I am submitting this request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
I have concerns about the way FOI requests are being handled by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM). Accordingly, I request disclosure of the following:
1) Training, guidance, and procedures
Please provide copies of any training materials, procedures, templates, guidance, or policies relating to the handling of FOI requests, internal reviews, or any other oversight. This should include (but not be limited to) the following areas:
• The process for opening and registering FOI requests.
• Circumstances in which FOI requests are not registered.
• Any circumstances in which an FOI request may be amended by the FOI team.
• Oversight and supervision by managers, legal staff (lawyers/solicitors), or other officers.
• The grounds relied upon to refuse or decline an FOI request.
• Any targets, quotas, or performance measures relating to FOI requests, including policies aimed at reducing the number of requests opened.
• Policies and safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest in FOI handling, including situations where managers review internal FOI reviews relating to staff they supervise or with whom they have existing communications.
• Policies concerning the role of the Monitoring Officer in ensuring a fair and transparent FOI process.
• Any “step-by-step” instructions or checklists (whether formal, informal, audio, electronic, paper, or otherwise) for dealing with FOI requests.
• Copies of any standard templates or example texts used in responses to FOI requesters.
2) Related correspondence and communications
Please provide copies of any correspondence, advice, memoranda, or communications (internal or external) relating to the above materials and guidance, including communications to or from:
• Management
• Staff
• Councillors
• Auditors
• Lawyers/solicitors