Our Ref: 9542  

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: 9542   

Dear Enquirer,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST

I refer to your Freedom of Information request.

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.

Northumberland County Council confirms that it holds the information you
have requested, please see the following information in response. 

Q.1 Can you clarify the following highly publicised actions by
Conservative Councillors elected to Northumberland County Council

Not a question therefore no answer provided. 
Q.2 Can you please confirm how many outstanding bullying cases by
Conservative Councillors against Officers of the Council remain open?

7 - correct at the time of request

Q.3 How much have the Council spent on the activities of pursuing,
bullying and harassing the Chief Executive Officer of the Council?

NCC are unable to provide a response to this question as the requested
information is not held.A more specific question would assist the Council
to respond if the information is held

Q.4 Can the Council confirm if the Current External Auditor is
investigating the activities of Conservative Councillors on the above
matters?

It is not within the remit of the Council’s External  Auditor to
investigate actual or alleged breaches of the Members Code of Conduct.

Q.5 Can the Council confirm that the current Leader of Council is a
sitting or practicing magistrate despite all of the well publicised issues
at the Council surrounding unlawful activities ?

The current leader, Cllr Glen Sanderson, is a current sitting Justice of
the Peace (JP)

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: [Northumberland County Council request email]

Information Commissioner

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, 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: [email address]

There is no charge for making an appeal.

Yours faithfully,

FOI Coordinator - HR
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