Collection and sharing of security film footage

The request was refused by Sheffield City Council.

Dear Sheffield City Council,

My questions relate to the collection and use of film footage and photographs by staff at tree felling sites on Sheffield streets. It refers to security personnel, arborists, and any other staff employed by Amey, Acorn Environmental Management Group, or any other contractors/subcontractors working at those sites.

1)
Please could you provide a copies of the policies and procedures which cover:
a) the collection of film footage and photographs;
b) the storage of film footage and photographs;
c) the purposes for which film footage and photographs are collected;
d) the circumstances in which film footage and photographs may be shared with other organisations or people;
e) the procedures and authorisations that are necessary for sharing film footage and photographs.

2)Please provide evidence that the policies and procedures described above have been followed prior to sharing the film footage shown in this video https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_f...
The video shows film footage that was collected from inside a work zone by a member of staff.

Yours faithfully,

Rebecca Hammond

Dear Sheffield City Council,

The film footage mentioned in part 2 of my question is also available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/a5ak_V8RS7s

Yours faithfully,

Rebecca Hammond

FOI, Sheffield City Council

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Re – Freedom of Information Request – Reference – FOI / 1596
 
Dear Rebecca Hammond,
 
Thank you for your recent request for information relating to Film Footage
and Photographs which we received on 15/01/18.
 
This has been logged as a Freedom of Information Request, and will be
dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act.  The reference number for
your request can be found above.
 
The Freedom of Information Act states that we must respond to you within
20 working days, therefore, you should expect to hear a response from us
by 12/02/18.
 
In the meantime, if you have any queries please contact us on the number
below.
 
Thank you.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Resources Business Support
Moorfoot Level 2 North Wing
Sheffield S1 4PL
Tel : 0114 20 53478
E-mail : [1][Sheffield City Council request email]
P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to
 
 
_____________________________________________
From: Rebecca Hammond
[[2]mailto:[FOI #457665 email]]
Sent: 15 January 2018 23:40
To: FOI
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Collection and sharing of
security film footage
 
Dear Sheffield City Council,
 
My questions relate to the collection and use of film footage and
photographs by staff at tree felling sites on Sheffield streets.  It
refers to security personnel, arborists, and any other staff employed by
Amey,  Acorn Environmental Management Group, or any other
contractors/subcontractors working at those sites.
 
1)
Please could you provide a copies of the policies and procedures which
cover:
a)  the collection of film footage and photographs;
b) the storage of film footage and photographs;
c) the purposes for which film footage and photographs are collected;
d) the circumstances in which film footage and photographs may be shared
with other organisations or people;
e) the procedures and authorisations that are necessary for sharing film
footage and photographs.
 
2)Please provide evidence that the policies and procedures described above
have been followed prior to sharing the film footage shown in this video
[3]https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_f...
The video shows film footage that was collected from inside a work zone by
a member of staff.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Rebecca Hammond
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[4][FOI #457665 email]
 
Is [5][Sheffield City Council request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Sheffield City Council? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[6]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...
 
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[7]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...
 
For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest advice from the ICO:
[8]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...
 
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
 
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
 
 

show quoted sections

FOI, Sheffield City Council

1 Attachment

  • Attachment

    Re Freedom of Information request Collection and sharing of security film footage.txt

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Re – Freedom of Information Request – Reference – FOI / 1596
 
Dear Rebecca Hammond,
 
Thank you for your recent request for information relating to Film Footage
and Photographs which we received on 15/01/18.
 
Please find below, Sheffield City Council’s response to your request:
 
 
In the handling of your request Sheffield City Council has reviewed
whether we hold the information you have requested. In accordance with
Section 1(1) we can confirm that the Council does not hold the information
requested.
 
You have specifically asked for details of policies and proceedures held
by Amey and their sub-contractors. This is not information held by Amey,
or their sub-contractors on the Council’s behalf and as a result we are
not required to collate or request any such records from these
organisations. We have considered this approach in accordance with the
guidance provided by the Information Commissioner’s Office available from
[1]https://ico.org.uk/media/1043530/outsour....
 
