Data analytics usage

The request was refused by East Hertfordshire District Council.

Data Justice Lab

Dear East Hertfordshire District 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.

eastherts@infreemation.co.uk, East Hertfordshire District Council

Thank you for your email.
This is an automated response and acknowledgement.

 

If you have submitted a new request under FOI, EIR or Data Protection Act:

Your request will be considered and you will receive the information
requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by
the Freedom of Information Act 2000, subject to the information not being
exempt or containing reference to a third party.

If your request is made as a Subject Access Request under the Data
Proetction Act, you will receive a response within 40 calendar days as
specified in the Act.

 

The Acts define a number of exemptions, which may prevent release of the
information you have requested.  There will be an assessment of your
request and if any of the exemption categories apply then the information
will not be released.  You will be informed if this is the case, including
your rights of appeal.

 

If the information you request contains reference to a third party then
they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken on whether or not to
release the information to you.  You will be informed if this is the case.

 

There may be a fee payable for this information, this will be considered
and you will be informed if any fees are payable.  In this event the fee
must be paid before the information is processed and released.  The 20
working day time limit for the response is suspended until receipt of
payment.

 

If you have any queries about the processing of your request then please
do not hesitate to contact me. 

 

It is important that you include the FOI reference number in the subject
line of all electronic correspondence related to this request.

If you are responding to an existing request, providing more information
or asking for more information

Your email will be automatically queued to your case (provided you have
included the case reference inside of square brackets (e.g. [F12/XXX] )
If you have not done so, we will try to manually allocate your email to
your case (we may have to contact you for the case reference).

If you have emailed for any other reason

If your email is not related to requests for information under FOI, EIR or
Data Protection Act, we will try to make sure it is passed to the correct
person or department.  We may have to contact you for further information.
 

eastherts@infreemation.co.uk, East Hertfordshire District Council

Freedom of Information Act –  Information Request –

Further to your Freedom of Information request regarding: Information
Technology and data analytics/automated decisions

This is a function carried out by Stevenage Borough Council as part of a
shared services agreement therefore your request should be sent
to [1][email address]

 Further contact details are:
[2]https://eforms.stevenage.gov.uk/ufs/ufsm...

Or in writing to:

Legal Services
Stevenage Borough Council,
Daneshill House
Danestrete
Stevenage
Herts
SG1 1HN

If you have any queries or complaint about the processing of your request
please do not hesitate to contact me.

Alternatively for more information on the Freedom of Information Act
contact the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioners Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire

Telephone 01625 545 700

https://ico.org.uk/

It is important that you include the above FOI reference number on all
correspondence related to this request.

I apologise that your request cannot be met and should you have any
further queries or information needs in the future then please contact me.

 

It is important that you include the above FOI reference number on all
correspondence related to this request.

Thank you for your request.

 

Information Management Team
East Herts Council
www.eastherts.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1279 655261
Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8EQ.

*Please note: Information released under the Freedom of Information Act
may also be published on our website, along with details of the intitial
request.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://eforms.stevenage.gov.uk/ufs/ufsm...