Complaints about noise nuisance and refuse accumulations figures

Dear Mr Bland

The Council is in receipt of three FOI requests from you dated 12 April
2008, asking :-
1 - "Please provide me with all information in the Council's possession
relating to the eviction of migrant workers from premises in Penzance
on 9 November 2007 and of any other evictions of migrant workers that year"

2- "Over the last 24 months, how many properties have been recorded by the
Council where there was a possibility of overcrowding and unsafe
conditions within the properties?

What action did the Council take? Please give kind of action and numbers.
(For example, 'In 6 cases, a Warning'.)

Where evictions took place, how many of those properties were occupied by
migrant workers?"

3 - "How many complaints relating to noise nuisance and litter
accumulations have been received by the Council over the past 24 months?

What action did the Council take?

Did any evictions result and, if so, how many of those involved migrant
workers?"
The Council is also in receipt of a letter from you dated 12 April 2008,
addressed to Mr B Turnbull which was further to Mr Turnbull's answer to
your FOI request of 1 March 2008.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, in certain situations,
the costs of answering more than one request can be added together or
aggregated for the purposes of estimating whether the appropriate limit
would be exceeded. It is the Council's opinion that your requests outlined
above shall be treated as an aggregated request.

Under the freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and
Fees) Regulations 2004, the Council considers that the cost of complying
with your FOI request would be in the region of £1425.00 (estimated at 37
hours to deal with noise nuisance and litter element of request and 20
hours to deal with housing element of request = 57 hours x £25.00 per hour
= £1425.00) therefore exceeding the appropriate limit.

You should be advised that a modified request will be given due
consideration provided the work involved does not, again exceed the
appropriate limit.

Please do not hesitate to contact this office or Barry Turnbull direct if
you require any further assistance on this matter or if you wish to discuss
what information might be available within a time scale, which does not
exceed the appropriate limit.

Please find attached a copy of the Council's FOI complaints procedure and
details regarding charging.

Regards

Clare James