Dear Mr Nunn

Information Provided under the Freedom of Information Act

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Thank you for your request, received on 28^th August, for information about the number of complaints the Department has received about the Local Government Ombudsman over the last five years. Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Unfortunately it will not be possible to provide you with the information you have asked for. This is because I estimate the cost of searching for, extracting and supplying you with all the information relevant to your request would be in the region of £1,000. We are not obliged to provide information if the cost exceeds £600.

It may be possible to provide you with some of the information you have asked for within the appropriate limit of £600. If you would like to make a request for just some of the information then I will be able to tell you what this would cost to provide. If you would like more information about Communities and Local Government's structure of fees for providing information, this can be found on our web-site or in the attached Access to Information leaflet.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained in the enclosed leaflet. This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the authority's review

Yours sincerely

Vanita Patel