Dear Sir or Madam,

Pre-question clarification: A complaint against a council may
consist purely on an administrative error or it may also include a
potentially criminal act and/or infringements of a complainants
civil rights (legal and/or human rights).

Therefore, I would like the following information, over the last 12
months, as a percentage of total complaints against the council how
many ended up being dealt with by,

1)the Local Government Ombudsman?

2)the Police?

3)Solicitors and/or the courts?

Yours faithfully,

Trevor R Nunn

Trevor
Thank you for your request for information in relation to complaints
made against the council. Your request was received on 2nd October 2008
and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information
Act 2000.
In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I
will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be
required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact Sue Smith on
01254 585761. Also, our email address for contact is
[Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]. Please remember to quote the
reference number above in any future communications.
Regards,
Kerri McFadden
Audit & Assurance Administrator
Audit & Assurance
Town Hall
King William Street
Blackburn
BB1 7DY

Dear Mr Nunn

I am now able to provide the information that you requested.

1) The Council dealt with 569 complaints during the year 2007-08. Of
these 50 were dealt with by the Local Government Ombudsman ie 8.8%

2) Nil

3) Nil

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further
information or clarification of the above.

Shabir Elahi
Service Quality & Partnerships Manager
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Neighbourhoods, Housing & Customer Services Department
Town Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7DY
www.blackburn.gov.uk
[email address]

Tel: (01254) 585762
Fax: (01254) 668245

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