Property and Assets and Buildings
Dear Organisation,
I would like to know a full list of Vacant Properties held by your organisation and any of its subsidiaries.
If possible their market value for sale or to let, whether they would be considered for a community asset transfer, if not then whether they are for sale or to let. In a clear and easy to read format. It would be supportive if the property is for sale or to let that it is listed on here too: https://e-pims.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/gove... and that you inform us of this intention or such listing in the request.
In the previous case in Voyias v IC and LB Camden (EA/201v1/0007), the requesters asked for substantially similar information, and the judge favoured disclosure. I appreciate the circumstances here are quite different, but the same principles should apply.
I understand there is a risk that your empty properties would be targeted by squatters should this the list of empty properties be public, but this is a very slim risk. The prejudice to law enforcement should be real, likely and substantial, as per Hogan v the ICO and Oxford City Council. I can assure you that my request is not sent in order to cause trouble for the authority, it is predominantly for my own research, with publication as part of campaigning materials. I am concerned at the sale of public assets, not a not an advocate for their illegal occupation. I would also say that I cannot imagine the disclosure of this list of properties to significantly affect a squatting problem that pre-existed my interest in the organisation. Overall the prejudice to law enforcement is very slim, and not severe. Since 12 months will be the time that this information will be released onto this site, unless others request this information separately. The requester is not liable for any issues that may arise in between or after.
It is in the public interest and transparency that this information is made publicly available under the public sector duty under the equality act allowing people to know of this information and make use of it under the Community Asset Transfer scheme and under the Human Rights Act Article 11 enabling the community to gather and make decisions on the allocation of such assets.
Yours faithfully,
Viran Patel
Dear Viran Patel
This request has been forwarded on to the Health Board's Freedom of Information Team for a response as appropriate.
Thank you
Dear Viran Patel,
I am writing in response to your e-mail below requesting information from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (the UHB) under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives individuals the right to access official information. The Act allows the right to request any recorded information held by a public authority, such as Cardiff and Vale UHB. A request can be made for any information it is thought a public authority may hold. The right only covers recorded information which includes information held on computers, in emails and in printed or handwritten documents as well as images, video and audio recordings.
A request can take the form of a question, rather than a request for specific documents, but an authority does not have to answer your question if this would mean creating new information or giving an opinion or judgment that is not already recorded.
As you are making a request under the Freedom of Information Act the UHB will consider your request in accordance with the Act and in line with the appropriate guidance issued by the Information Commissioner as detailed below.
The UHB will:
• identify which questions amount to requests for information held on record;
• be ready to offer advice and assistance that is reasonable in the circumstances; and
• provide a response in line with the requirements of the legislation.
I would now like to confirm that your request has been forwarded to the relevant department to action. A further response will be issued in due course.
As your request is being dealt with under FoI, there is a deadline of 20 working days for response to be issued.
Yours sincerely,
Denise Gulley, on behalf of
Ann Morgan
Llywodraethu Corfforaethol - Uwch Reolwr Gwybodaeth a Chyfathrebu
Corporate Governance – Senior Information and Communication Manager
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a'r Fro / Cardiff and Vale UHB
Tel 02920 7443747/4870
Dear Viran Patel,
I am writing further to your e-mail below requesting information from
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (the UHB) under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000.
I can now confirm that the UHB has completed a search of its records and
has established it does hold information falling within the confines of
your request and is in a position to respond to your request. Please see
attached above the information that can be disclosed which I trust is
sufficient for your purposes.
Should you have any queries or need clarification on any aspect of this
response please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision,
you should write to:
Mr Peter Welsh
Director of Corporate Governance
Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board
Executive Headquarters
University Hospital of Wales
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4XW
If you are not content with the outcome of any complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally the
Information Commissioners Office cannot make a decision unless you have
exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the UHB.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner’s Office - Wales
2nd Floor Churchill House
Churchill Way
Cardiff
CF10 2HH
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Jones on behalf of
Ann Morgan
Llywodraethu Corfforaethol - Uwch Reolwr Gwybodaeth a Chyfathrebu
Corporate Governance – Senior Information and Communication Manager
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a'r Fro / Cardiff and Vale UHB
Tel 02920 743747
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