Request reference:
Issue date:
Request received:
Information relating to issues of race in the built environment For the last year up to date, but inclusive of information and documents from work which may have begun before this period and is still being pursued by the council (For example, a project to identify monument may have begun in 2020, but the list compiled from this project may still be used by the council now) 1. Provide any list or review/research/report/survey of locations (streets/buildings/parks), or public art (such as statues), plaques, commemorations, graves, memorials that the council has produced in relation to slavery, colonialism, empire/British Empire, racism, white supremacy, Black Lives Matter, decolonising, racial justice In question form: 'What in the built environment has the organisation, or a group working on its behalf, identified as being linked to racism, slavery, colonialism: that is, contested history?' 2. Provide details of what being done to highlight, reinterpret, redisplay, or rename aspects of the environment in the council area identifying in part 1 of this request In question form: 'What work (such as adding interpretation, or information boards, or plaques close to contested monuments) has been undertaken by the council to address these legacies? 3. If applicable, provide information on what is being done to address issues of slavery, colonialism, empire/British Empire, racism, white supremacy, Black Lives Matter, decolonising, racial justice in council museums? For example, what information boards have been added, what has been taken off display or put on display, what new plaques have been erected? 4. The same as for part 3, provide information on how council libraries have addressed these issues For example, have any books been specifically banned or removed from the library? Has a system of trigger warnings been established for sensitive topics? 5. For the above work to address contested history, can you please provide information any grants received by the council to pursue this work, or any payments or grants made by the council to pursue this work (for example, to a local anti-racism group tasked with identifying contested history) 6. Provide information on any schools in the council area that have applied to change their name in relation to issues of contested history
Response provided:
1. In June 2020 the Council looked at its statues, plaques etc. after the 2020 Colston incident in Bristol, however the outcome did not note anything of concern, therefore it does not hold any such list, review, research, report or survey of locations or public art within its area 2. Not Applicable 3. In line with the rest of the museum sector, the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon has begun work on addressing these issues within its collections and displays. The Museum has not identified any items that need to be removed from display, but recognises the need to increase representation and the diversity of viewpoints in interpretation For most of 2021, the museums flagship exhibition was North Devon in 100 Objects. Objects were sought out within its collections that would contribute to understanding of these issues, leading to the inclusion of a fragment of stone from Holy Trinity Church, which was built with compensations money the vicar received from his family's slave plantation in the West Indies and a promotional leaflet from Ernest Soares, Barnstaple's MP from 1901 to 1911, who was of mixed heritage. These stories are included within the ongoing guidebook North Devon in 100 objects During 2020-2021 the museum developed a number of collections stories for the website, actively seeking stories that brought diversity in North Devon's history into public view, including the story of Lauriston Vernon Davis, an airman from Jamaica who was based here during the Second World War In 2021 the museum volunteered to take part in a training programme on EDI run by the Association of independent Museums and Museum Development, during which the Museum Manager and Learning Officer took part in a number of sessions resulting in a rapid review looking for potentially contested items in the creation of an EDI Action Plan for the museum. The plan has three main priorities -to include diverse perspectives within the new Board it is creating to oversee its new NPO status and within its workforce, to offer a variety of viewpoints within its permanent galleries, and to develop a flagship exhibition (for 2024) based on stories of migration from Saxon times to the present day The current Activity Plan for 2023-2026 includes a strand to tackle the museum's permanent displays as follows: Decolonising Displays: Recruit a Diversity Action team of young volunteers to put learning from the recent AIM/MD EDI programme to decolonise permanent displays, starting with the 16th - 18th century gallery this year 4. Applicant direct to Devon County Council for this information 5. As 4. above 6. As 4. above
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8872
Issue date: 07.02.23
Request received:
1. The total spend of the Household Support Fund as of 31 December 2022, as per the interim Management Information report 2. The total spend of the Household Support Fund on households with a disabled person as of 31 December 2022 as per the interim Management Information report 3. The total spend of the Household Support Fund on households with a disabled person that has gone directly to these households in the form of vouchers, item purchases or bank transfer (i e not provided to third parties to deliver services to support this group) 4. For Tranche 1: Has the local authority set an allocated expenditure for households with a disabled person and if so, what is the total figure for the expenditure? 5. What data is being used to identify households with disabled people who may benefit from the scheme (e g in receipt of disability benefits, being provided with a care package by your local authority) 6. What is the eligibility criteria for households with disabled people to be able to avail of support through the Household Support Fund? 7. What formats and communication channels (e g easy-read, audio) are being provided to ensure information about the Household Support Fund and the application process is accessible for disabled people?
