Dear Mrs Johnson

REF: 2008/COR0374 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION - INFORMATION REQUEST

I acknowledge your request received on 26 August 2008

Your request is being considered and you will receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, subject to the information not being exempt or containing a reference to a third party.

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

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

If the information you request contains reference to 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.

There may a fee payable for this information. This will be considered and you will be informed if a fee is payable. In this event the fee must be paid before the information is processed and released. The 20 working day time limit for responses is suspended until receipt of the payment.

If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact me.

Further information is available from the Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF, Telephone: 01625 545 700, http://www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Alison Ross-Dow
Information Governance Manager
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Business Technology/Finance & Corporate Services
6th Floor, Hammersmith Town Hall Extension
King Street
London W6 9JU
DL: 020 8753 2455

www.lbhf.gov.uk

Director of Finance & Corporate Services: Jane West

Ref: COR0374

Mrs Johnson

Your Freedom of Information request, regarding the Local Government
Ombudsman (LGO), submitted via WhatDoTheyKnow.com, has been passed to me
for reply as I am the Corporate Complaints Officer for Hammersmith and
Fulham Council.

To ensure the accuracy of my reply, I contacted the LGO, as they are
responsible for determining whether a matter constitutes
maladministration and would also hold the necessary records to
effectively respond to your request.

I was informed that the LGO has been approached by a number of other
Council's regarding this request and, in order to handle the requests
more efficiently, it was suggested that I refer you the LGO in order
that they can offer you a single response, as opposed to submitting
multiple reports.

The Local Government Ombudsman's Freedom of Information Officer is
Hilary Pook. Ms Pook can be written to at The Local Government
Ombudsman, 10th Floor Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP.

I would be grateful if you could clarify whether you are agreeable to
the above. I believe that this is the most efficient way to get the
information you have requested, as the LGO will have it readily
available. If I do not hear from you within 3 calendar months I will
consider your request withdrawn and no further action will be taken. If
you have any queries do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

James

James Filus
Corporate Complaints Officer
Executive Services
Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Hammersmith Town Hall
King Street
London W6 9JU
Phone: 020 8753 2020
www.lbhf.gov.uk
Email: [email address]

Ref: COR0374

Mrs Johnson

Thank you for your email of 03 September 2008, which clarified that you
would like the Council to provide you with the information you requested
and that you do not accept my recommendation to seek the information
directly from the Local Government Ombudsman. I am now in a position to
respond fully to your request. I have provided the Council's response
to each of your points below:

a) how many findings of maladministration the local government ombudsman
has made against your council over the last 10 years.

Response: 1

b) how many findings of maladministration your council, either in full
or in part, has refused to accept.

Response: 0

c) how many findings of maladministration your council has accepted but
refused to comply, either in full or in part, with the local government
ombudsman's recommended remedy.

Response: 0

Regards

James Filus
Corporate Complaints Officer
Executive Services
Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Hammersmith Town Hall
King Street
London W6 9JU
Phone: 020 8753 2020
www.lbhf.gov.uk
Email: [email address]