Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 24:

In page 23, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following new subsection:

"(4) Part I of the Third Schedule to the Freedom of Information Act 1997 is amended by the insertion of reference to this section.".

This amendment is self-explanatory. We wish to see the Freedom of Information Act apply to the council and accordingly it is appropriate to make reference to this section in the Freedom of Information Act 1997. Whatever our views are about the manner in which the Freedom of Information Act has been weakened, it is important to table this amendment. This issue is important for the deliberations of the council and in terms of the consistent application of the Freedom of Information Act throughout the public sector.