Thank you for your email to the Information Rights service regarding
Freedom of Information or Data Protection.

Please take this automated response as acknowledgement of your email.
Please be aware that due to current events requests may not be responded
to within the statutory deadlines. We are still working to ensure that
business as usual remains where possible however please see below ICO
guidance:

On 16 March 2020, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) published an
announcement concerning public authorities' responses to requests for
information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) in view of
the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The default timescale under FOIA requires public authorities to respond
within 20 working days of receiving the request

Because of the potential diversion of resources from compliance and
information rights work as a result of COVID-19, the ICO will not penalise
public authorities for "prioritising other areas or adapting their usual
approach". The ICO cannot extend the statutory timescales, but will take
into account the compelling public interest during the health emergency
when assessing any complaint of non-compliance.

It appears that this approach will be taken in respect of requests for
environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations
2004 (SI 2004/3391) (EIR). The EIR apply the same default timescale for a
response as is in place under FOIA.

In a separate announcement, the Local Government Secretary has stated that
councils will be able to "use their discretion" on deadlines for FOIA
requests (see Legal update, Government confirms support for local
authorities in response to COVID-19).

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your
understanding.

If you require further information about our services please visit
https://www.waverley.gov.uk/info/200364/...

Dear Mr Hay

Freedom of Information Request: WAV1405489.

Thank you for your email requesting information.

We will deal with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
and it is our intention to send you a response by 18 March, 20 working
days from the receipt of your email.

Please be aware that due to current events requests may not be responded
to within the statutory deadlines. We are still working to ensure that
business as usual remains where possible however please see below ICO
guidance:

On 16 March 2020, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) published an
[1]announcement concerning public authorities' responses to requests for
information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) in view of
the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The default timescale under FOIA requires public authorities to respond
within 20 working days of receiving the request.

Because of the potential diversion of resources from compliance and
information rights work as a result of COVID-19, the ICO will not penalise
public authorities for "prioritising other areas or adapting their usual
approach". The ICO cannot extend the statutory timescales, but will take
into account the compelling public interest during the health emergency
when assessing any complaint of non-compliance.

It appears that this approach will be taken in respect of requests for
environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations
2004 (SI 2004/3391) (EIR). The EIR apply the same default timescale for a
response as is in place under FOIA.

In a separate announcement, the Local Government Secretary has stated that
councils will be able to "use their discretion" on deadlines for FOIA
requests (see [2]Legal update, Government confirms support for local
authorities in response to COVID-19).

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your
understanding.  

If you require further information about our services please visit
[3]https://www.waverley.gov.uk/info/200364/...

Yours sincerely,

Adrian Fennell        

Data Protection Officer

Waverley Borough Council

Tel: 01483 523560

Working Monday – Friday office hours

This email, and any files attached to it, is confidential and solely for
the use of the individual or organisation to whom it is addressed.
The opinions expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Waverley
Borough Council.
The Council is not responsible for any changes made to the message after
it has been sent. If you are not the intended recipient of this email or
the person responsible for delivering it to them you may not copy it,
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any other person. To do so may be unlawful.
Please visit our website at http://www.waverley.gov.uk

References

Visible links
1. http://email.practicallaw.com/c/1gS9wPnx...
2. http://email.practicallaw.com/c/1gS9xcJH...
3. https://www.waverley.gov.uk/info/200364/...

Dear Mr Hay,

Freedom of Information Request – WAV1405489

Thank you for your email to request information which has been processed
under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Please see the responses
in capitals below alongside your original request for your ease of
reference. Please may I apologise for the delay in responding to your
request outside of the statutory timeframe. We have received a high volume
of information requests over the last few weeks/months.

1. How many individuals did the council house during period 1st Mar 2020
to close of business 18th Feb 2021 where the individual(s) has No Recourse
to Public Funds (NRPF) status? NIL

2. How many families did the council house during period 1st Mar 2020 to
close of business 18th Feb 2021 where the parent(s) has No Recourse to
Public Funds (NRPF) status? NIL

3. How many individuals did the council move on or relocate during period
1st Mar 2020 to close of business 18th Feb 2021 where the individual(s)
has No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) status? NIL

4. Where an individual with NRPF status has been evicted or relocated
during period 1st Mar 2020 to close of business 18th Feb 2021, how many
individuals did the council relocate to alternative accommodation: NIL

a. Outside of the borough NIL

b. Inside the borough NIL

5. From period 1st Mar 2020 to close of business 18th Feb 2021, how many
requests for support were made to the council resulting in the
individual(s) with NRPF receiving support from the council? NIL

6. From period 1st Mar 2020 to close of business 18th Feb 2021, how many
requests for support were granted by the council resulting in the
individual(s) with NRPF receiving support from the council? NIL

7. From period 1st Mar 2020 to close of business 18th Feb 2021, in cases
where requests were denied support by the council for individual(s) with
NRPF, what were the reasons for this? WHERE REQUESTS WERE DENIED, THIS WAS
BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER HOMELESSNESS
OR SOCIAL HOUSING LEGISLATION.

8. In the 18 months prior to COVID-19 - period 1st Aug 2018 - 29th Feb
2020, how many individual(s) were accommodated on average per month by the
council where the individual(s) has NRPF status? NIL

9. What was the council’s policy on NRPF pre COVID-19 (as a benchmark,
please use 1st March 2020 to define pre COVID-19)? THE COUNCIL IS NOT ABLE
TO ACCOMMODATE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE NO RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS UNDER ITS
HOMELESSNESS DUTIES.

10. What is the council’s policy on NRPF post COVID-19 ie 1st March 2020
onwards. AS ABOVE

In the event you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you
have the right to ask for an internal review, which will be carried out by
a separate Council Officer.

Please remember to quote your reference number in all future
correspondence.

If you are still not satisfied 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.
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: [1]www.ico.org.uk

Your sincerely,

Sarah Coates
Information Rights Coordinator
Waverley Borough Council
Phone: 01483 523176

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