Initial Contact Letter

Resources

Knowledge and Information Management Team	Information Services
	101 Orchardson Street
	London
This matter is being dealt with by :	NW8 8EA
Email: [Westminster City Council request email]
	Tel No: 0207 641
	Fax No: 0207 641 2872

To	Date:4^th February 2010
Pors Tonith E: [FOI #23957 email] By email

Dear Mr Tonith

Re: Freedom of Information Request 4848

Thank you for your recent request to the Council. You asked to be provided with the following information:

Could I clarify, if councilors and WCC employees are allowed to use newspaper reports as 'evidence' to base their decisions on, what council process is used and what regulations (if any) apply? In essence, are there are regulations to stop WCC officers and councilors using unproven information on which they base policy affecting their electorate, visitors and ratepayers?

For this specific case, you have stated that WCC did not know how much money went missing from parking meters. If that is the case, why did Danny Chalkley quote a specific amount and why was this 'unknown' amount allowed to influence policy and fiscal projections? How can Mr Chalkley say his actions 'saved' ratepayers specific amounts on money when you advise these amounts are unknown?

Response

Please note that, as per my previous correspondence to you, The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives any person the right to make a request to a public authority for information that it holds. This entails that the information is recorded, in accordance with the definitions under section 84 of the Act.

There are no specific regulations governing the sources upon which staff can base their research. For the purposes of section 1 (4) this information is not held and we are, therefore, unable to provide it.

Your second question is not for recorded information and as a result is not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. For the purposes of section 1 (4) we do not hold this information and I am, therefore, unable to provide it.

Further information is also available from the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625-545-700

www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, Data Subjects have rights to challenge, alter or erase the inaccurate and unlawful processing of their information. In the first instance please contact The Freedom of Information Officer, Information Services, 101 Orchardson Street, London NW8 8EA. If you are not satisfied with our response you may contact The Information Commissioner: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire Sk9 5AF