Our Ref: 9554  

Dear Enquirer,

INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information which will be dealt with under
the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, we
will let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

If you have any queries about this matter please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Please note, that due to the recent outbreak of Covid-19, there may be a
delay in responding to your request. We appreciate your patience at this
busy period.

Kind regards

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Our Ref: 9554   

Dear Ms Robson, 
 
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST 
 
I refer to your Freedom of Information request, 9554, for details of
complaints information. 
 
Right of Access 
 
Section 1(1) of the Act provides any person making a request for
information to a public authority is entitled. 
 
(a) to be informed in writing by the public authority whether it holds
information of the description specified in the request (which Section
1(6) of the Act designates as the "duty to confirm or deny"), and 
 
(b) if that is the case, to have that information communicated to him. 
 
The right is to obtain access to the information itself and not to the
document or record which contains it. 
 
The Act creates a general right of access to information held by public
authorities subject to various exemptions. 
 
Duty to confirm or deny 
 
The public interest test requires Northumberland County Council to confirm
that we hold information in relation to complaints information. 
 
Exemptions 
 
The Freedom of Information Act sets out various exemptions to the right of
access. 
 
In the present case the County Council takes the view that the information
relating to your request is exempt under the following provisions; 
 
Section 21 of the Act states that a public Authority does not need to
provide information under section 1 of the Act if that information is
reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means. 
 
Q. I would like to know how many complaints have been received regarding
social services each year in the past ten years 

A. This information is withheld under Section 21 - Accessible by other
means. 

Information regarding the number of complaints received in relation to
social services is already in the public domain via the Council website in
the annual complaint reports. The links are provided below:

[1]Northumberland County Council - Adult services - complaints, comments
and compliments 

[2]Northumberland County Council - Children's services complaints &
compliments 
 
Notice of Refusal 
 
Please treat this letter as a Notice of Refusal as regards the information
covered by the Section 21 Exemption. 
 
Advice and Assistance 
 
The County Council recognises its statutory duty to provide advice and
assistance under Section 16 of the Act. 
 
Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the Council
is seeking to be transparent and open in its response. 
 
Complaints 
 
If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been
handled, you can request an internal review by writing within 2 months
from the date of this response to the Information Governance Office: 
 
Information Governance Office, Northumberland County Council, County
Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF 
Email: [3][Northumberland County Council request email] 
 
Information Commissioner 
 
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint,
you have a right by Section 50 of the Act to apply to the Information
Commissioner for a decision as to whether your request has been dealt with
in accordance with the requirements of the Act at: 
 
The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water
Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF 
Tel: 0303 123 1113, Email: [4][email address]

There is no charge for making an appeal. 
 
Yours faithfully 

Taylor 
 
FOI Coordinator – Central Team 
Information Governance Office 
Northumberland County Council 
County Hall 
Morpeth 
Northumberland 
NE61 2EF 
 
Tel: 0345 600 6400 
Email: [5][Northumberland County Council request email] 
Web: [6]http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

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