This report provides an update on the actions in progress to improve the Council’s policies, systems and processes around Information Governance.

The Committee considered a report outlining the action under way to improve the Council’s policies, systems and processes for Information Governance, following several limited assurance reports in this area.

The report provided an update on: the action being taken to address the backlog of Subject Access Requests; the on-time responses to FOI requests, which stood at 90.3% in Quarter 3, a significant improvement from the 45.7% recorded in Quarter 2 of 2024/25; the Data Transparency pages for Contracts information review, which was considering changes to reflect the new requirements under the new Procurement Act; the work of the Information Governance (IG) Board; the Information Management Strategy, which set out the Council’s approach to information management and governance; and uptake of the compulsory Cyber Security and GDPR training for all staff and Members, which now stood at 95.6% and 96% compliance respectively with IG Team carrying out bespoke training for colleagues without access to IT systems.

The report stated that, in respect of the FOI responses, the data reported would be based on the number of responses sent out within the timescale against the total number responded to within the reporting period. It was not a direct comparison against the number received but from Q3 onwards this would be how the data would be presented.  There was further information on the performance of BFfC in responding to FOIs in a separate report, following a request at the previous meeting (see Minute 37 below).

The report stated that the current focus would be on continuing the work with the two groups of Data Stewards and use of the redactions software to start clearing the Subject Access Request backlog.

Resolved:    That the progress being made to improve the Council’s Information Governance be noted, thanks be recorded to the officers involved in getting the FOI responses over 90%, and the future actions outlined in the report be endorsed.