Dear Mr Keenan,
I am writing in response to your email of 23rd May requesting a list of
datasets currently returned to this department by Hackney borough council.
Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act
2000. I have interpreted your request, and specifically the word
"currently" in the request, to cover all datasets being returned by
Hackney LB to this Department during the current financial year 2011-12.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has recently
undertaken work to list datasets that all local authorities, including
London Boroughs, must return to central government departments. The list
for 2011-12, referred to as the 'Single Data List', was published on the
departmental website on 14 April 2011. You can see some more information
and download the list here:
[1]http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgover....
You will see from the website that we are currently undertaking work to
expand the list to include public bodies which aren't central government
departments and expect to publish an update to the list in the summer.

While the list itself does not constitute a formal record of data that
Hackney LBC submits, it does represent the totality of data that central
government departments require to be submitted and which they would chase
up if they did not receive (that is one of the defining features of the
Single Data List). It is therefore reasonable to expect that Hackney LBC
will comply over the course of financial year 2011-12. You should also
note the list does not cover data that Hackney submits voluntarily - which
includes any data it might submit as part of a bid for specific grant
funding. The Department does not hold a central record of what data
Hackney LBC or any other local authority submits on a voluntary basis and
as part of grant funding request, since such voluntary data submissions
may be submitted to any part of the Department.

As the Single Data List is already published, the information that you
request is exempt under section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
- "information already accessible to the applicant by other means". If you
are for any reason unable to get access to it as described above, then you
should contact us stating your reasons. If my interpretation of your
request does not fulfil your request, I should be grateful if you would
contact me again and I will do my best, under the terms of the Act, to
provide any newly specified information you require.

The Department for Communities and Local Government as an organisation
aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for
information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the
Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not
satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the
outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of
the date of this email. Information about the Department's review
procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is on the
Department's website at
[2]http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/.... This
also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner
for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the
Department’s review.

Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted this
Department’s Internal Review procedure. The Information Commissioner‘s
address and contact details are set out in the above leaflet.

If you have any queries about this email, please contact me. Please quote
reference number F0004815 in any future communications.

Yours sincerely
Hazel Sheard
Single Data List and data burdens policy
Department for Communities and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
0303 4444388

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References

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1. http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgover...
2. http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/...