Dear Sir

Freedom of Information Request : Council Functions

Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in responding. I have endeavoured to provide the information in the same order as your original request.

Firstly, we do not hold information as to the proportion of time that Councillors spend on their duties. They do not have any role in the complaints procedure against staff, so the figure for this is 0%

During the last three years the amounts paid to Councillors were:

2005/06 - £257, 886.53

2006/07 - £289, 146

2007/08 - £321, 276.97

During these years there were 46 Councillors on the Council

Complaints made to the Council are set out below; the Council's complaint system is a two-stage procedure, which does not involve Councillors at any time (paragraph 5).

2005/06 - 211

2006/07 - 157

2007/08 - 129

The Local Government Ombudsman has made no findings of maladministration in whole or in part for any of the years mentioned (paragraph 6).

With reference to payments made for complaints (paragraph 7), the sums paid were:

2005/06 - I am advised that the figure is not known

2006/07 - £875

2007/08 - £910

Concerning the cost of administering the Council's complaints system (paragraph 9), I am advised that this amount cannot be separately identified as the system is administered via individual Officer time.

I hope that this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely

Claire Thomas

Freedom of Information Officer