Response provided:
In response to Q1-4, the information was provided in an Excel spreadsheet as far as the Council's recorded information is held which is available upon request. Applicant advised that the Council is unable to break down the data to identify disabled customers only as a high percentage of the distribution was by direct award and the Council does not hold all personal information regarding disabilities 5. Direct awards were made to all households who are in receipt of council tax support which will include those with disabilities. Applications are made via third parties many of which support disabled customers i.e. Doctors, Devon Carers, Veterans Charity, CAB etc. Full list available on website: https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/benefits-and-grants/household-support-fund/ 6. Support not dependent on type or level of disability 7. Applications are made by third party organisations on behalf of customers
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8875
Issue date: 13.02.23
Request received:
a) Have all senior management received carbon literacy training or equivalent since 1 January 2019? Please state the type of training b) Have all current councillors in the cabinet or committee chairs received carbon literacy training or equivalent since being elected? Please state the type of training This training could be from the Carbon Literacy Organisation or another organisation, university or in-house. We want to know the number of people who have attended the training. We don't need to know the number of staff that have received a certificate of completion or attendance
Response provided:
a) As of today's date, Monday 13 February 2023 one member of Senior Management Team has completed a bespoke climate change training module which has been developed for North Devon Council by another Local Authority b) 2019/20 = None provided 2020/21 Climate Emergency UK - Energy and Sustainability in the Public Sector - Cllr Netti Pearson and Cllr Liz Bulled attended 2021/22 The Resurgent Trust - Carbon Ambassadors Course - Cllr Netti Pearson and Cllr Graham Lofthouse attended 2022/23 Fighting Climate Change - Cllr Graham Lofthouse attended
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8877
Issue date: 07.02.23
Request received:
A full organisational chart, including all departments, job titles, and clearly showing line manager names of everyone in your Property/Regeneration and Asset Departments. Specifically, the names of the people in the below positions or the equivalent Director of Property Director of Regeneration Assistant Directors of Assets and Property, Regeneration Head of Property Head of Asset Management Head of Regeneration Head of Capital Works Head of Development
Response provided:
1. This falls under the remit of the Council's Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive. Their contact details are published on the Council's website - Senior Management Team 2. As 1. above 3. The Council does not have any Assistant Directors for these roles 4. Sarah-Jane Mackenzie-Shapland, Head of Place, Property and Regeneration 5. As 4. above 6. As 4. above 7. The Council does not have a Head of Capital Works, however it does have a Property Manager that reports into our Head of Place, Property and Regeneration Helen Bond, Property Manager (Place, Property and Regeneration) 8. The Council does not have a Head of Development, however we do have a Property Manager that reports into our Head of Place, Property and Regeneration Helen Bond, Property Manager (Place, Property and Regeneration)
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8879
Issue date: 07.02.23
Request received:
Customer requested to know if the Council credits/issues refunds to customers that pay for the Council's garden waste collection service when collections are missed
Response provided:
The Council confirms that it does not usually refund for a missed collection. When this happens, the Council endeavours to collect as soon as possible, but sometimes when this is not possible (due to staff shortages or vehicle issues) customers would be required to wait for their next scheduled collection, but any side waste would be taken. Furthermore, the Council is still collecting the same amount of garden waste over the year. If in the unlikely event that a collection is missed for a number of consecutive scheduled collections then the Council would look to make a refund to those customers affected
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8880
Issue date: 07.02.23
Request received:
Q1 How many complaints have you received from citizens between 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 (inclusive) about the following: a. Council tax -e g, payment, council tax bands, etc b. Residential building maintenance -e g, for council housing and council-owned apartment blocks c. Facilities maintenance -e g, leisure facilities, libraries, parks, playgrounds d. Infrastructure maintenance -e g, roads, footpaths, etc e. Refuse and recycling collection -e g, late or missed collections Q2 As per above, how many of these complaints were about poor communication -e g, citizens receiving letters, emails, phone calls etc late; relevant departments not responding to queries; no option to communicate over specific channels (e g, social media, text, etc); recipients claiming they didn't receive messages: a. Council tax -e g, payment, council tax bands, etc b. Residential building maintenance -e g, for council housing and council-owned apartment blocks c. Facilities maintenance -e g, leisure facilities, libraries, parks, playgrounds d. Infrastructure maintenance -e g, roads, footpaths, etc e. Refuse and recycling collection -e g, late or missed collections Q3 For the following question, if possible, please answer for each of the categories in questions 1 and 2, using the attached grid. However, if this will take too long, please share the total numbers Did any of these complaints have the following consequences: a. The need to re-send updated bills or other charges b. Delays in payment c. The need to issue refunds to citizens or others d. Council officers being unable to access council citizen's properties e. An inability for citizens to access council facilities -e g, leisure centres, libraries f. Delays to essential work -e g, maintenance of council housing, maintenance of council-owned apartment blocks, maintenance of leisure facilities, maintenance of infrastructure such as roads Q4. How many requests between 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 (inclusive) have you received from citizens requesting to move from paper/postal channels to digital -e g, email, online portal, text or phone call? Q5. Have you invested in the following from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 (inclusive)? a. New technologies to improve communication with citizens, -e g, opening different channels of communication, automated online chat, analysing and mapping resident behaviour on services b. New services from outside providers that will improve the way you can communicate with citizens -e g, help desks, services that will manage invoicing, services that will manage enquires c. Additional training for staff on how to communicate with citizens Q6 If possible, which of the following areas are you planning on investing in 2023? a. New technologies to improve communication with citizens, e g, opening different channels of communication b. New services from outside providers that will improve the way you can communicate with citizens c. Additional training for staff on how to communicate with citizens Q7 Which of the following problems have you encountered between 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 (inclusive)? a. Citizen information, such as address, phone number or email, that is out of date or incorrect b. Citizen information, such as address, phone number or email, that cannot be easily accessed, for instance because it is held on different filing systems c. Online portals, such as to contact the council, to access leisure services, to book collections or maintenance, not working properly, for example, data is hard to input or retrieve, or the portal often crashes Q8. How many requests between 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 (inclusive) have you received from citizens asking to change their data?
