Date: 12 November 2008

Our ref: RFI369/sw

Your ref: Ref

Mr Ben Addison

By Email: [FOI #3746 email]

Dear Mr Addison

Access to Information Request - Information not held - RFI 369

Thank you for your request for information about Natural England's history of working with the RSPB. In particular about whether the RSPB had ever been hired into a position where they had been performing functions of public administration or where the RSPB delegated public responsibilities relating to the environment, which we received on 24 October 2008.

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004

Natural England does not hold any information relating to hiring the RSPB to perform functions of public administration or delegating public responsibilities to them. The request is therefore subject to the Exception 12(4)(a) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 whereby the public authority does not hold the information requested.

I have attached a copy of the Memorandum of Agreement that Natural England had with the RSPB which I hope will be of interest. This was the agreement initially set up with English Nature and was transferred to Natural England when English Nature ceased to exist (1 October 2006). This agreement expired on 31 May 2008 and it is currently in the process of being updated. I have also attached a spreadsheet which outlines the projects undertaken through this agreement.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, please contact:

Darren Green, Senior Specialist Information Access and Security,

Natural England, Block B, Government Buildings, Whittington, WORCESTER WR5 2LQ

Email: [email address]

Tel: 01905 363431

Under Regulation 11(2) this needs to be done no later than 40 working days after the date of this letter.

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by Natural England. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. Telephone: 01625 545 700, www.ico.gov.uk.

If you have any queries about this letter please contact me.

Yours sincerely

Sarah Waterfield

Adviser - Information Access & Security

Access to Information

Email: [email address]

Sarah Waterfield

Natural England

Northminster House

Northminster Road

PETERBOROUGH

PE1 1UA

T: 01733 455182