Extra Judicial Leaders' Meetings

Waiting for an internal review by City of York Council of their handling of this request.

Dear city of york

Dear FOI

It has come to my attention lately that what I had considered an occasional necessary get together of the four political Leaders has now become more entrenched and being used to circumvent the Exec and backbenchers from all parties and to circumvent proper processes as established in law and in our constitution.

I am crafting a careful FOI with reasons ( I know I don't have to) as management likes to refuse my FOIs using any possible excuse. This FOI is submitted following engagement with at least 10 Councillors and senior staff who are also worried about this Leaders' group extra judicial process.

Specifically I can refer to two episodes last month.

1. At the April Joint Standards Board ( not webcast) a Councillor raised the issue of whether the latest group of two independent conservatives should have a place on the Standards Board committee. The discussion was heading towards agreement that that group should have a position. Instead of the Chair, moving to a consensus or a vote, she quite abruptly said words ( along these lines) I'm not touching that one, I'll refer it to the Leaders' Group.

2. At the Audit and Governance Committee of 30th April Mary Weastell, the Chief Executive said a report on 'culture' ( resulting from the consultant report on behaviour in A& G cttee 22 Feb 2017) was going to the Leaders' group at the end of April 2018. This carefully side stepped the Audit and Governance Committee or any other, and excluded the Indy members completely.

3. There is a view abroad, amongst Councillors and citizens that this 'Leaders' Group' is used by top management to massage difficult matters out of the system, in effect an extra-judicial or extra-democratic process.

4. To my understanding this group has no status whatsoever. It is not mentioned in the constitution, only in meetings where 'sensitive' decisions are perceived or actually shunted away from the democratic accountable & transparent process and under the Leaders' and statutory officers carpet. .

5. It seems as if this is being used a lot more under this latest Chief Executive.

6. The ICO has a model publication scheme which local authorities are required to follow.
https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisatio...

Accordingly please provide the following

For each of the last 3 financial years the following for these leaders' meetings

1. The dates of each meeting and attendees
2. The agendas and documents for each meeting
3. The minutes for each meeting
4. For the Leaders' meeting at the end of April 2018 re the 'culture' matter.

Thank you

Gwen Swinburn

Yours faithfully,

Gwen Swinburn

foi@york.gov.uk, City of York Council

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Dear City of York Council,

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

I am writing to request an internal review of City of York Council's handling of my FOI request 'Extra Judicial Leaders&#39; Meetings'. You have not responded within the statutory timescale

[ GIVE DETAILS ABOUT YOUR COMPLAINT HERE ]

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

Yours faithfully,

Gwen Swinburn

foi@york.gov.uk, City of York Council

Thank you for your email. Please note this is an automatically generated receipt to let you know we have received your email.

For information:

* The timescale for responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulation (EIR) requests is up to 20 working days. We will contact you promptly if we need you to clarify your request or an extension to complete a public interest test.

o The timescale for responding to requests for a review, for FOIA or EIR responses, is up to 20 working days. You are also able to contact the Information Commissioner, contact details below:

* The timescale for responding to your rights in relation to personal data eg: subject access to records (SAR) request, is up to 1 month. We will contact you promptly if we require further information from you, or an extension.

o The timescale for responding to requests for a review, of responses to your rights regarding personal data, is up to 1 month. You are also able to contact the Information Commissioner, contact details below:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 if you prefer to use a national rate number
Fax: 01625 524 510
Or email: [email address]<mailto:[email address]> (please include your telephone number in your email)

Regards
Customer Feedback Team

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Help protect the environment! - please don't print this email unless you really need to.

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