Response provided:
Q1, 2 and 3: Information where held/recorded provided in table format within response email which is available upon request Applicant advised that the information is not recorded in a way that it can be easily extracted and entered into the applicant's spreadsheet template and so the Council's Feedback team (that deals with complaints) has filtered the complaints received per service as set out in the response table provided and has chosen option as closely related to the request. They are only able to choose complaint 'reason' and one 'resolution' when assigning complaints, therefore they are assigned based on the customer's main issue. This means that there may be other complaints that have an element of communication, but the main complaint could be related (and assigned) to a different matter To provide the answer to question 2 (complaints about communication) the only options available on the system are to filter to: Not returned contact/actioned request Website information Alleges billing information is incorrect Unhappy with decision or explanation of decision Unhappy with length of time we have taken To provide the answer to question 3 (consequences) again, the Feedback team are limited to what option they can record the resolution of the complaint against. This means there may be cases where they have re-issued letters etc. but wouldn't necessary record it against that. Instead, they have filtered the search to the most appropriate options we have, which are: Compensation We are going to change our processes The only way in which the specific breakdown as set out in your spreadsheet could be answered would require an officer within the Feedback team to go through each of the complaints received (458 in total) manually to identify, locate, retrieve and collate the information which the Feedback team estimate would take approximately 38 hours in total to provide and therefore far exceeding the 18 hour limit as set under Section 12 of the Act Q4: This data is not recorded, customer set up self-service accounts themselves so no requests are needed Q5: a) and b) Not within that 12 month period c) Continuous internal training Q6: a) Possibly web chat b) Revenues and Benefits Customer Portal c) Continuous internal training Q7: a) and b) Not recorded c) None Q8: Zero
Exemptions/Exceptions:
Section 12 of Act
Request reference: 8883
Issue date: 13.02.23
Request received:
Regarding Planning Application 74775 which was discussed at Planning Committee hearing, 11 January 2023, the applicant requested a copy/account of all communications written/verbal relating to the above Planning Application exchanged between the Council's Planning department and any agencies/bodies relating to Highway issues
Response provided:
Information provided to the applicant where held, and directed to the Planning Tracker where some of the information is already published
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8886
Issue date: 10.02.23
Request received:
1. The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) planning department case officers employed by the council in each year between 2013 and 2022 2. The number of major planning applications determined by the council in each year between 2013 and 2022 3.The average number of weeks between major planning applications being validated and determined, in each year between 2013 and 2022
Response provided:
1. As follows: 1 April 2022 = 22.7 FTE 1 April 2021 = 26.5 FTE 1 April 2020 = 29.2 FTE There was a restructure in September 2021 so the figure for 2022 excludes Planning Policy but if you wish for this information to be included in the figure, the FTE for this was three 2019 -2013 = This information is no longer held due to a change of HR system in 2020 2. As follows: 2022 = 35 2021 = 28 2020 = 25 2019 = 31 2018 = 46 2017 = 48 2016 = 46 2015 = 44 2014 = 45 2013 = 30 3. As follows: 2022 = 58.3 2021 = 55.9 2020 = 47.1 2019 = 41.8 2018 = 44.2 2017 = 38.1 2016 = 42.9 2015 = 28.7 2014 = 30.0 2013 = 44.8
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8887
Issue date: 09.02.23 and 13.02.23
Request received:
A copy of the following information [or public sector duty/equality assessments documents containing the following information] be provided: 1. A list (public names, telephone numbers and emails) of black-led organisations, groups, networks, forums, or entities that applied for funding from 1 January 2019 to 1 January 2023 2. A list (public names, telephone numbers and emails) of black-led organisations, groups, networks, forums, or entities that secured funding from 1 January 2019 to 1 January 2023 3. Your recommendations for recognition and promotion for Black-Led organisations at you location with good values An organisation is Black Led if: Their Management Committee or Board has at least 75% of representation from people of African or African Caribbean Descent and At least 50% of their paid staff team are African or African Caribbean people with representation at all levels of the organisation and They provide services for or work on behalf of African and Caribbean people Follow up question: How does the Council ascertain how it meets the equality act 2010 and public sector duty in relation to those from this community and others who require or benefit from by and for provisions i e those living with a disability?
