FOI Request - Review of 5G Strategy
Request 101002595945
Re: FOI 5G Strategy
in good faith, I require answers to my FOIR in full, as this does not satisfy all the information that I have requested.
Please provide a document with the questions asked followed by your direct detailed answers, headed paper and name and position of the person who has answered the questions, with their/your candour.
Response 14-10-2020
Following your request for a review of our response to the FOI you submitted, ‘5G Strategy’ – 101002494206, a review meeting was held remotely on 7th October 2020. In attendance were the Records and Heritage Manager, Senior Solicitor, Head of Economic Growth & Development and Information Co-ordinator.
The meeting discussed the original response, which answered some of your questions directly and provided a link to a previous FOI request (reference 101002090006) that answered the rest. The already published material is exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, however in order to be helpful it was agreed that we provide direct responses to your questions. Most of our updated response is therefore copied from the already published FOI and while our response remains the same, we have reworded some answers to give them more clarity.
Please see our updated response below:
1. Have you asked for the consent of the Morayshire people for the installation of 5G tower, masts, or smaller devices often installed in lampposts, please also include consent for 5GTT?
No, the Council has not asked for consent as we are not putting in any 5G infrastructure.
2. Has there been planning applications submitted for permission/approval? If the answer is yes when shall we see this in the paper or on public notice's for the people to give consent or object?
In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can advise that following a search on our systems no specific reference to 5G tower/mast or other was found. If there has been an application submitted they are not referred to as 5G in the proposal. This information is publicly available on our website and so you may view future applications by using an ‘advanced search’ on planning applications at the link here.
3. Does the Moray Council have an insurance policy to insure that no injury, harm or loss to life will be caused as a result of any 5G tower/transmitter installation, will this be assured?
No. The council is not liable for any 5G systems
4. Do you have a 5G strategy?
No
4.1 If yes, I request to see the complete strategy, its ambitions and its objectives in an acceptable format (PDF, Word or Excel).
Not applicable
4.2 If yes, has the public had the opportunity to read and understand MORAY COUNCIL'S 5G strategy? Where was this information published?
Not applicable
4.3 I also request a supplementary document that includes the highest level of detail on all 5G technology that's planned to be used and currently in use in public spaces within Morayshire.
(a) Companies and entities involved and the names of the company/entity officers?
(b) Specification sheets of all 5G technology, Under the GDPR Under section 173.
(c) What technology e.g. units and arrays are not currently 5G, but can be 5G enabled e.g. with current software, future software, hardware upgrades or retrofitting?
(d) What UK, EU and International safety standards is MORAY COUNCIL complying with for the 5G strategy and existing 5G technology?
(e) I request proof e.g. a certificate from MORAY COUNCIL that confirms that UK, EU and International safety standards for workers and the public have been meet?
In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, we can confirm that no information is held in relation to this part of your request.
4.4 If no, I request all documentation, memos, emails and communication on companies and entitles you're in talks with regarding the formulation of a 5G strategy, without the consent of the public.
In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, we can confirm that no information is held in relation to this part of your request.
5. I request the name/s of the Officer/s in charge of the 5G strategy and roll out including their CV and qualifications in 5G and Smart Cities; and who their subject area expert or consultancy is, their CV and qualifications on 5G and Smart Cities.
The Council does not have a 5G strategy.
6. Are you in talks with any experts, companies or entities about autonomous vehicles (AV) for public transport and/or private use on Public Highways?
No
6.1 If yes, I request to see the complete strategy, its ambitions and its objectives in an acceptable format (PDF, Word or Excel).
Not applicable
6.2 I also request a supplementary document that includes all levels of detail on:
(a) Companies and entities involved and the names of the company/entity officers?
(b) Specification sheets of all technology.
(c) What type of communication system will MORAY COUNCIL be utilising to control the vehicles?
(d) What UK, EU and International safety standards does your AV strategy and roll-out comply with?
