I would very much second Mike's comments. Certainly in HE institutions
this is generally the pattern that is being seen. Although there are of
course exceptions depending upon whether the institution has a history
of RM or not. In the cases of those institutions that don't have any
Records Management the implementation of FOI has stressed the need for
this.
Lucy
-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Records Management mailing list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Marsh, Mike
Sent: 30 April 2003 09:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: DP and FoI
I think that the majority of organisations are (if they haven't already)
moving towards a merger of the two roles. That mirrors the creation of
the 'Information Commissioner' post. Speaking at the Records Maanagement
Society conference in Leeds, the recently appointed Commissioner
commented that the two go hand-in-hand; and also stressed the vital
importance to both of good record-keeping. Take a look at his website at
www.dataprotection.gov.uk
Mike.
-----Original Message-----
From: Pat BELLAMY [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, 30 April, 2003 10:15
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: DP and FoI
In my experience, the situation varies between different types of public
authorities.
I work for a small District Council and I have both Data Protection and
Freedom of Information responsibilities - but as only part of my job.
(In 1995 I spent about 10% of my time on Data Protection but this has
now increased to about 30% on DP & FoI.)
Five of the six District Councils in Worcestershire have the same
arrangements, but the other has separated DP and FoI responsibilities.
I have seen advertisements for "Data Protection and FoI Officers" over
the last couple of years, usually from larger Councils.
In my opinion it is better to combine the roles of data protection and
FoI as there is then less likely to be confusion about which Act applies
to specific applications for information and which exemptions may apply.
If the roles are split, there needs to be close co-operation.
Pat Bellamy
Policy & Data Protection Officer
email: [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Nicola Franklin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wed 30/04/2003 09:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: DP and FoI
We are currently hosting a discussion group on an Online Campus
for the
Information Management course of a university in New Zealand,
and one of
the students has posted a question regarding these two issues,
and I
wondered if people here could share some of their experiences in
this ares?
The student in question moved to NZ around 10 years ago from the
UK, and
remembers DP legislation coming into force here, with the
consequent
recruitment of a number of 'Data Protection Officers' at public
authorities. He wonders whether the duties resulting from the
FoI
legislation will be undertaken by these same staff, or whether
new 'FoI
Officers' will need to be recruited, especially taking into
account the
potential conflicts between the requirements to disclose/not
disclose
information in the two pieces of legislation.
Could anyone give me an idea of what is happening in practice?
Many thanks for any help you can offer.
|