Information act beats red tape

The requests were among the 468 filed by councillors and members of the public to the council, up until February 16 this year.

Councillor Kevin Etheridge, leader of the independent group, says he is concerned elected members have had to use the Freedom of Information Act so much.

He says he even had to use an FOI request to get the figures on how many FOI requests had been made.

Councillor Etheridge added: "Between May 2005 and November 2005, I asked highways officers eight times for a copy of a traders' survey, which had been undertaken in my own Blackwood ward.

"Nothing was forthcoming and I submitted a freedom of information request. It was only then that the information was provided. "Surely this is not the way to undertake business?"

He said 24 of the FOI requests were from Independent councillors - several of them from himself.

There were also eight from Plaid Cymru members, four from Nelson Independent and three by members of the authority's ruling Labour group. Councillor Etheridge added: "Surely this makes the mission statement 'Working Together For The Good of All' pale into insignificance? "What chance has the public if 39 requests have had to be submitted by elected councillors?"

He has sent a letter to Assembly local government minister Sue Essex, asking her for her views on the issue.

A spokesman for Caerphilly council said: "The Freedom of Information Act came into force in January 2005 giving the public a right to ask for information held by public authorities such as the council. Caerphilly received over 400 requests for information in 2005.

"To date, unlike some other public authorities, we have not had a complaint against us upheld by the Information Commissioner relating to the way the authority handles requests. An excellent record we are anxious to keep.

"The authority has introduced a new complaints handling policy to ensure that we give good customer service and are compliant with the law."