 
If you have any queries about this response, please do not hesitate to
contact us.
 
If you are unhappy with the response you have received in relation to your
request, you are entitled to have this reviewed.  You can ask for an
internal review by either writing to the above address or by emailing
[2][Sheffield City Council request email].
 
If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of your internal review, you
can contact the Information Commissioners Office. The Information
Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office,
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF, telephone 0303 123
1113, or for further details see their website [3]www.ico.org.uk
 
Kind Regards,
 
Resources Business Support
Moorfoot Level 2 North Wing
Sheffield S1 4PL
Tel : 0114 20 53478
E-mail : [4][Sheffield City Council request email]
P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to
 
 
_____________________________________________

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Mr Long left an annotation ()

Careful, Rebecca!

The last lady to ask such probing questions of Sheffield City COUNCIL had her FOI enquiries ignored for months, before the Council then initiated a nation-wide smear campaign to blacken her reputation and destroy her chances of taking advantage of any future career opportunities.

The Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/...

Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...

The Times:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/worke...

The BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sou...

FOI:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/i...

Dear Sheffield City Council,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Sheffield City Council's handling of my FOI request 'Collection and sharing of security film footage'.

You refused my request on the grounds that SCC does not hold the information that I requested.

It has since come to my attention that in response to a different request made by Neil Meadows (FOI / 1653 ), you have stated that the data (video camera footage from tree felling sites) is held by Amey on behalf of SCC, and that SCC is the Data Controller. I have copied the relevant text below:

---------------------------------------------------------------------
"In relation to any footage that may be held, this would be physically held on our behalf by our contractors Amey, however, the Data Controller for this data would be Sheffield City Council."

also

"Amey would not be permitted to “sell” any information which contains information relating to a third party. Additionally, sharing information can be done where there is a legal basis for doing so."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

As SCC is the Data Controller, SCC should have produced, or have copies of, the information I requested in part 1 of my question., and should be able to answer part 2 of my question.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/c...

I look forward to receiving your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Rebecca Hammond

FOI, Sheffield City Council

Re – Freedom of Information Request – Reference – FOI / 1596
 
Dear Rebecca Hammond,
 
Thank you for your recent request for a review of the Freedom of
Information response provided to you.  Your response related to
information regarding Film Footage and Photographs.
 
We are sorry to hear that you are not happy with your response.
 
I am writing to acknowledge your request for a review, which we received
on 30/01/18.  This has now been logged and will be carried out by a member
of the team.
 
We will endeavour to provide a response within 20 working days, in this
case, by 27/02/18.
 
In the meantime, if you have any queries please contact the team on 0114
2734567.
 
Thank you.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Resources Business Support
Moorfoot Level 2 North Wing
Sheffield S1 4PL
Tel : 0114 20 53478
E-mail : [1]FOI @sheffield.gov.uk
P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.
 
_____________________________________________
From: Rebecca Hammond
[[2]mailto:[FOI #457665 email]]
Sent: 30 January 2018 19:05
To: FOI
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request - Collection
and sharing of security film footage
 
Dear Sheffield City Council,
 
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information
reviews.
 
I am writing to request an internal review of Sheffield City Council's
handling of my FOI request 'Collection and sharing of security film
footage'.
 
You refused my request on the grounds that SCC does not hold the
information that I requested.
 
It has since come to my attention that in response to a different request
made by Neil Meadows (FOI / 1653 ), you have stated that the data (video
camera footage from tree felling sites)  is held by Amey on behalf of SCC,
and that SCC is the Data Controller.  I have copied the relevant text
below:
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"In relation to any footage that may be held, this would be physically
held on our behalf by our contractors Amey, however, the Data Controller
for this data would be Sheffield City Council."
 
also
 
"Amey would not be permitted to “sell” any information which contains
information relating to a third party.  Additionally, sharing information
can be done where there is a legal basis for doing so."
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 
As SCC is the Data Controller, SCC should have produced, or have copies
of, the information I requested in part 1 of my question., and should be
able to answer part 2 of my question.
 
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on
the Internet at this address:
[3]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/c...
 
