Thank you for your request dated 19 June 2023, we have treated this as a Freedom of Information request. You have asked for the following information; please see our responses below in blue:
- How many properties do you currently have on Temporary Accommodation?
1432
- Please can you advise us on the maximum that is paid per night for a studio, 1 Bed, 2 Bed, 3 Bed and 4 Bed?
We operate within an inter borough accommodation agreement that outlines the maximum nightly rates which vary from borough to borough. Subject to the specific demands we may pay above the maximum rates on exceptional basis. The below rates show the maximum paid for each unit size of accommodation.
| Size | Nightly Charge |
| 0 | 65* |
| 1 | 65 |
| 2 | 72 |
| 3 | 82 |
| 4 | 91.75 |
| 5 | 96 |
| 6 | 83 |
*Nightly rate paid for wheelchair accessible units.
- Who are your largest 10 suppliers and how much do you pay them on average every month and provide the last 3 months they have invoiced you for?
| TA Suppliers | Average monthly payments (£) |
| Stef & Philips | 142,999 |
| Oliver Landon | 117,659 |
| Bumblebee Lettings | 109,379 |
| District Homes | 101,872 |
| Notting Hill Genesis | 99,580 |
| Woodhouse Estates | 85,892 |
| Theori | 77,270 |
| Apex Housing Solutions | 72,743 |
| Limelight Properties | 67,041 |
| Freshview Estates | 55,820 |
Refusal notice: Section 43 (2) commercial interests.
We consider that the exemption set out in Section 43 subsection 2 (commercial interests) applies to the invoices requested therefore we are withholding them. The information has been withheld under section 43(2) as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of The Barnet Group.
The commercial interest is that their disclosure could result in a potential dispute with a provider. The likelihood that prejudice will be caused is that it “would cause prejudice”. The prejudice that would be caused would be damage to The Barnet Group’s position, as disclosure could result in litigation against The Barnet Group.
Public Interest Test
This exemption is subject to the public interest test. For the information to be withheld, the public interest in maintaining the exemption must outweigh that in disclosing the information.
Factors in favour of disclosure:
- Openness and transparency and improve the public’s understanding of, and participation in the debate of issues of the day;
- Facilitate the accountability and transparency of The Barnet Group’s decisions
Factors in favour of maintaining the exemption:
- The Barnet Group’s fiduciary duties to its residents to ensure good value for money, which necessitates a strong negotiating position in contractual and other negotiations
- The maintenance of The Barnet Group’s negotiating position in contracts
- Release of financial information could prejudice how third-party suppliers choose to engage with us as we have not advised that their competitive commercial tender prices will be disclosed – they could raise a challenge that we are harming their ability to competitively tender elsewhere if their prices are shared with the public.
On conclusion, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
- If we were to supply accommodations on this basis, please can you give us contact names and telephone numbers of the procurement team.
Sadushe Basha
Project & Contracts Manager
020 8359 4788
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: telephone: 0303 123 1113 or website: www.ico.org.uk.
Kind regards