15 July 2010

Dear Ganesh Sittampalam

I am writing in response to your e-mail of 18 June requesting a copy of the letter Eric Pickles wrote to the Audit Commission regarding bin collection frequency and the information he used when writing that letter. Your request was received by Communities and Local Government on 18 June, and has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I confirm that Communities and Local Government holds the information that you have requested and that I am able to provide you with a copy of the letter, pages 2 and 3 of which also provide the rationale for that letter. This is attached.

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. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely

Ian P Barber