I have been asked to compile a Freedom of Information statement,
specifically for our existing and potential contractors, detailing our
obligations under the Freedom of Information Act and how these may affect
private sector companies that we do business with (e.g.: confidentiality
clauses may no longer be watertight, production of recorded information
they hold on demand to us within a tight timeframe etc).
Presumably, this is an issue that all of us must be facing and I would be
interested in any feedback as to what other authorities are doing or have
done about this. If anyone has already drafted such a policy, or has a
model contract clause for inclusion in draft agreements that they would be
willing to let me look at (I won't plagiarise, I promise!!!), I would be
very, very grateful!
I do realise that this isn't strictly speaking a records management issue
but so many FOI experts subscribe to this list; I felt it was as good a
starting point as any!
Many thanks
Caroline Dodge
Freedom of Information & Data Protection Officer & Records Manager
Canterbury City Council
Military Road
Canterbury CT1 1YW
Tel: 01227 862015
Fax: 01227 862020
www.canterbury.gov.uk
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