payments, gifts or privileges received or promised to council officers or councillors

The request was partially successful.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Kindly provide information of any payments, gifts or privileges received or promised to EBC council officers or EBC councillors by planning applicants, planning agents, architects, developers, construction companies, present or future owners of land.communication agencies or other interested parties in planning applications for the period 1 January 2007 to 1 January 2009

Yours faithfully,

Matthew Brough

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry, which has been passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days. Alternatively you could visit our FAQ web page at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/ or contact us on 01372 474474

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Direct Line: 01372 474474
email: [email address]
www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

This email has been scanned by Email Security Systems.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I write to request details of all commercial interests, business interests and the like of EBC councillors and council officers.

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry, which has been passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days. Alternatively you could visit our FAQ web page at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/ or contact us on 01372 474474

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Direct Line: 01372 474474
email: [email address]
www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

This email has been scanned by Email Security Systems.

Dear contact us Inet Email, Your response is now overdue and contravenes your customer care policy, which promises a reply within 10 working days. Please comply.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Brough

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry, which has been passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days. Alternatively you could visit our FAQ web page at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/ or contact us on 01372 474474

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Direct Line: 01372 474474
email: [email address]
www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

This email has been scanned by Email Security Systems.

Alan Harrison, Elmbridge Borough Council

Dear Mr Brough,

Thank you for your email.

We distinguish FOI requests from normal customer care targets. FOI involves a statutory process and requests are handled in accordance with the statutory timetable which allows 20 working days to respond.

Yours sincerely,

Alan Harrison
Interim Head of Legal Services
Elmbridge Borough Council
Civic Centre, High Street,
Esher, Surrey KT10 9SD
Tel: 01372 474192
Email: [email address]

show quoted sections

Dear Alan Harrison, If you distinguish FOI requests (provided within 20 days) from normal customer care targets of 10 days, then you must remove your promise to reply in ten days from FOI autoreplies as this is clearly misleading.
Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

Georgina Healy, Elmbridge Borough Council

Ref: FOI-11-2009 & FOI-12-2009
By Email: [FOI #5970 email]

29 January 2009

Dear Mr Brough

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
(‘The Act’)

Thank you for your recent requests under the 2000 Act made on 13
January 2009 at 20.41 and at 20.39, which we formally received the
following day. As requested, we are responding electronically.

We note that you have submitted 2 separate requests. Elmbridge Borough
Council (EBC) holds a number of registers where such information may be
held and we propose to deal with your requests together to provide you
with a clear and coherent response. The Registers are available for
public inspection, except in one instance, as explained below.

Request 1:
Information of any payments, gifts or privileges received or promised
to EBC Council Officers or EBC Councillors by planning applicants,
planning agents, architects, developers, construction companies, present
or future owners of land, communication agencies or other interested
parties in planning applications for the period 1 January 2007 to 1
January 2009

Councillors:
There is a Register of Members’ Interests in which Councillors are
required to disclose any gifts and hospitality they have received.

Council Officers:
There are 9 registers in which Council Officers are required to
disclose any gifts and hospitality received depending on which
directorate to which they belong:

· Chief Executive Directorate - 1 register
· Resources Directorate (includes Finance, Legal, Admin & Office,
Local Taxation, Information Systems and Internal Audit divisions.)
- 1 register.
· Services Directorate (includes Building Control, Community
Support Services, Environmental Care, Environmental Health & Licensing,
Housing, Leisure and Cultural Services and Town Planning divisions).
The 7 divisions each have their own register, which is then forwarded on
a quarterly basis to the head of this Directorate.

Request 2:
Details of all commercial interests, business interests and the like of
EBC Councillors and Council Officers

Councillors:
There is the Register of Members’ Interests in which Councillors are
required to disclose any interests.

Councillors, Heads of Directorates and Head of Legal Services:
The Council also keeps a record of ‘Related Party Transactions’ in
which Councillors and EBC’s Head of Directorates and Head of Legal
Services are required to declare any related third party transactions.
An overview of this information can be found EBC’s annual Statement of
Accounts which is available to view on EBC’s website.

