council functions

Stuart Hardwicke CARRUTHERS made this Freedom of Information request to Havering Borough Council

The request was partially successful.

From: Stuart Hardwicke CARRUTHERS

23 August 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to know the average proportion of time the elected
representatives of your authority spend as part of their duties for
2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 on their main activities. The
activities that form their duties (employment) as an elected
representative are:

1 directly resolving complaints against the executive (Council
Staff) of the Council by residents;
2 sitting on committee's;
3 acting for the political parties that they represent and/or
ceremonial duties (i.e. all time not spent on sitting on a
Committee or resolving a complaint against the executive);

The total time spent by an elected representative for a Council on
these three activities should be 100 per cent of the time they
spend 'working for a Council' as an elected representative.

I would additionally like to know how much in total was paid to
local councillors to meet all their duties (including expenses) for
2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 by your authority, and how many
elected representatives are (and were) represented on your
authority for these years.

I would also like to know how many Complaints in total were
submitted to your Council in 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 for
each year. I would further like to know how many of these
complaints were formally considered by an elected representative
for each of these years.

I would further like to know how many complaints against the
Executive (Council staff) led to the elected representatives
formally identifying that the Executive had acted wrongly for the
years 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008, and how many of these
formal determinations by the elected representatives identify that
there was no wrong-doing by the Executive. How many staff employed
by your authority in 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 ceased to
be employed by your authority as a direct result of a complaint
against the Executive, and the Councillors identifying this to be
the case.

I would further like to know how much money the Council has paid to
a complainant (i.e. victim of a Council's wrongdoing) through its
own complaints system (i.e. excluding any intervention by the Local
Government Ombudsman, Valuation Tribunal or similar body) in
2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008.

I would like to know how much money either in the form of local
settlement or additional formal finding of maladministration
causing injustice the Local Government Ombudsman has recommended
that your Council pay in 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 (for
each year) and if the Local Government Ombudsman's recommendations
have been met in full (including any non-financial recommendations
for each year)). Please detail any recommendation that has not been
met in full and provide a copy of the Elected representatives
decision. Please additionally identify if these costs were met
directly by Council Tax Payers or the Council's insurers (excluding
self insurance by a Council)

Finally, please provide details of the financial cost of
administering all your complaints systems (including FoI and DP) by
the Executive for 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 and the number
of staff employed in administering complaints and resolving these
(Full time equivalent staffing levels). Please also provide details
of your total administrative costs for 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and
2007/2008 and the total number of staff employed by your authority,
as well as any pay increase (including increments) made to the
Council's Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) in pounds sterling
for each of these years. Please additionally identify if the Chief
Executives wages included performance related payments.

If you do not have this reasonably basic management information
related to complaints and/or identify that the costs of accessing
the information requested will be more than £450 please state this
and identify that your Authority does not have either a functioning
or accountable complaints system, and does not maintain any basic
management information related to this issue.

If you have a complaints system not fit for purpose please identify
which political party currently controls your Council, and if this
political party has appointed the current Electoral Registration
and Returning Officer through its control of the Council (with date
of their formal appointment). Please name the current Electoral
Registration and Returning Officer, and identify if they are also
Head of Paid Service, and Clerk to your Authority. Please
additionally provide any documentation maintained by your Local
Authorities Head of Paid Service identifying that they personally
do not believe it to be appropriate for your Council to have a
complaints system that is fit for purpose. This documentation
should be in existence due to the provisions of s4 of the Local
Government Act 1989.

Yours faithfully

Stuart HARDWICKE CARRUTHERS

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From: Accessinfo Accessinfo
Havering Borough Council

26 August 2008

Dear Mr Carruthers

Acknowledgement of Information Request - Council functions

I acknowledge receipt of your request for information received on
26thAugust 2008. 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.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Pam

Information Governance Team
Business Systems
Finance & Commerce
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

Link to this

From: Accessinfo Accessinfo
Havering Borough Council

28 August 2008

Dear Mr Hardwicke Carruthers

Access to Information Request

Thank you for your request received 26th August 2008 which is being dealt
with as a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Unfortunately I am unable to identify the information from the details you
have provided. Please respond to the following query to enable me to pass
your request to services, so that they can locate any records held by the
London Borough of Havering. Your request can then be considered and you
will receive a response as soon as possible.

* Paragraph 5 of your request - Do you require information on the total
number of complaints submitted to the council, or only complaints that
were submitted to / about members.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows authorities 20 working days,
following date of receipt, in which to respond to requests. However the
20 day working day clock is suspended whilst awaiting clarification of the
above.

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.

There may 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:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House, Water Lane

Wilmslow, Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545 700

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Pam

Information Governance Team
Business Systems
Finance & Commerce
London Borough of Havering
Email: [1][Havering Borough Council request email]

Living Ambition - aiming for the highest quality of life in London
[2]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. mailto:[Havering Borough Council request email]
2. http://www.havering.gov.uk/livingambition

Link to this

From: Stuart Hardwicke CARRUTHERS

28 August 2008

Dear Accessinfo Accessinfo,

Total number of complaints - excluding those related to elected
representatives. This was already specified in the original
request.

Yours sincerely,

Stuart HARDWICKE CARRUTHERS

Link to this

From: Accessinfo Accessinfo
Havering Borough Council

10 September 2008

Dear Mr Hardwicke Carruthers

Access to Information Request - Council Functions

Thank you for your request received 26th August 2008 which is being dealt
with as a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Unfortunately while considering your request, Finance &
Commerce are unable to identify some of the information from the details
you have provided and require further clarification. Please respond to
the following query from the service, so that they can locate any records
held by the London Borough of Havering. Your request can then be
considered and you will receive a response as soon as possible.

* Paragraph 9 - Could you please clarify what is meant by 'total
administrative costs' our accounts do not include a line for
administration costs. Is this the cost of our support services such
as finance, legal etc'

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows authorities 20 working days,
following date of receipt, in which to respond to requests. However the
20 day working day clock is suspended whilst awaiting clarification of the
above.

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.

There may 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:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House, Water Lane

Wilmslow, Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545 700

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Pam

Information Governance Team
Business Systems
Finance & Commerce
London Borough of Havering
Email: [1][Havering Borough Council request email]

Living Ambition - aiming for the highest quality of life in London
[2]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. mailto:[Havering Borough Council request email]
2. http://www.havering.gov.uk/livingambition

Link to this

From: Stuart Hardwicke CARRUTHERS

15 September 2008

Dear Accessinfo Accessinfo,

Total admin costs = total costs associated with staffing of Council

Yours sincerely,

Stuart Hardwicke Carruthers

Link to this

From: Accessinfo Accessinfo
Havering Borough Council

25 September 2008

Attachment Payroll Figures.pdf
20K Download View as HTML

Attachment Member Allow 06 07.pdf
25K Download View as HTML

Attachment Members Allow 05 06.pdf
21K Download View as HTML

Attachment Members Allow 07 08.pdf
25K Download View as HTML

Attachment LBH Response from Services 250908.pdf
38K Download View as HTML

Dear Mr Hardwicke Carruthers,

I refer to your request for information made under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000. Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay
in our reply. Your request has been considered and the information we
hold is attached.

I trust the information is of use to you and will close your request

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
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Mrs Payne
Information Governance Team

Information Governance Team
Business Systems
Finance & Commerce
London Borough of Havering
Email: [Havering Borough Council request email]

Living Ambition - aiming for the highest quality of life in London
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.

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