LGBTQ+ and BAME Councillors

Waverley Borough Council did not have the information requested.

Dear Waverley Borough Council,

Please can you supply numbers of your councillors that identify themselves as belonging/associated to the following communities:

(1) BAME

(2) LGBTQ+

Data to be accurate if at all possible, up to and including 17th November 2020

Yours faithfully,

Mr M P Hay

Freedom of Information, Waverley Borough Council

Thank you for your email to the Information Rights service regarding
Freedom of Information or Data Protection.

Please take this automated response as acknowledgement of your email.
Please be aware that due to current events requests may not be responded
to within the statutory deadlines. We are still working to ensure that
business as usual remains where possible however please see below ICO
guidance:

On 16 March 2020, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) published an
announcement concerning public authorities' responses to requests for
information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) in view of
the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The default timescale under FOIA requires public authorities to respond
within 20 working days of receiving the request

Because of the potential diversion of resources from compliance and
information rights work as a result of COVID-19, the ICO will not penalise
public authorities for "prioritising other areas or adapting their usual
approach". The ICO cannot extend the statutory timescales, but will take
into account the compelling public interest during the health emergency
when assessing any complaint of non-compliance.

It appears that this approach will be taken in respect of requests for
environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations
2004 (SI 2004/3391) (EIR). The EIR apply the same default timescale for a
response as is in place under FOIA.

In a separate announcement, the Local Government Secretary has stated that
councils will be able to "use their discretion" on deadlines for FOIA
requests (see Legal update, Government confirms support for local
authorities in response to COVID-19).

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your
understanding.

If you require further information about our services please visit
https://www.waverley.gov.uk/info/200364/...

Freedom of Information, Waverley Borough Council

Dear Mr Hay,

 

Freedom of Information Request: WAV1405308.

 

Thank you for your email requesting information.

 

We will deal with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
and it is our intention to send you a response by 16 December 2020, 20
working days from the receipt of your email.

 

Please be aware that due to current events requests may not be responded
to within the statutory deadlines. We are still working to ensure that
business as usual remains where possible however please see below ICO
guidance:

 

On 16 March 2020, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) published an
[1]announcement concerning public authorities' responses to requests for
information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) in view of
the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

 

The default timescale under FOIA requires public authorities to respond
within 20 working days of receiving the request.

 

Because of the potential diversion of resources from compliance and
information rights work as a result of COVID-19, the ICO will not penalise
public authorities for "prioritising other areas or adapting their usual
approach". The ICO cannot extend the statutory timescales, but will take
into account the compelling public interest during the health emergency
when assessing any complaint of non-compliance.

 

It appears that this approach will be taken in respect of requests for
environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations
2004 (SI 2004/3391) (EIR). The EIR apply the same default timescale for a
response as is in place under FOIA.

 

In a separate announcement, the Local Government Secretary has stated that
councils will be able to "use their discretion" on deadlines for FOIA
requests (see [2]Legal update, Government confirms support for local
authorities in response to COVID-19).

 

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your
understanding.  

If you require further information about our services please visit
[3]https://www.waverley.gov.uk/info/200364/...

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Sarah Coates

Information Rights Coordinator

Waverley Borough Council

Phone: 01483 523176

 

This email, and any files attached to it, is confidential and solely for
the use of the individual or organisation to whom it is addressed.
The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Waverley
Borough Council.
The Council is not responsible for any changes made to the message after
it has been sent. If you are not the intended recipient of this email or
the person responsible for delivering it to them you may not copy it,
forward it or otherwise use it for any purpose or disclose its contents to
any other person. To do so may be unlawful.
Please visit our website at http://www.waverley.gov.uk

References

Visible links
1. http://email.practicallaw.com/c/1gS9wPnx...
2. http://email.practicallaw.com/c/1gS9xcJH...
3. https://www.waverley.gov.uk/info/200364/...

Freedom of Information, Waverley Borough Council

Dear Mr Hay,

 

Request for information - wav1405308

 

Thank you for your request for information which has been processed under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

This information is not held – we understand that there is no legal
requirement for councils to categorise councillors, or ask councillors
whether they categorise themselves, as BAME or LGBTQ+.   By way of
clarification, we do not hold such information as the question has not
been posed of councillors.

 

Please note that  I am copying in the generic email address for reference
as I am assisting with processing of these matters at a time of increased
demand for this service.

 

In the event you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you
have the right to ask for an internal review, which will be carried out by
a separate Council Officer. Please quote your reference number in all
future correspondence.

 

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the information Commissioner for a
decision.  The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF.

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Website: www.ico.org.uk

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Gillian Carson-Jones

Litigation, Licensing and Regulatory Solicitor

Waverley Borough Council

Tel: 01483 523504

Working Monday – Friday

If I am not available and you need assistance before my return please
contact Daniel Bainbridge on 01483 523235 or at
[email address]

 

www.waverley.gov.uk

This email, and any files attached to it, is confidential and solely for
the use of the individual or organisation to whom it is addressed.
The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Waverley
Borough Council.
The Council is not responsible for any changes made to the message after
it has been sent. If you are not the intended recipient of this email or
the person responsible for delivering it to them you may not copy it,
forward it or otherwise use it for any purpose or disclose its contents to
any other person. To do so may be unlawful.
Please visit our website at http://www.waverley.gov.uk