Schools advice

Summary

The requester asked for advice given to the Council of Ministers regarding the decision to open schools on March 1, 2021. The Cabinet Office did not release new documents, stating the information was already reasonably accessible online via Hansard records and audio files.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 29 March 2021 and closed on 1 April 2021.
• The authority cited Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 to refuse providing the information directly.
• The authority provided links to House of Keys Hansard and audio files as the source of the requested information.
• The decision to open schools was made on 1 March 2021.
• The requester has the right to an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner if dissatisfied.

Data Disclosed

• 29 March 2021
• 1 April 2021
• 1 March 2021
• 23 March 2021
• 30 March 2021
• 1728589
• Section 20
• Section 15
• Written Question 1
• Oral Question 6

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information already reasonably accessible)

Original Request

I seek the publication of all advice received by the Council of Ministers which led to a decision to open the island's schools on March 1.

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: 1728589 1 April 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 29 March 2021 and which states:

"I seek the publication of all advice received by the Council of Ministers which led to a decision to open the island's schools on March 1."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. The information that you have requested is available online. However, in the interests of discharging obligations under Section 15 (Duty to provide advice and assistance) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, the relevant links to the information have been provided below for ease of reference: House of Keys Hansard: 23 March 2021 Written Question 1 (page1): https://www.tynwald.org.im/business/hansard/20002020/k210323%20Early%20Writte n%20Answers.pdf House of Keys Audio File: 30 March 2021 Oral Question 6 https://www.tynwald.org.im/business/listen/Pages/20-21.aspx Please quote the reference number 1728589 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

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