Dear Mr Figueira,

Thank you for your request dated 3 February 2025, asking for information that we hold as follows – I apologise for the slight delay, please see our responses below in blue:

Barnet Homes’ Response

 

  1. Missing FOI Responses (April 2024 – February 2025)

The FOI responses archive on the Barnet Homes website (FOI Archive) has not been updated since 27 April 2024.

  • Can you confirm why no FOI responses have been published since this date?

Barnet Homes has unfortunately experienced significant staff shortages and capacity challenges in its Complaints and Information Team that have restricted its ability to publish FOI responses on the website. We intend to address this issue and to resume publication of responses in the coming months.

  • Has there been a policy change affecting the public release of FOI responses?

No

  • If responses have been processed but not published, please provide a full list of FOI responses received and completed between April 2024 and February 2025, along with the reasons for their omission from the archive.

Refusal notice

Section 22 – information intended for future publication

We consider that this exemption applies as Barnet Homes are preparing the material and intend for it to be published in the coming months.

Section 22 is a qualified exemption which means that the decision to disclose the requested material is subject to a public interest test.

Factors in favour of disclosure of the information

  • Barnet Homes acknowledges that there is a public interest in providing these responses in the interests of transparency

Factors in favour of withholding the information

On balance, I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to disclose the information requested ahead of schedule

  1. Broken Links and Accessibility Issues

The FOI requests page on the Barnet Homes website (FOI Requests) contains a broken or non-functional link to recently published FOI requests.

  • Can you confirm why this essential resource is inaccessible and when it will be restored?

Thank you for making us aware of the broken link. Our website was updated in 2024, and unfortunately the changes made have impacted upon some established links embedded on pages and we are in the process of identifying these. A request has been made for the link to be corrected.

  • If there is an alternative way to access recent FOI responses, please provide the relevant details.

Although the link to the archive at the bottom of the FOI page is broken, it is also shown on the FOI page in the left-hand navigation menu: Freedom of Information responses archive – Barnet Homes

  1. Transparency and Compliance Concerns

Barnet Homes operates as a public authority under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which mandates transparency and accessibility of information. The sudden cessation of published FOI responses and non-functional access links raises concerns about procedural failures or deliberate obstruction of public information.

  • If there has been a policy change affecting public access to FOI responses, please provide the formal documentation outlining this decision.

This is not a policy decision.

  • If no such change has been made, please confirm whether the failure to publish these responses was an oversight or an intentional deviation from established transparency practices.

Barnet Homes has unfortunately experienced significant staff shortages and capacity challenges in its Complaints and Information Team that have restricted its ability to publish FOI responses on the website. We intend to address this issue and to resume publication of responses in the coming months.

  1. Request for Clarification on Accessibility

If I have overlooked a resource and this information is publicly available, please:

  • Provide a direct, functional link to the correct webpage.
  • Confirm how this link is currently accessible on either the Barnet Homes or Barnet Group websites.

Your Rights

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can request a review by emailing Talk2Us@barnethomes.org and marking it as an appeal for the attention of the Data Controller. There is no charge for making an appeal.

After this, if you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint, you have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner:

Kind regards,

Carly Williamson

Complaints and Information Manager