Comments on: The sound of silence http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/ Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:31:24 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Pete http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-451 Pete Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:59:33 +0000 http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-451 "Well, the FoI Act is so woolly I wouldn’t be surprised if they can’t see it." Seems I was right ;) So they 'might' share it soon, so they don't need to share it now. The issue here though isn't what Tim Coates presented to the council. That's between him and them. It is more that council workers have been prevented from speaking, whilst the council has been able to present its views of the project. Whatever the rights and wrongs, it seem unfair that those most affected by the changes have been least able to be involved with them. “Well, the FoI Act is so woolly I wouldn’t be surprised if they can’t see it.”

Seems I was right ;) So they ‘might’ share it soon, so they don’t need to share it now.

The issue here though isn’t what Tim Coates presented to the council. That’s between him and them.

It is more that council workers have been prevented from speaking, whilst the council has been able to present its views of the project. Whatever the rights and wrongs, it seem unfair that those most affected by the changes have been least able to be involved with them.

]]> By: Michael http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-449 Michael Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:32:17 +0000 http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-449 Not necessarily. There are <a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/ukpga_20000036_en_3#pt2" rel="nofollow">exemptions</a> within FOIA, which remove the necessity to provide information. I have a feeling that this one might cover Hillingdon 2.0: "the information is held by the public authority with a view to its publication, by the authority or any other person, at some future date (whether determined or not)" I bet they intend to publish it sooner or later, in Update or as a piece of glossy Council news, or at a conference, or something. That's what I'd do, anyway. Not necessarily. There are exemptions within FOIA, which remove the necessity to provide information. I have a feeling that this one might cover Hillingdon 2.0:

“the information is held by the public authority with a view to its publication, by the authority or any other person, at some future date (whether determined or not)”

I bet they intend to publish it sooner or later, in Update or as a piece of glossy Council news, or at a conference, or something. That’s what I’d do, anyway.

]]> By: Pete http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-447 Pete Mon, 17 Sep 2007 07:49:25 +0000 http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-447 I think he'd say that the report for Hillingdon is not 'about public libraries' in the broader sense but is a specific set of recommendations. That said as a piece of advice to a public body it *should* be available under FOIA. I think he’d say that the report for Hillingdon is not ‘about public libraries’ in the broader sense but is a specific set of recommendations.
That said as a piece of advice to a public body it *should* be available under FOIA.

]]> By: Michael http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-440 Michael Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:17:40 +0000 http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-440 Ladies and gentlemen, behold this snippet from <a href="http://www.goodlibraryguide.com/blog/archives/2006/12/the_smith_insti.html" rel="nofollow">Coates' blog</a>: "Anyhow, everything I say or write about public libraries is on the record and available under the freedom of information act." Now, this *could* be a fundamental misunderstanding of what FOIA is for on Coates' part: as a private individual, FOIA is as relevant to his work as the proverbial bicycle is to the fish. That's certainly how I interpreted his statement when I first read it. On the other hand, a gentle reminder of his position on the free availability of his opinion might prompt him to pony up the goods or - sharp intake of breath - admit his own error. Ladies and gentlemen, behold this snippet from Coates’ blog:

“Anyhow, everything I say or write about public libraries is on the record and available under the freedom of information act.”

Now, this *could* be a fundamental misunderstanding of what FOIA is for on Coates’ part: as a private individual, FOIA is as relevant to his work as the proverbial bicycle is to the fish. That’s certainly how I interpreted his statement when I first read it. On the other hand, a gentle reminder of his position on the free availability of his opinion might prompt him to pony up the goods or – sharp intake of breath – admit his own error.

]]> By: Pete http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-439 Pete Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:27:52 +0000 http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-439 Well, the FoI Act is so woolly I wouldn't be surprised if they can't see it. Well, the FoI Act is so woolly I wouldn’t be surprised if they can’t see it.

]]> By: Miriam Palfrey http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-438 Miriam Palfrey Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:14:56 +0000 http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/the-sound-of-silence/#comment-438 UNISON have plans to go to the press with what they know, they are awaiting details of The Coates Report but it's not clear whether they will be able to access it via the Freedom of Information Act. I agree, it's all very ironic seeing as TC constantly claims that libraries should be more transparent in their management of public funds. UNISON have plans to go to the press with what they know, they are awaiting details of The Coates Report but it’s not clear whether they will be able to access it via the Freedom of Information Act.

I agree, it’s all very ironic seeing as TC constantly claims that libraries should be more transparent in their management of public funds.

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