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ERC senior management appear to have a problem with Freedom of Information Requests.
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TOPIC: ERC senior management appear to have a problem with Freedom of Information Requests.

ERC senior management appear to have a problem with Freedom of Information Requests. 5 years, 1 month ago #1

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Andrew Cahill
Screenshot2018-07-0717.47.03.jpg

Director of the Environment

Re: ERC senior management appear to have a problem with Freedom of Information Requests. 5 years, 1 month ago #2

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Mr Cahill is Director of Environment and also a member of the Corporate Management Team (CMT) which supports the Chief Executive in running the whole council.

He has members of staff in addition to a personal assistant.

He is on a salary of £104,535

When talking at the last Audit & Scrutiny Committee (A&S) meeting regarding a report that is currently being prepared by a consulting company he said "and I am trying to explain some of the challenges with the consultants I am working hard and sometimes, and I am not saying anything about audit, some of the other stuff is..... deflecting me ........like requests for FOI's etc."

Re: ERC senior management appear to have a problem with Freedom of Information Requests. 5 years, 1 month ago #3

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We would have to suggest that this may be somewhat strange. ERC commissioned Peter Brett Associates to undertake a consultation on an Eastwood Park masterplan.

They are being paid £48,750 for that report, why does Cahill require to get involved on a day to day basis?

In addition Freedom of Information requests are a public right.

Cahill does not search the ERC database for recorded information himself, he has staff for this.

Re: ERC senior management appear to have a problem with Freedom of Information Requests. 5 years, 1 month ago #4

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The office of the information commissioner has this to say on the subject:-

Public authorities must keep in mind that meeting their underlying commitment to transparency and openness may involve absorbing a certain level of disruption and annoyance.

Whist Cahill was ending his comment, where he obviously paused and appeared to be searching for a relevant word Cllr Miller interjected and appeared to be coaching Cahill.

Miller said "Unhelpfull", then "Not helpfull" and yet again in close succession, "Not helpfull".

Re: ERC senior management appear to have a problem with Freedom of Information Requests. 5 years, 1 month ago #5

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Next up, Mhairi Shaw the Director of Education who is also a member of the Corporate Management Team.

Salary £104,534

Newsline has been made aware that a resident has received a communication from Ms Shaw.

It would appear that Ms Shaw is of the opinion that this resident has been asking questions of elected members and submitting FOI requests regarding Culture and Leisure.

Ms Shaw is of the opinion that these requests are causing staff a problem, and there would appear to be a clear message in the communication that should this person continue she may invoke the Unacceptable Actions Policy. (UAP)

Re: ERC senior management appear to have a problem with Freedom of Information Requests. 5 years, 1 month ago #6

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UAP - This is a policy which is supposed to protect staff from abusive customers. When invoked the customers is prevented from communicating with any department or staff.

The council will not correspond with the customer for the length of time the ban has been imposed.

However the Freedom of Information legislation cannot be circumvented by this council policy, therefore the 'customer' is still able to submit FOI requests.
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