Mark my words ... this decision will unleash a whole host of Freedom of Information requests from individuals and groups across the country.Excellent work by John Greenwood.
Consider it a rumbling of thunder in the distance at the minute ...
An end to ‘status quo of secrecy’ at Bolton Council?
The Bolton News
Sunday 19th June 2011
THE outside business dealings of senior town hall staff could soon be made public after Bolton Council was issued a High Court threat by the country’s information boss.
The threat comes after transparency campaigner John Greenwood asked for details held on the council’s register of interests in a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
When the council refused, Mr Greenwood, from Breightmet, reported the council to the government’s Information Commissioner.
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Should this information be made public?
Yes: 93%
No: 7%
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The commissioner has now ruled that the details of the register of interests should be released. The register records the name of council officers and any personal interests they have, such as ownership of property, family associations, business interests, shareholdings and membership of organisations that may conflict with their decision-making role.
Mr Greenwood said: “This is a major victory for the public and those wanting open, transparent governance over Bolton Council who sought to keep the status quo of secrecy.”
As part of the decision notice issued to Bolton Council, the commissioner acknowledged that releasing some of this information would intrude into their private lives and may cause them distress.
He also found, however, there was a case for disclosing it in the public interest because the officers are responsible for decisions that affect the local community and involve spending public money.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has also released guidance that could open the floodgates for similar requests to other authorities across the country.
Bolton Council has been given 35 days to release the information or risk being reported to the High Court.
A spokesman for the authority said the council is seeking advice with a view to appealing the matter.
The Bolton News
Sunday 19th June 2011
THE outside business dealings of senior town hall staff could soon be made public after Bolton Council was issued a High Court threat by the country’s information boss.
The threat comes after transparency campaigner John Greenwood asked for details held on the council’s register of interests in a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
When the council refused, Mr Greenwood, from Breightmet, reported the council to the government’s Information Commissioner.
Your Vote
Should this information be made public?
Yes: 93%
No: 7%
Thanks for voting - this ballot is now closed
The commissioner has now ruled that the details of the register of interests should be released. The register records the name of council officers and any personal interests they have, such as ownership of property, family associations, business interests, shareholdings and membership of organisations that may conflict with their decision-making role.
Mr Greenwood said: “This is a major victory for the public and those wanting open, transparent governance over Bolton Council who sought to keep the status quo of secrecy.”
As part of the decision notice issued to Bolton Council, the commissioner acknowledged that releasing some of this information would intrude into their private lives and may cause them distress.
He also found, however, there was a case for disclosing it in the public interest because the officers are responsible for decisions that affect the local community and involve spending public money.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has also released guidance that could open the floodgates for similar requests to other authorities across the country.
Bolton Council has been given 35 days to release the information or risk being reported to the High Court.
A spokesman for the authority said the council is seeking advice with a view to appealing the matter.
1 comment:
Hardly a stormcloud; strikes me that what's being stated as valid for publication is stuff that the officers concerned would only divulge if they felt comfortable that admitting to it would be ok if it appeared in public anyway,very little will be published because ANYTHING that was perceived to be damaging or distressing would be prevented with a S10 notice. Total waste of time.
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