FOI is a follow-up mechanism, not the starting point. Requests are generated only after public-facing material has been reviewed and a specific public-record gap has been identified. CDC/SFA database remains the source of truth.
Catalogue and review existing public documents
Identify specific gaps in published evidence
Draft targeted FOI follow-up based on the gap
Select provider (e.g. WDTK) and send request
Integrate response back into the audit record
Fallback method. All tracking and documentation performed manually in CDC/SFA database.
Public URL scraping viable for status and response tracking. Does not permit automated submission. CDC/SFA database remains source of truth.
WDTK Pro batch interface available to verified organisations. Requires manual CSV upload and monitoring. Full API write integration pending confirmation.
Direct email to authority FOI officers. No automated tracking. CDC/SFA database must record all correspondence manually.
Source of Truth Policy: CDC/SFA database is the canonical record. External platforms are tracked as publication/delivery layers. WDTK API write access pending confirmation; until then all WDTK requests require manual creation with URL capture.
WDTK publishes requests and responses at public URLs. CDC/SFA can record these for manual status tracking. No API access required.
VIABLE NOWFull write API candidate — requires verification. Public URL/status tracking viable. Contact mySociety for write access terms and technical requirements.
NEEDS INVESTIGATIONBatch FOI request to 10 Local Resilience Forums requesting Community Risk Register sections addressing prolonged food supply disruption.
Direct email campaign to 5 Combined Authorities requesting shelter allocation and vacant property activation protocols.