Mr John Grimley

Andrew Lock

Local Government Finance - Formula Grant Distribution

5/J2 Eland House

Bressenden Place

London

SW1E 5DU

0303 4442137

Ref; F0003864

Dear Mr Grimley

Thank you for your e-mail of 26 May 2010 requesting information about Buckinghamshire County Council and Swanrider transport. Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

You ask about the budget allocated to this service. I am writing to advise you that I am unable to provide you with the information you requested as this is not a matter that falls within the responsibility of the Department for Communities and Local Government. The responsibility for the allocation of funding in provision of local services rests with the appropriate local authority, which in this case appears to be Buckinghamshire County Council. You are advised to put the same question to Buckinghamshire County Council, who are also subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

If your concern is about the misuse of public funds by the council, then you should raise the matter with the District Auditor. They are either a member of an independent auditing firm, or an employee of the Audit Commission. To find out how to contact the District Auditor for your area, you will need to contact the Audit Commission on 0844 798 3131 or 0117 975 3131. Alternatively you can email them on [email address].

If you consider that the local authority has not complied with legislation or has acted in a way you consider improper, you may wish to contact the local authority's Monitoring Officer. It is the role of the Monitoring Officer to ensure that the authority complies with legislation in its operation.

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 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 set out in the above leaflet.

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

Yours sincerely

Andrew Lock