Hearts bump HWU for training ground rent (merged)

[Hibbyradge]

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You mean that, when Hearts screwed HWU for the money, it was done quickly?

A speed-bump.

I don't think that has a bearing on anything, but you'd need to ask their Spokesperson.

[jonty]

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I don't think that has a bearing on anything, but you'd need to ask their Spokesperson.

The topic has run flat, so i'm not sure we need to invalve some overinflated spokesperson.

[Speedway]

Carnage as a passer by drops a quid whilst walking through a group of Yams.



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[crash]

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Can I suggest that someone based in Scotland submits the Freedom Of Information request below:

It should be directed to
Andrew M MenziesDirector of Finance[email protected]
Dear Sir/Madam

As a tax payer I am appalled to hear that Heriot Watt University (HW) is continuing to offer facilities to Heart of Midlothian Football Club (HMFC) while the club has failed to pay rent for a term reported to be up to 15 months. Quite how the university can run "Business" courses while allowing privately owned companies to consistently fail to pay their bills is quite staggering.


While HMFC were failing to pay your bills they were busy signing players they couldn't afford and paying huge wages to footballers they could not afford. They are guilty of financial doping of the worst kind. It seems to me that HW have consistently supported this financial doping by allowing HMFC to use their facilities despite non-payment of bills.


I would be grateful if you would answer the following questions. I ask them under the terms of the freedom of information Act

• How much money do HMFC currently owe to HW ?
• When did they last pay any of the bills to you on time ?
• What measures have you taken in the last 15 months to recover this debt ?
• Have any HW staff been offered and/or accepted any hospitality packages at HMFC in the last 2 years ?
• Will you confirm that HMFC will now, not be allowed to use your facilities without payment up front in future ?
• Who is the member of HW staff who decided to allow HMFC to continue to use sporting facilities despite non payment of their account ?
• Do you allow any other privately owned companies to access your sporting facilities for free ?
• By way of balance have you offered your sporting facilities free of charge to any other Professional Football Club ?

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Have just done an FOI request. Also done one to the council asking about safety certifcates for Tynecastle.

Will post replies if, and when i get them.

Any news on these yet Southside? FOI laws state you should have received replies to your requests by now (20 working days).

[Hibernia Na Eir]

looking forward to seeing the FOI feedback.

[Jones28]

Has this been submitted?

[SouthsideHarp_Bhoy]

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Any news on these yet Southside? FOI laws state you should have received replies to your requests by now (20 working days).

Still waititng on the HWU to come back (today is the deadline) - will post when i do.

Got the council one back re the safety certificate. I could do with some help on this if there are any experts on these things hanging around these boards (not my area of expertise really). Also, any suggestions for follow-ups?

Dear Southside,

Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 - Release of Information

Subject: Tynecastle Football Stadium

Thank you for your request for information which has been dealt with under the terms of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004. Your request for information has been considered and the information is below. I shall respond to each of your questions in turn.

Question 1 – When was there an assessment last carried out on the main stand at Tynecastle Football Stadium (or on the stadium as a whole) with regards the granting of a safety certificate?

Answer 1 - There was a scheduled structural survey of the main stand carried out on 23 May 2013.

Question 2 - Were any concerns highlighted by this assessment?

Answer 2 - The result of the survey was that the main stand was considered structurally adequate.

Question 3 - If concerns were raised, what action has been taken to assure the council that they have been addressed?

Answer 3 - There is some corrosion protection work required. This does not compromise the structural integrity of the metalwork.

Question 4 - What time period does the current safety certificate(s) cover?

Answer 4 - The current Safety Certificate covers the period until 14 August 2013. This is reviewed on an annual basis and is independent of the structural inspection. For example, if the structure was found to be unsafe, a safety certificate could still be issued on the basis of a zero capacity crowd.

Question 5 - Please could you provide copies of all emails relating to the granting of a safety certificate to Tynecastle Stadium between City of Edinburgh Council officials, and between City of Edinburgh Council Officials and Heart of Midlothian FC, or any affiliated, contracted or related companies and/or employees?

Answer 5 - There are no emails held in relation to the granting of the current Safety Certificate.

Question 6 - When is the next inspection of the main stand at Tynecastle Stadium, or Tynecastle Stadium in general due?

Answer 6 - There is a scheduled inspection of the main stand due to take place November 2013.

[cabbageandribs1875]

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Question 2 - Were any concerns highlighted by this assessment?

Answer 2 - The result of the survey was that the main stand was considered structurally adequate.


.

sgd yours faithfully

steve cardownie

[jonty]

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Answer 4 - The current Safety Certificate covers the period until 14 August 2013. This is reviewed on an annual basis and is independent of the structural inspection. For example, if the structure was found to be unsafe, a safety certificate could still be issued on the basis of a zero capacity crowd.

