Dear Mr Ovens

Request for Information

I refer to your e-mail of 28 November 2010 seeking information in relation
to expenses in the last five years. 

Having investigated, I attach the details of Councillors expenses for
2006/2007 and can advise that expenses information for 2007/2008,
2008/2009 and 2009/2010 is publicly available on our website at
[1]www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk. Information for the financial year 2010 /
2011 will be available sometime after April 2011 and will also be publicly
accessible on our website.  As you may know, Section 25 of the Freedom of
Information () Act 2002 provides an absolute exemption for information
which is already accessible.  In order to be of assistance, the direct
links to the relevant pages of our website are as follows:-

[2]http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index...

[3]http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index...

[4]http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index...

I can advise that North Lanarkshire Council, having regard to the
provisions of Section 21 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002, has established a procedure whereby any person who has requested
information and is in any way dissatisfied with the decision on that
request, can require a review of that decision by writing to the Executive
Director of Corporate Services, Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street,
Motherwell ML1 1AB.  Accordingly, if you are dissatisfied with this
decision and seek such review please write to the Executive Director of
Corporate Services.

I would advise, also, that in terms of Section 47 of the Act a person who
is dissatisfied with a notice given by the local authority under Section
21 of the Act - ie. a notice following a review of a decision by a local
authority, or by the failure of a local authority to give such a notice -
may make application to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a
decision as to whether, in any respect specified in that application, the
request for information to which the requirement relates has been dealt
with in accordance with the Act.  Such an application must be in writing
or in another form which, by reason of it having some permanency is
capable of being used for subsequent reference - for example a recording
made in audio or video tape - must state the name of the applicant and an
address for correspondence and must specify the request for information to
which the requirement for review relates, the matter which gave rise to
the applicant’s dissatisfaction with the original decision of the local
authority and the matter which gives rise to the applicant’s
dissatisfaction with the decision on review by the local authority or the
failure of the local authority to issue such a decision.  The Scottish
Information Commissioner can be contacted as follows:-

Scottish Information Commissioner

St. Andrew’s

KY16  9DS

I hope this information is sufficient for your purpose.  If, however, you
require further information – or I can assist in any other way – please
let me know.

Yours sincerely

Neil McKay

For Corporate Freedom of Information Officer

North Lanarkshire Council

Civic Centre

Motherwell

ML1 1 AB

Tel : 01698 302 484

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Dear Mr. Ovens

You are correct in that the information previously provided does relate
solely to councillors. However, I can advise that information for the
council management team – including the chief executive - is also publicly
available on our website.  For ease of reference the direct link to this
page is as follows: -

[1]http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index...

I hope this information is sufficient for your purpose. If, however, you
require further information - or I can assist in any other way – please
let me know.

Yours sincerely

Neil McKay

For Corporate Freedom of Information Officer

North Lanarkshire Council

Civic Centre

Motherwell

ML1 1 AB

Tel : 01698 302 484

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Dear Mr. Ovens

I refer to your email of 7 December 2010. It is my understanding that an
expense is an outlay and an allowance is a grant.  Further information on
the Regulations governing Allowances and Expenses is publicly available on
the website of the Scottish Government.  In order to be of some assistance
the link to the relevant page of the Scottish Government website is as
follows: -

[1]http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/...

I hope this information is sufficient for your purpose. 

Yours sincerely

Neil McKay

For Corporate Freedom of Information Officer

North Lanarkshire Council

Civic Centre

Motherwell

ML1 1 AB

Tel : 01698 302 484

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