Council Officers:
With regards to your request in relation to interests of Council
Officers, we seek to rely on the following:

In accordance with section 17 of the 2000 Act, please be advised that
this Council refuses to release the details of interests in respect of
Council Officers.

This is because this information is exempt from disclosure under
section 40(2) and (3) - ‘Personal Information’ and section 41 -
‘Information provided in confidence’:

According to section 40:
(2) Any information to which a request for information relates is also
exempt information if -
a) it constitutes personal data which do not fall within subsection
(1), and
b) either the first or the second condition below is satisfied.
(3) The first condition is
a) in a case where the information falls within any of the
paragraphs (a) to (d) of the definition of “data” in section 1(1) of
the Data Protection Act 1998 that the disclosure of the information to a
member of public otherwise than under this Act would contravene -
i) any of the data protection principles, or
ii) section 10 of that Act (right to prevent processing likely to
cause damage or distress), and…….

According to section 41
(1) Information is exempt information if-
(a) it was obtained by the public authority from any other person
(including another public authority), and
(b) the disclosure of the information to the public (otherwise than
under this Act) by the public authority holding it would constitute a
breach of confidence actionable by that or any other person.”

The above exemptions are absolute and therefore are not subject to the
public interest test. The Council has considered the following in
applying this exemption:

· to disclose this information would be to breach the first data
protection principle under the Data Protection Act 1998 on the grounds
that to do so would be unfair to the individual officer/employee. This
information may also be construed as an extension of their personal file
and therefore constitutes as personal data.
· the release of this information may cause unwarranted intrusion
into their privacy and consequently cause them distress or damage, which
would breach section 10 of the Data Protection Act 1998.
· the Council Officers/employees have a reasonable and legitimate
expectation of privacy. This is because they have provided this
information in confidence.

In addition to the above exemptions, we have also considered section 44
of the Act - (Statutory Prohibition) and consequently consider that to
disclose this information is prohibited by Article 8 - ‘the right to
private life’ under the Human Rights Act 1998. This would be
consistent with the section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Access to the Registers that are available for public inspection

If you wish to inspect the Registers at the Council’s Civic Centre,
please contact 01372 474185 and ask for Legal Services to arrange an
appointment during normal working hours.

If, however, you require a paper copy, please note that a fee will be
payable to us before we can provide you with photocopies of the
Register.

We note that your request covers the period 1 January 2007 to 1 January
2009 with regards to Request 1 but you have not stated a period in
relation to Request 2. For avoidance of doubt, we calculate on the
basis of photocopying the pages from 1 January 2007 to 1 January 2008
for both requests.

The fee covers the costs of photocopying and postage charges only. The
charges have been calculated in accordance with the Freedom of
Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations
2004. We estimate that there are 683 pages so we calculate your fee as
follows:
· 683 pages x 0.10p per page = £68.30,
and
· postage costs estimated at £9.30 standard, £11.02 first class,
or £11.74 recorded delivery

Please kindly note that we are unable to continue processing your
request until you confirm that you require photocopies of the
information and until the fee is paid.

If you wish us to continue to process your request in paper form, you
should pay the fee requested within 3 calendar months by 30 April 2009.
If we do not receive payment of the fee by this date, we will take it
that you do not wish to pursue this request and will consider the
request closed.

If, for whatever reason, you are unhappy with our response, you have
the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests
should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the
response to your original letter and should be addressed to Head of
Legal Services, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street,
Esher, Surrey KT10 9SD.

Should you then remain dissatisfied at the outcome of that process, you
are entitled to appeal against the decision by contacting The
Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Officer
For Interim Head of Legal Services

Elmbridge Borough Council
Civic Centre, High Street, Esher
Surrey KT10 9SD

Tel: 01372 474185
Fax: 01372 474973
[email address]
http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk

show quoted sections

13/01/2009 20:38 >>>
Dear Sir or Madam,

Kindly provide information of any payments, gifts or privileges
received or promised to EBC council officers or EBC councillors
by
planning applicants, planning agents, architects, developers,
construction companies, present or future owners of
land.communication agencies or other interested parties in
planning
applications for the period 1 January 2007 to 1 January 2009

Yours faithfully,

Matthew Brough

show quoted sections

Georgina Healy, Elmbridge Borough Council

Ref: FOI-11-2009 & FOI-12-2009
By Email: [FOI #5970 email]

29 January 2009

Dear Mr Brough

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
(‘The Act’)

Thank you for your recent requests under the 2000 Act made on 13
January 2009 at 20.41 and at 20.39, which we formally received the
following day. As requested, we are responding electronically.

