On 8 May, 18:49, "Peter Crosland" wrote:
> toadwarble wrote:
> > Over the years we have lived here, we have had a string of complaints
> > made against us to the council which have resulted in visits
> > concerning alleged breaches of planning law etc.
>
> > Examples of the kinds of thing complained of were that we removed our
> > front lawn (in fact we merged two lawns into one and moved the drive
> > to the side), that we increased the amount of hard standing (we
> > didn't) that we were running a business from how and entertaining
> > sales representatives (this was actually my wife playing bridge with
> > some friends who had cars in the drive).
>
> > We have had two visits from the council in the past year on similar
> > missions which again came to nothing. We were pretty sure who was
> > behind it all and a detail of one of the allegations yesterday made us
> > completely sure.
>
> > However the council refuses to tell us who is complaining or exactly
> > what the allegations were. Is this fair? I thought it was a human
> > right to be informed of your accuser and the nature of the
> > allegations?
>
> > I see our council, unlike other councils, doesn't have a policy on
> > vexatious, repeated or malicious complaints displayed on its website.
> > Is there anything we can do to get the council to divulge the names of
> > the complainers or to record the history - to be consulted before they
> > send someone out again?
>
> > I have complained to the Chief Planning Officer and will go on to the
> > LGO if I don't get anywhere but I don't have too much faith in all
> > that.
>
> There are two different routes you can try. You can make a Subject Access
> Request under the Data Protection Act and also make a more general request
> under the Freedom of Information Act. The following link show you how to
> make the SAR.
>
> http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practi...
>
> Your Council has to have a published scheme to show you how to make a FOI
> request. Ring them and ask for the officer who deals with them.
>
> Peter Crosland
Thanks - they do have a FOI request form on the website - I've filled
it in and we'll see what happens. I'll keep you posted.
John Collins |