Freedom of Information Request - Long Term Empty Properties

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Ashleigh Niamir

Dear Stroud District Council,

I am writing to you to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act:

1) Can the council confirm their current number of Long Term Empty Properties as of the 8th May (those domestic properties which have been empty for six months or older)
2) What work is the council currently undertaking or planning to undertake around reducing their long term empty properties in 2019?
3) During 2018 did you undertake any work around reducing your Long Term Empty Properties. If you did was this done using internal resource or a third party?
4) If yes is the answer to question three, did the council review every single long term property
5) Does the reduction of empty homes in the council area form part of your Housing strategy?
6) Does the council have a budget in place to help support the reduction of empty properties?
7) How much did the council spend on temporary accommodation during 2018?
8) Does the council offer financial support /loans to Long Term Empty property owners to help them bring properties back into use?

Yours faithfully,

Ashleigh Niamir

foi@stroud.gov.uk, Stroud District Council

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Stroud District Council

Good morning

 

Request for Information

 

Thank you for your request for information received by us on 17 May 2019.

 

Your request is being processed and you will be contacted again with a
response within the statutory twenty working day time limit.

 

 

 

Kind regards

 

Customer Services

 

Stroud District Council

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( 01453 766321

* [2][Stroud District Council request email]

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ashleigh Niamir [mailto:[FOI #576777 email]]
Sent: 16 May 2019 19:40
To: _WEB_FOI Customer Services
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Freedom of Information Request -
Long Term Empty Properties

 

Dear Stroud District Council,

 

I am writing to you to request the following information under the Freedom
of Information Act:

 

1)    Can the council confirm their current number of Long Term Empty
Properties as of the 8th May (those domestic properties which have been
empty for six months or older)

2)    What work is the council currently undertaking or planning to
undertake around reducing their long term empty properties in 2019?

3)    During 2018 did you undertake any work around reducing your Long
Term Empty Properties. If you did was this done using internal resource or
a third party?

4)    If yes is the answer to question three, did the council review every
single long term property

5)    Does the reduction of empty homes in the council area form part of
your Housing strategy?

6)    Does the council have a budget in place to help support the
reduction of empty properties?

7)    How much did the council spend on temporary accommodation during
2018?

8)    Does the council offer financial support /loans to Long Term Empty
property owners to help them bring properties back into use?

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Ashleigh Niamir

 

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Stroud District Council

1 Attachment

Hello Mr Niamir,

 

I write in response to your FOI request below;

 

1)       Can the council confirm their current number of Long Term Empty
Properties as of the 8th May (those domestic properties which have been
empty for six months or older)

590

 

2)       What work is the council currently undertaking or planning to
undertake around reducing their long term empty properties in 2019?

The council has an empty homes action plan which and dedicated staff
resource to bringing empty homes back into use.  Regular contact is made
with owners which includes a range of fact sheets with information and
advice on action they can take and the support the Council can offer. 
Where appropriate enforcement action is taken such as use of Public Health
and Planning legislation such as boarding up and Tidy up notices.  If an
appropriate property is identified for action the Council will always
considered the use of an EDMO or Compulsory Purchase.

 

3)    During 2018 did you undertake any work around reducing your Long
Term Empty Properties. If you did was this done using internal resource or
a third party?

Yes as outlined above using internal resources.

 

4)    If yes is the answer to question three, did the council review every
single long term property

Every long term empty received a letter every six months but we do not
have the resources to visit every single one.

 

5)    Does the reduction of empty homes in the council area form part of
your Housing strategy?

Yes

 

6)    Does the council have a budget in place to help support the
reduction of empty properties?

Yes

 

7)    How much did the council spend on temporary accommodation during
2018?

Paid out    £169,475

Recovered   £99,234

Net cost    £70,241

 

8)    Does the council offer financial support /loans to Long Term Empty
property owners to help them bring properties back into use?

Yes

 

Many thanks Maria Hickman

 

Maria Hickman

Housing Renewal Manager

 

Stroud District Council

Council Offices, Ebley Mill Stroud,

Glos, GL5 4UB.

 

Tel:         01453 754 454

Email:      [1][email address]

Website: [2]www.stroud.gov.uk

Please note that I do not work Wednesdays

Follow us on Twitter @sdchealthyhomes

 

Personal data is processed in accordance with the Council’s Privacy
Notice. Please see:-

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(sections 1-10)
and;

14. Environmental Privacy notices -
[4]https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-de...
 

14.3 Housing Renewal -
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The information included in this e-mail is of a confidential nature and is
intended only for the addressee. If you are not the intended addressee,
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unlawful. Disclosure to any party other than the addressee, whether
inadvertent or otherwise is not intended to waive privilege or
confidentiality.

References

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5. https://www.stroud.gov.uk/media/682399/1...

Stroud District Council

Dear Ashleigh,

Request for Information

Thank you for your request for information dated 17th May 2019.

The information you have requested under the Freedom of Information act can be found below.

Response already sent by EH:
1 - 590

2 - The council has an empty homes action plan which and dedicated staff resource to bringing empty homes back into use. Regular contact is made with owners which includes a range of fact sheets with information and advice on action they can take and the support the Council can offer. Where appropriate enforcement action is taken such as use of Public Health and Planning legislation such as boarding up and Tidy up notices. If an appropriate property is identified for action the Council will always considered the use of an EDMO or Compulsory Purchase.

3 - Yes as outlined above using internal resources.

4- Every long term empty received a letter every six months but we do not have the resources to visit every single one.

5 - Yes

6 - Yes

7 - Paid out £169,475
Recovered £99,234
Net cost £70,241

8 - Yes

Yours sincerely

Mrs L Rowlands
Customer Services

Stroud District Council
www.stroud.gov.uk

01453 766321
[Stroud District Council request email]

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ashleigh Niamir [mailto:[FOI #576777 email]]
Sent: 16 May 2019 19:40
To: _WEB_FOI Customer Services
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Freedom of Information Request - Long Term Empty Properties

Dear Stroud District Council,

I am writing to you to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act:

1) Can the council confirm their current number of Long Term Empty Properties as of the 8th May (those domestic properties which have been empty for six months or older)
2) What work is the council currently undertaking or planning to undertake around reducing their long term empty properties in 2019?
3) During 2018 did you undertake any work around reducing your Long Term Empty Properties. If you did was this done using internal resource or a third party?
4) If yes is the answer to question three, did the council review every single long term property
5) Does the reduction of empty homes in the council area form part of your Housing strategy?
6) Does the council have a budget in place to help support the reduction of empty properties?
7) How much did the council spend on temporary accommodation during 2018?
8) Does the council offer financial support /loans to Long Term Empty property owners to help them bring properties back into use?

Yours faithfully,

Ashleigh Niamir

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #576777 email]

Is [Stroud District Council request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests to Stroud District Council? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the latest advice from the ICO:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The information included in this e-mail is of a confidential nature and is intended only for the addressee. If you are not the intended addressee, any disclosure, copying or distribution by you is prohibited and may be unlawful. Disclosure to any party other than the addressee, whether inadvertent or otherwise is not intended to waive privilege or confidentiality.

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