We note that you have submitted 2 separate requests. Elmbridge Borough
Council (EBC) holds a number of registers where such information may be
held and we propose to deal with your requests together to provide you
with a clear and coherent response. The Registers are available for
public inspection, except in one instance, as explained below.

Request 1:
Information of any payments, gifts or privileges received or promised
to EBC Council Officers or EBC Councillors by planning applicants,
planning agents, architects, developers, construction companies, present
or future owners of land, communication agencies or other interested
parties in planning applications for the period 1 January 2007 to 1
January 2009

Councillors:
There is a Register of Members’ Interests in which Councillors are
required to disclose any gifts and hospitality they have received.

Council Officers:
There are 9 registers in which Council Officers are required to
disclose any gifts and hospitality received depending on which
directorate to which they belong:

· Chief Executive Directorate - 1 register
· Resources Directorate (includes Finance, Legal, Admin & Office,
Local Taxation, Information Systems and Internal Audit divisions.)
- 1 register.
· Services Directorate (includes Building Control, Community
Support Services, Environmental Care, Environmental Health & Licensing,
Housing, Leisure and Cultural Services and Town Planning divisions).
The 7 divisions each have their own register, which is then forwarded on
a quarterly basis to the head of this Directorate.

Request 2:
Details of all commercial interests, business interests and the like of
EBC Councillors and Council Officers

Councillors:
There is the Register of Members’ Interests in which Councillors are
required to disclose any interests.

Councillors, Heads of Directorates and Head of Legal Services:
The Council also keeps a record of ‘Related Party Transactions’ in
which Councillors and EBC’s Head of Directorates and Head of Legal
Services are required to declare any related third party transactions.
An overview of this information can be found EBC’s annual Statement of
Accounts which is available to view on EBC’s website.

Council Officers:
With regards to your request in relation to interests of Council
Officers, we seek to rely on the following:

In accordance with section 17 of the 2000 Act, please be advised that
this Council refuses to release the details of interests in respect of
Council Officers.

This is because this information is exempt from disclosure under
section 40(2) and (3) - ‘Personal Information’ and section 41 -
‘Information provided in confidence’:

According to section 40:
(2) Any information to which a request for information relates is also
exempt information if -
a) it constitutes personal data which do not fall within subsection
(1), and
b) either the first or the second condition below is satisfied.
(3) The first condition is
a) in a case where the information falls within any of the
paragraphs (a) to (d) of the definition of “data” in section 1(1) of
the Data Protection Act 1998 that the disclosure of the information to a
member of public otherwise than under this Act would contravene -
i) any of the data protection principles, or
ii) section 10 of that Act (right to prevent processing likely to
cause damage or distress), and…….

According to section 41
(1) Information is exempt information if-
(a) it was obtained by the public authority from any other person
(including another public authority), and
(b) the disclosure of the information to the public (otherwise than
under this Act) by the public authority holding it would constitute a
breach of confidence actionable by that or any other person.”

The above exemptions are absolute and therefore are not subject to the
public interest test. The Council has considered the following in
applying this exemption:

· to disclose this information would be to breach the first data
protection principle under the Data Protection Act 1998 on the grounds
that to do so would be unfair to the individual officer/employee. This
information may also be construed as an extension of their personal file
and therefore constitutes as personal data.
· the release of this information may cause unwarranted intrusion
into their privacy and consequently cause them distress or damage, which
would breach section 10 of the Data Protection Act 1998.
· the Council Officers/employees have a reasonable and legitimate
expectation of privacy. This is because they have provided this
information in confidence.

