Your Ref:

Our Ref: EMC/00272

If telephoning or calling please ask for:- Mrs E M Conolly (01472) 324016

e-mail:- [email address]

Mr Trevor Nunn,

By e-mail to:- [FOI #5911 email]

22^nd January 2009

Dear Mr Nunn

Re: Freedom of Information Request - LGO Investigations

I thank you for your request for information which we received on the 12^th January 2009.

You have asked under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the following information.

“During the last five years how many times has the Local Government Ombudsman (as a result of an investigating a complaint against the North East Lincolnshire Council) brought to the attention of the Council the fact that a member of North East Lincolnshire Council staff had misled them, lied to them or done anything else to hinder their investigation. If they have what disciplinary action was taken against the individual(s) concerned by the Council.”

The Council do not hold any information of occasions where the Local Government Ombudsman has brought to its attention that staff had misled, lied, withheld information or hindered an investigation.

In accordance with section 12(1) of the Act I would estimate that in order to search our records it would cost in excess of the appropriate limit and in such circumstances the Council is not obliged to comply with your request for information.

However I am aware that on the Local Government Ombudsman website there are reproduced the most recent annual letters. If the Ombudsman were concerned as to staff members assisting with their inquiries this would be raised in the annual letter. There are no such concerns raised.

If you wish the Council to review this decision internally then you should contact me and I will make the appropriate arrangements. Alternatively you may contact the Information Commissioner

Yours faithfully

for Director of Law

and Democratic Services