Freedom of Information requests made

Dear Mr Plough

Thank you for your request for information, which was received on 7 July
2009. Your request is being considered and you will receive the
information requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days
as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, subject to the
information not being exempt or containing a reference to a third party.

As your request was received by e-mail it will most likely be responded
to via e-mail unless you indicate this is unsatisfactory. If
appropriate, the information may be provided in paper copy, normal font
size. If you require alternative formats, such as in a different
language, audio or large print, then please let us know.

For your information, the Act defines a number of exemptions which may
prevent release of the information you have requested. There will be an
assessment and if any of the exemption categories apply then the
information will not be released. You will be informed if this is the
case, including your rights of appeal.

There may be a fee payable for this information. This will be
considered and you will be informed if a fee is payable.

Freedom of Information is a statutory responsibility that is discharged
corporately by Barnet Council. It is likely that many council officers
may have contributed to most responses. The officer named below will
have been involved in your response, most likely in a co-ordinating
role, and the name is provided for your information and reference.
However, please direct any further related correspondence through the
[email address] address from where it will be quickly directed to the
most appropriate Officer.

Helen Barbour
Executive Assistant to the Director of Corporate Governance
London Borough of Barnet, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road
South, London N11 1NP
Tel: 020 8359 2516
Barnet Online: www.barnet.gov.uk
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Dear Mr Plough,

Thank you for your request for information dated and received on 07 July
2009 concerning requests for information made to the London Borough of
Barnet.

 

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 
Under this Act you should have received a reply within 20 working days. 
Please accept the council's apologies for not meeting this deadline.

From our preliminary assessment, we estimate that compliance with your
request would exceed the appropriate costs limit under section 12 of the
Freedom of information Act 2000. This is currently £450.  We confirm
that the council holds the information that you have requested.  However,
on the basis of consultations with FOI officers from each of the council's
departments, we estimate that it would take fourteen and a half days of
officer time to retrieve the information you have requested.  At a cost
of £25 per hour the estimated cost would be £2,537.50.   

Rather than refusing your request at this stage, I would like to explore
with you how London Borough of Barnet may best assist you to request
relevant information which we hold.  I have attached data taken from the
council's FOI/DP logging system.  Unfortunately this does not capture all
of the information that you have requested.  The council is reviewing new
logging systems which will enable us to record information of the type you
have requested, so this should not be an issue going forward.  If you
need assistance with this, please do not hesitate to contact me on the
below telephone number or by email to this address.

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been
handled, you can request a review by writing to the FOI Officer at: The
London Borough of Barnet, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South,
London, N11 1NP (email [email address]).

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint,
you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at: The
Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire, SK9 5AF (telephone: 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45; website:
www.ico.gov.uk).

There is no charge for making an appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Niall Toru
Governance Officer

Corporate Governance Directorate
London Borough of Barnet, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South,
London N11 1NP
Tel: 020 8359 7080
Barnet Online: [1]www.barnet.gov.uk
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