More bovver with Rovver
I wrote last month about how the website is clearly irritating some FOI officers who don't like the way it encourages and processes freedom of information requests. This ambitious site publishes the requests, the answers, and the intervening correspondence for all to see - an approach which is clearly taking transparency too far for some.
My thanks to mikeludkipz for his recent comment, drawing attention to the fact that Rother District Council is still in a lot of bother over how it deals with FOI requests through this site.
After first continuing with its previous (but apparently futile) practice of seeking postal rather than email addresses from requesters, Rother has then been telling them: 'would you please note that the response will be personal to yourself and that no consent to publish it, for instance on a web site, is given.'
As the site itself comments: 'This request has had an unusual response, and requires attention from the WhatDoTheyKnow team.'
Rother Council goes on to state: 'Any application for consent to re-use information will be considered under the Re-use of Public Sector Inforamtion Regulations 2005, but if consent is given a charge may be made to you.'
What was it said? Something like 'it's a lot more bovver with a Rovver'?
I did ask the council to explain its policy. They were very polite, but they said that sadly they weren't able to do that this week while the relevant person is on leave.
Comments
or to comment.