2017 Library Statistics

The request was successful.

Dear Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council,

FAO The Library Service.

Dear Library Service,

Hello. I have two requests that shouldn't be much trouble.

1. Could you answer if the library service or local authority completes annual CIPFA library stats. These are as detailed here:
http://www.cipfa.org/services/statistics...

2. If the answer to the above is Yes, please could you send your 2017 CIPFA library stats return (covering financial year 2016/2017)?

It is important that this should be sent in the exact format (a copy of the same file) that is sent to CIPFA.

To try and pre-empt any concerns about this request, there is no reason why the authority should not be able to also supply this data to third parties as well as CIPFA. And in this case it's subject to Freedom of Information, without exemption, as it is data that is compiled and held by the authority.

There are many examples of previous Freedom of Information requests for this data. Only one seemed to be rejected, by Derbyshire County Council, based on their belief that it was exempt as it would be possible to obtain these from CIPFA. This was clearly wrong though, and was overturned on appeal by the Solicitor for the Director of Legal Services in that Council.

If you're interested (though it's not very interesting) you can read it through here:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/c...

But anyway, it'll be a good thing so don't worry!

Yours faithfully,

Dave Rowe

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

Dear Dave Rowe ,

I acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information request and will liaise with the relevant Department in order to provide a response.

We will endeavour to provide this information within 20 working days.

Yours faithfully,

FOI Team
 Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
  Legal Section, The General Offices, Steel Works Road, Ebbw Vale  NP23 6DN
  Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Blaenau Gwent
Mae'r Adain Gyfreithiol, Y Swyddfeydd Cyffredinol, Heol Gwaith Dur, Glyn Ebwy NP23 6DN

Mae’r Cyngor yn croesawu gohebiarth yn Gymraeg a saesneg a byddwn yn cyfathrebu gyda chi yn eich dewis iaith, dim ond I chi rhoi gwybod I ni pa un sydd well gennych. Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu unrhyw oedi.
The Council welcomes correspondence in Welsh and English and we will communicate with you in the language of your choice, as long as you let us know which you prefer. Corresponding in Welsh will not lead to any delay.

** For future reference please can all future FOI requests be submitted via the link below:
[email address]

If you are not happy with the way in which your request has been dealt with please respond requesting an internal review. You may also contact the Information Commissioner if you are still not happy with the way your request has been dealt with.

The Information Commissioner’s address is:
Information Commissioner’s Office – Wales
2nd Floor, Churchill House
Churchill Way
Cardiff
CF10 2HH
Telephone: 029 2067 8400
Fax: 029 2067 8399
Email: [email address]

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

3 Attachments

Dear Dave Rowe,

In response to your Freedom of Information request, please see the Officer's comments in the attached documents in respect of CIPFA Library Statistics return 2016/2017.

I trust this answers your request and if you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

FOI Team
 Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
  Legal Section, The General Offices, Steel Works Road, Ebbw Vale  NP23 6DN
  Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Blaenau Gwent
Mae'r Adain Gyfreithiol, Y Swyddfeydd Cyffredinol, Heol Gwaith Dur, Glyn Ebwy NP23 6DN

Mae’r Cyngor yn croesawu gohebiarth yn Gymraeg a saesneg a byddwn yn cyfathrebu gyda chi yn eich dewis iaith, dim ond I chi rhoi gwybod I ni pa un sydd well gennych. Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu unrhyw oedi.
The Council welcomes correspondence in Welsh and English and we will communicate with you in the language of your choice, as long as you let us know which you prefer. Corresponding in Welsh will not lead to any delay.

** For future reference please can all future FOI requests be submitted via the link below:
[email address]

If you are not happy with the way in which your request has been dealt with please respond requesting an internal review. You may also contact the Information Commissioner if you are still not happy with the way your request has been dealt with.

The Information Commissioner’s address is:
Information Commissioner’s Office – Wales
2nd Floor, Churchill House
Churchill Way
Cardiff
CF10 2HH
Telephone: 029 2067 8400
Fax: 029 2067 8399
Email: [email address]

Dear Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council,

Afraid it doesn't fulfil my request. I asked for the data in the format it was completed and sent to CIPFA.

Could you send as the original XLS file please? FOI rules mean the data has to be usable, PDFs in which the text cannot even be highlighted do not count as usable unfortunately.

Yours faithfully,

Dave Rowe

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

1 Attachment

  • This attachment has been hidden. There are various reasons why we might have done this, sorry we can't be more specific here. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Dear David Rowe

In response to your request below please find attached the CIPFA Library Statistics return 2016/2017 document in the XLS format as requested.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Kind regards

FOI Team
 Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
  Legal Section, The General Offices, Steel Works Road, Ebbw Vale  NP23 6DN
  Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Blaenau Gwent
Mae'r Adain Gyfreithiol, Y Swyddfeydd Cyffredinol, Heol Gwaith Dur, Glyn Ebwy NP23 6DN

Mae’r Cyngor yn croesawu gohebiarth yn Gymraeg a saesneg a byddwn yn cyfathrebu gyda chi yn eich dewis iaith, dim ond I chi rhoi gwybod I ni pa un sydd well gennych. Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu unrhyw oedi.
The Council welcomes correspondence in Welsh and English and we will communicate with you in the language of your choice, as long as you let us know which you prefer. Corresponding in Welsh will not lead to any delay.

If you are not happy with the way in which your request has been dealt with please respond requesting an internal review. You may also contact the Information Commissioner if you are still not happy with the way your request has been dealt with.

The Information Commissioner’s address is:
Information Commissioner’s Office – Wales
2nd Floor, Churchill House
Churchill Way
Cardiff
CF10 2HH
Telephone: 029 2067 8400
Fax: 029 2067 8399
Email: [email address]