Illustrative cruising patterns for boaters with school age children

The request was refused by Canal & River Trust.

Dear Canal & River Trust,

Please treat this request for information as a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

On 14th February 2017 the Waterways Ombudsman stated in a case report (Case no 933) that CRT intended in the coming weeks to publish “illustrative cruising patterns” for boaters with school age children.

In the Navigation Advisory Group meeting of 13th February 2016, Head of Boating Mike Grimes stated: “We’re looking at putting together and publish soon some example compliant movement patterns that boaters with children could look at to help inform their movement patterns”.

Please provide me with the following:

The “illustrative cruising patterns” or “example compliant movement patterns” referred to by Mr Grimes and the Ombudsman.

All internal correspondence, minutes and reports dated between 1st November 2016 and today's date regarding “illustrative cruising patterns” or “example compliant movement patterns” for boaters with school age children.

Thank you. I look forward to your reply within 20 working days

Yours faithfully,

P Smith

Information Request, Canal & River Trust

Dear Ms Smith,

Thank you for your request for information regarding illustrative cruising patterns for boaters with school children.

I can confirm this request was received on 4th May and I am dealing with it in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Under the terms of the Act you are entitled to a response within 20 working days of receipt.

If for any reason we are unable to meet this deadline we will keep you fully informed of the reasons for this and will tell you when you can expect a response.

In the meantime if you have any queries about this email, please do not hesitate to get in contact. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Kind regards,

Frazer Halcrow
Information Officer Assistant

T 01908 351962 M 07584 115258 Ext 1162

Follow @canalrivertrust from the Canal & River Trust on Twitter

Please visit our website to find out more about the Canal & River Trust and download our ‘Shaping our Future document' on the About Us page.

Canal & River Trust, First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes, MK9 1BB

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Information Request, Canal & River Trust

Dear Ms Smith,

 

Further to your request of 4^th May and our acknowledgement of the same
date, please see our responses to your queries below.

 

The “illustrative cruising patterns” or “example compliant movement
patterns” referred to by Mr Grimes and the Ombudsman.

We have withheld this information from disclosure in accordance with
Section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as it is intended for
future publication. We have carried out the public interest test in
relation to this exemption. The arguments for disclosure of the
illustration are that it is generally accepted that disclosure of
information can increase transparency, accountability and trust in an
organisation. However, the arguments against disclosure are that it is
still our intention to provide an illustration of a cruising pattern which
would allow a boater to remain close to a school location during term
time, but cruise extensively enough during all the school holidays as to
not attract the attention of our BLCS team. This illustration has been
drafted and is going through a review process which will enable the Trust
to conduct a proper analysis of the document. The risks of prior
publication cannot be mitigated adequately by providing explanatory
commentary alongside any disclosure. Also, publishing the illustrative
cruising pattern at this stage is likely to lead to confusion for our
customers if changes are made to the pattern at a later date and it leads
to more than one version of the pattern being available online. Therefore,
we are withholding the illustrative cruising pattern at this stage.

 

All internal correspondence, minutes and reports dated between 1st
November 2016 and today's date regarding “illustrative cruising patterns”
or “example compliant movement patterns” for boaters with school age
children.

I confirm that we do hold information covered by this request, however,
these communications have been withheld from disclosure on the basis that
they are legally privileged in accordance with Section 42 of the Freedom
of Information Act 2000. We have considered the public interest test in
relation to the disclosure of this document. The arguments for disclosure
of the information are that it is generally accepted that disclosure of
information can increase transparency, accountability and trust in an
organisation and that there may be a significant number of people affected
by this issue. However, the arguments against disclosure are that it is a
fundamental to the administration of justice that a lawyer is able to
communicate in confidence with their client to ensure full and frank legal
advice can be given. On balance therefore it is considered that the
ability for the Trust to receive proper legal advice and the continued
reliance on the advice provided outweighs the factors in favour of
disclosure.

 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of this email and should be sent
by email to [1][email address] or by post to
Information Officer, Legal Department, Canal & River Trust, First Floor
North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes, MK9 1BB. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
You are also able to contact the Information Commissioner by telephoning
0303 123 1113 although please note they would usually expect you to have
gone through our internal review procedure before contacting them.

 

Kind regards,

 

Frazer Halcrow

Information Officer Assistant

 

T 01908 351962     M 07584 115258     Ext 1162

 

Follow @canalrivertrust from the Canal & River Trust on Twitter

 

Please visit our website to find out more about the Canal & River Trust
and download our ‘Shaping our Future document' on the About Us page.

 

Canal & River Trust, First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate,
Milton Keynes, MK9 1BB

 

 

 

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