Dear Havering Borough Council,

During 2009, the Department for Children, Schools and Families
(DCSF) claimed that two related campaigns were being conducted.

1. A campaign to vilify Graham Badman, author of a report into
home education.

2. A campaign to inundate the DCSF with Freedom of Information
requests.

Recent comments by a senior official in the DCSF suggested that
these alleged campaigns might have spread to include local
authorities.

I would like you to provide me with the following information.

First, please confirm whether or not you have observed these
alleged campaigns.

Second, please confirm whether or not you have exchanged any
correspondence with the DCSF regarding these alleged campaigns.

Finally, if you have exchanged correspondence with the DCSF on
this issue then please provide me with copies of that
correspondence.

Yours faithfully,

Alison Edgley

Dear Ms Edgley

Acknowledgement of Information Request - DCSF campaign

I acknowledge receipt of your request for information received on 25th
January 2010. Your email is being considered and you will receive a
response to your request as soon as possible.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows authorities 20 working days,
following date of receipt, in which to respond to requests. You may be
aware the legislation defines a number of exemptions which may prevent
release of the information you have requested. If any of the exemption
categories apply then the information will not be released. In these
cases, we will inform you of any exemptions we have applied together with
our reasons for withholding the information and your rights of appeal.

Please bear in mind the legislation allows access to information 'held' by
the Council and not for the creation of new information or opinion.
Therefore, we may only be able to supply documents or data that contain
the information we hold in response to your request.

There may be a fee payable for the supply of information. This will be
calculated and you will be informed if a charge applies. In this event,
the fee must be paid before the information is released.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Further information regarding the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is
available from the following address:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House, Water Lane
Wilmslow, Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
[1]www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Mrs P Lynch

Information Governance Team
Legal & Democratic Services
Town Hall
London Borough of Havering
Email: [2][Havering Borough Council request email]

Living Ambition - aiming for the highest quality of life in London
[3]www.havering.gov.uk/livingambition

"This email and any files transmitted with it are the property of the LB
Havering, are confidential, may be subject to legal privilege and are
intended only for the person(s) or organisation(s) named above.
Any unauthorised use, retention, distribution, copying or disclosure is
strictly prohibited.
If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately
and delete this email from your system.
WARNING: It is your responsibility to take all necessary steps to ensure
this email and any attachments to it are free of viruses."

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are the property of the
London Borough of Havering, are confidential, may be subject to legal
privilege
and are intended only for the person(s) or organisation(s) named above.
Any unauthorised use, retention, distribution, copying or disclosure
is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify
the sender immediately and delete this e-mail from your system.
WARNING: It is your responsibility to take all necessary steps to
ensure this e-mail and any attachments to it are free from viruses.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ico.gov.uk/
2. mailto:[Havering Borough Council request email]
3. http://www.havering.gov.uk/livingambition

Dear Ms Edgley
Access to Information - DCSF Campaigns

Your request for information made under the Freedom of Information Act
2000 for information regarding the above has now been researched, however,
the Council does not hold the information.

I apologise that your request cannot be met on this occasion. Should you
have any queries or concerns, please contact the Information Governance
Team at this email address. Please ensure that you quote our reference on
any correspondence to us.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request has been
handled you have the right to make a complaint. Please put the details in
writing and return to me at the above address, your complaint will then be
dealt with in line with our corporate complaints procedure. You also have
the right to complain to the Information Commissioner at the following
address:

Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
[1]www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Mrs Lynch

Information Governance Team
Legal & Democratic Services
Town Hall
London Borough of Havering
Email: [2][Havering Borough Council request email]

Living Ambition - aiming for the highest quality of life in London
[3]www.havering.gov.uk/livingambition

"This email and any files transmitted with it are the property of the LB
Havering, are confidential, may be subject to legal privilege and are
intended only for the person(s) or organisation(s) named above.
Any unauthorised use, retention, distribution, copying or disclosure is
strictly prohibited.
If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately
and delete this email from your system.
WARNING: It is your responsibility to take all necessary steps to ensure
this email and any attachments to it are free of viruses."

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are the property of the
London Borough of Havering, are confidential, may be subject to legal
privilege
and are intended only for the person(s) or organisation(s) named above.
Any unauthorised use, retention, distribution, copying or disclosure
is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify
the sender immediately and delete this e-mail from your system.
WARNING: It is your responsibility to take all necessary steps to
ensure this e-mail and any attachments to it are free from viruses.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/
2. mailto:[Havering Borough Council request email]
3. http://www.havering.gov.uk/livingambition