Evidence submitted by Mrs Josephine Hyde-Hartley
It's about the meaning of "frivolity".
I am concerned, as a disabled citizen that due to a clumsy and
awkward approach, our requests can be too easily condemned as
"frivolous", "scandalous" or even "wanting
prosecution". We should remember that what gets classed as
"frivolous" by one person, might be another person's
very serious concern about "human rights", and be their
sincere attempt to enact them.
Can we please bear in mind that all these IT
systems are very new, as is the FOI Act itself, and we are all
learning how to make the most of what we have got.
I should like to suggest that when things get
"frivolous", citizens could be directed to the local
level of governance, for example local councillors, where we might
be able to sort out an appropriate "LINK" facility,
if easier to clarify matters.
I am personally very much interested in the
potential of our IT systems, in combination with the latest policies
and facilities, to be used proactively in this way. Of course,
I need my skills escalating appropriately, therefore I am submitting
this message as an apology to stakeholders who might be scandalised.
In any case, we should be primarily concerned
to put the interests of the citizen, first, in the most open and
accountable, transparent and straightforward manner.
This would make a positive difference to our
feeling that we "can't do right, for doing wrong".
Luckily our Government's latest campaign, to
be called "Human rights: Common values, Common sense"
(http://www.dca.gov.uk/speeches/2007/sp070209.htm) should help
us all deal better with information on the front-line.
February 2007
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