Seating in John Allen Rec
Dear Oxford City Council,
I am seeking information about the John Allen Recreation Ground (the Local Park, which can be accessed from Cleveland Drive). This area previously had various pieces of equipment which have now been removed, making it a less attractive and useable space. In particular I am seeking information about removal of:
A) The nest swing
B) The bench seating
C) The various felled trees used for informal seating and children's play
Please supply
1) Any requests received by the Council that any of this equipment be removed
2) Any records of the decisions to remove any of this equipment and the reasons for the removal
3) The Equality Impact Assessment(s) undertaken regarding removal of this equipment
Yours faithfully,
Stephen Gower
Oxford City Council – Reference: 10552
Dear Mr Gower,
Thank you for your email below. Your request was received on 3rd November 2021 and you will be sent a response within 20 working days (of receipt) in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000/ Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR), subject to the information not being exempt or containing reference to a third party.
Yours sincerely,
Joyce Fagan
Information Governance Requests Officer
Joyce Fagan | Information Governance Requests Officer | Oxford City Council | Law and Governance | St. Aldate's Chambers | Oxford | OX1 1DS |
Stop the virus from spreading. Keep Oxford safe.
Follow the guidance: Clean hands. Wear a face mask. Keep your distance. Get tested if you have symptoms.
Dear Joyce Fagan,
I have not received a response to my request which I should have done, by law, by 2 December 2021. Please provide the information requested.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Gower
Dear Mr Gower,
Thank you for your email. I apologise for this delay, please be advised that we actively working on the response to your request,
and will provide you with a response as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Joyce Fagan
Information Governance Requests Officer
Joyce Fagan | Information Governance Requests Officer | Oxford City Council | Law and Governance | St. Aldate's Chambers | Oxford | OX1 1DS |
Stop the virus from spreading. Keep Oxford safe.
Follow the guidance: Clean hands. Wear a face mask. Keep your distance. Get tested if you have symptoms.
Dear Mr Gower,
10552 Reference
Further to the acknowledgement below, I can respond to your Freedom of Information Act 2000 request as follows:
There are no 'records' in relation to this matter. The bench and swing both had to be removed due to on-going antisocial behaviour by street drinkers. The nest swing had to be removed due vandalism caused by some of the street drinkers using it to train their dogs. It was replaced only for it to be vandalised again. It is hoped the removal of the bench in this location and extended removal of the swing has broken this chain of behaviour. The swing will be replaced again in the coming weeks. However, it will need replacing with a different piece of equipment if the vandalism occurs again. There is no intention to replace the bench in the same location at this stage as this is just likely to repeat the issues.
In the longer term this park is identified as being in need of wider refurbishment, and it is hoped a funding opportunity may through development offset when the Templar Square rebuilding goes ahead. Ideally, the whole park would be completely re-landscaped and remodelled.
If you disagree with any part of the response to your request, you are entitled to ask the Council for an internal review of the decision(s) made. You may do this by writing to the Monitoring Officer, by either email – [email address] – or by post to Monitoring Officer, Oxford City Council, St Aldate’s Chambers, St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1DS. After the result of the internal review, if you remain dissatisfied, you may ask the Information Commissioner to intervene on your behalf. You may do this by writing to the Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.
Yours sincerely,
Joyce Fagan
Information Governance Requests Officer
Joyce Fagan | Information Governance Requests Officer | Oxford City Council | Law and Governance | St. Aldate's Chambers | Oxford | OX1 1DS |
Stop the virus from spreading. Keep Oxford safe.
Follow the guidance: Clean hands. Wear a face mask. Keep your distance. Get tested if you have symptoms.
==================================================================================================================================================================
We work to defend the right to FOI for everyone
Help us protect your right to hold public authorities to account. Donate and support our work.
Donate Now