FOI request (FOIR-316560000)

Temporary Accommodation - Nightly Rates

Requested Tue 16 March 2021
Responded Thu 22 April 2021

1. How many properties do you currently have on Temporary Accommodation?

2. Please can you advise us on the maximum that is paid per night for a Studio, 1 Bed, 2 Bed, 3 Bed and 4 Bed?

3. Who are your largest 5 suppliers and how much do you pay them on average every month?

4. If we were to supply accommodation on this basis, please can you give us contact names and telephone numbers of the procurement team?

Response

Q1. 281 households are currently in temporary accommodation.

Q2. Accommodation is sourced as and when required on a nightly basis, cost will vary depending on the type of property and number of bedrooms and so on. Average costs are published on our website at https://www.hastings.gov.uk/my-council/performance/ under 'Housing Options' section.

Q3. Accommodation is sourced as and when required on a nightly basis, so the amount would differ from supplier to supplier.

NOTICE OF REFUSAL

The information in relation to the 5 largest suppliers used is exempt under Section 38(1)(b) of the FOIA 2000 - Health and Safety.

S38 allows public authorities to decline a request for information if it will endanger the safety of any individual.

Under S38 we are not obliged to confirm or deny if we hold the information you have requested.

S38 is also subject to public interest test where public authorities have to consider if disclosing information is outweighed in cases where the health and safety of an individual or a group of individuals is put at risk.

We have identified the following public interest factors that may be seen as encouraging the disclosure of information:

a. Transparency and accountability

We consider these factors to be generally of limited or no relevance in relation to the information in question.

Public interest factors seen as encouraging non-disclosure are, generally, the exemptions themselves.

In consideration of this matter we came to the following conclusions:

a. The safety of any individual, clients are extremely vulnerable, for example, domestic abuse

b. Information, which if disclosed, could predictably be used to or would otherwise harm the safety of an individual or a group of individuals.

c. The safety of these individuals is paramount

In weighing the factors for and against disclosure we have concluded that the likely benefit to the applicant and the wider public of disclosure is outweighed by the likely prejudice caused by such disclosure and that therefore the public interest is better served by non-disclosure .

Q4. Andrew Palmer, Telephone: 01424 451066, Email: apalmer@hastings.gov.uk