The mj

摘要

Christmas came early from the Local Government Association this week. Hard-pressed local government journalists usually have to wait until 24 December for the traditional gift ofa 'wild and whacky freedom of information requests' press release from Smith Square. Write this up for the website, snaffle a mince pie and some astoundingly potent Caribbean hard liquor from the design studio, job's a good 'un and head home for Crimbo. It's the tried-and-tested customary routine. Hic! Instead, and with unseasonal glee, the top 10 list of unusual FOI requests hits home to MJ Towers at the height of the August silly season. And what do we have in our list of pointless questions with which time-wasting residents have belaboured cash-strapped town halls? In with a bullet at number one is the probing question posed to Wigan MBC. 'What plans are in place to protect the town from a dragon attack?' Other Diary favourites include residents' concerns over the state of animals, alive or dead. But come on local government, get with the programme. You might kavetch and complain that it costs nigh on £32m annually to respond to FOI complaints. But the public has a right to know.