What the Censor Saw
I shared with readers the other day - the details of an FOI appeal that I registered recently with the Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC).
See post dated 17 May 2011: 'Censorhip in South Lanarkshire'.
I am now pleased to reveal what the censor in South Lanarkshire saw - and said - in relation to my freedom of information request.
Which South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) refused, of course - on the grounds of national security - or some other such baloney.
Here is an extract from the official letter from SLC - telling me, in effect, to bog off:
"However, part of Document 1 was in a different position. Paragraph 2.2.1 contains advice and views on sensitive matters, expressed in a very frank manner.
Although there appears to be some purely factual information, this is expressed in a way that reflects the views of the author of the report and therefore it would be difficult to release the factual sections without releasing non-factual information and therefore redaction is not possible.
Some of the information in the report comprises a full, free and frank analysis of the issues and the Council's position in relations to the implementation of Single Status within the Council. It sets down advice and options regarding the Council's position in relation to that matter."
Well, I never - I though it might just be a quaint old story - something along the lines of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'.
Who would ever have imagined such a thing in a modern, professional council - like South Lanarkshire Council?
Which - as regular readers know - is absolutely committed to openness, transparency and freedom of information.
Except when it's inconvenient, of course.
So rise up - all you good citizens of South Lanarkshire.
Tell the council, your local councillor, your trade unions and your MSPs that this is not good enough - and simply will not stand.
Tell them that South Lanarkshire Council is a public body - funded wholly by public money - and that the public has a right to know what is being said and done by the council - in their name.
See post dated 17 May 2011: 'Censorhip in South Lanarkshire'.
I am now pleased to reveal what the censor in South Lanarkshire saw - and said - in relation to my freedom of information request.
Which South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) refused, of course - on the grounds of national security - or some other such baloney.
Here is an extract from the official letter from SLC - telling me, in effect, to bog off:
"However, part of Document 1 was in a different position. Paragraph 2.2.1 contains advice and views on sensitive matters, expressed in a very frank manner.
Although there appears to be some purely factual information, this is expressed in a way that reflects the views of the author of the report and therefore it would be difficult to release the factual sections without releasing non-factual information and therefore redaction is not possible.
Some of the information in the report comprises a full, free and frank analysis of the issues and the Council's position in relations to the implementation of Single Status within the Council. It sets down advice and options regarding the Council's position in relation to that matter."
Well, I never - I though it might just be a quaint old story - something along the lines of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'.
Who would ever have imagined such a thing in a modern, professional council - like South Lanarkshire Council?
Which - as regular readers know - is absolutely committed to openness, transparency and freedom of information.
Except when it's inconvenient, of course.
So rise up - all you good citizens of South Lanarkshire.
Tell the council, your local councillor, your trade unions and your MSPs that this is not good enough - and simply will not stand.
Tell them that South Lanarkshire Council is a public body - funded wholly by public money - and that the public has a right to know what is being said and done by the council - in their name.