Response provided:
The Council confirms that it does not request or hold the necessary information that would otherwise allow it to be able to determine if an organisation, group, network, forum or entity is black-led. Therefore, for the purposes of the Act, the Council does not hold this information and is unable to specifically answer the questions as set out in the request Further response: Applicant referred to the Council's website which publishes how the Council is meeting its duties under the Equality Act
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8889
Issue date: 07.02.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 9TB
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council's website for some of the information
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8891
Issue date: 08.02.23
Request received:
1. Please state the number of Community Protection Notices (CPNs) issued by your authority in the period November 2020-October 2021; and also the period November 2021-October 2022 Please also state the number of Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) issued within these periods 2. If possible, please state the subject of these CPNs - for example, by providing the texts, or stating the subject matter of the orders (e g Litter, waste, ASB) 3. Please state whether you have a procedure for considering written representations requesting the varying or discharging of CPNs (outside of Magistrate Court appeal) 4. Please state the total number of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) issued by your authority. Where possible, please provide a web link for the texts of these PSPOs 5. Please state the number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued for the offence of violating a PSPO in the calendar years 2021 and 2022. Where possible, please state the offences for which these FPNs were issued (e g begging, alcohol, dog control, dispersal) 6. Please state if you contract a private enforcement company for issuing penalties for environmental or anti-social behaviour offences (e g Littering or PSPOs)
Response provided:
Question 1: November 2020 - October 2021 - Nine CPNs and 22 CPN Warning Letters November 2021 - October 2022 - 15 CPNs and 36 CPN Warning Letters Question 2: November 2020 - October 2021 the nine CPNs were issued for the following reasons - accumulation of rubbish / to keep balcony clear of dog faeces / loud music, shouting, swearing / cats fouling in neighbouring gardens / sale of vehicles on highway / banging, slamming of doors, shouting, swearing / intimidating, threatening the public / intimidating, threatening the public / dog fouling November 2021 - October 2022 the 15 CPNs were issued for the following reasons - drunk in a public place / accumulation of rubbish in yard / accumulation of dog faeces outside property / build-up of rubbish outside home / drunk in a public place / excessive noise in flat / loud music in flat / accumulation of waste in outdoor areas / not to defecate or urinate in a public place / muzzle and tether dog when in front garden / smoke or odour impacting nearby properties / control sound level of music at pub / drunk in a public place / accumulation of rubbish in outdoor areas / stop feral pigeons roosting on or under external stairs Question 3: No, only via Magistrates Court Question 4: Please refer to the following page on the Council's website: Public Spaces Protection Orders - PSPOs Question 5: 2021 - Four (Two for street drinking / Two for dog fouling) 2022 - Five (Four for street drinking / One for dog fouling) Question 6: No, the Council does not
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8892
Issue date: 07.02.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX31 3UY
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council's website for some of the information
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8900
Issue date: 09.02.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 9HR
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council's website for some of the information
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8901
Issue date: 07.02.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX33 1LG
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council's website for some of the information
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8902
Issue date: 07.02.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX31 2HX
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council's website for some of the information
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8904
Issue date: 02.02.23
Request received:
1. Does your organisation currently have cyber insurance or plan to invest in cyber insurance in the next 12 months? 2. If you have cyber insurance who is the policy with? 3. If you have cyber insurance when does the policy come up for renewal? 4. If you have cyber insurance what is the cost of your current policy or renewal?
Response provided:
The Council is unable to confirm or deny whether the requested information is held under Section 31(3) of the Act, which allows a public authority to neither confirm nor deny whether it holds information where such confirmation would be likely to prejudice any of the matters outlined in Section 31(1). This includes information where the disclosure of which would or would be likely to prejudice the prevention and detection of crime As Section 31(3) is a qualified exemption it is subject to the Public Interest Test for determining whether the public interest lies in confirming whether the information is held or not Public Interest Test Factors in favour of confirming or denying the information is held (Disclosure) The release of the information would promote openness and transparency in the way the Council ensures the security of the sensitive information it handles and processes and indicate the prevalence of ransom ware attacks against the Council's ICT infrastructure; revealing details about the Council's security systems. It would also help those businesses and specialists that work in cyber security/insurance to gain an understanding as to which authorities have cyber insurance what their plans are for the next year Factors in favour of neither confirming nor denying the information is held (Withhold) When the Council releases information to an individual pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, it is effectively releasing it into the public domain for all to see, that includes those who may not have genuine and honest reasons for wanting to see the information and maybe seeking the information in order to identify, expose or take advantage of potential weaknesses in the Council's specific ICT security, in order to cause intended damage to the Council's systems or theft of information held. The Council operates a multi layered approach to ICT security. One of these layers is to obfuscate information that could be used to comprise network security The Council considers that whilst it is helpful for businesses and specialists that work in cyber security to know which authorities have cyber insurance, this does not prevent them approaching Local Authorities to enquire whether they wish to do business with them as the Council would be able to respond accordingly and would not be bound by the requirements of the Act as the response would only be disclosed to the enquirer outside of the parameters of the Act and any such responses would remain confidential between the Council