[Author ID1: at Fri Feb 2 13:09:00 2007 ]

Dear Mr Smith

Subject: Freedom of Information request - Blackpool regeneration

I am writing in response to your email request of 13 April 2010 for information about Blackpool Regeneration. This Department does hold some of the information you are seeking and we are dealing with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The FOI Act obliges us to respond to requests promptly, and in any event no later than 20 working days after receiving your request. However, when a qualified exemption applies to the information and the public interest test needs to be considered, we are permitted to extend the time for response by a reasonable period. We do, of course, aim to make all decisions within 20 working days, including in cases where we need to consider where the public interest lies in respect of a request for exempt information. Your request, however, raises complex public interest considerations which must be analysed before we can come to a decision on releasing the information.

The specific qualified exemptions we are considering in relation to your request are:

Section 35 - protecting the policy-making process in order to maintain the delivery of effective government,

Section 36 - information that if disclosed would adversely affect the delivery of effective central government and other public services,

Section 42 - information that would be subject to legal professional privilege; ensuring that the confidential relationship between lawyer and client is protected and

Section 43 - information that may prejudice the commercial interests of third parties and also the commercial interests of the public authority that holds the information.

In your case we need to extend our response time limit by 20 working days to give us time to assess whether the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it

Therefore, we plan to let you have a response by 10 June. If there is a need for any further extension of time we will keep you informed.

Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained on the Department's website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/1384250.pdf. This website also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the Department's review.

Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted this Department's Internal Review procedure. The Information Commissioner`s address and contact details are also on the website.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely

Earl Hines