Data analytics usage

The request was partially successful.

Data Justice Lab

Dear Comhairle nan Eilean Siar,

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.

CNES FOI Team, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Dear Data Justice Lab

I write to acknowledge receipt of your request for information and note
the terms of your request as detailed below.  We've automatically assigned
this request an reference of 2018072027000045.  Please use this reference
number in all correspondence with us (Tip: replying to this email, so that
the ticket ref is included in email subject is the easiest way to
correspond with us on this case)

Your request for information will be processed in accordance with the
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ("the Act") / Environmental
Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (`the EIRs') and guidance issued
by the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner.  A response to
your request for information will be issued promptly and in any event
within 20 working days following receipt of the request.

--
Le durachd,
Freedom of Information Team
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | Sandwick Road | Stornoway | Isle of Lewis |
HS1 2BQ
Web: [1]www.cne-siar.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 600 70 90 (Extension 211222)

show quoted sections

CNES FOI Team, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Good aternoon,

Re: help desk request (ticket ref 2018072027000045)

Thank you for your request.  In order for a request for information to be
valid under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, the requester
is required to provide his or her full name.  Please therefore can you
provide me with your full name and then I will be able to process your
request.

If you are dissatisfied with this response you can request the Comhairle
to review this response to your request for information.  You have 40
working days from the date of receipt of this response in which to lodge
this request for review.  A request for review must be processed in
accordance with Part 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002,
must be in writing, describe your original request and explain why you are
dissatisfied.  An application for review should be sent to the Chief
Executive, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Council Offices, Sandwick Road,
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2BW ([1][email address]).  A request
for review lodged with the Chief Executive must be processed promptly and
in any event within 20 working days of receipt.
 
Should you remain dissatisfied after completion of the review process you
may, within 6 months, apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner,
Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS, to establish
whether your request for information has been processed in accordance with
Part 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.  You may also
request an appeal through the Commissioner's online appeal service which
is available 24/7 and offers requesters real time help and advice about
their appeal - [2]www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal Should you remain
dissatisfied after the conclusion of an application to the Scottish
Information Commissioner you have the right to appeal to the Court of
Session on a point of law.

--
Kind regards
Rebecca Macleod - CE

FOI Team
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | Sandwick Road | Stornoway | Isle of Lewis |
HS1 2BW
Email: [Comhairle nan Eilean Siar request email]
Web: [3]http://www..cne-siar.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 600 70 90 (Extension 211222)

- Data Justice Lab wrote:

Dear Comhairle nan Eilean Siar,

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:
[4]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:
[5]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 (
[6]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.

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #499072 email]

Is [Comhairle nan Eilean Siar request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar? If so, please contact us using this form:
[7]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:
[8]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest
advice from the ICO:
[9]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

Data Justice Lab

Dear Rebecca Macleod,

In regards to a name, please refer to the section of our request where we address this and provide a link to guidance provided by the Information Commissioner's Office. Here is the relevant section again:

"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... "

Yours sincerely,

Data Justice Lab

CNES FOI Team, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Good afternoon,

Re: help desk request (ticket ref 2018072027000045)
Thank you for your recent request submitted under the Freedom of
Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Please see the information requested
below.  

 ·         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
We do not use algorithmically driven data systems.

·         Any overviews about how system outputs are produced. We do not
hold that type of information

·         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. No

.         Any impact assessments No

·         Any data visualisation outputs connected to the systems. No

·         Any promotional material, presentation material, or staff
educational material related to the systems. No

.         Any contracts relating to the systems. We argue that the release
of contracts does not compromise commercial sensitivity. The full argument
is provided below.* No

If you are dissatisfied with this response you can request the Comhairle
to review this response to your request for information.  You have 40
working days from the date of receipt of this response in which to lodge
this request for review.  A request for review must be processed in
accordance with Part 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002,
must be in writing, describe your original request and explain why you are
dissatisfied.  An application for review should be sent to the Chief
Executive, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Council Offices, Sandwick Road,
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2BW ([1][email address]).  A request
for review lodged with the Chief Executive must be processed promptly and
in any event within 20 working days of receipt.
 
Should you remain dissatisfied after completion of the review process you
may, within 6 months, apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner,
Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS, to establish
whether your request for information has been processed in accordance with
Part 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.  You may also
request an appeal through the Commissioner's online appeal service which
is available 24/7 and offers requesters real time help and advice about
their appeal - [2]www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal Should you remain
dissatisfied after the conclusion of an application to the Scottish
Information Commissioner you have the right to appeal to the Court of
Session on a point of law.

--
Kind regards
Rebecca Macleod - CE

FOI Team
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | Sandwick Road | Stornoway | Isle of Lewis |
HS1 2BW
Email: [Comhairle nan Eilean Siar request email]
Web: [3]http://www..cne-siar.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 600 70 90 (Extension 211222)

- Data Justice Lab wrote:

Dear Comhairle nan Eilean Siar,

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:
[4]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:
[5]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 (
[6]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.

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #499072 email]

Is [Comhairle nan Eilean Siar request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar? If so, please contact us using this form:
[7]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:
[8]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest
advice from the ICO:
[9]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