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.......