and the enquirer Cyber attacks, which may amount to criminal offences, for example under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 or the Data Protection Act 2018 are rated as a Tier 1 threat by the UK Government. The Council has a greater chance of being subjected to cyber attacks since it holds large amounts of sensitive, personal and confidential information, the maintenance of security of such information is extremely important Balancing the Public Interest Factors The Council appreciates that there are some factors that favour a disclosure; however in this instance it considers that the reasons for not confirming or denying if the information is held far outweighs a disclosure in this instance: - Confirming whether the Council has Cyber Insurance or not and its plans for the next 12 months would, in the Council's view jeopardise the integrity of the Council's ICT security systems via current or future vulnerabilities, as this would provide potential hackers greater insight than they would ordinarily have and would facilitate the commissioning of crime such as hacking itself and fraud which would ultimately negatively impact the Council's operations and divert valuable resources away from the provision of front line services - Potential hackers would have an advantage in identifying or being able to easily find potential vulnerabilities to weaken the Council's security controls and given them valuable insight into the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the Council's ICT systems - It would set a precedent for other similar requests which would, in principle, result in the Council being placed in a position where it would have greater difficulty in refusing future information requests of a similar nature - A regular disclosure of such information would then require the Council to put in place stronger security controls which would not be in the public interest to expose it to such potential further costs and expenses, given that it would be funded from the public purse, particularly at this time where government funding is being reduced further each year - Businesses and specialists working in the area of Cyber Security/Insurance would not need to informed of the Council's Cyber Insurance status in order to be able to engage with it or promote what it has to offer as the Council has a dedicated process and line of communication that potential suppliers of goods and services can approach the Council through: Doing business with North Devon The Council concludes that the public interest in preventing crime from being committed outweighs the public interest in confirming or denying the requested information in this instance
Exemptions/Exceptions:
Section 31 of Act
Request reference: 8905
Issue date: 03.02.23
Request received:
How many parking fines have been issued to drivers who have illegally parked in a disabled bay over the past five years (between December 2017- December 2022) and of those fines, how many of the parking fines issued have been paid and how many have been appealed
Response provided:
The Council's Parking team confirms that they only retain details of the last two years' worth of cases and so some of the data held has been purged from their system. When it is purged it means that the amount is shown as £0, the details of whether it was challenged are no longer held For the request they have been able to pull data for PCNs issued to vehicles for contravention 87 (Parked in a designated disabled person's parking place without displaying a valid person's badge in the prescribed manner): PCN's issued for specific contravention = 460 Purged = 294 Paid = 89 Cancelled/written off = 57 To be able to specify which cases were appealed it would require the Parking team to manually go into each of the 460 PCN's to identify, locate, retrieve and collate the information and they estimate that they would need a minimum of three minutes per PCN Section 12 of the Act makes provision for public authorities to refuse requests for information where the cost of dealing with them would exceed the appropriate limit, which for Local Authorities is set at £450 by the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004. This represents the estimated cost of one person spending 18 hours at £25 per hour in determining whether the Council holds the information, locating, retrieving and collating the information It has been estimated by the Parking team that it would take approximately 23 hours to provide the requested information, thus exceeding the 18 hour limit; the procedure of which would cause serious disruption to the day to day service delivery of the Parking team as there is no other way that the information can be easily provided and therefore we are unable to process the request any further. As set out in the previous paragraph, the Council has the right to refuse to provide the information in accordance with Section 12 of the Act
Exemptions/Exceptions:
Section 12 of Act
Request reference: 8906
Issue date: 01.02.23
Request received:
Applicant requested what training is offered whether mandatory or optional, to the Council's frontline contact centre/call centre staff who are answering calls/responding to emails
Response provided:
Internal Customer Service Training is delivered to all new starters which is mandatory and covers all aspects of the Customer Service role. Additional training may also be made available via HR, which would be attended by the Team if relevant
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8907
Issue date: 02.02.23
Request received:
A redacted copy (one which does not contain names, addressed or other information likely to lead to a person on the register being identified) of the latest copy of the Council's Potentially Violent Persons Register aka Restricted Persons Register aka Cautionary Register aka whatever relevant name you know such a register by
Response provided:
Information provided to applicant in Excel format, with all personal information redacted
Exemptions/Exceptions:
Section 40 of Act
Request reference: 8911
Issue date: 06.02.23
Request received:
Information relating to compensation paid to private housing companies for damages done by homeless people/rough sleepers to emergency accommodation Please include the information for each of the following financial years; 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 (to present): How much has been paid annually to private housing companies for damage done by homeless people/rough sleepers in emergency accommodation Information on the damage done, if this is held. For example, if there are damage reports/incident reports provided by the housing companies along with the invoice for any damage
Response provided:
The Council's Temporary Accommodation team confirms that it does not pay any private housing companies and therefore the response is £0 in each of the requested years and so the response to the second bullet point is Not Applicable
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8912
Issue date: 27.02.23
Request received:
The following information relating to working from home policies a) How many employees i work from home (work from home being more than 5 hours per day) more than once a week? b) The number of employees in total and, of these, the number able to perform their work remotely (not those who are front-line workers) and the number who have started returning to in person work c) What percentage of time, per week, are employees entitled to work from home?
