Dear Oscar,

Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Property Information’ (reference number 07221). Your request was received on the 22/03/21 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.

Please note that our response to Freedom of Information Requests (FOIs) may take longer for us to complete at the moment because of COVID-19 implications.

The ICO has advised that although they are unable to extend statutory timescales, they will advise people that they may experience understandable delays when making FOIs, EIRs or SARs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is your request essential?

While your statutory right of access remains unchanged, our resources may be diverted away from usual compliance or information rights work at this time. Therefore, we would ask that where possible, before submitting any requests for information that you check our website first to see what may be already published and available.

Prioritising essential services

If you cannot find the information please be aware that under current circumstances and our need to prioritise essential services to ensure the wellbeing of our residents, you may experience a delay in your response.

Following guidance from the ICO, we will keep requestors informed of any delays and will respond as soon as resources allow. We will also be keeping up to date on guidance from the ICO as the situation changes to ensure that we comply with any changes or amendments to information rights practice.

For further information on your information rights at this time please see ico.org.uk.

If you have any queries about this request, please contact Information Governance on 01254 585852. Alternatively, our email address is [Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]

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

Kind Regards,

Fatima Makken
Apprentice Information Governance Officer
Email: [email address]
01254 585852

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Dear Oscar

Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Property Information’ (reference number 07221); Please see our response attached/below. If you have any queries regarding your request for information then please don’t hesitate to contact us.

1. Are derelict, abandoned or vacant and are owned/used by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

5 residential properties that are owned by the Council and are currently vacant. They are in the process of being refurbished. Unable to retrieve data for previous years.

2. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council know of to be derelict, abandoned or vacant.

April 20192260 empty and unfurnished properties
April 2020 2081 empty and unfurnished properties
April 20211904 empty and unfurnished properties

Earlier records not retained

3. Have been reported to the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council or building control section/counterpart as being derelict, abandoned or vacant.

We do not record details or number of calls of reported derelict, abandoned or vacant properties.

4. Have been reported to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council or building control section/counterpart as being dangerous, and if possible the reason for why it is dangerous.

Not known

*Full address consists of:

Building/Flat Number

Street Name

Town

City

Postcode

We do not record the number or details of all reports received of alleged dangerous structures. However, our first point of questioning action is to ascertain the nature of the danger and if Building Control action/ follow up is required. If Building Control involvement is required, it is then then investigated.
Such records of this action would require a manual trawl of systems as the current system does not allow for such reports to be easily re-produced. There are approximately 20-50 per year. A spreadsheet for this information would have to be manually generated. The cost of compliance therefore, exceeds the appropriate limit of 18 hours. This element of your request has therefore, been refused under Section 12 of the FOIA (Full text refers Freedom of Information Act 2000 (legislation.gov.uk)

We may be able to assist with this part of your request if you can provide a scope of years for us to gather the data for.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request for information and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to: Information Governance Manager, Information Governance, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, 3rd Floor, Old Town Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7DY or email [Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Please find attached our 'have your say' feedback policy.

Kind Regards,

Fatima Makken
Information Governance Officer
Email: [email address]
01254 222527

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