The ICO Regional Offices Anne Jones, Assistant Commissioner (Wales) Ken Macdonald, Assistant Commissioner (Scotland & NI)
What we do • Provide advice and promote good practice in information rights in a relevant, targeted and effective way • Act as local point of contact for members of the public and organisations • Influence policy in the devolved administrations and the wider public service • Advise HQ of regional issues of note • Act as intermediary/facilitator (HQ region) when required • Undertake regional FOI casework (not Scotland)
How we do it Local roles and responsibilities:- • • Information rights in the round • Staff may have a particular focus, but • “Jacks of all trades” Where we are in the overall structure:- • • Within Operations • Close links with SL and PD
Current issues • Data sharing • Data linkage • Children & Young People • Electronic Health Records and other Health Service initiatives • Public Sector re-organisation • Third sector compliance
Adding value Better local targeting of our messages increases the ICO’s • influence and reputation Better placed to identify and address IR implications of • increasing amounts of devolved legislation Ready source of local intelligence and advice on regional • issues (IR-related or broader issues) Fewer wheels reinvented – an issue arising in one region • often arises in others too Fielding engagements and meetings where we are located • closer than Wilmslow
Risks and mitigation • Consistency of Message • Leadership Group / IRC • Cross office groups • Sectoral contacts • Use of ICON • Lack of regional awareness leading to possible reputational issues • Early input to guidance and other documentation • Quarterly reports / ICON • Regional office policy and practice meetings
And finally… “I thank, too, the Information Commissioner’s Office for its assistance in helping us to understand more fully the data protection issues relating to part 2 of the bill .” Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Official Report of the Scottish Parliament, June 2012 “ I would like to thank you personally for the time you have spent with the Assembly Members and their support staff during the past year… providing invaluable advice and guidance to them on personal data handling and information governance.” Letter from Chief Executive, National Assembly for Wales, 5 August 2013 “As my last day in PRONI is looming, I wanted to express my thanks to you for your interest and support for PRONI over recent years. It has been a delight working with you and your team and I hope you will continue your good offices with my successor, Maggie Smith …..…….. The PRONI/ ICO partnership approach has proved critical in strengthening the role of records management and proper record keeping .” Aileen McClintock, Director & Deputy Keeper of the Records, Public Records Office NI, August 2013
Keep in touch Subscribe to our e-newsletter at www.ico.org.uk or find us on… /iconews @iconews
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