When he took up the role of council leader earlier this year, Veejay Patel made a bold pledge. That his administration would be the most open we’d ever seen.

The headline on the story trumpeted Veejay’s “Era of Openness”, and it’s something I tested this week.

I requested some data through the press office which, on analysis, may or may not prove controversial. Nevertheless, it was easily accessible and should have already been compiled into the required format.

Unsurprisingly, the press office told me I had to submit the request as an FOI, because there was too much data to compile. I was faced with a potential delay of a month to access council information.

Pulling out the tattered copy of the story which I always have to hand on my desk, I fired off an email to Veejay questioning the decision given his previous promise.

Within two hours I received an email from his assistant with the relevant figures.

He may only been in office for a few months, but so far he’s upholding his pledge of openness. Long may it continue.

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