1. Website Content Governance:
a. Any governance documents, style guides, templates, or policies related to writing for the web or managing website content.
b. Procedures or processes for approving, editing, or publishing content on the local authority’s website.
This information can be found at the following links:
Web and Digital Communications Protocol
Devon County Council (DCC) Our Brand
Copyright guidance for using images
2. Emergency Communication Policies:
a. Governance materials or procedures detailing how major events or emergencies (e.g., building closures, service disruptions) are communicated across the local authority’s departments and published on the website.
b. Any templates, workflows, or communication plans specific to emergencies or major events.
3. Interdepartmental Communication Processes:
a) Policies or guidelines outlining how information is shared between departments during emergencies or critical events to ensure consistent communication to the public.
If possible, please provide:
b) Copies of relevant documents or links to publicly available materials.
c) A summary of any established processes, workflows, or tools used to facilitate the above.
For questions 2 and 3, this information is exempt from disclosure under Section 31(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Prevention or Detection of Crime).
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held; however, this information constitutes valuable intelligence, that could be leveraged by a targeted attack against Council infrastructure. Releasing this information would therefore increase the chances of the Council becoming the victim of a motivated attack.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, there is a stronger public interest in the Council maintaining the security and integrity of its systems. Significant weight should be applied to this public interest consideration given the current elevated threat landscape facing public sector organisations.
This information is also exempt from disclosure under Section 38(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Health and Safety).
Devon County Council can confirm the requested information is held; however, its disclosure of this information would be likely to endanger the safety of DCC employees and the wide public should it be released.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency. However, there is a stronger public interest in safeguarding individuals by preventing them from being targeted/preventing the undermining of systems established to protect public health or safety. Those who are classed as vulnerable would be at risk as well as the wider public and their safety is paramount.
Therefore, the balance of public interest weighs in favour of withholding this information from disclosure.