Dear Mr Hardwicke Carruthers

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request

Thank you for your request dated 26 August 2008 .

Section 10(1) of the Freedom of Information Act requires that we process your application within 20 working days of the date you requested the information. We received your request on the 26 August 2008, the 20 day deadline will therefore expire on the 21 September 2008. If we are unable to meet this deadline we will inform you of this and the reasons why.

If the information is already available to you through the council's publication scheme we will advise you of this. We will advise you whether we hold the information you have requested and if you are able to access it. In some cases where exclusions apply we will not be able to provide you with the information you have requested. If we are unable to provide the information you request we will contact you and inform you of the reasons why.

If we do not have the information you have requested we will inform you of this. If we believe that another authority may have the information you have requested we will forward, with your permission, your request to the appropriate authority.

In some cases there may be a charge for the information you have requested. We will keep charges to a minimum and will inform you as soon as possible of any charges that apply.

If you are unhappy with the council's decision you can make a complaint to the Review Panel who will investigate your case. If you are not happy with this decision you may then appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Barker (Mrs)

Paralegal

Legal Services Unit

01268 882434 (Direct Line)

[email address]

Corporate Director of Support

Castle Point Borough Council

Council Offices, Kiln Road,

Thundersley, Benfleet,

Essex SS7 1TF

Tel: 01268 882200

Fax: 01268 882453

DX: 39603 Hadleigh