Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

The Committee considered a report detailing the number of requests for information received by the Council, under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016.

The report provided the background to the Act, highlighted the number of requests received and provided information resulting from analysis.

Over the period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 the number of requests received was 1200, representing a 0.58% decrease in requests received in the previous year and a 450.95% increase since the implementation of the Act in 2005.

Of the requests received 94.25% were dealt with within the 20 day timescale. This represents a decrease of 0.1% in performance on the 2016 figure.

Four requests were subject to an internal review. The original decision maker’s decision was upheld in all four cases.

It was noted that two requesters exercised the right of appeal to the Information Commissioner. These have yet to be determined.

Comparative data was also included showing the number of requests received by Gateshead and its neighbouring authorities in 2015.

RESOLVED:               i)          That the information be noted.

ii)         That the Committee is satisfied with the operation of the Freedom of Information Act procedure.