Our Ref: 1114  

Dear Enquirer,

INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information which will be dealt with under
the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 / Environmental
Information Regulations 2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, we
will let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

If you have any queries about this matter please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Kind regards

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Our Ref: 1114   

Dear Enquirer,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 1114

I refer to your Freedom of Information request in relation to the sale of
garage property at Burn Lane, Hexham.

Right of Access

Section 1(1) of the Act provides any person making a request for
information to a public authority is entitled.

(a) to be informed in writing by the public authority whether it holds
information of the description specified in the request (which Section
1(6) of the Act designates as the "duty to confirm or deny"), and

(b) if that is the case, to have that information communicated to him.

The right is to obtain access to the information itself and not to the
document or record which contains it.

The Act creates a general right of access to information held by public
authorities subject to various exemptions.

1, Could you disclose the price achieved for the property. 

Until the property is actually sold this remains commercially confidential
information we are not able to release.

2, The name of the person/persons/company who are purchasing it.

Until the property is actually sold this remains commercially confidential
information we are not able to release.

3, A copy of the independent valuation that you are obliged to carry out
when disposing of surplus publicly owned property.

Copy attached

4, The identity of the person/company who carried out the valuation.

The valuation was carried out by Cushman and Wakefield.

5, What reason can you give for not advertising this property to the
general public?

The Council is not under any obligation to market property it disposes of.
The requirement is to demonstrate Best Value as defined by the Local
Government Act 1972 and this can be done by obtaining an independent
valuation such as that copied with this reply. 

6, Is it acceptable to use properties over 30 mile away for a valuation?

This is a request for opinion and not for information held and therefore
Northumberland County Council are not obliged to comment.

Complaints

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been
handled, you can request an internal review by writing within 2 months
from the date of this response to the Information Governance Office:

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
NE61 2EF

Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]

Information Commissioner

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a
right by Section 50 of the Act to apply to the Information Commissioner
for a decision as to whether your request has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act at:

The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Tel: 01625 545 745
Email: [email address]

There is no charge for making an appeal.

Yours sincerely

FOI Coordinator - Local Servics and Housing Delivery
Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk