Dear Sir or Madam,

During the last five years how many times has the Local Government
Ombudsman (as a result of investigating a complaint against Boston
Borough Council) brought to the attention of the council the fact
that a member of Boston Borough Council staff had misled them, lied
to them or done anything else to hinder their investigation. If
they have what disciplinary action was taken against the
individual(s) concerned by the council.

Yours faithfully,

Trevor R Nunn

Dear Mr Nunn

Thank you for your email of 7 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 6 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 Nunn

Further to your email of 8 January 2009, we have no record during the last 5 years of the Local Government Ombudsman (as a result of investigating a complaint against Boston Borough Council) bringing to the attention of the council the fact that a member of Boston Borough Council staff had misled them, lied to them or done anything else to hinder their investigation.

We contacted the Local Government Ombudsman to obtain their confirmation of this reply for forwarding to you but they state that "Under FOI councils are not required to obtain information from a third party (ie the Ombudsman) in order to provide it in response to an FOI request" and they are therefore unable to provide confirmation.

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)