------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Cc: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Friday, September 6th 2024, 10:13
Subject: FOI is STILL SIGNIFICANT BURDEN on Council - RE: FOI Annual report for 2023/2024 Cabinet Presentation

Cc: Cabinet Chair Councillor Owen O'Donnell

Hi Craig

Good to see you on screen again presenting the FOI Annual Report.

Para 7 of the introduction to the report states -
FINANCE AND EFFICIENCY
7. There are no particular financial implications arising from this report

and Para 8 states

IMPLICATIONS OF REPORT
8. As this report is primarily a performance update, there are no particular implications in terms of staffing, property, legal, IT, equalities or sustainability.

Para 1 and Para 7 of the Report states -
Para 1
Introduction
FoI encourages openness and accountability and helps to build trust between the Council and the public that we serve.

Para 7
Conclusion
Freedom of Information remains an important element of East Renfrewshire Council’s commitment to transparency and accountability. It provides an efficient means for the public to access information about the services that the Council provides, and the Council remains committed to delivering a positive and efficient customer experience.

If the above is true why is FOI seen as a SIGNIFICANT BURDEN by Cabinet ?

The Cabinet Chair Councillor Owen O'Donnell stated - 'Still a significant burden on the Council....'

and

Questions by Cllr Andrew Anderson - 'Does this affect you operationally....'

and

response by Caitriona McAuley (director of Environment) ? who replied -

'Yes it is a big resource requirement for the Department.....'

What is this 'SIGNIFICANT BURDEN' ?

The Cabinet Chair Councillor Owen O'Donnell provided no evidence to support their statement regarding - 'Still a significant burden on the Council...'

Please give examples of this SIGNIFICANT BURDEN The Cabinet Chair Councillor Owen O'Donnell had in mind when they stated - 'Still a significant burden on the Council...'

What is going on in the background regarding FOI being a SIGNIFICANT BURDEN ?

Is this what Cabinet really believe regarding FOI ? That it is a SIGNIGICANT BURDEN rather than '...helps to build trust between the Council and the public that we serve.' ?

Your and Cabinet clarification will be appreciated.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
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To: Cc: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Friday, September 13th 2024, 16:43
Subject: RE: Re: FOI is STILL SIGNIFICANT BURDEN on Council - RE: FOI Annual report for 2023/2024 Cabinet Presentation

Thank you for your message and my apologies for the tardy response.

My only comment is to say that FoI having an impact on the Council, and our commitment to it, are not mutually exclusive.

We are committed to delivering on FoI, and it does indeed remain an important element in the Council’s focus on transparency and accountability - but there is nonetheless a significant amount of resource that has to be allocated to making that happen.

Yours, Craig

------ Original Message ------
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Sent: Monday, September 16th 2024, 11:12
Subject: Re: RE: Re: FOI is STILL SIGNIFICANT BURDEN on Council - RE: FOI Annual report for 2023/2024 Cabinet Presentation

Cc: Cabinet Chair Councillor Owen O'Donnell

Hi Craig

Thanks for this.

Is this

- Your response ?
- Cabinet/Cabinet Chair Councillor Owen O'Donnell's response ?

All Council services need resources.

However, not all services and the resources used are declared as a 'significant burden on the Council'

As said, the Cabinet Chair Councillor Owen O'Donnell provided no evidence to support their statement regarding FOI being - 'Still a significant burden on the Council...'

You say - 'but there is nonetheless a significant amount of resource that has to be allocated to making that happen.'

You fail to explain why these 'significant amount of resources' are classed as a 'burden'.

Why are these resources classed as a 'burden' ?

What figures/costs/calculations is Cabinet Chair Councillor Owen O'Donnell referencing (and comparing with other services), to come to the conclusion that FOI is a significant burden on the Council ?

(Cabinet Chair Councillor Owen O'Donnell may be better placed to say ?)

Please give other examples of where resourses used to provide a service are classed as a 'significant burden on the Council'

Your help will be appreciated.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
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Cc: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, September 23rd 2024, 17:14
Subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: FOI is STILL SIGNIFICANT BURDEN on Council - RE: FOI Annual report for 2023/2024 Cabinet Presentation

I can not provide further comment on the views of the Cabinet; I can only reiterate my point that the Council is both committed to delivering on FoI while at the same time pointing out that the delivery of this does require considerable input from across the organisation.


I had dealt with your initial request as a general enquiry rather than as a formal request under FoI. If I was mistaken, please accept my apologies and I have included the review notice below.

Yours
Craig

East Renfrewshire Council offers the opportunity to apply to the Council for a review of how we have dealt with your enquiry. If you wish to proceed to review, please apply in writing within 40 working days to:

Chief Legal Officer
Council Headquarters
Rouken Glen Road
Giffnock G46 6UG,

Or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

marking your letter or email “Freedom of Information, request for review”. In your response please state the exact nature of the matter you wish to be reviewed.

The review will be carried out within 20 working days of receipt. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, you have the right to then appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner who has extensive powers to investigate such matters. His address is:

Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
St. Andrews
Fife KY16 9DS



------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Cc: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Friday, October 4th 2024, 15:58
Subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: FOI is STILL SIGNIFICANT BURDEN on Council - RE: FOI Annual report for 2023/2024 Cabinet Presentation

Hi Craig

Can you confirm that you are saying that any service provided by Council that

'does require considerable input from across the organisation.'

is considered by yourself and Council as a

'significant burden on the Council' .


I will write to Chair Cllr Owen O'Donnell for Cabinet view.

Your help will be appreciated.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
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Sent: Friday, October 4th 2024, 16:34
Subject: Your statement - FOI is STILL SIGNIFICANT BURDEN on Council - RE: FOI Annual report for 2023/2024 Cabinet Presentation Thursday 5 September 2024

Cc: Craig Geddes

Dear Cabinet Chair Cllr Owen O'Donnell

At Agenda Item 7 FOI Annual report for 2023/2024 Cabinet Presentation on Thursday 5 September 2024 you stated regarding Freedom of Information that it is

'Still a significant burden on the Council....'

You provided no evidence to support your statement that Freedom of Information is
'Still a significant burden on the Council...'

What evidence are you using to to make the statement that Freedom of Information is
'Still a significant burden on the Council...' ?

All Council services use resources, but they are not claimed to be 'Still a significant burden on the Council...'

What is the threshold of resources used, for a service to be classed as 'Still a significant burden on the Council...' ?

What other Council Services are considered to be 'Still a significant burden on the Council...'

Your help in giving the above information will be appreciated.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
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Cc: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, October 7th 2024, 11:52
Subject: Re: Your statement - FOI is STILL SIGNIFICANT BURDEN on Council - RE: FOI Annual report for 2023/2024 Cabinet Presentation Thursday 5 September 2024

With the number of FOI's now over 1000 per year as stated in the report and with the average time to investigate each FOI stated at around one day of officer's time per cabinet discussion in 2022, at a time when council resources are tight I am happy to say that FOIs remain a significant burden on council resources.

I have nothing further to add to my comments.

Kind regards

Cllr Owen O'Donnell
Leader East Renfrewshire Council
Tel: 0141 577 3107