Report of the Group Head of Democrary and Governance

The committee received a report of the Group Head of Democracy and Governance which included details of the Freedom of Information requests for October 2019 to March 2020.  The Group Head of Democracy and Governance introduced the report. 

She advised that there had been nine further information requests compared to the previous year and explained why there had been a slippage in responses within the 20 working day period and with all cases not replied to.  She explained a number of these had been in relation to Revenues and Benefits requests as the officer who had been responsible for answering requests and keeping their web pages up to date had left the authority. This had been brought to the attention of the Head of Revenues and Benefits and to help address this, work had been outsourced to Capita and the council’s website had been updated resulting in more requests being reported direct by this means.

Following a question from members about outstanding Revenue and Benefits requests, the Group Head of Democracy and Governance provided reassurance that these were being progressed and she would report back to the committee with the outcome.  In response to a question about potential risks to the council in missing the 20 day deadline; she advised on the measures available to the Information Commissioners in such circumstances.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.