Information Team Croydon
Digital Services
Assistant Chief Executive Directorate
Bernard Wetherill House
7th Floor, Zone B
Croydon
CR0 1EA

Contact: Information Team
[Croydon Borough Council request email]

NOTE: Please do not edit the subject line when replying to this email. If
you have a processing request, please ensure you quote that reference in
your emails to us.

DEAR Ruby Lott-Lavigna

Freedom of information request - FOI/6684

Subject: Homelessness / Immigration

We are just emailing you to update you on your open Information Request.
We are currently in the process of updating our systems and part of this
update will mean that your open Information Request has been assigned a
new reference: FOI/6684

Thank you in advanced for your patients patience and whilst we will
continue top process your request. We will issue a response or update to
you as soon as we are able.

Unfortunately, the Council is currently experiencing a delay in our
response times due to demand and resource. As an organisation we are aware
of our legal duties under the legislation and are making every effort to
improve our position and respond to requests within our statutory
timeframes as quickly as possible. All requests are being monitored and
continually reviewed to provide you with an expected date for disclosure.
London Borough of Croydon takes its role as a Data Controller seriously
and would like to thank you for your continued patience and understanding
whilst we improve our service to you.

 
Kind Regard

Information Management Team

Croydon Digital Services

Assistant Chief Executive Directorate

7th Floor, Zone B

Bernard Weatherill House

8 Mint Walk

Croydon CR0 1EA

Information Team Croydon
Digital Services
Assistant Chief Executive Directorate
Bernard Wetherill House
7th Floor, Zone B
Croydon
CR0 1EA

Contact: Information Team
[Croydon Borough Council request email]

Dear Ruby Lott-Lavigna

Request FOI/6684

Further to your request received on 23/12/2022, I confirm that the Council
has now considered your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Specifically, you have requested the following information.

"This request is concerning the work the council and its commissioned
homelessness services has been conducting with Immigration Compliance and
Enforcement (ICE) teams and the Home Office in relation to rough sleepers.

For the year 2022, please tell me:

How many visits to rough sleepers have you conducted under the Rough
Sleeping Support Service (RSSS), if you take part in it?

2) How many visits to rough sleepers have you conducted with ICE/Home
office officials?

3) What are the locations of the visits in Question 2?

4) How many people agreed to voluntarily return through these visits? And
what were the nationalities of these individuals?

5) How many people were detained by ICE/Home Office through these visits?
And what were the nationalities of these individuals?

Please can you also provide:

1) The guidance the council’s team working with ICE/Home Office follow
when investigating the immigration status of rough sleepers? And when
facilitating the voluntary return of rough sleepers?

2) The amount of funding from central government (from DLUHC and its
predecessors, or from the Home Office) the council has received in the
last four years to aid the Home Office with immigration enforcement of
rough sleepers?

3) Any reports that evaluate previous work with the Home Office/ICE in
aiding with immigration enforcement of rough sleepers?

4) Any proposals submitted in the last 12 months to gain future funding
for aiding the Home Office/ICE with immigration enforcement of rough
sleepers?

5) A list of all the NGOs and charities that are involved in these
operations?" 

In response to the FOI, the Council has not been conducting work with
Immigration Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) teams and the Home Office in
relation to rough sleepers.

If you are dissatisfied with the way the Council has handled your request
under the Freedom of Information Act, you may ask for an internal review.
This should be submitted to us within 40 working days of this response.
You can do this by outlining the details of your complaint by:

Email:        [1][Croydon Borough Council request email]

Writing:     Information Team

London Borough of Croydon

Bernard Weatherill House

Floor 7 - Zone B

                 8 Mint Walk

Croydon, CR0 1EA

Any requests received after the 40 working day time limit will be
considered only at the discretion of the council.

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

Yours sincerely,

Information Team

Croydon Council

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Croydon Borough Council request email]