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Enquiries to: Wendy Twigge
Your Ref:
Our Ref: WT/JBr/23142
Date: 20 February 2008
Dear Mr Todd
Freedom of Information Request: 23142
I refer to your further request for information, dated 14 February 2008 regarding the Home Ownership Advisory Service.
In response to the information you specifically sought, I can advise you of the following information:-
`Are you sure that this 2004 letter really is the only written contract, instruction, or communication between Liverpool City Council and "The Regenda Group" for HOAO services going on now?'.
The Home Ownership Advisory Service is part of the toolkit of measures contained within the Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy in connection with home ownership solutions. The report to which you refer dated 29 April 2005, recommended (and was approved) that authority was granted to officers to develop and implement the additional products (which included the Home Ownership Service) to assist home owners affected by the Housing Market Renewal proposals. Within that report the budget and policy framework identifies agreed funding for 2005/06 through to 2008/09.
In addition, the appendix to that report specifically refers to the Home Ownership Advisory Service and the responsibilities of the officers appointed. The actual approval of the report granted authority for officers to continue to develop and implement additional products contained within the appendices which will assist home owners affected by HMR proposals.
I would also refer you to some other reports which are relevant: The appropriate links are provided below:-
A report on sustainable home ownership dated 13 Sept 2005. This report advised members of the products and forms of assistance being developed and this included a reference to the Home Ownership Advisory Service. It clearly states that the City Council in partnership With Maritime have appointed 7 full time officers whose role it is to support owner occupiers within the Pathfinder area. It also adds that a further 2 officers were being recruited. This report was approved.
A report on HMRI initiative and home ownership update dated 31 October 2006. This report states: “since its inception some two years ago, the home ownership advisory service has grown and now has nine members of staff working across the pathfinder area.
A report entitled Maintaining Owner Occupied Homes on Low Income dated 30 January 2007 and amongst the initiatives refers to the fact that the City Council currently funds a total of nine home ownership advisory officers.
I would advise you that the documents covering the City Council's agreement with Maritime comprise of the letter of engagement and the copy of the “policy framework for assistance” both of which have already been forwarded to you. Because of the success of that project, funding to continue the arrangement has been made available and the reports outlining the home ownership solutions (of which this service is a part) have been regularly submitted for approval by Members. Maritime invoice the City Council on a quarterly basis but because the invoices contain personal information about the salaries, national insurance numbers and other details, I am unable to disclose this information to you.
I would outline again to you that the service from the Home Ownership Advisory Officers has now expanded City-wide and is there to assist all owner occupiers, (especially those considered to be vulnerable) to seek practical solutions and to advise fully on the options available to them. The service has been welcomed by local residents and has proved to be hugely successful. The work of the officers is through our Neighbourhood Management Offices and therefore, it is quite likely that officers may visit homes within the Granby area.
The links you require for the above reports are:-
As this information is reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means, it is exempt from disclosure under this request by Virtue of Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as you can access this information yourself.
As we have applied an exemption or we do not hold the information being sought, we are required to serve you with a Section 17 Notice. Please therefore, treat this letter as such a notice.
Section 17
The City Council will consider appeals, referrals or complaints in respect of your Freedom of Information Act 2000 request under the first stage of the Have Your Say Scheme. You can either complete a form on-line at our website - http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/feedback_form/index.asp or you can complete a form at any One Stop Shop or Library. Alternatively, you can write to us at Liverpool Direct, Freepost, NWW 3400A, Liverpool L1 3ZZ. Your complaint/appeal/referral will be investigated by a different senior officer within ten working days.
If you remain dissatisfied you may also apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision about whether the request for information has been dealt with in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The Information Commissioner's website is www.ico.gov.uk and the postal address and telephone numbers are:-
Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF. Fax number 01625 524 510, DX 20819, Telephone 01625 545745. Email - [email address] (they advise that their email is not secure).
Yours sincerely
Miss W Twigge
Information Manager