Annex Flat at Rear of 2 Hamilton Road
Received: 20 August 2025
I write to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000/Subject Access Request in relation to the above property. Authorities have already been provided. I would be grateful if you could disclose the information requested below.Fundamentally, this request follows on from the Council's earlier response (Ref: 14591172) stating that 'the annexe was brought into tax directly by the VOA.' In practice, however, it is understood that the Billing Authority (LB of Barnet) must initiate, approve, or otherwise be actively involved in the referral and acceptance of any new domestic unit onto the rating list. A. Council-VOA Correspondence and Rating Actions1.Copies of any emails, letters, internal memos, or file notes:(i) From Barnet Council to the VOA requesting or initiating a listing of the Annex Flat for Council Tax purposes;(ii) From the VOA to Barnet Council confirming, discussing, or advising on the rating of the Annex Flat;(iii) Between officers within the Council discussing or recording the intention or outcome of such listing, including correspondence that may refer to a delegated decision to request VOA involvement.2.Any supporting documentation submitted by the Council to the VOA for the purpose of enabling or justifying the Council Tax listing of the Annex Flat, including photographs, plans, site visit notes or any other form of evidence. 3.Any record of the date on which the Council made a referral to the VOA in respect of the Annex Flat and any record of the officer(s) involved in initiating the listing. Copies of the referral made to the VOA4.Any documents (emails, system entries, or notes) that show the Council's first awareness of the Annex Flat being added to the rating list and any associated billing instructions issued.B. Residential Use Awareness Any internal communications or documents that:(i) Reflect discussions or queries between departments concerning the apparent residential use of the Annex Flat despite the historic enforcement background;(ii) Record any acknowledgment or acceptance of residential use by Council departments other than Planning, such as Council Tax, Electoral Services, or Housing.Please provide: (a) Any internal correspondence, records, inspection notes, emails or briefing papers held by the Council Tax team, Housing Department, or Environment Health team relating to:· i) The decision to request Council Tax listing of the Annex;· ii) The basis for selecting 13 September 2014 as the effective date;· iii) Any reference made to the enforcement notice issued in 2013 and upheld on appeal on 7 May 2014;· iv) Any records confirming whether officers from the Council Tax or Housing teams consulted the enforcement register, planning records, or enforcement team before requesting Council Tax listing. (b) Any formal or informal communications with the VOA between May 2014 and December 2014 in relation to the Annex, including:· i) Emails or letters from Barnet Council to the VOA proposing or requesting the property be rated as a separate hereditament;· ii) Any communications about backdating of the listing to 13 September 2014;· iii) Any reply by the VOA justifying or confirming the listing and its date.
Outcome / Documents
- Response (some not held) - application/pdf - Download