Cayman Islands News: Information Commissioner’s Office says, just ask what you need to know

ICO says, just ask what you need to know


Posted on Thu, 09/09/2010 - 11:53 in Local News

(CNS): The Information Commissioner’s Office will be lunching “Right to Know Week 2010” (RTK) on 26 September to remind the public that they can access government records using the Freedom of Information Law (FOI Law). Between 26 September and 2 October and beginning with a service at Savannah United Church, a range of public outreach events will be spearheaded by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). This is the second annual RTK week hosted by the ICO, which was established in early 2009 soon after the Law came into effect. Information Commissioner Jennifer Dilbert encourages all sectors to learn more about how they can benefit from the FOI provisions.

“FOI is not just for the media. Financial records, policy statements, decision and statistical reports are some of the request trends. Anyone, anywhere can make a request” states the Commissioner and the theme for RTK 2010 suggests exactly that - ‘Just Ask...what you need to know’.


FULL ARTICLE: http://www.caymannewsservice.com/local-news/2010/09/09/ico-says-just-ask-what-you-need-know

Cayman Islands First Freedom of Information Unit Report on Implementation January 2009

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Cayman Islands First Freedom of Information Unit Report on Implementation January 2009 (PDF)

The Freedom of Information Law was brought into effect on January 5th 2009. The FOI Unit will issue a monthly statistical report on implementation which will summarise the number of FOI requests received by public authorities and the decisions that were made during that month. Public authorities have up to a maximum of thirty calendar days to respond to an FOI request with a decision to grant, refuse or defer access and therefore this reporting period will not reflect decisions on all requests submitted during the month of January.

Between January 5, 2009 and January 31, 2009, eighty-eight public authorities received a combined total of one hundred and seventeen requests for information under the FOI Law.

Of the thirty-six requests that were closed in this time period, twelve were granted in full, two
were granted in part, and five were exempt in their entirety. Four applicants requested
records that were available in the public domain and eight other applicants asked for certain
information but the Information Managers determined that their public authority held no
records related to that request. Three requests were withdrawn by the applicants, one
request was refused under Section 9(c) of the FOI Law and one request was deferred under
Section 11(2).

FULL DOCUMENT

Freedom of Information Law set (Cayman Islands)

Freedom of Information Law set
Published on Sunday, January 4, 2009	Email To Friend Print Version
Carole Excell Freedom of Information (FOI) Coordinator Dan Duguay Auditor General Billy Adam Businessman By Tad Stoner tad@caymannetnews.com Pronouncing herself "ready to go", Freedom of Information (FOI) Coordinator Carole Excell – and 89 Information Managers throughout Government – on Monday morning will usher in the Cayman Islands first guarantee of public access to official records. First legislated on 31 August 2007, the long-awaited bill enables the public to seek information on any subject from any government entity, and obligates government to respond, usually within one month of the request. "It takes the member of the public acting on their rights to enforce their right to know," said Ms Excell. "It's up to people to make [the law] work. "It makes the Government more transparent and accountable. Members of the public have the right to access public records and it helps you make decisions. If you want to know how your country runs, you want to participate in that and you care about your country, you need access to information. It enables you to make informed decisions." ... FULL ARTICLE