Publication of Freedom of Information responses (FOI)

Request

Between 1 October 2018 and 21 March 2019, how many freedom of information requests, that have had a valid written response, have not been published on the States web site?

Who authorised that each one should not be published and what subject did they cover?

Response

The Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 does not require the States of Jersey to publish any or all requests and responses. However, we aim to publish requests and responses as we consider it good practice and in the interests of openness to do so.

Between 1 October 2018 and 21 March 2019 the Central Freedom of Information unit (CFU) issued 389 valid responses.

As at close of business on 21 March the following remained unpublished after the final response had been sent to the requester:

• three pending publication (usual course of business – responses issued on 21 March)

• 8 pending publication (missed from publication due to administrative error)*

• 16 marked for non publication

* All now published – see appendix A for relevant links

The 16 marked for non-publication (subject matter included where possible) were not published for the following reasons:

• four were identical or significantly similar to a request already received, answered or published on the disclosure log (three relating to a breakdown of Future Hospital costs, one re compromise agreements);

• six contained significant personal details – the necessary redaction would have removed any value of the request to the public;

• three were for planning documentation – these are not published as they merely indicate that documentation is ready for collection at the planning department;

• one request was too large to post on to the disclosure log and would have caused issues for users (carpark usage data);

• two requests were potentially vexatious and repetitious – all information included had previously been provided and disclosed.

The staff at the Central Freedom of Information unit will decide whether or not to publish requests.

Further information with regards Freedom of Information requests received and published is accessible through the following link:

Freedom of Information requests received and published (FOI)

Appendix A

Feasibility studies in relation to the Future Hospital site (FOI) – 30 October 2018

Credit Card usage (FOI) – 17 December 2018

Police eyesight requirements (FOI) – 5 February 2019

Root Cause analysis report (FOI) – 12 February 2019

Severance pay for senior civil servants (FOI) – 20 February 2019

States of Jersey licensed employees (FOI) – 13 March 2019

Grants of probate (FOI) – 13 March 2019

Budget of the Meteorological department (FOI) – 14 March 2019