Response provided:
a) 182 b) Total = 429 Number able to perform work remotely = 267 Number who have started returning to work in person = 85 c) The Council does not hold this information. Employees work on a flexible basis and so in the extremes, some will work from home five days a week and some one day a week. The Council does not have a prescribed entitlement
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8913
Issue date: 03.02.23
Request received:
For the financial years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, please provide a breakdown of all council spending on equality, diversity, and unconscious bias training for council staff This is to include, for instance, travel and accommodation costs where staff have been sent on such courses
Response provided:
The Council provides specific equality and diversity training every three years (although other training which could be captured by this title also takes place in the meantime e g mental health, menopause etc) For spend specifically related to Equality, Diversity and Unconscious bias the Council spent the following: Financial Year 2021 -2022 = £0 Financial Year 2022 -2023 = £1,188.00 as at 03.02.23
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8914
Issue date: 28.02.23
Request received:
For the financial year 2021-2022, and from the start of financial year 2022 to 31 December 2022: 1. The total number of days during this period affected by strike action by any member of council staff or council contractors 2. The total number of hours lost to strike action (where council staff or council contractors did not attend work)
Response provided:
1. 202/22 = Zero for both staff and contractors 2022/23 up to 31.12.22 = Zero for both staff and contractors 2. 2022/22 = Zero for both staff and contractors 2022/23 up to 31.12.22 = Zero for both staff and contractors
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8915
Issue date: 06.02.23
Request received:
Motor Vehicles registered for public hire i e Taxi/Private Hire/Hackney Carriage that were either issued a new or renewal licence in the period 1st November 2022 to 31st January 2023 Specifically, I would like to know: Vehicle registration number Manufacturer (Make) Model Licence issue date Licence expiry date We would like this information provided in an excel spreadsheet
Response provided:
Information provided to the applicant in Excel format, which is available upon request
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8916
Issue date: 08.02.23
Request received:
Please provide all information for the financial year 2021-2022, and from the start of financial year 2022 and 31 December 2022, for the following: 1. The total amount of money paid by the council to individual trade unions for whatever reason 2. The name(s) of the trade union(s) to which council money was paid
Response provided:
The Council does not pay anything direct to the trade unions, it does however collect the members subscriptions via payroll and pays that over in the creditor run
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8917
Issue date: 24.02.23
Request received:
For the financial year 2020-21, 2021-2 and from the start of financial year 2022 to 31 December 2022, for the following: Cars/Taxis/Chauffeur 1. List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for Taxis 2. List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for chauffeur driven car journeys? 3. List all expenses incurred by director-level officials at the council for Taxis? Flights 1. List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for flights? 2. List all expenses incurred by director-level officials at the council for flights? First class rail tickets 1. List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for first class rail tickets? 2. List all expenses incurred by director-level officials at the council for first class rail tickets?
Response provided:
Applicant advised in the response that the Council does not have a Cabinet. Member expenses that have been paid are included with the Council's published Members Allowances datasets where applicable which are published annually. The 2022/23 dataset will not be ready for publication until June 2023 onwards Cars/Taxis/Chauffeur 1. Applicant referred to the Council's datasets as referred to above for Members and the Leader 2. None 3. None Flights 1. None 2. None First class rail tickets 1. None 2. None
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8918
Issue date: 27.02.23
Request received:
Provide all information for the financial year 2021-2022, and from the start of financial year 2022 to 31 December 2022, for the following: 1. The total number (absolute number and full time equivalent) of local authority employees who are trade union representatives 2. The total number (absolute number and full time equivalent) of trade union representatives who spent at least 50 per cent of their time on union duties
Response provided:
2021/22 1. 9 headcount 8.2 FTE 2. Nil 01/04/22 - 31/12/2022 1. 8 headcount 7.6 FTE 2. Nil
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8921
Issue date: 06.02.23
Request received:
How much money has the Council spent on external contractors for public relations (including marketing and communications) in a) the financial year 2021/22 and b) So far in the financial year 2022/23?
Response provided:
a) £0 b) £0
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8922
Issue date: 06.02.23
Request received:
1. How much has the Council; a) spent on changing street names in the financial year 2021/22 b) spent on changing street names in the financial year 2022/23 so far? 2. Since April 2021, how many streets has the Council renamed? 3. Since April 2021, provide a list of what the Council has renamed streets from and to?
Response provided:
1. a) £0 b) £0 2. Zero 3. N/A
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8923
Issue date: 13.02.23
Request received:
Applicant requested a copy of the full response concerning the private rented sector sent by this local authority to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that was due to be submitted by 27 January 2023
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the Council response submitted on 27.01.23 in PDF format which is available upon request
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8924
Issue date: 27.02.23
Request received:
Please can you confirm how many trees have been cut down by the Council during the past 12 months and during 2022?