(e) I request proof e.g. a certificate from MORAY COUNCIL that confirms that UK, EU and International safety standards for workers and the public have been meet.
Not applicable
6.3 If no, I request all documentation, memos, emails and communication on companies and entities you're in talks with regarding the formulations of an autonomous public and private vehicle technology strategy.
In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, we can confirm that no information is held in relation to this part of your request.
7. Do you have a strategy for smart roads and smart signage on Public Highways and Public spaces?
No
7.1 If yes, I request to see the complete strategy, its ambitions and its objectives in an acceptable format (PDF, Word or Excel).
Not applicable
7.2 I also request a supplementary document that includes all levels of detail on:
(a) Companies and entities involved and the names of the company/entity officers?
(b) Specification sheets of all technology.
(c) What technology e.g. units and arrays will not be 5G, but can be 5G enabled e.g. with current software, future software, hardware upgrades or retrofitting etc. (you must be specific on anything here)?
(d) What UK, EU and International safety standards does your 5G strategy and roll-out comply with?
(e) I request proof e.g. a certificate from MORAY COUNCIL that confirms that UK, EU and International safety standards for workers and the public have been meet.
Not applicable
7.3 If no, I request all documentation, memos, emails and communication on companies and entities you're in talks with regarding smart roads and smart signage.
In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, we can confirm that no information is held in relation to this part of your request.
8. Are you planning to roll-out or have rolled out LED street lighting?
The Council is currently working through an LED replacement program.
8.1 If yes, please answer these questions:
(a) What is the CMS and specification of the software and hardware of the LED street light system?
We do not use CMS.
(b) What type of waveform is the LED? e.g. Square wave?
In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.
(c) Can you control the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) of the street light system using the CMS?
Not applicable, we do not use CMS
(d) Can you control the PWM of each street light that's connected to the system?
Not applicable
(e) What restrictions do you have in place for the control of the PWM?
Not applicable
(f) What is the UK, EU and International safety limit (low and high) for the amount of 'flicker' (Hz) the Human Body and eyes can be exposed to and for how long?
In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that this information is not held.
(g) I request to see the training manual and safety operation manual for the CMS and the LED street light system.
We do not use a CMS system
(h) Who is the company who is or has installed the CMS LED street light system?
Not applicable
(i) What company maintains and repairs the CMS and LED street light system?
Not applicable
(j) What entity and Officer is responsible for the safety standards for the CMS and LED street light system?
Not applicable
(k) I request proof e.g. a certificate from MORAY COUNCIL that confirms that UK, EU and International safety standards for workers and the public have been meet.
All light fittings are CE marked and manufactured to the relevant sections of BS EN 60598, which covers general safety requirements for luminaires.
(I) What is the amount of Blue Light leakage that's safe for the public and workers during the LED street lights operation?
In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, we can confirm that this information is not held.
(m) What level of LED street light exposure is safe for the public at daytime and night time?
In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, we can confirm that this information is not held.
(n) Is there a legal requirement for diffusers to be fitted to LED street lights?
LED lanterns are tested to relevant sections of BS EN 62471 – Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems.
(o) How have you have addressed the amount of Oxidative Stress on Human and Animal cells that's produced from LED?
All LED lanterns installed meet EU regulations at the time of manufacture.
8.2 If no, then I request a declaration from MORAY COUNCIL that you will not be installing LED street lights in the future. If you cannot provide a declaration, I would like the following answered in the future tense:
Not applicable
9. I request all memos, presentations, documents, plans, roll-outs, emails and details regarding 2G, 3G, 4G, WiFi and WiGIG in public spaces under the GDPR rulings of subsection 173 for this land.
Committee report ‘Internet of Things – Scotland Network’ . This is published on the Council website and is therefore exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, information otherwise accessible. For ease of reference please use the link here and see Item 13.
Additional note: In order to be helpful, we would like to highlight a recent committee report dated 6th October 2020. This is also published on the Council's website and can be viewed here.