Making a request (7)
I have applied to the competent authority's internal review/complaints process but l am still unhappy with their response, how should I proceed?

You can make a request to the audit officer in respect of the authority's handling of a request.

The audit officer will only consider your application if you have already exhausted the original authority's internal review/complaints procedure.

You should apply to the audit officer as soon as possible after receipt of the response from the original authority's internal complaints procedure. Where an authority has included details of your right to appeal to the audit officer within this response, the audit officer expects you normally to apply within six months of receipt.

The information you should include when applying to the audit officer to review the competent authority's handling of your request is:

• a covering letter explaining what you would like the audit officer to assess,

• a copy of the initial request,

• a copy of the authority's initial response (the "Refusal Notice")

• a copy of the complaint you made to the authority's internal review/complaints procedure,

• a copy of the authority's response following reconsideration through the internal review/complaints procedure,

• any other information which you think is relevant,

• an indication of any particular urgency in your case, and

• your own contact details to ensure the audit officer can quickly obtain any further information which is necessary.