Geoff Connell
Resources Directorate
Divisional Director
Information Governance
ICT
Ian Gibbs
Information
Governance
MS LISA BUCKINGHAM
Ask for: Information
Information Governance
request-33629-
Governance
Newham Dockside
[email address]
1000 Dockside Road
London
Your ref :
E16 2QU
Tel: 020 8430 3737
Our ref: FOI/E6229
Fax: 020 8430 1504
Email:
Date: 17/05/2010
[email address]
v.uk
Web: www.newham.gov.uk
Dear Ms Buckingham,
Freedom of Information Act 2000
Request for Information: Information Provided
Please quote our reference: E6229
Subject: Disabled Parking Space
We write with regard to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council under
the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
We trust that the information provided is satisfactory. You are free to use the
information for your personal use only. Any other type of re-use, for example,
publishing the information or issuing copies to the public will require permission of the
copyright owner. If the Council is the copyright owner, a licence can be applied for
under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005.
For future reference we publish information on our website, including the Freedom of
Information Publication Scheme and summary of Freedom of Information requests
and responses that may be of help to you in searching for information. Our website is
mentioned above.
It is important to note that under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC
Directive) Regulations 2003 the Council asks not to receive unsolicited marketing
communication.
Request & Response
Our response to your request is below.
Q1. When was the decision taken to move the disabled designation of the
space.
We publish an anonymised list of requests and responses on the Council’s website.
A1 Originally the Council had thought the decision to redesignate the parking
spaces was made whilst the Council were owners of the building and during the
Council's fit out works. However, further enquiries of the managing company on the
20th April 2010 has shown that the parking spaces were re-designated during works
carried out between 13/8/07 and 5/10/07.
Q2. Who made the decision to re-designate the space.
A2 At the time of the decision to change the disabled designation for this space
there were a number of parties involved in decisions relating to the building. This
included the then owner and vendor of the building, their contractors and agents. The
Council were notified of works proposed to the building from the date of the Council's
decision to purchase on the 2nd July 2007 to the date of completion of the purchase
on the 26th October 2007. The Council's Project Manager for the move into the
building took the decision to designate this space for the office holder of Mayor.
Q3. What officers, if any, of Newham Council were involved in the decision.
A3 As far as we are aware no officers of the Council took the decision to remove
the disabled designation from certain car parking spaces. The council was on notice
of works proposed to the building including redesignation of the disabled parking
bays on or before the 13 August 2007.. The Project Manager for the Council's move
to Newham Dockside was responsible for the decision on designating of reserved
spaces for certain office holders including marking this bay for the Mayor.
Q4. What members of Newham Council were involved in the decision.
A4 As far as we are aware none
Q5 Specifically what involvement did Robin Wales, the current Mayor of
Newham, have in the decision
A5 As far as we are aware none
Q6. Is there a surveyor's report dealing with this aspect before the Council
became involved. If so, when was it written and If so can this be provided to
me.
A6. The managing agents of the building commissioned a Health and Safety
Access Audit from Ark Health and Safety Ltd. Their report is dated 15th September
2004. A copy is attached as requested.
Q7. I understand that there was a conditional contract to purchase subject
to remedying defects. Was any reference made in this to the provision of
disabled parking bays and, in particular did it make any reference to the
current bay allocated to the Mayor. Can you provide me with a copy.
A7 A schedule of proposed works to be carried out between the Council
confirming it's intention to purchase the premises and completion of the purchase is
attached.
We publish an anonymised list of requests and responses on the Council’s website.
Q8. Can you provide any correspondence from the Mayor or the Mayor's
office regarding the provision of a mayoral parking space.
A8. A search of our systems has not found any such documentation was sent
from the Mayors office or the Mayor. Two documents relating to this enquiry were
received by the Mayor's office (1) email from Maggie Cameron-Ratchford dated 26th
March 09 and (2) email from Jackie St Romaine on 22nd May 09 confirming that the
spaces had been marked up. Copies are attached.
Q9. What advice was given and by which officers to councillor Alan Craig or
the Christian People's Alliance or any other person regarding the re-
designation of the parking bay.
A9. It is not possible to search all information to establish all enquires that may
have been made of officers in relation to the car parking space reserved for the
Mayor as that will take longer than 2.5 days. However the Council can confirm that
any recent enquires in relation to this matter have been dealt with by a number of
officers but responses have been lead by the Divisional Director for Legal and
Democratic Services. As set out above prior to the 20 April 2010 relevant Council
officers had thought that the decision was made at about the time of the fit out of the
building which occurred after the Council became the owners. Officers dealing with
any request for information did know that there are at least 8 disabled parking bays in
the underground car park that have been re-designated from disabled to general use.
Three of these are reserved for certain Office holders; five are not. Officers were
aware that the decision to designate the car parking spaces for particular office
holders would have been one for the relevant Council officer, and not a Member
decision. Any enquiries would have been responded to in this way at that time.
If you require any further information or are not happy with our response please do
not hesitate to contact a member of our team on (020) 8430 3737 or email us at
[Newham Borough Council request email].
Yours Faithfully
Information Governance
Newham Council
We publish an anonymised list of requests and responses on the Council’s website.
