Freedom of Information: some excellent responses but others evasive

Let’s start with an example of good practice.

The York Council was asked, via the “What do they know” web site, for information on the numbers of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) issued for Fly tipping, Fly posting and graffiti.  Similar information for other offences was already posted by the Authority on its open data website.

A response was provided within a few days with the Council agreeing to add information for fly tipping and flyposting to the Open Data website. This means that information will be updated regularly. The question about flyposting was prompted by an epidemic of “Fair” posters which appeared on the west of the City.

We look forward to the open data website being updated shortly

The York Council says that it does not hold statistics on the number of prosecutions for graffiti which have been undertaken. It points to the police as a potential source of information claiming that the force could extract graffiti cases from the more general “criminal damage” heading.

We have had less luck with North Yorkshire Police.

We have been attempting for over a year now to get speed and casualty information from them in an attempt to understand how it drives the deployment of their speed camera vans.

We wanted to see trend information for sites regularly monitored by the vans. We expected that management information would demonstrate that the mean/average speeds recorded showed a downward trend, that the number of vehicles exceeding the prevailing limit would be falling and that accident levels on the monitored roads would also be showing a downward trend.

The most recent report from the police indicates that they don’t hold any of this information nor have they tried to correlate the stats provided by NYFR when they deploy their speed monitoring equipment on road around the county.

We find it astonishing that objective results figures of this sort are not being regularly monitored by those managing the, very expensive, camera van programme.

Nor can the York Council bask in any glory. In February, we asked which businesses had not paid their NNDR (Rates) bills in each of the last 3 years.

The request was turned down on the, entirely specious, grounds that it might influence the result of a by election which was taking place last February. Eventually the Information Commissioner ruled that the information had to be released and it duly was on 26th September.

It revealed that the Council were chasing £576,803.04 in arrears that had accumulated over the last 3 years.

The response did not reveal the names of the businesses involved.

We asked for that information on 1st October but, as yet, we have had no reply.

That was the week that was – west York in pictures

The week started with the Sky Ride. Local Councillor Andrew Waller was near the font of the event as a reprorted 10,000 took park

The week started with the Sky Ride. Local Councillor Andrew Waller was near the front of the event as a reported 10,000 took part

The circus came to the Thanet Road sports area. This prompted complaints about fly posting and damage to recently planted trees. Posters for events like these can be displayed for two weeks in advance but must be removed within 2 days of the event finishing. On one evening there was some disturbance in the Chesney's Field area and a noticeable increase in litter. The Council are being asked to limit the number of fairs/circuses which are permitted in each quarter..

The circus came to the Thanet Road sports area. This prompted complaints about fly posting and damage to recently planted trees. Posters for events like these can be displayed for two weeks in advance but must be removed within 2 days of the event finishing. On one evening there was some disturbance in the Chesney’s Field area and a noticeable increase in litter. The Council are being asked to consider limiting the number of fairs/circuses which are permitted in residential areas in each quarter.

Cllr Sue Hunter and local residents Andrea Cropper cleared potential hazardous weeds for teh Acomb Green access steps

Cllr Sue Hunter and local residents Andrea Cropper cleared potential hazardous weeds from the Acomb Green access steps

Job Done

Job Done!

Foxwood Residents Association won a gold award at this years Yorkshire in Bloom contest. They outperfromed many institutions who had been able to employ the services of professionals.

Foxwood Residents Association won a gold award at this years Yorkshire in Bloom contest. They outperformed many institutions who had been able to employ the services of professionals.

Foxwood Community centre garden

Foxwood Community centre garden

Cllr Sheena Jackson reported this offensive graffiti in the Tennent Road area. There has been an increase in graffiti issues in the area with some residents blaming the lack of high profile PCSO patrols partly for teh decline.

Cllr Sheena Jackson reported this offensive graffiti in the Tennent Road area. There has been an increase in graffiti issues in the area with some residents blaming the lack of high profile PCSO patrols partly for the decline.

Potholes on little Green Lane are getting bigger. Being followed up by Cllr Andrew Waller

Potholes on little Green Lane are getting bigger. The issue is being followed up by Cllr Andrew Waller

Lampposts on Bellwood drive demolished on Thursday

Lamppost on Bellwood Drive felled on Thursday

Over 30% of residents have returned the survey form issued in the Askham Lane/Grange Lane area so far.

Over 30% of residents have so far returned the survey form issued in the Askham Lane/Grange Lane area earlier in the week.

Main issues raised by residents included car parking and lack of maintenace of trees and bushes. The Grange Lane/Parker Avenue was a particular source of complaint. The snicket is overgrown and subject to littering. Some residents want to see it closed. although this is unlikely as it is a Public Right of Way.

The main issues raised by residents included poor car parking and lack of maintenance of trees and bushes. The Grange Lane/Parker Avenue alley was a particular source of complaint. The snicket is overgrown and subject to littering. Some residents want to see it closed, although this is unlikely as it is a Public Right of Way.

Many residents responding to our survey question about future events at the Acomb Explore Library have suggested Councillors surgeries. We've arranged for them to take place on the second Wednesday in each onth

Many residents, responding to our survey question about future events at the Acomb Explore Library, have suggested that Councillors surgeries be held there. We’ve arranged for Advice Centres to take place on the second Wednesday in each month starting on 12th October.