7 May 2009

Dear Mr Bray,

Hinckley and Bosworth Local Development Framework REF: F0003069

I have been asked to undertake an internal review under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as you requested on 6 April 2009. This review refers to your e-mail of 5 March requesting information about representations by David Tredinnick MP to the Department for Communities and Local Government about the Hinckley and Bosworth Local Development Framework.

Mr Paul Whittlesea wrote to you on 28 April to advise you that he was unable to provide you with the information you asked for as Communities and Local Government does not hold this information.

The Department failed to respond to you within the required timescale. Mr Whittlesea explained that this was due to the request being forwarded to a colleague who was on sudden, unexpected and long-term sick leave and apologised for the delay in responding.

I have carefully reviewed the papers in this case and apologise, again, on behalf of Communities and Local Government for the delay in responding to your request. I consider that the response that was sent to you, stating that the Department does not hold this information, needs clarifying. The Department does as a matter of course record the receipt of correspondence, including that from MPs, as well as other forms of representations, such as Parliamentary Questions. Mr Whittlesea checked with colleagues in the Department and in the Government Office for the East Midlands and the records indicate that we have received no representations from Mr Tredinnick about the Hinckley and Bosworth Local Development Framework.

I apologise that Communities and Local Government did not make this position completely clear; and would reassure you that there was no intention to mislead you in this respect.

If you are not satisfied with my decision, you may write to the Information Commissioner asking him to decide whether Communities and Local Government have complied with their obligations under the Act. You should direct any such appeal to:

The Office of the Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely,

David Buxton