FOI request details

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Request

Subject: Dover House Estate

Reference: WBC-FOI-00476

Thank you for confirming the number of empty properties on DHE, however the following has not been addressed adequately. Please supply answers in full at the earliest opportunity.

1. I have asked repeatedly about the specific criteria for housing allocation to Dover House Estate (DHE)? I have been told there is not one but according to Mark Hickey my family will not be offered one of the 10 empty properties, so I want to know why not?

2. How is presented medical evidence used to decide upon which properties are allocated?

I requested to know how the medical evidence had been applied to this decision making criteria and we want to see the actual evidence and corresponding paperwork for each family member, to show how this has been applied to the allocation process.

3. We want to see the decision process regarding the application of medical evidence provided regarding a 3 bed property to enable Tristan Miller to have his own bedroom as recommended by two seperate specialists.

4. Are you saying that the council only apply mobility when considering which properties are allocated? If so, then this is discrimination and is in breach of The Equality act.

Response

Full Disclosure - 15 February 2023

Request for Information - WBC-FOI-00476 - Dover House Estate

I refer to your request for information received on 18 January 2023. Please see the information below in response to your request: -

1.I have asked repeatedly about the specific criteria for housing allocation to Dover House Estate (DHE)?

There is no specific lettings criteria to Dover House estate. All applications are assessed in accordance with the Council's Allocation scheme The Housing Allocation Scheme (wandsworth.gov.uk) Offers are made to cases in date order from date of entry into the Band, subject to suitability considerations and targets with the annual lettings plan. The Housing and Regeneration Department would take into consideration when making offers where people have expressed an area or choice.

2.How is presented medical evidence used to decide upon which properties are allocated?

Council Medical Advisor recommendations are made to award points as detailed in the allocation scheme, together with advice about the requirements for type/floor level/access to garden and location.

3.We want to see the decision process regarding the application of medical evidence provided regarding a 3 bed property?

It is for officers to accept the recommendations. Offers are still made in date order of entry within the band, subject to suitability considerations and targets within the allocations plan.

4. Are you saying that the Council only apply mobility when considering which properties are allocated?

Please see our answer to question 2 above, in terms of how offers are made; when making offers of accommodation to applicants the Housing and Regeneration Department would consider any Council Medical Advisor's recommendations that are made to that client.

I hope this information meets your needs. If you do not understand the information provided or wish to discuss anything further, please feel free to contact us.

Please note, all material provided by the Council in response to your request for information is for your personal, non-commercial use. The Council reserves all rights in the copyright of the information provided. Any unauthorised copying or adaptation of the information without express written confirmation from The Council may constitute an infringement of copyright. Any intention to re-use this information commercially may require consent. Please forward any requests for re-use of information to the FOI officer.

If you are dissatisfied with the information provided in relation to your request, you may make representations to the Information and Transparency Manager. Any such request for an internal review should be made within 40 days from today's date. Correspondence should be addressed to: FOIW@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision at: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/

Regards,

FOI and DPA Officer

FOIW@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Please note that our responses were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of release, and have not subsequently been updated. This information should be considered an historical record only.