Expenses regarding attendees at the Consecration of Bishop Eagles in York Minster in June 2017

Summary

A Freedom of Information request was made to the Isle of Man Cabinet Office regarding expenses and attendance for the June 2017 consecration of Bishop Eagles in York Minster. The authority disclosed that two officials attended, providing a detailed breakdown of their travel and accommodation costs.

Key Facts

• Two officials attended the event: the Chief Minister and His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor.
• The Chief Minister incurred travel costs of £229.77 and accommodation costs of £169.00.
• The Lieutenant Governor incurred travel costs of £325.71 and had no accommodation costs as they stayed with the Archbishop of York.
• The Lieutenant Governor's travel costs exclude segments to and from Liverpool as those were pre-existing commitments.
• The Chief Minister claimed £33.50 in incidentals, while the Lieutenant Governor claimed none.

Data Disclosed

• 2017-06-30
• 2017-07-07
• 2
• 2 days
• £180.07
• £49.70
• £229.77
• £260.91
• £58.80
• £6.00
• £325.71
• £169.00
• £33.50
• IM93710I

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

1

REFERENCE NUMBER: IM93710I

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your on-line application dated 30 June 2017 requesting the following information:

“In respect of the consecration of Bishop Eagles in York Minster in June 2017: 1. How many employees, including ministers etc, attended? 2. Which offices or divisions are they employed within? 3. How long, on average (working days), were those officers absent from their respective office or division? 4. Were any of those offices or divisions left without staff, or with only nominal cover (e.g. One staff member) during that time? 5. What was the total cost for travel, providing a breakdown by method of transport? 6. What was the total accommodation cost? 7. What is the total amount of expenses actually claimed or potentially liable for payment?”

Response to your request
We are pleased to be able to provide the information below which the Cabinet holds in response to your request.

Information Requested Answers for Cabinet Office attendees = 2 1. How many employees, including ministers, etc attended? Chief Minister

His Excellence the Lieutenant Governor & Lady Gozney 2. Which Offices or Divisions are they employed within? Chief Minister’s Office, Cabinet Office Government House 3. How long, on average (working days), were those officers absent from their respective office or division? 2 days, however attendance to such an event is expected as part of the role. No absence from the place of work, as it is part of the role to attend ‘Crown‘ events such as this. 4. Were any of those Offices or Divisions left without staff, or with only nominal cover (e.g. one staff member) during that time? N/A N/A 5. What was the total cost for travel, providing a breakdown by method of transport? Return flight £180.07 Return train £ 49.70 Total £229.77 Air/Flights £260.91 Train £ 58.80 Taxi £ 6.00 Total £325.71 **

Government Office DOUGLAS Isle of Man IM1 3PN Tel: (+44) 01624 686244 Fax: (+44) 01624 685710 Website www.gov.im/co
2

1. What was the total accommodation cost? £169.00 No accommodation costs - stayed with Archbishop of York.
2. What was the total amount of expenses actually claimed or potentially liable for payment? (NB: Not including travel costs listed above) N/A Incidentals £33.50

** His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor was already committed to attending an official event in Liverpool after the consecration. Therefore the costs for the train travel from York to Liverpool and the travel from Liverpool to IOM have not been included, as these would have been incurred anyway. 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 to the FOI Co-ordinator, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PN. An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/freedom-of- information-review-request/, a paper copy can be requested by contacting the Cabinet Office direct.
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 apply for a review of decisions by the Information Commissioner, for a decision on; 1) Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Act; 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 rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: https://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.