QLocal is delighted to post this reader's letter from a concerned Bickerstaffe resident:

'Roger,

You may be interested in this response to my Freedom of Information request (for minutes from the Local Plan Review Cabinet Working Group)

Seems rather undemocratic to me; I don’t see how minutes of this group cannot be disclosed when those of others can? Or are they saying that the minutes contain details of internal letters between council staff and councillors? If that is the case then given we pay the council staff and elect the councillors why should they have the right to keep information from us.

These people are making very important decisions on people’s lives.'

The letter comes following this FOI request which was refused by the Borough Council into an important meeting on the controversial Local Plan strategy. Here's why it was refused …

'Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (‘EIR’) as the request relates to information relating to the policies, plans and programmes affecting or likely to affect the state of the elements of the environment (regulation 2(1)(c), EIR).

We confirm that we cannot disclose the minutes of the Local Plan Review Cabinet Working Group. They are withheld under regulation 12(4)(e) of the EIR because the request involves the disclosure of internal communications.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, 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: John Harrison, Director of Planning and Regeneration Services, West Lancashire Borough Council, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39 2DF. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

If you are not content with the outcome of an internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.'

Not surprising with that bent council