Dates & costs of briefings for Tynwald members

Summary

The requester asked for dates, topics, and catering costs of briefings for Tynwald Members held by the Cabinet Office in the last 24 months. The authority disclosed that briefing details are publicly available online and confirmed a minimum catering spend of £1,469.25 by the Department.

Key Facts

• The request was clarified to specifically cover the Cabinet Office and its divisions.
• Details of briefing dates and topics are already reasonably accessible via the Tynwald website.
• The Cabinet Office spent a minimum of £1,469.25 on catering for these briefings in the specified period.
• Other Departments may have also arranged briefings and incurred separate catering costs.
• The request was formally closed on 21 October 2024.

Data Disclosed

• 2024-09-17
• 2024-09-23
• 2024-09-25
• 2024-10-21
• 24 months
• £1,469.25
• 4126874

Exemptions Cited

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

Original Request

Good afternoon, I seek the publication of the dates of any briefings held for Tynwald Members in the last 24 months. What was the topic of the briefings? What was the cost of any catering / meals provided? On 23 September 2024 we wrote to ask you for clarification: 'In order to respond to your request and to assist you, we need to seek clarification from you to enable us to search for the exact information that you require. In particular, it would be helpful to know does your request specifically relate to the Cabinet Office, Divisions of the Cabinet Office, or all Departments? Briefings for Tynwald members are usually organised by the Department giving the briefing. We would only be able to answer a request for specific information held by the Cabinet Office. Given that other Department/Divisions within Government organise briefings or may allocate money towards catering costs, you would need to contact the other Departments directly to ask them what they may hold. Please can you confirm specifically what you are looking for so that we can search for the relevant information.' On 25 September 2024 you provided clarification as follows: 'Hi, thank you for your response, the request would relate specifically to the Cabinet Office, and all divisions within the Cabinet Office. Thanks'.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

1

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

Our ref: 4126874 21 October 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 17 September 2024, which states:

"I seek the publication of the dates of any briefings held for Tynwald Members in the last 24 months.

What was the topic of the briefings?
What was the cost of any catering / meals provided?”

On 23 September 2024 we asked you to provide clarification on your request: we asked if your request related to the Cabinet Office or all Departments. On 25 September 2024 you clarified that your request related specifically to the Cabinet Office.

Our response to your request is as follows:

1. “I seek the publication of the dates of any briefings held for Tynwald Members in the last 24 months. What was the topic of the briefings?”

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. Details of
Tynwald Members briefings held and the topics of the briefings are available online here: https://tynwald.org.im/links/publication-diary-and-circulars.

1. “What was the cost of any catering / meals provided?".

During the 24 month time period specified, the information held by the Cabinet Office indicates that a minimum of £1,469.25 has been spent by the Department providing catering at Tynwald Members’ briefings.

To provide advice and assistance as required by section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, Tynwald Members briefings will have also been arranged by other Departments, Boards and Offices. You may wish to contact these bodies directly or submit further Freedom of Information requests: https://www.gov.im/about-the- government/freedom-of-information/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/.

Please quote the reference number 4126874 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