Our Ref: FOI 2712

6^th March 2009

Email response to Mr Eric Blair

Dear Mr Blair

Request for Information - Freedom of Information Act 2000

I write further to your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 seeking information in relation to agency worker agreements, contracts and pay scales.

We apologise for the delay in responding to you, however it has become apparent that some of the information requested may be exempt on the grounds that is commercially sensitive (Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act).

Section 43 requires consideration of the public interest test, namely a review as to the public interest in disclosure against the risk and likely damage that could occur from the disclosure of the commercially sensitive information.

The Freedom of Information Act allows Birmingham City Council, as a public authority, a further reasonable amount of time to consider applying the public interest test in relation to information potentially subject to an exemption under the Act.

Birmingham City Council will endeavour to forward a response in relation to the information sought subject to the public interest test by no later than 6 April 2009. However, it may be that due to additional circumstances this limit may need to be extended. If this is the case, you will be notified within the 20 working days together with the reasons for delay.

If you are not satisfied with the response you may ask for an internal review. If subsequently you are not satisfied with the Council's decision you may apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at the following address:

The Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545745

Web Address: www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Corporate Information Governance Team

Re use of Public Sector Information

The information provided is subject to Birmingham City Council copyright, however, it may be re-used for personal, educational or non-commercial purposes without further reference to the City Council. If the re-use is for other purposes, such as commercial re-use, you should notify the City Council in writing to seek approval or agree terms for re-use. Where Birmingham City Council does not hold the copyright, it has indicated the copyright holder. Permission for re-use should be sought from them directly.

Department of Governance Telephone: 0121-303 4876

Corporate Information Governance Team Facsimile: 0121-675 1427

1^st Floor

1 Lancaster Circus

Birmingham B4 7DQ