Response provided:
Trees felled during last 12 months (01.02.22 -01.02.23) = 26 Trees felled during 2022 (01.01.22 -31.12.22) = 26
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8925
Issue date: 27.02.23
Request received:
How many meetings have been attended by council employees during the past 12 months and during 2022 with representatives of: Extinction Rebellion Just Stop Oil Stonewall Stop the War Trade Unions
Response provided:
Last 12 months 2022 Extinction Rebellion Zero Zero Just Stop Oil Zero Zero Stonewall Zero Zero Stop the War Zero Zero Trade Unions Zero Zero
Exemptions/Exceptions:
Request reference: 8926
Issue date: 14.02.23
Request received:
1. What is the recycling rate (as a percentage of the total weight of waste) for all waste produced in the council area for the financial year 2021/22, and from the start of financial year 2022 to 31 December 2022? 2. If the figures for 2022/23 are not yet available, please provide an estimated amount, or the amount recycled thus far 3. How often in a single four-week period does the council collect recycling bins for the following from domestic households: a) Paper/Cardboard b) Glass c) Plastic d) Cans
Response provided:
1. 2021/22 = 48% 2022/23 to 31.12.22 = 46% 2. As above 3. a) 4 b) 4 c) 4 d) 4
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8928
Issue date: 08.02.23
Request received:
1. Contact Centre -target to organisations we know have a CC a. Do you have a customer/ citizen facing contact centre? If not please skip these questions b. Do you employ and manage your own agents, or do you outsource to a third party? If you outsource who to? c. How many contact centre agents do you have? d. Do agents work from home? Or just your offices? e. Please confirm the manufacturer of your contact centre system(s) that are currently in place? f. When is your contract renewal date? g. Who maintains your contact centre system(s)? 2. CRM a. Do you use a CRM in the contact centre? What platform is used? b. Do you use the same CRM for the rest of the organisation? What platform is used? c. Do you use a knowledge base / knowledge management platform? What platform is used? 3. AI and Automation a. Does your organisation have a customer or citizen facing chatbot? If so, who provides this chatbot technology? b. Does your organisation utilise RPA technology? If so which RPA technology provider do you use?
Response provided:
The Council has two contact centres. One for Customer Services which received the vast majority of the traffic and one in Revenues and Benefits which just deal with their own enquiries. Most answers are the same for both but have shown two answers where needed; 1. a) Yes b) Employ c) Contact Centre (CC) 1 = 18 CC 2 = 26 d) CC 1 = Office CC 2 = Hybrid e) Nasstar f) October 2023 g) Nasstar 2. a) Yes - Granicus Gov.Service b) Yes, as above c) No 3. a) No b) No
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8929
Issue date: 13.02.23
Request received:
1. Does the Council own or operate electricity generation assets which export to the grid? 2. If so, what technologies? And are they 'co-located'? e g, a solar farm with a battery 3. How much electricity (in kWh) would the Council expect to be exported, per asset, per year? 4. When were the assets commissioned? 5. What is the current contractual arrangement to sell the power, to whom is it sold and what is the contract end date? 6. Does the Council have any plans in place to acquire, build or invest in electricity generation
Response provided:
1. No 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. Any future investment on electrical generation is likely only to cover the demands of the building the system is near or on. Not to selling back to the grid
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8932
Issue date: 10.02.23
Request received:
1. Please can you disclose all information you hold on the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, otherwise commonly known as the PFLP? 2. Please can you disclose the number of Prevent referrals made by or to your organisation regarding the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, otherwise commonly known as the PFLP since 1st January 2012?
Response provided:
1. North Devon Council holds no information on the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, otherwise commonly known as the PFLP 2. Zero Applicant also signposted to Devon County Council for any information held regarding Child and Adult Social Care
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8933
Issue date: 23.02.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX31 2JG
Response provided:
Applicant advised that no information is held
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8934
Issue date: 20.02.23
Request received:
Applicant requested copies of two studies: The Bristol Channel Study Market Research - January 1996 The study was to 'determine the market demand, viability and opportunity for the development of new cross channel ferry services between the South West peninsula and Wales.' Bristol Channel Study - April 1995 This study has previously been referenced as 'Bristol Channel Study 1995: Beckett Rankine Partnership'
Response provided:
Applicant provided with a copy of the 1995 Bristol Channel Study which is held by the Council and is available upon request. The Council confirmed that it is unable to find a copy of the 1996 Study within its records
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8936
Issue date: 28.02.23
Request received:
Applicant requested the following departmental documents around ICT and corporate procurement 1. 2023/24 IT Department Documents. These types of documents have detailed information on the department's future plans and strategies. These documents could include ICT Strategy/Plan, ICT Department Plan, ICT Financial Plan 2. ICT Organisational Chart with ICT officer names and job titles 3. Corporate Procurement Strategy that covers 2023/24 and more For all the documents requested, the applicant requested to be provided with the 2023/24 documents, They indicated that they only wish to receive documents that are live and valid. If the document is a strategic plan (e g 2020-2025) that covers a set number of years, please provide the 2023 version
Response provided:
1. Applicant provided with a copy of the Council's Digital Strategy - 2023 -2026 (available upon request) 2. Applicant provided with a copy of the Council's current ICT Structure (available upon request). Please note that ICT have requested that officer names other than the ICT Manager are not included as they raise concerns that by doing so places them at an increased risk from spear fishing attacks 3. Applicant advised that the Council does not hold this for 2023/24, however a copy of the 2019 -2022 procurement strategy is published on the Council's website which would still be considered as lived and valid until an updated procurement strategy is published
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8940
Issue date: 20.02.23
Request received:
This is an information request relating to members' allowances Please include the following information for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years: ' The total amount paid in each year to councillors through members' allowances, including special responsibility allowances (please provide a breakdown if possible)
Response provided:
Applicant directed to the Council's Member Allowances datasets published on its website
Exemptions/Exceptions:
Sections 16 and 21 of Act
Request reference: 8941
Issue date: 21.02.23
Request received:
Provision of procurement documents and associated decision relevant to the outsourcing of the management and operation of North Devon Theatres in 2018 This would include any lease/ management agreement, selection questionnaire and descriptive document that was supplied to interested operators
Response provided:
Information provided to the applicant, which is available upon request
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8942
Issue date: 20.02.23
Request received:
1. Have you adopted the Nationally Described Space Standard in your local plans or planning guidance? If so, please provide the date it was adopted If not, do you have any plans to adopt it, and if so, by when are you planning to adopt it? 2. Do you use any alternative space standards in your local plans or planning guidance? Please provide details of the space standard in use, including the origin such as HQI 3. If you are using space standards, do you have data on the rate of compliance for new dwellings for up to the last 10 years?
