1 September 2020
Our ref: IR333273
Your request and our response:
Number and Location of Properties in Disrepair on the Central Hill Estate
Please could you supply me with the number of properties that Lambeth Council own that
are unable to be repaired and the reason for their dereliction?
I would like the address and a detailed description of its disrepair for each one.
The Central Hill estate has been earmarked for redevelopment and the Council is no longer
housing secured tenancy tenants in this estate.
Void properties on the estate are predominantly being used to provide temporary
accommodation to vulnerable residents.
There are 6 properties where refurbishment work is not financially viable and the property
has either been or will be boarded.
Further information is being withheld because we believe the following exemption applies:
Section 31(1)(a) (Law enforcement)
31.—(1) Information which is not exempt information by virtue of section 30 is exempt
information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice –
(a)
the prevention or detection of crime,
(b)
the apprehension or prosecution of offenders,
(c)
the administration of justice,
(d)
the assessment or collection of any tax or duty or any imposition of a similar nature,
(g)
the exercise by any public authority of its functions for any of the purposes specified
in subsection(2),
As this exemption is qualified and prejudice-based, we are obliged to outline the harm in
disclosure and explain why we consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption
outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
Harm in Disclosure
Disclosure about specific empty properties will lead to more crime, particularly as a FOI
response is a publicly available document.
Public Interest in Disclosure
We appreciate the benefits in transparency and that disclosure would improve public
knowledge & debate on this issue.
Public Interest in maintaining the exemption
There is a high risk that releasing the addresses of empty properties will lead to more crime,
particularly as a FOI response is a publicly available document
It is not in the public interest to increase the risks of crime.
In accordance with Section 17 FOIA this letter represents a Refusal Notice for this part of
your request.
Right to review
If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your Freedom of Information request has been
dealt with you can request an internal review. Tell us why you are unhappy with our
response within 40 working days, and it will be looked at afresh. We will aim to provide you
with our review response within 20 working days.
By email:
xxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx (Please quote the reference number above) or by writing:
Freedom of Information
London Borough of Lambeth
Corporate Complaints Unit
P.O. Box 734
Winchester
S023 5DG
Thank you for your interest in Lambeth Council.
FOI team
London Borough of Lambeth
Corporate Complaints Unit
P.O. Box 734
Winchester
S023 5DG
website: www.lambeth.gov.uk
Lambeth - a Co-operative Council