Expenditure on single use plastics within the department

Summary

A request was made for expenditure figures on single-use plastics by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, but the authority refused to fulfill it because compiling the data would require research and analysis not mandated by the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2018-04-27 and responded to on 2018-05-17.
• The authority is the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.
• The request was refused under section 11(3)(b) of the FOIA 2015.
• The information exists in supplier invoices and the Axapta accounting system but is not recorded in a format that allows for easy extraction without analysis.
• The requester was informed of their right to an internal review and appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• 2018-04-27
• 2018-05-17
• 449246
• section 11(3)(b)
• Axapta

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (research and analysis exemption)

Original Request

Under the the FOIA 2015, I am requesting the provision of figures of Department expenditure on single use plastics, including but not limited to; plastic cups, plastic straws, cutlery, coffee stirrers and bin liners and bags. I look forward to your response within the statutory time limits.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 449246 17th May 2018

Dear ###

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

We write further to your request which was received on the 27th April 2018 and which states:

"To whom it may concern, Under the the FOIA 2015, I am requesting the provision of figures of Department expenditure on single use plastics, including but not limited to; plastic cups, plastic straws, cutlery, coffee stirrers and bin liners and bags. I look forward to your response within the statutory time limits. Best Regards Aaron Ibanez"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance, complying with your request for information would require Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to undertake research into, or analysis or, information that it holds, which it is not required to do under section 11(3)(b) of the Act. The information you request is recorded in two systems. Firstly it is recorded on numerous supplier invoices, some of which detail the items by name but many of which detail by catalogue codes or similar. It will also be recorded within the Government accounting system (Axapta). Here it is recorded by individual invoice, which may include numerous unrelated items, and by expenditure code, which again will be grouped by category such as “Cleaning”, “Property Maintenance”, and “Equipment” etc. Please quote the reference number 449246 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 faithfully