right to reply in writing?

smeedyova

Hello, my local planning office has responded by telephone call to a letter I wrote in which I asked for them to reply in writing (in case I need it in the future). I was told during the call that they would not reply in writing to my questions. Does anybody know if they can deny me a written response? Or, is there a statute or something that I can use to force them to reply in writing? Seems pretty odd to me that official replies are over the phone with no written record.... Many thanks.

PCPhoto

the only way to get them to write to you is to refuse to answer the calls - or answer them and when they identify themselves as joe bloggs from planning office - then tell them that you cant talk right now - can you please put it in an email and you'll get back to them ASAP.

smeedyova

PCPhoto wrote: »

the only way to get them to write to you is to refuse to answer the calls - or answer them and when they identify themselves as joe bloggs from planning office - then tell them that you cant talk right now - can you please put it in an email and you'll get back to them ASAP.

Thanks -- but it's too late for this letter as I already took the call. I asked for the to follow up with a letter but was told 'you will not get a written reply from this office'.

NuMarvel

I'm not sure if there is any right to receive a reply in writing, but what you could do is write to them , thanking them for the telephone call (give date, time and caller's name as well) and then state what they told you. For example:

Dear X, Thank you for your telephone call of DATE at TIME. For the purposes of my records I wish to confirm that the following is your response to the questions raised in my letter of DATE:

And then state what it is they told you.

Finish it off with an invite to them to make any corrections in writing, e.g. I trust that this is in order, but should you wish to make any changes, please write to me at the above address.

Post it to them (by registered post if you feel they would deny receiving it), keep a copy and away you go.

It is a bit ridiculous that you have to go to that trouble to get something in writing, but at least this way, the response has been put in writing and they've been offered the opportunity to correct the record.

Alternatively, you could ask for a copy of any notes made by the caller after the call ended. This should be available to you under the Data Protection Act, if not the Freedom of Information Act.

smeedyova

thank you very much. that's all very helpful! Thanks for taking time :-)

Carawaystick

you could write to them telling them you've a hearing problem and can't hear them on the phone, write instead.

or tell them the call is being recorded and record it, or put the phone on speakerphone and get someone else to record it...


Alternatively, Do what NuMarvel did and then ask for a copy of it under the FOI.... so you'ld get a written copy from them.

Victor

What is the nature of the request?