Freedom of information response

I would like to confirm through this Freedom of Information request the following questions relating to affordable housing development and newbuilds built by the local authority (LA) or a development company on behalf of the LA:

1.       Is  Thurrock Council developing any new social housing? YES

a.       If yes.

i.         How many units were built and completed in the financial year 2023/24? 4

1.       How many of these units are for rent? 4

2.       How many of these units are for sale? 0

b.       How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial year 2024/25? Zero

c.        How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial years 2024/25 – 2029/30 (next five years)? Approximately 350

2.       Does Thurrock Council have its own Development Company? YES/NO

a.       If yes, what is its name, postal address, and phone number?

Thurrock Regeneration Ltd

Civic Offices, New Road

Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL

Tel:  07809 310892

3.       How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development Thurrock Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial year 2024/25?  Zero

4.       How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development Thurrock Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial years 2024/25 to 2029/30 (next five years)? Zero

5.       Please can you provide the name, e-mail, and postal address of the person responsible for running the Development Company? We are unable to provide this information under S40.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide in full the information you have requested.  We do hold the information but an absolute exemption applies.  Personal Information (Section 40,2) 

Personal data of any other person (third party data) is exempt under section 40(2) if disclosure would breach one of the data protection principles. This aspect of Section 40 is an Absolute Exemption and is therefore not subject to the Public Interest Test. 

The names of officers working for the Council is personal data specific to them. It is therefore subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act. Information can be withheld if its disclosure would be likely to breach one or more of the Principles of the Data Protection Act. There is no prior expectation on the part of team Managers (or other officers working below the level of Director) that their names and job titles / positions would be published into the wider public domain under FOI. A disclosure made under FOI constitutes a publication to the world at large. We believe that to disclose this would be likely to breach the first Principle of the Data Protection Act by unfairly contravening their right to privacy and confidentiality in the work place.  

However, in the interests of transparency we are able to share details relating to senior officers (Director  level and above). For these officers, there is already a greater expectation of openness about their role given their level of accountability for service provision and budgetary decision making.  

For your information please see the following link which outlines staff details of Director and above: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/chief-executive-directors-and-services