Mr Sheridan
Our ref
/RQST4127009
/ Phone Direct / 0141 287 6058Your ref
/ Fax Direct / 0141 287 6004Date
/13 December 2012
/ Email // / gerry.sheridan / @drs.glasgow.gov.uk
By email to:
Dear Mr Shaldon,
Request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002/ Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004
Thank you for your email received on 18 November 2012, requesting that the following information be provided to you:
“any figures regarding derelict buildings in Glasgow and throughout the extent of the council's territory. This information may include the total numbers, classification and distribution of such buildings. Any information regarding crime and fire statistics at these sites would also be appreciated. I also would like the most recent figures for vacant properties within the city: commercial and residential.”
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act imposes a duty on Glasgow City Council to respond to requests for information even where the information requested is environmental. Accordingly we are required to refuse your request for information under the Act in terms of Section 39(2) and will properly deal with it under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
I can confirm that the Council holds some of the information that you are requesting. The Council is treating your request as a request under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
With regard to derelict buildings, I would advise you that the Council may hold some data regarding some derelict buildings, however, the Council do not hold a definitive listing of derelict properties within the Council area. Consequently, the Council do not hold any associated crime and fire statistical data, however, Strathclyde fire dept/services produce various statistics, so they might have data which may be useful. Scottish statistics on fires are published at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/3628/downloads,
With regard to crime statistics, I would also advise you to contact Mark Hollinsworth from Strathclyde police at:
I would also advise you that the Council do not hold information regarding vacant commercial properties, however, The information which you have requested may be held by City Property (Glasgow) LLP, which is now handling the Council’s property for lease and disposal. As City Property (Glasgow) LLP is a separate entity, you can make a Freedom of Information request to them by contacting:
City Property (Glasgow) LLP
§ telephone: 0141 287 6161
§ e-mail:
§ http://www.citypropertyglasgow.co.uk
The information which you have requested regarding vacant residential properties which is held by the Council is as follows:
The Housing Stock Database from 1st July 2012 shows 10,445 dwellings (not including Communal Establishments) as having an unoccupied exemption from Council Tax.
If you are dissatisfied with the way Glasgow City Council has dealt with your request you are entitled to require the council to review its decision. Please note that for a review to take place you must:
· Lodge a written requirement for a review within 40 working days of the date of this letter
· Include a correspondence address and a description of the original request and the reason why you are dissatisfied
· Address your request to the Executive Director of Corporate Services:
Executive Director of Corporate Services
Glasgow City Council
City Chambers
George Square
Glasgow G2 1DU
Email: annemarie.o’
You will receive notice of the results of the review within 20 working days of receipt of your request. The notice will state the decision reached by the reviewing officer as well as details of how to appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner if you are still dissatisfied with the council’s response. You must request an internal review by the council before a complaint can be directed to the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Yours sincerely
G Sheridan