Concessionary travel passes

Dear Mr Eriksohn

Thank you for your email of 30 January 2009 requesting information
under the FOIA. This is to inform you that it has been received and we
are endeavouring to respond as promptly and fully as possible. You will
receive our response by 27 February 2009 at the latest.

Our policy is to carry out the spirit and requirements of the Freedom
of Information Act in a manner which:
- recognizes the duty to inform as the essential principle underlying
the legislation;
- discloses to requesters the maximum information possible which is not
injurious to the public and private interests identified in the
exemptions in the Act and does so in the most timely and consistent
manner given the nature and scope of the request;
- ensures that fees permitted under the Act are kept to an absolute
minimum whilst safeguarding our position as a non-profit making
repayment department.

The Freedom of Information Act can be found here:
www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm

We endeavour to respond in kind unless you request the information in
another format. Please contact us if these conditions are unacceptable
or you require further advice or assistance with your information
needs.

Regards

Debbie Swain
Communications Unit
(responsible for FOI)

Dear Mr Eriksohn

Further to your email of 30 January 2009 requesting information under
the FOIA, I am writing to apologise for the delay in replying to you.

This is to let you know that I am awaiting clarification of one piece
of information before I can send you the details requested. I will be
able to do this early next week.

Apologies again for any inconvenience this delay may have caused.

Regards

Debbie Swain
Communications Unit
(responsible for FOI)

Dear Mr Eriksohn

Further to your FOI request of 30 January 2009 (and with apologies for the delay in replying), please find below the information requsted.

Boston Borough Council can confirm that we provide concessionary travel passes for residents as per current legislation which states in this case "has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning".

We do not have any arrangements with the Social Services department as we accept letters of confirmation from GPs and other health professionals.

The decision was taken to extend the scheme in this way as we followed the Department for Transport's guidelines.

Boston Borough Council can confirm that we do not have our own policies as we used those of the Department for Transport. Please see www.dft.gov.uk for more information.

If you have any queries about this reply, please contact me quoting the above reference number.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should contact Mr Steve Lumb, Assistant Chief Executive on 01205 314330 or by email at [email address].

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly 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 Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Regards

Debbie Swain
Communications Unit
(responsible for FOI)