Decision details

To note the annual report on Freedom of Information, Data Protection and transparency.

The committee received the annual report from the Head of Corporate Strategy on transparency issues, performance and activity during 2016/17, conveying data protection; requests for information under Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR); and open data

In response to Members’ questions the Head of Corporate Strategy said the following:

     i.        The number of FOI requests and EIR requests had increased but with an improvement in working practices, the recent procurement of an FOI case management system, good time management and a sensible proactive approach by officers the workload continued to be manageable.

    ii.        The media contributed to the number of FOI requests.

   iii.        There had been escalation in the complexity and detail of the FOIs requested.

  iv.        Cambridge City Council took the matter of FOI and transparency seriously.

   v.        Increased awareness of data protection amongst staff had resulted in more enquiries especially around information sharing and safe disposal of information.

  vi.        Officers to aim to achieve the Council’s corporate performance target to respond to 100% of FOI requests within 20 working days.

Resolved (unanimously) to:

i.             Note the Council’s performance on transparency issues during 2016/17