Response provided:
1. No, due to the evidence not being available when the local plan was prepared. The Council does however promote the use of the standards wherever possible N/A The Council is currently deciding whether to undertake a partial review or a comprehensive review of the Local Plan. This decision will be made in the next couple of months at which point a new LDS will be prepared 2. No 3. N/A
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8945
Issue date: 27.02.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 7DG
Response provided:
Applicant advised that no information is held
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8947
Issue date: 22.02.23
Request received:
A list of any and all contact the Council and/or staff have had with British American Tobacco, Imperial Brands, Japan Tobacco International, Philip Morris International, as well as any other domestic or transnational tobacco companies or anyone representing the tobacco industry including subsidiaries of tobacco industry, from 1 April 2021 to 20 February 2023 Contact would primarily include attending or arranging meetings or functions, and responding to correspondence or phone calls Please break down the information by: ' Tobacco company or representative's name ' Date of contact(s) ' Type of contact (meeting, email, letter, phone call, text/app message or video call, e-card or any other form of electronic communication) ' Place of contact, if relevant ' Purpose of contact ' Outcome of contact, including if no action taken
Response provided:
Applicant advised that the Council does not hold any of this information and directed to Devon County Council for a response as the information is likely to fall under their remit within Trading Standards which covers North Devon
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8948
Issue date: 20.02.23
Request received:
A spreadsheet of data detailing all of the contaminated land in the local authority area, and for each piece of contaminated land, include: The address Co-ordinates Date of identification Date of remediation (if applicable) Data on the total square footage of contaminated land within the local authority area
Response provided:
Applicant advised that the Council does not hold this information and directed to the Council's Contaminated Land information page on its website
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8951
Issue date: 22.02.23
Request received:
1. Which standards does your council currently adhere to (i e ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials etc) 2. Which team/department/individual is responsible for managing compliance? 3. If compliance is managed by an internal staff member, what role(s) is this 4. Has cybersecurity been set as a priority for 2023? 5. What software/systems does your council currently use to manage your compliance, and any related documentation? 6. If software/a system is currently in place, when does the current contract with that supplier expire? 7. If software/a system is currently in place, when did it last go out for procurement? 8. What is your current budget for compliance and compliance solutions?
Response provided:
1. The Council adheres to the Government PSN 2. ICT 3. Compliance is managed by ICT 4. Yes 5. The Council does not use any specific software other than tools such as Excel and Project 6. N/A 7. N/A 8. N/A
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None
Request reference: 8954
Issue date: 27.02.23
Request received:
1. How many Voter Authority Certificates (VACs) has the council issued, how many applications has it rejected, and what is the demographic profile of those applications, both accepted and rejected? 2. Can you confirm that the Chief Executive, acting in their role as the Returning Officer, and/or the Elections Department of your council, has received guidance from the Electoral Commission and/or the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities about implementing the new voter ID legislation for the May 4th elections? 3. Can you confirm a) all polling station staff have been trained on implementing the new processes and if so, b) what that training has entailed 4. Can you confirm whether the Chief Executive, in their role as Returning Officer, has presented a report on preparedness for the Voter ID requirements to the full council or any other appropriate committee of the council? Has this included a risk assessment and mitigation plan? (If yes, please can you supply a copy of that report?) 5. Can you confirm whether an audit has been undertaken of all proposed polling stations to identify a private room for those people who, for whatever reason, cover their face in public? What was the outcome of this audit if it has happened? (For example, have any polling stations been found to be unsuitable, and if so, how many?) 6. Has the council undertaken a public information campaign to inform voters about the new Voter ID requirements?
Response provided:
The Council confirmed that it does not hold any of the information requested. In discharge of its obligation under section 1(1)(b) the Council confirms that in this instance, information held by the Returning Officer or Electoral Returning Officer does not fall under the remit of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 The registration of electors is governed by the Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended. Under Section 8 of the Act, the Council must appoint an officer of the Council to be the registration officer for any constituency or part of a constituency coterminous with or situated in the Council's area. The Chief Executive for North Devon Council is the appointed officer for the registration area of North Devon Their appointment as Electoral Registration Officer is separate to their appointment as Chief Executive and, although appointed by the Council, the Electoral Registration Officer's responsibilities and duties are personal. An example of this is that the register of electors is deemed to be the property of the Electoral Registration Officer, not the local authority The Electoral Registration Officer does not carry out the duties on behalf of the Council but in his own personal capacity. A list of public bodies and local authorities that are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act is included in Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act The Freedom of Information Act does not list any person appointed under the Representation of the People Act 1983. It follows that the Electoral Registration Officer, Returning Officer or any other person appointed under the Act are not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Exemptions/Exceptions:
None