Data analytics usage

The request was successful.

Data Justice Lab

Dear Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council,

We are submitting the following Freedom of Information Request for documents relating to uses of data analytics, predictive analytics, or algorithmic automated systems used for risk assessment, scoring systems or automated decision making within the jurisdiction of your authority. This could include the use of these data systems in order to draw insights from large and integrated datasets, or to influence decisions about resources, funding or service delivery. This could include, but may not be limited to, uses of predictive analytics in child welfare, health care, adult social care, fraud detection, or policing.

Specifically, we are requesting:

· Any briefing notes, reports, evaluations, or summaries concerning uses of algorithmically driven data systems. Ideally this would include information about software, hardware, operations and types of data

· Any overviews about how system outputs are produced.

· Any training manuals or materials (e.g. slides, etc.) for staff about data collection, analysis, assessment and reporting as related to the use of the systems.

. Any impact assessments

· Any data visualisation outputs connected to the systems.

· Any promotional material, presentation material, or staff educational material related to the systems.

. Any contracts relating to the systems. We argue that the release of contracts does not compromise commercial sensitivity. The full argument is provided below.*

Also, please note we are not requesting datasets or any data about individuals.

Please let us know if any information requires clarifying.

We would like to receive electronic copies of this information.

All the very best,

Data Justice Lab

Please note that we are following the Information Commissioner’s guidance on the Freedom of Information Act which specifies that requests can be made by organisations and there is no need for a named individual (pages 9-10, sections 38-39).
Source: https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisatio...

*Addressing the commercial sensitivity question:
a) Section 20 of the Department for Communities and Local Government’s ‘Local Government Transparency Code 2015’, which encourages greater transparency in the public interest, notes:

‘The Government has not seen any evidence that publishing details about contracts entered into by local authorities would prejudice procurement exercises or the interests of commercial organisations, or breach commercial confidentiality unless specific confidentiality clauses are included in contracts. Local authorities should expect to publish details of contracts newly entered into – commercial confidentiality should not, in itself, be a reason for local authorities to not follow the provisions of this Code’.

Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk... (page 9, section 20)

b) There is always the potential for a company in any area to act in bad faith, but this should not be a reason to deny access to information about how public money is spent.

c) Contract and tendering details are provided regularly by a range of government bodies in the public interest. For example, many police and fire services release contractual information through the Bluelight database ( https://www.blpd.gov.uk/foi/foi.aspx ).

d) There may be core aspects of the systems contracted that have competitive commercial value and we appreciate that such details will be redacted from any documents released. We argue that commercial interests will not be compromised by revealing other details that may be provided in contracts or related communications with contracted companies. Details that could be released include details about the existence of a system, it's purpose, the tasks being contracted, continued relationships, general descriptions, types of data being used, how this data is shared.

Freedom of Information, Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council

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Freedom of Information, Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council

[Classification: NULBC UNCLASSIFIED]

Dear Sir/Madam

Re: FOI Ref: 7243

I acknowledge receipt of your request for information, which I confirm has been directed to the relevant section/s for response within the statutory deadline of 20 working days from day of receipt, or from the next working day following the day of receipt, as appropriate.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if this is the case you will be contacted with the details, and you will be required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.

If you have any queries regarding this matter, please contact me quoting the reference number given, in any future communication.

Kind Regards

Jane Macdonald
Land Charges and Information Assistant

On behalf of Caroline Horne
Land Charges and Information Team Leader Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
Tel: 01782 742232

www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk

It takes 24 trees to produce 1 tonne of paper – think before you print!
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Freedom of Information, Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council

[Classification: NULBC UNCLASSIFIED]

Dear Data Justice Lab,

Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information act.

Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council does not currently use any of the systems you have described for the purposes outlined within your request.

We do however use applications such as Geographic Information Systems to manually analyse data, but this is typically for low level operations such as "does the proximity of X impact on Y". This does not seem to encroach of the type of systems you were asking about.

If you require further information, please do let us know."

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can request a review using the Council’s formal complaints procedure. Details of our procedure can be obtained by telephoning the Council on 01782 717717, or from the Guildhall, Newcastle; Kidsgrove Customer Centre, Kidsgrove Town Hall. You may also submit a complaint via the Council’s website at www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk enter “Complaints” into the site search facility.

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,Cheshire, SK9 5AF.
Telephone: 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45 Website: www.ico.gov.uk

There is no charge for making an appeal.

The supply of information in response to a Freedom of Information request does not confer an automatic right to re-use such information. You are permitted to use any information supplied for the purposes of private study and non-commercial research. If however you wish to use the information for any other purpose, please contact us.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to the above address.

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by this Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Kind Regards

Caroline Horne
FOI / EIR Coordinator
Newcastle - Under Lyme Borough Council
Tel 01782 742232
[email address]

www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk

This e-mail communication may be intercepted for regulatory, quality control, or crime detection purposes as per the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIP) Act. This message is intended only for the use of authorised person(s) (“the intended recipient”) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential within the meaning of the applicable law. Accordingly any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this message or any of its content by any other person may constitute a breach of civil or criminal law and is strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended recipient please contact the sender as soon as possible. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council.

It takes 24 trees to produce 1 tonne of paper -

think before you print !

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