Carmarthen hunt - road closures 426/2022
FOI Reference: 426/2022
Request:
On 1st January 2020 an event was staged in Carmarthen. This involved certain roads being blocked whilst a sporting or social event was staged by the Carmarthen Hunt.
The roads closed were Lammas Street outside The Boars Head Hotel - a main road.
Guildhall Square a pedestrian area.
1/ Could you confirm that the area around Lammas Street & Guildhall Square was officially closed by Legal Road Closures for this event on 1st Jan 2020.
2/ Did Dyfed Powys Police have to make an emergency closure to facilitate public safety at this event on 1/1/2020
3/ Could you confirm if Dyfed Powys Police supplied, and or installed ANY barriers for this event.
4/ Did Dyfed Powys Police attended any meeting prior to this event to confirm safety requirements in relation to its safety management or organisation . For instance Safety Advisory Groups (example only)
Response:
The request does not constitute a valid request under section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act, therefore for the reasons outlined below; the request cannot be dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Section 8 of the Act provides:
(1) In this Act any reference to a "request for information" is a reference to such a request which-
(a) is in writing,
(b) states the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence, and
(c) describes the information requested.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a request is to be treated as made in writing where the text of the request-
(a) is transmitted by electronic means,
(b) is received in legible form, and
(c) is capable of being used for subsequent reference.
A request under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) is required by statute to describe the information requested, in terms of recorded information held by Dyfed-Powys Police, as defined by Section 8(1)(c).
The Freedom of Information Act provides the right of access to recorded information only. It does not require a public authority to answer direct or hypothetical questions or provide comment or opinion, unless recorded information exists which could itself answer such questions.
It is apparent from the request that a yes or no answer is being sought in relation to each question of your request; and therefore does not relate to recorded information.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (2000) this response represents a Refusal Notice for this part of your request under Section 8(1)(c) of the Act.
However, as a gesture of goodwill, the relevant department have provided the following information in response to your questions -
Question 1 – The road closures were not arranged by Dyfed-Powys Police, the closures were arranged by the Local Authority.
Question 2 – No, Dyfed-Powys Police did not have to facilitate any emergency road closures.
Question 3 – No, Dyfed-Powys Police did not supply or install any barriers for the event.
Question 4 – No, Dyfed-Powys Police did not attend any formal meetings in relation to this event.
This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act and disclosed on the 13th June 2022.