Why are Sandwell Council Lying to Me?

Yesterday I pointed out in my blog "Can you help Me? Local Sandwell knowledge required!" that two different employees of Sandwell Council had given contradictory information to me pursuant to a Freedom of Information Request I made in respect of the mysterious circumstances surrounding the sale of three former public conveniences by Sandwell Council.

On 30th July, 2014 (and this is on the WhatDoTheyKnow.com website for all to see) Mr David Willetts of Sandwell Council stated that: "The three properties were sold to Central Property Line... Oldbury".

I pointed out that there was no such legal entity in its own right called "Central Property Line" and that if it had any legal status at all it was either a partnership or a sole trader. (I had made the original request for this, by the way, way back in June). If the sale was to a partnership or sole trader then this information would be immediately identifiable to Sandwell Council from the conveyancing file held by the Legal and Governance Department.

But instead of supplying me with the correct details I received this response on 7th August, 2014 from Anouk Wendling who happens to work in that very Department:

"As for the identity of the purchaser, I can confirm that Central Property Line Limited - Company Number 04373028 - 36 Birmingham Street, Oldbury B69 4DS is indeed the company the Council has corresponded with in regards to the sale of the aforementioned properties."

I expressed surprise at this as that particular Company had been struck off the Companies House Register in December, 2009! Once again I invited Sandwell Council to simply look at the conveyancing file and tell me the truth.

Sandwell Council have also flatly refused to tell me the sale prices for the three properties or the Land Registry title numbers.

I have here to thank Mr Ric Keeling of UKIP who supplied me with sufficient information to be able to properly identify one of the properties - that at The Shambles, Wednesbury - at HM Land Registry and whilst I still do not have complete information at this stage I can tell you - exactly as I asserted - that Sandwell Council do, of course, have the correct information but, for reasons unknown, have attempted to conceal it from me.

Sandwell Council conveyed The Shambles site on 13th August, 2012 to Abdul Naeem Quyam of Warley Road, Oldbury who has subsequently sold this property on. I still don't know the price he paid but as the property was not marketed publicly and he was apparently the only "mystery" bidder I imagine it was not a lot. He sold the property on for less than Sandwell Council's own valuation.

Readers of yesterday's blog will recognise the name Abdul Naeem Quyam as he was the sole shareholder and director (after the retirement of a Mr Talib Mahmood) of the second reincarnation of Central Property Line Limited (07661284). Strangely, this company - registered at a Small Heath, Birmingham address - was in existence at the time Quyam bought the bogs (or at least the Wednesbury ones) but he did not chose to use it to complete the purchase. That Company was also struck off by Companies House on 24th September, 2013.

In 2006 Mr Quyam set up a company called X Catalogue Limited which was also struck off by Companies House and dissolved in March 2009.

In 2007 Mr Quyam set up a Company called Unity Property Investments Limited from his Warley Road address. The other shareholder and Company Secretary is a Mr Abdul Amean of the same address. That Company is just about on its feet having been gazetted for strike-off by Companies House on more that one occasion. At present the potential strike off is suspended.

I have been publicly attacked on Twitter today by the moron who purports to "lead" Labour Sandwell Council, Cooper, for making FoI requests. Perhaps he should be turning his attention to asking why I have not been told the truth here and as to what steps are now being taken by Council Officers to make a full and frank disclosure on the outstanding information  - particularly the sale prices.

ADDENDUM 10/08/14

Thanks again to Ric Keeling of UKIP, I have been able to conduct a search of HM Land Registry regarding the bogs at Jervoise Lane, West Bromwich. Despite a press report which indicated different information the freehold title of this property, which SMBC say was valued by the District Valuer at £50,000, was sold by SMBC without it being marketed and subject to a single "mysterious" sealed bid to our old friend Abdul Naeem Quyam of Warley Road, Oldbury. And the price? Er, £10,000.

What is going on here?

ADDENDUM 11/08/14

Thanks to "Anon" I have now pinpointed the Albert Street bogs which were valued at £35,000 but also sold to Abdul Naeem Quyam, this time for £15,000. I am told it is now being used by a taxi firm. There is a large car parking area to the rear and I would appreciate any information as to whether it is being used by the taxi firm since it APPEARS that this land is still in the ownership of SMBC and it will be interesting to establish whether they are receiving any payment for this. (Correction 12/08 - the taxi firm has gone and the property is not toilet but "to let").

This is now looking worse for Sandwell Council and I am determined to establish why two of its employees have provided me with false information pursuant to my FoI request as not only did SMBC sell all 3 bogs to Mr Quyam in 2012 but there is clear reference in two of the three Land Registry titles to SMBC having entered into a separate agreement with him before the sale completions ie "an Agreement dated 22nd June, 2012 and made between (1) The Borough Council of Sandwell and (2) Abdul Naeem Quyam.

Sandwell Council have been pissing down my leg and telling me it's raining. Why?

THE SANDWELL SKIDDER - A COMMUNITY BLOG

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