Root out the truth & have some fun....

Tealeaf · 20-09-2005, 15:29

Some of you are no doubt aware that in January of this year the Freedom of Information Act came into force. This act imposes a statutory obligation upon local authorities to answer, within a period of no more than 20 days, all legitimate questions pertaining to their self-governance. This means,that if requested, they have to disclose copies of minutes, accounts, email, correspondence, directives, memoranda and other notes relating to any topic within their jurisdiction. There are, theoretically,a number of exceptions, such as aspects of crime and security.

As part of this openeness process, HBC have appointed a freedom of information officer who also has an email address to which all questions may be put. This is as follows:

[email protected],

So...if we we want to know what discussions and decisions the council have made - both the elected officers & the bureaucratic staff - then all we have to do is email them. Their answers should give the reasons, as to why, for instance, Chav's back alley is being dug up or why there is such a cock-up on Broadway. I'm quite sure that a few people on here will be eager to take advantage of this facility.......

garinda · 20-09-2005, 15:41

The freedom and accesibility of information, regarding our local government, is good up to a point, but lets hope we do make use of the new civil servant appointed to answer our queries.

How much of our taxes have gone to pay their salary/ies? 20k, maybe 30k?

Thanks for the link, I'm sure it will be very useful. I too am worried about Chav's back alley.

cashman · 20-09-2005, 15:58

seems a possible worthwhile link,cheers tealeaf.

KIPAX · 20-09-2005, 16:05

Thing is.. "Most" of this information was available at the decision making process...Have a look at local paper (hidden away in small print somewhere) or on HyndburnLife website calander... meetings all the time to decide what to do.

Its not the masons you know

chav1 · 20-09-2005, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

why, for instance, Chav's back alley is being dug up.......

i want my bloody cobbles back

maybe i can find out where they have gone so i can go get them and save bombfire night

Quote:

Thanks for the link, I'm sure it will be very useful. I too am worried about Chav's back alley.

Too late for my back alley m8 but be warned yours may be next

SPUGGIE J · 20-09-2005, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by chav1

i want my bloody cobbles back

maybe i can find out where they have gone so i can go get them and save bombfire night

Too late for my back alley m8 but be warned yours may be next

Poor Chave shafted again.......... by the council the thieving rats.

Gayle · 20-09-2005, 17:40

It's not quite as easy as you might think. If you want some information you have to ask specifically for the information that you want. The organisation/council that you're asking are then allowed to quote a price for giving you that information i.e. how much would it cost to photocopy all the documents and how many man hours it would cost. You are then allowed to decide whether you want to proceed.

grego · 20-09-2005, 18:43

Thanks for the link T I'm sure we'll be using it.

shillelagh · 20-09-2005, 20:00

Tealeaf did you not know you have always had the right to ask for copies of agendas and minutes of council meetings? I used to get them 10 years ago. All i did was go in to the council offices and asked to be put on their mailing list for copies of the agendas and minutes of meetings to be sent to me. And anyway whats wrong with ringing your councillor and asking them - theyre there to represent you and so should tell you what theyve decided.

chav1 · 20-09-2005, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle Knight

The organisation/council that you're asking are then allowed to quote a price for giving you that information i.e. how much would it cost to photocopy all the documents and how many man hours it would cost. You are then allowed to decide whether you want to proceed..

one would think our council tax had already paid for that lot