Spreadsheets collated at Scottish referendum count collating results then announced
Dear City of Edinburgh Council,
I understand spreadsheets were created at the count of ballots for the Scottish Independence referendum which were then used to confirm and announce the results.
I request a copy of these and any documents & methodology relating to the input and working out of these, including who created them and who approved them.
Yours faithfully,
Donna Sweeney
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Ms Donna Sweeney
Date: 23/09/2014
Our ref: 4691
Dear Ms Sweeney
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Acknowledgement of Request
Subject: Scottish Independence Referendum
Thank you for your request for information of 22/09/2014 In your request you asked for "I understand spreadsheets were created at the count of ballots for the Scottish Independence referendum which were then used to confirm and announce the results. I request a copy of these and any documents & methodology relating to the input and working out of these, including who created them and who approved them."
Your request is being processed under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
You will receive the information requested within 20 working days unless the Council does not hold the information, or there is a reason for it to be withheld. We will write to you in any event.
In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case we will let you know.
If you have any requirements regarding the format any information should be supplied in, e.g. the language to be used, audio, large print and so on, then please let me know.
If you have any queries or concerns, do not hesitate to get in touch. Please quote the reference number above in any future communications.
To promote transparency and accountability, please note it is the Council’s policy to publish all request details and responses made under the freedom of information legislation. This information will be made available through the Council’s website and will not include your personal details. The disclosure log is available at the following link: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/homepage/175....
Further information about your rights and accessing information is available on our website at: www.edinburgh.gov.uk
Yours sincerely,
Information Compliance Unit
Information Governance Unit
Level 2:1, Waverley Court, Edinburgh EH8 8BG Tel 0131 200 2340
[Edinburgh City Council request email] www.edinburgh.gov.uk
Ms Donna Sweeney
Date: 16/10/2014
Our ref: 4691
Dear Ms Sweeney
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Release of Information
Subject: Scottish Independence Referendum
Thank you for your request for information of 23/09/2014, which has been
processed under the terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002. Unfortunately, the Council is only able to meet part of your
request; this information is released to you now in the format requested.
You asked the following:
I understand spreadsheets were created at the count of ballots for the
Scottish Independence referendum which were then used to confirm and
announce the results.
I request a copy of these and any documents & methodology relating to the
input and working out of these, including who created them and who
approved them.
Details of the Count Process in general are described in the guidance at;
[1]http://www.electionsscotland.info/emb/do...
In addition please refer to the attached Scottish Independence Referendum
Act 2013.
Spreadsheets for the collation of the national result were created by the
Chief Counting Officer’s Team. Each of the 32 local Counting Officers
would have used their own spreadsheets to collate their own totals. This
information will be held by local councils on behalf of the Counting
Officers and the Chief Counting Officer. Neither Counting Officers nor
the Chief Counting Officer are subject to the Freedom of Information
(Scotland) Act 2002.
The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner holds the view that
information in the possession of a Council Returning Officer is deemed to
be held by the Electoral Registration Officer or the Returning Officer
respectively, and not by the local authority.
The requested documentation is withheld under Section 3(2)(a)(i) of the
Act which states;
For the purposes of the Act, but subject to subsection (4), information is
held by an authority if it is held –
(a) By the authority otherwise than-
(i) On behalf of another person; or
(ii) In confidence, having been supplied by a Minister of the Crown
or by a department of the Government of the United Kingdom or
(b) By a person other than the authority, on behalf of the
authority.
As the Council holds this information on behalf of the Counting Officers
and Chief Counting Officer, it is not held by the Council for the purposes
of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. As such the Council is
unable to provide this information to you.
To promote transparency and accountability, please note it is the
Council’s policy to publish all request details and responses made under
the freedom of information legislation. This information will be made
available through the Council’s website and will not include your personal
details. The disclosure log is available at the following link:
[2]http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/homepage/175....
Your right to seek a review
If you are unhappy with the way we have dealt with your request, you can
ask us to review our actions and decisions by writing to:
Head of Legal Risk and Compliance
The City of Edinburgh Council
Waverley Court Business Centre 2:1
4, East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG or,
Email: legal.[Edinburgh City Council request email]
Please note that your request must be in a recordable format (email,
letter, audio tape etc.), and that you have 40 working days upon receipt
of this letter to ask for a review. You will receive a full response to
your review request within 20 working days of its receipt. Please quote
the reference number above in any future communications.
If you are not content with the outcome of the review, you can ask the
Scottish Information Commissioner to review our decision. You must submit
your complaint to the Commissioner within 6 months of receiving our review
response. The Commissioner can be contacted at:
The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Fax: 01334 464611
Website www.itspublicknowledge.info
E-mail: [email address]
Yours sincerely,
Sue Brown
Information Compliance Officer
Information Governance Unit
Level 2:1, Waverley Court, Edinburgh EH8 8BG Tel 0131 200 2340
[Edinburgh City Council request email] www.edinburgh.gov.uk
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01CFE17B.22FC70B0
Play your part in [4]Edinburgh’s budget challenge!
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References
Visible links
1. http://www.electionsscotland.info/emb/do...
2. http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/homepage/175...
3. http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/budget
4. http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/budget
Carrona Lee left an annotation ()
Indeed - The link to the disclosure log ( http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/homepage/175...) goes straight to the City of Edinburgh Council website.
The message there reads "FOI Disclosure Log........This information is not currently available. Please contact foi@edinburgh.gov.uk if you have any questions.)
Talk about "going around in circles"!!!!!!!!
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brian ovens left an annotation ()
They give you a link for information but the information log does not have the information, why is this.