Programme for Government – Legislation Programme 2017-2019

Summary

The requester asked for the Legislation Programme 2017-2019 and background information regarding its revision. The Cabinet Office disclosed that the document is publicly available via Tynwald Orders Papers and provided direct links to the relevant report.

Key Facts

• The Legislation Programme 2017-2019 is contained within the Mid-Year Report on the Programme for Government.
• The document was made publicly available on the Tynwald website prior to the November 2017 sitting.
• The Council of Ministers' Legislation Sub-Committee meets monthly to monitor progress and prioritize legislation.
• The response cites Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as an absolute exemption because the information is reasonably accessible online.
• The specific document referenced is GD No 2017/0064.

Data Disclosed

• 3 November 2017
• 2017-2019
• 21 Nov
• GD2017/0002
• GD No 2017/0064
• Section 20
• IM1 3PN

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible by other means)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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REFERENCE NUMBER: IM109126I

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your application dated 3 November 2017 for the following information: “The “extract of Council proceedings” for the September 2017 sitting (https://www.gov.im/media/1359006/extract-of-proceedings-in-council-september-2017.pdf ) states: “Programme for Government – Legislation Programme 2017-2019
Council considered a paper submitted by the Cabinet Office and agreed the proposed Legislation Programme 2017-2018 and 2018-2019.” Please can you provide a copy of that Legislation Programme, or a link to where it is available, and any background information available that relates to the revision of the Legislative Programme set out in the “Programme for Government” GD2017/0002.".
Response to your request
The Programme for Government (“PfG”) is a living document and the Government has committed to reviewing and reporting on progress at least annually. In order for the PfG to be delivered as agreed, there is a need to replace, enable, improve, modernise, or to introduce new, legislation.
The Mid-Year Report on the PfG, received at the November 2017 sitting of Tynwald, contains the legislation programme (“the Programme”) for 2017-2019.
As this is to be discussed within the next Tynwald sitting, detail of such are made publically available prior to the sitting on the Tynwald website - within the Orders Papers: http://www.tynwald.org.im/about/tynwald/Pages/Business.aspx,
Please see Oder paper for 21 Nov, page 2, ‘Reports’ provides document: GD No 2017/0064 http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020162018/2017-GD-0064.pdf The Council of Ministers’ Legislation Sub-Committee (“the Sub-Committee”) was established to consider the legislative priorities of Government and make recommendations in respect of the Programme for each legislative session of the administration.
The Sub-Committee meets on a monthly basis to monitor the progress of the Programme, prioritise legislation and consider submissions for new legislation.

Government Office DOUGLAS Isle of Man IM1 3PN Tel: (+44) 01624 686244 Fax: (+44) 01624 685710 Website www.gov.im/co
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In determining the priorities for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 legislative sessions the Sub-Committee has considered submissions from Departments which provided information on key legislation, linked to PfG outcomes and actions. On that basis the Sub-Committee has formulated a proposed legislation programme for 2017/18 and 2018/19 and has considered legislative priorities to the end of the current administration. Under section 20 of the Act there is an absolute exemption to providing information where such requested information is reasonably accessible through other means, this includes where such item are available the internet, however to meet our requirement to assist we have provided above the appropriate links. 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/foireview. If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact us and we 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 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 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 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.