CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S DEPARTMENT

Mr Samuel Dale

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Dear[Author ID1: at Thu Sep 11 16:54:00 2008 ] Mr Dale,

[Author ID1: at Thu Sep 11 16:54:00 2008 ]

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST [Author ID1: at Thu Sep 11 16:54:00 2008 ]

The exact information you have requested will not be provided because the cost of refining the data we hold to match your requirements would require locating, retrieving and checking each invoice listed. This process would exceed the appropriate limit, which is 18 hours (or £450) as stated in the Freedom of Information (Fees and Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004. In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 this is a Refusal Notice. The information requested is exempt under Section 12 of the Act, which is that the cost of compliance exceeds the appropriate limit.

You may wish to refine and resubmit your request so that it reduces the cost to within the “appropriate limit”. Please contact me if you would like some advice on refining your request. You have the right of appeal against the decision. If you wish to appeal please set out in writing your grounds of appeal and send to the Information Governance Manager at the address given below.

However, we have been able to provide some of the information you requested.

You asked:

1. How often has www.youtube.com been accessed by Merton authority

staff since 01/01/2009 and what were the most popular videos

watched?

We only hold three months' of information relating to web site access. The number of hits on www.youtube.com in the period 1 August 09 to 31 October 09 was 190,560. Note, though, that a "hit" is a request for one URL. As a web page can be made up of multiple elements each having its own URL, and requesting the URL for the page automatically generates requests for the components that make up the page. As a result, there may be multiple “hits” even when only one page was requested. We also use www.youtube.com for training and internal communications purposes, as well as in conjunction with young people.

We do not hold any information about the actual videos watched on that site.

2. How much money has Merton authority spent on wine, beer and

champagne since 01/01/2009? Please may I have these separately. And

how much has been spent on the above in October 2009?

£5,822.06 has been spent on hospitality since January 2009 the majority of this was spent on the Mayor's official functions. £4,375.14 was spent between January and September 2009 and £1,446.92 was spent in October 2009.

Unfortunately we do not record the amounts for wine, beer and champagne separately. These costs may include food, wine, beer or champagne.

3. Has Merton authority funded any of its staff to stay in a hotel

since 01/01/2009? If so, where to, how much did it cost and who was

it?

From our systems it shows that £17,254.55 was spent on hotels and accommodation between January and October 2009. These costs may include money spent on meals, room hire and / or accommodation.

An additional amount of £8,952.53 was spent for staff to attend a Level 1 / Level 2 Managers Awayday at The Hilton Hotel, Cobham on 1 - 2 July. A list of attendees is attached.

If you have any queries or concerns please contact me.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request please contact the Information Governance Manager at The London Borough of Merton, Civic Centre, London Road, Morden SM4 5DX or e-mail [Merton Borough Council request email]

You can also complain to the Information Commissioner at: [Author ID0: at ]