In addition to the above exemptions, we have also considered section 44
of the Act - (Statutory Prohibition) and consequently consider that to
disclose this information is prohibited by Article 8 - ‘the right to
private life’ under the Human Rights Act 1998. This would be
consistent with the section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Access to the Registers that are available for public inspection

If you wish to inspect the Registers at the Council’s Civic Centre,
please contact 01372 474185 and ask for Legal Services to arrange an
appointment during normal working hours.

If, however, you require a paper copy, please note that a fee will be
payable to us before we can provide you with photocopies of the
Register.

We note that your request covers the period 1 January 2007 to 1 January
2009 with regards to Request 1 but you have not stated a period in
relation to Request 2. For avoidance of doubt, we calculate on the
basis of photocopying the pages from 1 January 2007 to 1 January 2008
for both requests.

The fee covers the costs of photocopying and postage charges only. The
charges have been calculated in accordance with the Freedom of
Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations
2004. We estimate that there are 683 pages so we calculate your fee as
follows:
· 683 pages x 0.10p per page = £68.30,
and
· postage costs estimated at £9.30 standard, £11.02 first class,
or £11.74 recorded delivery

Please kindly note that we are unable to continue processing your
request until you confirm that you require photocopies of the
information and until the fee is paid.

If you wish us to continue to process your request in paper form, you
should pay the fee requested within 3 calendar months by 30 April 2009.
If we do not receive payment of the fee by this date, we will take it
that you do not wish to pursue this request and will consider the
request closed.

If, for whatever reason, you are unhappy with our response, you have
the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests
should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the
response to your original letter and should be addressed to Head of
Legal Services, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street,
Esher, Surrey KT10 9SD.

Should you then remain dissatisfied at the outcome of that process, you
are entitled to appeal against the decision by contacting The
Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Officer
For Interim Head of Legal Services

Elmbridge Borough Council
Civic Centre, High Street, Esher
Surrey KT10 9SD

Tel: 01372 474185
Fax: 01372 474973
[email address]
http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk

show quoted sections

13/01/2009 20:40 >>>
Dear Sir or Madam,

I write to request details of all commercial interests, business
interests and the like of EBC councillors and council officers.

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

show quoted sections

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Elmbridge Borough Council's handling of my FOI request 'payments, gifts or privileges received or promised to council officers or councillors'.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pa...

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry, which has been passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days. Alternatively you could visit our FAQ web page at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/ or contact us on 01372 474474

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Direct Line: 01372 474474
email: [email address]
www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

This email has been scanned by Email Security Systems.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Elmbridge Borough Council's handling of my FOI request 'payments, gifts or privileges received or promised to council officers or councillors'.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pa...

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry, which has been passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days. Alternatively you could visit our FAQ web page at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/ or contact us on 01372 474474

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Direct Line: 01372 474474
email: [email address]
www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

This email has been scanned by Email Security Systems.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Elmbridge Borough Council's handling of my FOI request 'payments, gifts or privileges received or promised to council officers or councillors'.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pa...

Kindly provide this information by email, or provide links to any relevant data on the EBC website.

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry, which has been passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days. Alternatively you could visit our FAQ web page at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/ or contact us on 01372 474474

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Direct Line: 01372 474474
email: [email address]
www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

This email has been scanned by Email Security Systems.

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry to the Legal Services Team, which has been
passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer
Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days.

Please note that we are not able to reply to unsolicited emails.

Legal Services
Elmbridge Borough Council
High Street, Civic Centre, Esher
Surrey, KT10 9SD
[1]http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This message has been Forwarded by The Mail Room at EBC
Elmbridge Borough Council
Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10 9SD
Tel: 01372 474474
email: [2][email address]
or visit [3]www.elmbridge.gov.uk

>>> Matthew Brough <[FOI #5970 email]> 29/01/2009
22:41 >>>
Dear Sir or Madam,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of
Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Elmbridge Borough
Council's handling of my FOI request 'payments, gifts or privileges
received or promised to council officers or councillors'.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is
available on the Internet at this address:

[4]http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pa...

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

show quoted sections

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry to the Legal Services Team, which has been
passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer
Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days.

