Chief Secretary's Xmas Drinks Invitees and Attendees

Summary

A request was made for the number of invitees and attendees, along with their names and job titles, for a Christmas drinks event hosted by the Chief Secretary on 17 December 2021. The Cabinet Office responded that they do not hold the requested information.

Key Facts

• The request concerned a drinks gathering hosted by the Chief Secretary in his office.
• The event took place on Friday, 17 December 2021.
• The Cabinet Office stated they do not hold the information regarding invitees or attendees.
• The response cited Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 and Decision Notice 2021/003.
• The authority confirmed no restrictions were in place for gatherings on the date of the event.

Data Disclosed

• 2021-12-17
• 2021-12-20
• 2022-01-21
• 2153293
• Section 15
• Decision Notice 2021/003

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held

Original Request

The Chief Secretary hosted drinks in his office on Friday 17th December 2021. Please supply: The number of people invited to this gathering. The number of people who attended this gathering. The names and job titles of those invited. The names and job titles of those who attended.

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: 2153293 21 January 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 20 December 2021 and which states:

"The Chief Secretary hosted drinks in his office on Friday 17th December 2021. Please supply: The number of people invited to this gathering. The number of people who attended this gathering. The names and job titles of those invited. The names and job titles of those who attended."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested. To provide you with advice and assistance as required by Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, for your reference the Act gives Isle of Man residents the right to request information held by public authorities. The information being information recorded in any form. The Information Commissioner has issued good practice guidance in Decision Notice 2021/003 which states: “It is a fundamental of FOIA that the right of access provided for is to “information held by a public authority” at the time the request is received. It is not a right to copies of documents etc. nor requires a public authorities to provide Yes/No answers to questions nor to confirm the veracity or otherwise of statements made by requesters” There were no restrictions in place regarding gatherings in place on 17 December 2021 nor at any time since. Any staff social events over the festive period were conducted cognisant of covid guidance. Please quote the reference number 2153293 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