Dear Mr Eriksohn

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Request for Information

Thank you for your email received 30 January 2009 requesting the following information, to which the Council's response is in red:

“1. Does your authority provide concessionary travel passes to those individuals registered with their local Social Services department as disabled on the grounds of being a mental health user or survivor?” No

2. If your authority does have such arrangements why was the decision taken to extend the scheme in this way and what arrangements are in place? Not applicable

3. If your authority does not have such arrangements does your authority have some other arrangement beyond the statuary minimum to provide passes to those with mental health issues? No

4. If your authority does not have such arrangements why was the decision taken not to extend the scheme in this way and has consideration been given to extending the scheme in this way in the future?

See report from Cabinet meeting 5 November 2007:

http://av02.avbc.gov.uk/intranet/PoliticalManagement/Meetings/cmtyview/CMdisplay.asp?refnum=6617

We operate a partnership scheme, which includes Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council and all the District and Borough Councils in Derbyshire. Derbyshire County Council is currently conducting further consultation on the scheme. The closing date for this consultation is 6 February 2009.

http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/consultation/consultation_search_index/gold_card.asp

5. Would it be possible to provide copies of any relevant policy documents you may have?

We comply with Department for Transport instructions and guidelines. See application form for details of eligibility:

http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/Images/Gold%20Card%20Application%20Form%202008_tcm9-21310.pdf

To help us to improve the quality of our responses to future Freedom of Information requests, any feedback you may have on this response would be appreciated. A copy of the Council's Customer Comments leaflet is attached to assist you. If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your enquiry and the information you have received, please follow the Council's Complaints Procedure. You may put your complaint in writing by completing the attached "Helping You to let us know what you think" leaflet.

If you are still not happy with the outcome, you have the right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliff House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545 745
Fax: 01625 524 510
Email: [email address]

If you have any further queries, please contact me either in writing at the above address or by telephone on 01773 841601 and quote your ID No 26/09.

Yours sincerely

Joan Jones

Civic Links and FOI Officer

Encs

P M Carney, Solicitor
Chief Executive

PO Box 15 Town Hall Ripley
Derbyshire DE5 3XE
Tel: 01773 570222 Fax: 01773 841616
Minicom: 01773 841490
E-Mail: [email address]
Web: www.ambervalley.gov.uk

Caring and Working for Amber Valley

N:\Chiefexe\WORD\FOI\Requests 2009\Eriksohn 26\FOI Response Letter.Doc