Freedom of information (FOI) disclosure log
Date Sent: June 22, 2026
Conclusion: Partial Release
Description: I request the following information relating to the recent council corporate communications/social media profile posts introducing Cabinet Members, including Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources and Property, and the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, and any other similar posts that are in production or intended to be posted in the style of 'Meet X' like the others. 1. Creation and sourcing of biographical information Please provide information showing how the biographical/profile information used in these posts was obtained or supplied, including: • whether information was supplied directly by the councillor/member; • whether officers drafted, edited, or amended the wording; • and whether any standard template, briefing process, or guidance was used. In terms of the promotional language, whether the Council or officers holds or asked the source of the information for evidence for the claims: Deputy Leader: • “Cllr Thomas brings a strong track record of driving improvement, tackling inefficiencies, and reducing resource wastage through innovation and transformation.” • “He’ll combine a sharp private sector business perspective with hands-on experience of working within large public sector organisations, bringing a well-rounded and pragmatic approach to leadership and delivery.” • “His career has built extensive expertise in supply chain logistics, public sector procurement, data analysis, and leading high-performing teams.” • Cabinet Member for Adults and Health: • “Including expert capability in workforce planning, contract performance, and partnership working.” • “Ansar has a strong track record of improving quality, access to care, and delivering long term financial sustainability for services.” Please also set out whether internal communications policy distinguishes between factual biographical statements and evaluative or promotional statements, and if so, how that distinction is operationalised in approval and sign-off processes, particularly given they are set out as a Council statement and not a quote of a political Executive Member. 2. Initiation of the profile series Please provide: • the identity or job title (or Elected Member details) of the person(s) or department that initiated, commissioned, or authorised the profile series; • and any briefing note, instruction, proposal, or internal document setting out the purpose of the posts. Where the Council considers that disclosure of an officer’s name would be inappropriate under its policies or under section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000/Data Protection Act 2018, please provide the officer’s job title and department instead. 3. Policies, guidance, and standards governing content Please provide copies of any policies, protocols, guidance documents, communications standards, governance documents, or internal guidance considered relevant to: • neutrality and objectivity in council communications; • political impartiality; • the use of subjective, evaluative, or promotional wording; • member publicity; • and compliance with the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity. 4. Approval and sign-off Please provide: • the identity or job title of the person(s) responsible for approving/signing off these posts before publication; • whether any Executive Member personally approved the wording; • and whether any written officer advice, comments, or concerns were raised regarding tone, neutrality, objectivity, or appropriateness prior to publication. Where the Council considers that disclosure of an officer’s name would be inappropriate under its policies or under section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000/Data Protection Act 2018, please provide the officer’s job title and department instead. 5. Relevant correspondence and drafting material Please provide copies of: • final draft documents; • approval emails; • briefing notes; • and any written officer advice concerning tone, neutrality, objectivity, or compliance directly relating to the drafting, editing, approval, or publication of these specific Cabinet Member profile posts. 6. Artificial Intelligence a. Please confirm whether any artificial intelligence tools or systems were used in the drafting, editing, revision, summarisation, or publication of these posts. If so, please provide: • the name of the tool(s) or system(s) used; • whether the tool was internally hosted or provided by a third party; • the purpose for which the tool was used; • whether human review/editing took place before publication; • the transcript of the AI prompts and responses, and who initiated the use of AI • and any policies, guidance, risk assessments, governance documents, or staff instructions relating to the use of artificial intelligence in council communications relevant to these posts.
Attachments: FOI_Response 529.docx