This is what Marvin Rees had to say about FOI Requests:
"We get more Freedom of Information requests, FOIs, than any of the other core cities in the UK, by quite some margin. Some of those requests are genuine: others are from individuals and groups promoting their particular political brand. It gives them a sense of significance for a moment, but for us, it’s costly and time-consuming – time and money that could be spent on more important things. It’s got to the point where people have even put in an FOI over the number of FOIs that we have responded to. It would be funny if it wasn’t so costly."
Here are some examples of FOI Request that I have submitted this year:
Freedom of Information Requests Performance (Not the one that Marvin was talking about)
Right to Buy Sales - 2000 onwards
South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods Interactive Map Data
Fixed Penalty Fines Issued on behalf of BCC by 3GS
Bristol City Council Taxi Driver Licences (Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle)
Lendology Home Energy Efficiency Loans
Bristol Council Art Collection Catalogue
Electronic Copy of HMO Register
Bristol Waste:
Recycling Centre Usage Data
Monthly Performance Data
Number of Asbestos Disposals at Bristol Recycling Centres
I don't know if Marvin would classify these as "genuine" or not. But if BCC was serious about "Transparency" then people like me wouldn't have to put in FOI requests to get information that should be published as "Open Data".
I use this data to create reports and articles that shed some light on the working of our Council, not to promote a particular "political brand".
PS: BCC do appear to have got a bit better since Marvin's time, as they now publish information about "the number of FOIs that we have responded to" without someone having to submit an FOI request.
True, but I am trying to get some value out of the chaos. There is a question about how much of the chaos is due to inefficiency and how much is due to political interference. It does seem that "politically sensitive" requests are more likely to be delayed (sometimes for years).
This is what Marvin Rees had to say about FOI Requests:
"We get more Freedom of Information requests, FOIs, than any of the other core cities in the UK, by quite some margin. Some of those requests are genuine: others are from individuals and groups promoting their particular political brand. It gives them a sense of significance for a moment, but for us, it’s costly and time-consuming – time and money that could be spent on more important things. It’s got to the point where people have even put in an FOI over the number of FOIs that we have responded to. It would be funny if it wasn’t so costly."
Here are some examples of FOI Request that I have submitted this year:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/user/chris_mcevoy/requests
Bristol City Council:
Freedom of Information Requests Performance (Not the one that Marvin was talking about)
Right to Buy Sales - 2000 onwards
South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods Interactive Map Data
Fixed Penalty Fines Issued on behalf of BCC by 3GS
Bristol City Council Taxi Driver Licences (Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle)
Lendology Home Energy Efficiency Loans
Bristol Council Art Collection Catalogue
Electronic Copy of HMO Register
Bristol Waste:
Recycling Centre Usage Data
Monthly Performance Data
Number of Asbestos Disposals at Bristol Recycling Centres
I don't know if Marvin would classify these as "genuine" or not. But if BCC was serious about "Transparency" then people like me wouldn't have to put in FOI requests to get information that should be published as "Open Data".
I use this data to create reports and articles that shed some light on the working of our Council, not to promote a particular "political brand".
PS: BCC do appear to have got a bit better since Marvin's time, as they now publish information about "the number of FOIs that we have responded to" without someone having to submit an FOI request.
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/council/data-protection-and-foi/freedom-of-information-foi/freedom-of-information-foi-published-information
Excellent point, Chris. Though, the entire system is still absurd. Oh, and chaotic!
True, but I am trying to get some value out of the chaos. There is a question about how much of the chaos is due to inefficiency and how much is due to political interference. It does seem that "politically sensitive" requests are more likely to be delayed (sometimes for years).
Seems about right to me, Chris.