FOI campaigners agnry with Conwy Council

Nov 11 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

FACTS which should be shared with the public through the freedom of information act are not being made available by Conwy County Council say angry campaigners.

However Conwy County Council insists it is fully transparent and blames failed requests on external websites.

Several applications remain unanswered on a website which allows the public to file requests under the freedom of information (FOI) act.

But several requests made through the WhatDoTheyKnow site remain unanswered in relation to Colwyn Bay’s Victoria Pier, with requests pending a council ‘internal review’.

The FOI act allows the public to make an application to public bodies on the basis of a right to know certain information within 20 working days. The website, run by a democracy charity, allows the public to use the site to make applications, which are then published on-line.

Steve Hunt is the former owner of Colwyn Bay Pier and says he is awaiting several FOI applications regarding council documents and costs incurred by Conwy in relation to the pier. Steve says Conwy is dodging the complaints procedure to the information commissioner’s office by using as ‘loophole’ in the system.

“The council don’t seem to want me to have this information, or have they got something to hide,” he said.

“Conwy County Council can spend two years on the internal review if they want to, there is no time limit, it is a loop hole in the system, they can then report back and refuse the request before I can take it to the information officer.

“I’ve asked for a copy of the minutes of meetings, or copies of council policies, all these things should be already be published or in the public domain, but they are not.

“It is time after time after time; it’s not just me but any FOI regarding the pier. The council are using the internal review as a delaying tactic because there is not a time frame for the internal review process.”

Gary Willetts, from Colwyn Bay has also made several applications to Conwy County Council under the FOI process and also reported problems in getting information.

“In general terms the council obstruct the council tax payers, they use a blanket defence to stop access,” he said.

“They are not giving information, under the freedom of information act you have the right to know – the council has adopted a view that they decide what you have and if they don’t think you should have it they obstruct you. In effect they are making it very difficult for people to get information.”

A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council commented: “We can confirm that there are no internal reviews outstanding.

“We are not responsible for the content of external websites.”