Freedom of Information Act 2000 Request

Subject: Freedom of Information Request – Proposed Article 4 Direction for HMOs in North East Lincolnshire

Dear Freedom of Information Officer,

I write to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 concerning the proposed introduction of an Article 4 Direction relating to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within the North East Lincolnshire Council area.

To assist public understanding and participation in the consultation process, I request copies of all recorded information held by the Council relating to the development, consideration and justification of the proposed Article 4 Direction to the date of this request.

Without limitation, this request includes the following:

1. Proposed Areas

  • Maps identifying all areas proposed to be covered by the Article 4 Direction.
  • Any alternative boundary options that have been considered.
  • Any reports explaining why particular areas have been selected or excluded.

2. Evidence Base

Copies of all evidence gathered or relied upon in support of the proposed Article 4 Direction, including but not limited to:

  • Research reports.
  • Evidence papers.
  • Background reports.
  • Internal briefing papers.
  • Cabinet reports.
  • Committee reports.
  • Officer reports.
  • Consultant reports.
  • Planning assessments.
  • Housing assessments.
  • Equality Impact Assessments.
  • Economic Impact Assessments.
  • Risk Assessments.
  • Options appraisals.
  • Business cases.

3. HMO Data

Please provide all information held regarding:

  • The estimated number of HMOs.
  • The methodology used to identify HMOs.
  • The sources of HMO data.
  • Any GIS mapping.
  • Any surveys undertaken.
  • Any estimates or modelling.
  • Any statistical analysis.
  • Any confidence levels or error rates.
  • Any assumptions made in estimating HMO numbers.

4. Planning Harm

Please provide all recorded evidence relied upon to demonstrate alleged planning harm arising from HMOs, including:

  • Anti-social behaviour data.
  • Crime statistics.
  • Environmental complaints.
  • Noise complaints.
  • Waste management issues.
  • Parking studies.
  • Neighbourhood character assessments.
  • Housing condition reports.
  • Community impact assessments.
  • Any analysis seeking to demonstrate a causal relationship between HMOs and the alleged planning harm.

5. Alternative Explanations

Please provide any reports or analyses considering whether the issues relied upon may arise from factors other than HMOs, including but not limited to:

  • Socio-economic conditions.
  • Levels of deprivation.
  • Population mobility.
  • Vacant properties.
  • Historic housing conditions.
  • Other housing tenures.

6. Government Guidance

Please provide copies of any Government guidance, legal advice, planning guidance or policy documents relied upon in preparing the proposed Article 4 Direction.

7. Internal Communications

Copies of internal communications relating to the proposed Article 4 Direction, including:

  • Emails.
  • Meeting minutes.
  • Notes of meetings.
  • Presentations.
  • Memoranda.
  • Briefing notes.
  • Decision logs.

Where appropriate, personal information may be redacted in accordance with the Act.

8. External Communications

Copies of communications between the Council and:

  • The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (or successor department).
  • The Secretary of State.
  • The Planning Inspectorate.
  • Consultants.
  • Housing organisations.
  • Landlord associations.
  • Universities.
  • External advisers.
  • Any other public authority involved in the preparation of the proposal.

9. Consultation Material

Please provide copies of:

  • Draft consultation documents.
  • Consultation responses received to date (appropriately anonymised where necessary).
  • Consultation summaries.
  • Public engagement material.
  • Stakeholder engagement reports.

10. Decision-Making

Copies of any documents recording:

  • The reasons for proposing the Article 4 Direction.
  • The objectives sought.
  • The expected outcomes.
  • The evidence supporting proportionality.
  • Consideration of less restrictive alternatives.
  • Any assessment of the likely impact upon housing supply.
  • Any assessment of the likely impact upon affordability.
  • Any assessment of the likely impact upon inward private investment.
  • Any assessment of the likely impact upon property owners.

11. Legal Advice

Please identify whether the Council has obtained legal advice concerning the proposed Article 4 Direction.

Where legal professional privilege is claimed, I request:

  • The date advice was obtained.
  • The author.
  • The subject matter.
  • The recipient.
  • The basis upon which exemption is relied upon.

12. Recorded Information Held

If any additional recorded information exists concerning the proposed Article 4 Direction which has not been specifically identified above but falls within the scope of this request, please include it.

If any information is withheld under an exemption, please specify:

  • The exemption relied upon.
  • Why the exemption applies.
  • Whether the public interest test has been considered (where applicable).

If this request exceeds the appropriate cost limit under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please contact me before refusing the request so that I may refine or prioritise it.

I would prefer the information to be supplied electronically by email.

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within the statutory time period prescribed by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]