Empty Housing

Dear T Evans,

Freedom of Information Act 2000
Thank you for your request for information about Empty Housing which was
received on 22/07/2021.

The information you have requested is enclosed. 

I can confirm that Carlisle City Council holds the information you
requested. However, we are withholding that information since we consider
that the exemption under section 31(1)(a) Freedom of Information Act 2000
applies to it. This exemption applies where disclosure of the information
would prejudice the prevention or detection of crime.

Section 31(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides that:

“ (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, “

The council considers that the release of this information would increase
the risk of criminal activity such as vandalism, arson and squatting in
empty properties.

While we believe the exemption in Section 31(1)(a) applies in this case,
we are still be obliged to release this information in response to your
request if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the
public interest in maintaining the exemption. Carlisle City Council
acknowledges the significant public interest in openness and transparency
and therefore recognises that any request under Section 1 of the Act is
potentially in the public interest. However, disclosure of this
information could potentially facilitate criminal activity as well as
impacting on the resources of the Council and the Cumbria Constabulary and
so consider the public interest is best served by withholding the
information.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review.  Internal review requests should be
submitted within 40 working days of the date of the response and should be
sent to [email address].  An independent reviewing officer
unconnected with the original request will review the decision. 

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision.  The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: 

Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire, SK9 5AF, [1]www.ico.org.uk, telephone 0303 123 1113. 

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

Kind regards,

Information Team

Carlisle City Council

Civic Centre

Carlisle

CA3 8QG

[email address]

[2]https://www.carlisle.gov.uk/Privacy-Stat...

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References

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