Interesting scenario.

[essexhibee]

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Carnage as a passer by drops a quid whilst walking through a group of Yams.



BL1GjE-CYAE3vl5.jpg

The infamous Bridge of Doom. :

[Mikey]

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Still waititng on the HWU to come back (today is the deadline) - will post when i do.

Nothing back from them yet I take it?

Presumably the person dealing with it at HWU is a yamfud and would rather not give out the uncomfortable truth.

[Crazyhorse]

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Nothing back from them yet I take it?

Presumably the person dealing with it at HWU is a yamfud and would rather not give out the uncomfortable truth.

What is the next step when a publicly funded institution refuses to respond to a FOI request within the allotted timeframe?

[RoslinInstHibby]

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Nothing back from them yet I take it?

Presumably the person dealing with it at HWU is a yamfud and would rather not give out the uncomfortable truth.

Its right in the middle of the uni's year end.....the director of finance may be a tad busy....

[steviehibsleith]

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Its right in the middle of the uni's year end.....the director of finance may be a tad busy....

Its in the middle of the end ...................

[Beefster]

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Its right in the middle of the uni's year end.....the director of finance may be a tad busy....

As much as I've defended HWU on this, it doesn't really matter how busy they are. They should be responding to FOI requests within the allowed timescale.

[worcesterhibby]

From official GOV site..

If your FOI request is turned down

Some sensitive information might not be available to members of the public. If this is the case, the organisation must tell you why they have withheld some or all of the information you requested.
An organisation can turn down your request if they think it will cost them more than £450 (£600 for a central government organisation) to deal with your request.
They might then ask you to be more specific so they can provide the information you’re looking for.
If an organisation doesn’t provide you with the information you request, you should first contact them and ask them to review their decision.
If you are still not satisfied, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.http://www.ico.org.uk/complaints

http://www.ico.org.uk/complaints/getting

[Liberal Hibby]

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From official GOV site..

If your FOI request is turned down

Some sensitive information might not be available to members of the public. If this is the case, the organisation must tell you why they have withheld some or all of the information you requested.
An organisation can turn down your request if they think it will cost them more than £450 (£600 for a central government organisation) to deal with your request.
They might then ask you to be more specific so they can provide the information you’re looking for.
If an organisation doesn’t provide you with the information you request, you should first contact them and ask them to review their decision.
If you are still not satisfied, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.http://www.ico.org.uk/complaints

You might need to check with the Scottish govt website as the rules are slightly different north of the border.

[worcesterhibby]

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You might need to check with the Scottish govt website as the rules are slightly different north of the border.

Good point Mr Liberal Sir...sorry been down here in Sassanach land for so long I forget the different law stuff.....however, believe it or not, Heriot Watt have there very own helpful page about FOI requests (which absolutely proves that FOI does apply to them) including what to do if you don't get a response...

http://www.hw.ac.uk/about/policies/foi.htm

[RoslinInstHibby]

Lets revisit this convo tomorrow

[Phil MaGlass]

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I will be raising this with Heriot-Watt and fellow students, especially if education is cut there next year from this year, within in my area of study or not. I will not let them harm my and others education for the sake of their mismanagement and corruption.

Hopefully not studying to become an English teacher

[hibs0666]

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Lets revisit this convo tomorrow

Loving the intrigue here.

[Hibs07p]

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What is the next step when a publicly funded institution refuses to respond to a FOI request within the allotted timeframe?

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman maybe.

GGTTH

[PatHead]

Had an email from a friend who works at HW. He has said he has some juicy gossip for me.........should find out in the pub tonight. The mystery deepens

[Gettin' Auld]

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Hopefully not studying to become an English teacher

[Bostonhibby]

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Its in the middle of the end ...................

And the debts been around 15 months, plenty time to form a position on it.

[lapsedhibee]

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And the debts been around 15 months, plenty time to form a position on it.

[hibsforeurope]

Will they be getting locked out of HWU as of tomorrow...?

[GreenCastle]

Apologies if discussed already but in 7 days the bid for the National Performance Centre will be presented.

If you look at the link below - Heriot Watt are involved and Hearts are to get grass pitches (plus I'm sure use of a full size 11 v 11 pitch).

While I agree Edinburgh needs better sports facilities the bid smells of yamness....the people backing the bid all being yams..Hastings...Hoy...Stewart..

http://goedinburgh2016.com/location-and-facilities/

[Scott Allan Key]

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Hopefully not studying to become an English teacher

Hee-hee, . Textile design, am sure to do some prints related to this beloved club. Watch this space.

[Scònaldò]

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Lets revisit this convo tomorrow

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Had an email from a friend who works at HW. He has said he has some juicy gossip for me.........should find out in the pub tonight. The mystery deepens

Spill...