Local Government Ombudsman

Dear Mrs Johnson,

I acknowledge your request for information received on 26^th August 2008.
Your request has been passed onto me, as I am the Council's Freedom of
Information officer.

The Council's policy is to release information unless an exemption can be
reasonably applied. The Council will respond within 20 working days by
either releasing the information or letting you know why it cannot release
the information. If for any reason it is not possible to respond within
the 20 days, we will let you know as soon as possible with the date by
which we anticipate we are able to respond.

If appropriate, the information may be provided in paper copy, normal font
size. If you require alternative formats (e.g. language, audio, large
print) then please let me know.

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

If the information you request concerns a third party then they may be
consulted prior to a decision being taken on whether or not to release the
information to you. You will be informed if this is the case.

If you have any queries or concerns then please contact Ian Colyer,
Freedom of Information Officer, Welwyn Hatfield Council, Council Offices,
The Campus, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 6LA, tel 01707 357413, email:
[1][Welwyn Hatfield District Council request email] .

Further information is also available from the Information Commissioner
at:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House, Water Lane

Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545 700

[2]www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Ian Colyer,

Freedom of Information Officer,

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

Find a job online, report streetscene problems, pay bills or find out what
benefits you could claim by visiting [3]www.welhat.gov.uk

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It may be subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information
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References

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http://www.welhat.gov.uk/

Dear Mrs Johnson,

Thank you for your request for information received on 26th August 2008.
I have now received a response from our Democratic Services section and
the information you have requested is set out below.

1. How many findings of maladministration has the local government
ombudsman made against the Council over the last ten years? - There have
been no cases in the last six years. Information prior to this has not
been retained in accordance with the Council's records retention policy
but we believe that there may have been one possibly two cases during
these four years. This information can be obtained from the Local
Government Ombudsman.

2. How many findings of maladministration the Council, either full or in
part, has refused to accept? - The Council policy is to accept all
recommendations made by the Local Government Ombudsman.

3. How many findings of maladministration the Council has accepted but
refused to comply, either in full or in part, with the Local Government
Ombudsman's recommended remedy? - The Council policy is to comply with
the Local Government Ombudsman's recommended remedy

I hope this satisfies your request but if you have any queries or
concerns then please contact Ian Colyer, Freedom of Information Officer,
Welwyn Hatfield Council, Council Offices, The Campus, Welwyn Garden
City, Herts AL8 6LA, Telephone: 01707 357413, Email:
[Welwyn Hatfield District Council request email] . I enclose a copy of the Freedom of Information
complaint procedure.

Further information is also available from the Information Commissioner
at:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625 545 700

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Ian Colyer

Freedom of Information Officer

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

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