising, promotions and public relation.

35

6) The proportion of staff members employed in communications, marketing,
advertising, promotions and public relation holding a)journalistic
qualifications b) public relations qualifications c) marketing
qualifications

In order to provide the information you requested a post reference is
required to obtain the person specification of the individual posts. I
can confirm that the information is being compiled and a response will
follow shortly.

If you have any queries about this letter, please do not hesitate to
contact me direct on (01642) 729696 or email [Middlesbrough Council request email]
Please remember to quote the reference number shown above in any future
communications.

If you are unhappy with the way your request has been handled you may ask
for an internal review. You should write to:-

Chris Davies,
Corporate Complaints Manager,
PO Box 99A,
Town Hall,
Middlesbrough,
TS1 2QQ.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for an
independent review. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: -
Information Commissioner's Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF
Yours sincerely

Steph Robson
Freedom of Information Officer

Members Office
P.O. Box 99A
Town Hall
Middlesbrough
TS1 2QQ

Tel. 01642 729696

FAX. 01642 729882
Email: [Middlesbrough Council request email]

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