Date: 17 November 2009

My Ref: FOI/2009/0512/COM-CLO

Contact: Emma Hearton

Direct dial: 01934 427390

S Tyler

Sent via email

Dear Sir/Madam,

Freedom of Information Act (2000) - Request for Information

I write following our acknowledgement letter, date 20 October r2009, reference FOI/2009/0512/COM-ACK.

The DCSF, in a FoI requesting which 74 LAs responded, list North Somerset as a respondent to this further call for evidence.

Therefore please can you recheck your records and supply me with the information. If your records still register no response, could you query with the DCSF why they are suggesting that you did?

Following your email I have contacted the relevant directorate again who have confirmed that the council did indeed respond to the DCSF.  Please find attached a copy of this response.

Please accept my apologies for the mistake in our initial response.  Unfortunately this was due to the initial officer not being aware of this piece of work; as a council we are aware this is not acceptable and this has been raised with relevant officers.

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In line with the Freedom of Information Act (2000) and the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004, the Council reserves the right to charge for disbursements, such as photocopying and postage. However, on this occasion no fee will be charged.

Please note that the Freedom of Information Act only provides you with a right of access to recorded information. Any information subject to copyright will continue to be protected by the Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1998). This includes information which is copyright of the council. Disclosure of any information by the council to you does not provide you with any rights to use or distribute the information in breach of any copyright.

North Somerset Council now considers that it has complied with your request. However, you have a right to appeal if you are dissatisfied with our response. In the first instance you should address your appeal for a review of the response or our handling of your request to the Council's Audit, Risk & Information Manager, in writing at:

Mr Peter Rooney, Audit Risk & Information Manager, The Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 1UJ.

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Council's internal review, you have a further right of appeal to the Information Commissioner. You can request a review of the council's decisions by contacting:

The Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF.

Yours sincerely

Emma Hearton

FOI & DPA Support Assistant

North Somerset Council

Philip Hall

Director of Finance and Resources

Information, Communication and Technology Department

North Somerset Council

Town Hall

Weston-super-Mare

Somerset BS23 1UJ

www.n-somerset.gov.uk