Please note that we are not able to reply to unsolicited emails.

Legal Services
Elmbridge Borough Council
High Street, Civic Centre, Esher
Surrey, KT10 9SD
[1]http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This message has been Forwarded by The Mail Room at EBC
Elmbridge Borough Council
Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10 9SD
Tel: 01372 474474
email: [2][email address]
or visit [3]www.elmbridge.gov.uk

>>> Matthew Brough <[FOI #5970 email]> 29/01/2009
23:21 >>>
Dear Sir or Madam,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of
Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Elmbridge Borough
Council's handling of my FOI request 'payments, gifts or privileges
received or promised to council officers or councillors'.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is
available on the Internet at this address:

[4]http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pa...

Kindly provide this information by email, or provide links to any
relevant data on the EBC website.

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

show quoted sections

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Elmbridge Borough Council's handling of my FOI request 'payments, gifts or privileges received or promised to council officers or councillors'.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pa...

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry, which has been passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days. Alternatively you could visit our FAQ web page at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/ or contact us on 01372 474474

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Direct Line: 01372 474474
email: [email address]
www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

This email has been scanned by Email Security Systems.

Dear contact us Inet Email, Kindly send all this information to the whatdotheyknow website, either as texts or attachments. Please note I am not able to travel to Elmbridge Borough Council to inspect the registers of members and council officers' interests, nor do I have funds to pay the council's high fees for photocopying. It is the council's responsibility to store this information electronically. It can thus be emailed without any need to scan it again. Yours sincerely, Matthew Brough

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry, which has been passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days. Alternatively you could visit our FAQ web page at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/ or contact us on 01372 474474

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Direct Line: 01372 474474
email: [email address]
www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

This email has been scanned by Email Security Systems.

Dear Sir or Madam, Further to my response, You have only offered to photocopy and send this information at vast expense, or for to come in to inspect it. Surely it is practical for the Council to
provide the information in the preferred form (electronically).

I am happen to be familiar with the Council and am aware that
scanning facilities are widely available throughout the
establishment.

Nevertheless, I would be willing to loan you a scanner at your
convenience any time from Monday for a week if you tell me when you
will be in. Otherwise, I can order one on behalf of your department as the equipment is available for as little as 36
pounds and will contribute to the convenience and satisfaction of
other Freedom of Information requests that you may receive in the
future.
Yours sincerely,

Matthew Brough

contact us Inet Email, Elmbridge Borough Council

Thank you for your enquiry, which has been passed to the relevant officer for action. In accordance with our Customer Care policy you should receive a reply from us within 10 working days. Alternatively you could visit our FAQ web page at http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/ or contact us on 01372 474474

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Direct Line: 01372 474474
email: [email address]
www.elmbridge.gov.uk

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

This email has been scanned by Email Security Systems.

Alan Harrison, Elmbridge Borough Council

Dear Mr Brough,

Thank you for your message.

I am treating your message as a request for an internal review of your request for information. The Council responded to your request by email and letter attachment dated 29 January 2009.

You have not specified grounds for review so I have examined the entirity of the request and the Council's response.

I note that the Council has identified which information it holds and where it is found. The Council is not obliged to hold any of this information in an electronic form. Some of the information you have sought is available for public inspection. I acknowledge that attendance at these offices may not be reasonably practicable for you. However, the Council has specified alternatives to physical inspection, including the provision of photocopies for which there would be a charge. Relevant hard copies are compiled in register form for the most part and run to many hundreds of pages. It is not reasonably practicable, and will likely exceed the cost threshold in any event, to scan perhaps 1,000 individual pages for electronic transmission to you.

I have considered the categories of information which the Council considers are exempt from disclosure and assessed these against advice issued by the Information Commissioner. I conclude that these exemptions apply.

You have already been advised of your right to complain to the Information Commissioner and you have been given his address. The website is www.ic.gov.uk where all relevant forms and guidance can be found.

Yours sincerely,

Alan Harrison
Interim Head of Legal Services
Elmbridge Borough Council
Civic Centre, High Street,
Esher, Surrey KT10 9SD
Tel: 01372 474192
Email: [email address]

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