I look forward to receiving your prompt response.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Rebecca Hammond
 
 
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[4][FOI #457665 email]
 
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[5]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...
 
For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest advice from the ICO:
[6]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...
 
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
 
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
 

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Rebecca Hammond

Dear FOI,

I note that your response is now overdue. Please advise when I can expect to receive a response.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Hammond

Dear FOI,

This internal review is now 18 working days overdue. If I do not receive a response by midnight on 27th March I will have no choice but to forward this matter on to the Information Commissioner. This will be 40 working days after I submitted my request for internal review, and is the maximum time period recommended by the Information Commissioner for internal reviews in exceptional circumstances.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Hammond

FOI, Sheffield City Council

Dear Ms Hammond

Thank you for your email and I am sorry that you are yet to receive a response to your request for an Internal Review.

Unfortunately, we have been experiencing a high volume of requests and currently have a backlog for some Internal Reviews. We have allocated extra resource to work through this backlog and hope to have a response to you as soon as possible.

I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Kind Regards

Joelle Taylor
Information Management Officer
Business Change and Information Solutions (BCIS)
Resources Portfolio, Sheffield City Council
Postal Address: Sheffield City Council, PO Box 1283, Sheffield S1 1UJ

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FOI, Sheffield City Council

Dear Ms Hammond

First of all please accept my apologies for the delay in getting this internal review response to you, we have experienced a large number of requests and as a result have a back log. We have allocated extra resource to addressing the backlog and I would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

In relation to your request, I am sorry that you are not happy with the response you received. You have noted in your request for review your concerns in regard to the Council's handling of your request particularly in reference to previous FOI responses. Your request for review notes:

You refused my request on the grounds that SCC does not hold the information that I requested.

It has since come to my attention that in response to a different request made by Neil Meadows (FOI / 1653 ), you have stated that the data (video camera footage from tree felling sites) is held by Amey on behalf of SCC, and that SCC is the Data Controller. I have copied the relevant text below:

---------------------------------------------------------------------
"In relation to any footage that may be held, this would be physically held on our behalf by our contractors Amey, however, the Data Controller for this data would be Sheffield City Council."

also

"Amey would not be permitted to “sell” any information which contains information relating to a third party. Additionally, sharing information can be done where there is a legal basis for doing so."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

As SCC is the Data Controller, SCC should have produced, or have copies of, the information I requested in part 1 of my question., and should be able to answer part 2 of my question.

I have reviewed the handling of your request and the response to both your FOI request and the earlier request (FOI 1653) quoted. Following my review I believe that the response to your request was accurate and in accordance with the requirements under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Council is not required to collate information which is not held by the Council under the purposes of the Act. In this case I believe the response to FOI 1653 does not reflect the current position in regard to the monitoring of sites where trees are being replaced. Current filming/ evidence gathering activity is managed by Amey and they set the policies and procedures for this activity. As a result they are under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998 the data controller for this activity and therefore are individually responsible for the management of personal data under the Act.

You have clearly in your request sought to obtain current policies and procedures in regard to the "collection and use of film footage and photographs by staff at tree felling sites on Sheffield streets. It refers to security personnel, arborists, and any other staff employed by Amey, Acorn Environmental Management Group, or any other contractors/subcontractors working at those sites." As this activity is not instigated, contracted or managed by Sheffield City Council we do not hold recorded information in this regard. As a result and in accordance with Section 1(1) of the Act we confirmed that we did not hold any information relevant to your request.

In conclusion, it is my view that your Freedom of Information request has been handled correctly and within the legal requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I realise this is not the decision that you would wish, but I hope you can understand why I have upheld the original refusal to provide you with the details you have requested.

If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of your internal review, you can contact the Information Commissioners Office. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF, telephone 0303 123 1113, or for further details see their website www.ico.org.uk.

Kind regards

Mark

Mark Knight
Information Management Officer
Business Change and Information Solutions (BCIS)
Resources Portfolio, Sheffield City Council
Email: [email address]
Postal Address: Sheffield City Council, PO Box 1283, Sheffield S1 1UJ

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