Issue - meetings

to note the content of the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Internal Auditor which advised members of the outcome from the work that the Committee requested Internal Audit undertake relating to Freedom of Information processes in place for determining what information can be released to the public.

The report recommended:

that the Committee review, discuss and comment on the issues raised within the report.

Councillor Townson sought guidance as to the process if an individual was not satisfied with the information released to them under an FOI request, and whether they could apply directly to the Information Commissioners Office.  The Chief Officer – Governance advised that the first stage would be to request a Review Panel and then after that stage they could still appeal to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The Vice Convener referred to the percentage of appeals where the initial response was either partially upheld or overturned and whether this was because the Council were being too robust and not releasing information.  The Chief Internal Auditor advised that some of the appeals related to a failure to respond within the required timescales and not that the Council were too robust in decision making for releasing information.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the content of the report.