15 November (Part 1) - More grist for the Information Commissioner’s mill
A Freedom of Information request (FOI) was submitted on 13th September requesting a full copy of the
Bexley Borough Parking Account but Parking Services
refused to release it because they planned to publish it on-line in the newly
named Annual Traffic and Parking Services report - previously known as the Borough Parking Enforcement
report. As usual with Bexley council, if they have something to hide they will misdirect you. They sent me to
http://democracy.bexley.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=27925
Page 38 of that document clearly states that the financial information “is an extract from the Council’s
Parking Account for the financial period 2010/11 for on street parking”, the document I had requested
and been denied. Page 38 makes it blatantly obvious that this was not in any way shape or form the
complete account. Bexley council is never open and honest but such a base lie is crass
(Craske? Ed.) even by their standards.
Obviously an appeal was lodged forthwith and in true Bexley style back it went
to the same bunch who refused it in the first place to review their own
decision. One can only surmise how Bexley Council can think that this is a fair
and independent state of affairs but there it is. Well you know the drill, they
are supposed to come back within a 20 working day timeframe. Those
of us who deal with Bexley Council are well used to this deadline being
routinely ignored so a reminder was sent after a mere 27 working days -
you have to give the darlings a little leeway - to enquire how the
review was progressing? Within the hour an apology came straight back from the
poor FOI Officer, the much put upon Mr. John Grosvenor. He admitted that the
response was overdue and stated that he had contacted Parking Services to chase
them up. So far so typical.
Those familiar with the standard operating procedure of Parking Services will not be
surprised to hear that a further week went by and still they could not be bothered to
formulate a response.
Mr. Grosvenor was asked again to get the cretins to try and play the game properly
but then came a truly strange response from Mr. Frizoni the Deputy Director for
Environment and Wellbeing. The boss of Parking Services and all are cut from the same cloth.
Frizoni made the spurious claim that the refusal decision had already been reviewed.
Strange that nobody knew that the week before. Interestingly the email he referred to
made no reference to it being an FOI refusal notice review. It made no reference to any
of the grounds for my appeal or offer any reason for refusal.
How Frizoni could make his claim beggars belief but I guess we should remember we live
in Bexley and not be surprised where public servants all habitually cover for each other.
With any luck they might all hang together too! (Careful Nick, a police
cell may await you.) Oh well, no offence taken here Mike and thanks for another fine and
splendid example for the Information Commissioner to get his teeth into. Bexley
Council just keeps flashing up on his radar. I am sure he will be pleased.
Guest blog by Nicholas Dowling.