Douglas South By-Election Communications

Summary

A request was made for details on costs, supplier analysis, and justification for government video broadcasting during the Douglas South by-election. The Cabinet Office responded by stating that all requested information was sent to the applicant.

Key Facts

• The request concerned government communications for the Douglas South by-election held on 27 August 2020.
• The applicant sought total costs to taxpayers and payments to external suppliers for video broadcasting.
• Questions were raised regarding the necessity of government involvement in the democratic process beyond legislation.
• The response confirmed that all information requested was provided to the applicant.
• The case was handled by the Cabinet Office with a response date of 4 September 2020.

Data Disclosed

• 27 August 2020
• 31 August 2020
• 4 September 2020
• 1451649
• 4 pages
• 1 document

Original Request

I write regarding Government communications relating to the by-election held in the Douglas South constituency on the 27th August 2020. Specifically I request the following information: - What was the total cost to the tax payer for all video broadcasting from the Government Communications department relating in any way to the by-election in question? - What was the total amount paid to external suppliers by the tax payer for all video broadcasting from the Government Communications department relating in any way to the by-election in question? - Why was it and who deemed it necessary for the Government to involve itself in the democratic process in any way other than legislating for, making arrangements for and ensuring the validity of the vote? If there is no evidence available of this having been considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. - What additional value, fiscal or otherwise, was granted to the taxpayer for candidate interviews relating to the by-election in question, conducted specifically by the Government communications department, which would not have otherwise been granted to the tax payer by candidate interviews that were being or already had been conducted by both the private sector and Manx Radio? If there is no evidence available of this having been considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. - For this financial year what is the projected and/or budgeted figure that will be paid by the tax payer to Manx Radio for its services as our national broadcaster? - What analysis was done of suitable video broadcast facilities available within IOM government prior to employing the services of external suppliers for any services relating to the by-election in question? If there is no evidence available of this having been officially considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. - What analysis was done of suitable video broadcast facilities available within Manx Radio prior to employing the services of external suppliers for any services supplied relating to the by-election in question? If there is no evidence available of this having been officially considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. - What value, fiscal or otherwise, was gained by employing external suppliers for the purposes of video broadcasting relating to the by-election in question over that which would be granted by utilising facilities already being funded, at least in part, by the taxpayer within Manx Radio or IOM Government? If there is no evidence available of this having been officially considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1451649 3 September 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 31 August 2020 which states:

"I write regarding Government communications relating to the by-election held in the Douglas South constituency on the 27th August 2020. Specifically I request the following information: - What was the total cost to the tax payer for all video broadcasting from the Government Communications department relating in any way to the by-election in question? - What was the total amount paid to external suppliers by the tax payer for all video broadcasting from the Government Communications department relating in any way to the by-election in question? - Why was it and who deemed it necessary for the Government to involve itself in the democratic process in any way other than legislating for, making arrangements for and ensuring the validity of the vote? If there is no evidence available of this having been considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. - What additional value, fiscal or otherwise, was granted to the taxpayer for candidate interviews relating to the by-election in question, conducted specifically by the Government communications department, which would not have otherwise been granted to the tax payer by candidate interviews that were being or already had been conducted by both the private sector and Manx Radio? If there is no evidence available of this having been considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. - For this financial year what is the projected and/or budgeted figure that will be paid by the tax payer to Manx Radio for its services as our national broadcaster? - What analysis was done of suitable video broadcast facilities available within IOM government prior to employing the services of external suppliers for any services relating to the by-election in question? If there is no evidence available of this having been officially considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. - What analysis was done of suitable video broadcast facilities available within Manx 2 Radio prior to employing the services of external suppliers for any services supplied relating to the by-election in question? If there is no evidence available of this having been officially considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. - What value, fiscal or otherwise, was gained by employing external suppliers for the purposes of video broadcasting relating to the by-election in question over that which would be granted by utilising facilities already being funded, at least in part, by the taxpayer within Manx Radio or IOM Government? If there is no evidence available of this having been officially considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly."

Our response to your request is as follows: 1. "What was the total cost to the tax payer for all video broadcasting from the Government Communications department relating in any way to the by-election in question? No cost; no video broadcasting by the Isle of Man Government took place specifically in connection with the Douglas South by-election. 2. What was the total amount paid to external suppliers by the tax payer for all video broadcasting from the Government Communications department relating in any way to the by-election in question? No cost; no video broadcasting by the Isle of Man Government took place specifically in connection with the Douglas South by-election. 3. Why was it and who deemed it necessary for the Government to involve itself in the democratic process in any way other than legislating for, making arrangements for and ensuring the validity of the vote? If there is no evidence available of this having been considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. The Cabinet Office, via the Crown & Elections team, is responsible for voter registration and for supporting the administration of elections to the House of Keys. Crown & Elections worked in partnership with the Government Communication Service to promote public awareness of the Douglas South by-election. The aim was to engage people in the democratic process and encourage a good turnout at the polls. Messages were posted on the Isle of Man Government’s Facebook and Twitter accounts to highlight the date of the by-election and location of the polling stations. Posts also directed electors to the guide for voters on the Government website. 4. What additional value, fiscal or otherwise, was granted to the taxpayer for candidate interviews relating to the by-election in question, conducted specifically by the Government communications department, which would not have otherwise been granted to the tax payer by candidate interviews that were being or already had been 3 conducted by both the private sector and Manx Radio? If there is no evidence available of this having been considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. The Government Communication Service did not conduct any interviews with candidates in the by-election. The interviews, video and audio, that did take place were recorded and broadcast by local media organisations. 5. For this financial year what is the projected and/or budgeted figure that will be paid by the tax payer to Manx Radio for its services as our national broadcaster? This information is available on page 27 of the budget report please see: https://www.gov.im/media/1368490/pink-book-2020-final-website.pdf 6. What analysis was done of suitable video broadcast facilities available within IOM government prior to employing the services of external suppliers for any services relating to the by-election in question? If there is no evidence available of this having been officially considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. No external suppliers were engaged by the Isle of Man Government for any video broadcast services in relation to the Douglas South by-election. 7. What analysis was done of suitable video broadcast facilities available within Manx Radio prior to employing the services of external suppliers for any services supplied relating to the by-election in question? If there is no evidence available of this having been officially considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly. No external suppliers were engaged by the Isle of Man Government for any video broadcast services in relation to the Douglas South by-election. 8. What value, fiscal or otherwise, was gained by employing external suppliers for the purposes of video broadcasting relating to the by- election in question over that which would be granted by utilising facilities already being funded, at least in part, by the taxpayer within Manx Radio or IOM Government? If there is no evidence available of this having been officially considered in any form prior to the submission of this FOI request, please state so clearly." No external suppliers were engaged by the Isle of Man Government for any video broadcast services in relation to the Douglas South by-election. Please quote the reference number 1451649 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review 4

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely