The Rt Hon Lord Baker of Dorking, CH s1

Richard Smith Departmental Freedom of Information Officer Information Rights Branch Room 2/A3 Eland House Bressenden Place London SW1E 5DU

Mr Jon Sneddon e-Mail: [email protected]

By e-mail to Web Site: www.communities.gov.uk [SMTP: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Our reference: E0004034 .xxx] 23 SEPTEMBER 2010

Dear Mr Sneddon

Freedom of Information Request – Expenditure on Ministerial Cars

1. I am writing in response to your e-mail of 25 August 2010 requesting information on the number of times since taking office as Secretary of State the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP has had contact with the Chair or Chief Executive of the Audit Commission and on which dates. Your request was received by Communities and Local Government on 25 August

2. Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I can confirm that Communities and Local Government holds the information that you have requested and that I am able to provide you with the following information.

Face to face meeting at Eland House - 1 Face to Face meeting at Millbank Tower - 0 Face to Face at meeting at another location - 0 By telephone or video conversation - 1 By email - 0 By written letter - 0

3. Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained on the Department's website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/1384250.pdf. This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the Department’s review.

4. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted this Department’s Internal Review procedure. The Information Commissioner‘s address and contact details are set out in the above leaflet.

5. If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely

Richard Smith