Request reference: 9345
Issue date: 04.10.23
Request received:
In each of the years from 2016 to 2023:
Total number of FPNS issued
Total value/cost of FPNs issued
Total number of FPNS paid
Total value of FPNS paid
Total number of FPNS unpaid
Total value of FPNs unpaid
Total number of FPNs cancelled
Total value of FPNS cancelled
Response provided:
2016:
Number of PCNS = 2,920
Total Charges = £158,067.00
Payment Received = £71,790.09
Write off Account = £14,442.91
Cancel Account = £1,437.00
Total outstanding = -£5.00
2017:
Number of PCNS =9,002
Total Charges = £487,735.54
Payment Received = £216,244.02
Write off Account = £42,798.73
Cancel Account = £42,950.00
Total outstanding = £0.00
2018:
Number of PCNS = 9,193
Total Charges = £503,272.00
Payment Received = £222,330.65
Write off Account = £55,515.81
Cancel Account = £89,704.00
Total outstanding = -£25.00
2019:
Number of PCNS = 8,291
Total Charges = £454,463.00
Payment Received = £207,159.13
Write off Account = £57,149.87
Cancel Account = £67,372.00
Total outstanding = £0.00
2020:
Number of PCNS = 9,702
Total Charges = £529,192.00
Payment Received = £247,743.25
Write off Account = £49,715.75
Cancel Account = £81,986.00
Total outstanding = £0.00
2021:
Number of PCNS = 4,487
Total Charges = £232,010.00
Payment Received = £104,867.32
Write off Account = £22,420.86
Cancel Account = £41,762.00
Total outstanding = £37.32
2022:
Number of PCNS = 5,976
Total Charges = £307,466.00
Payment Received = £144,569.86
Write off Account = £23,658.00
Cancel Account = £35,539.00
Total outstanding = £19,325.14
2023:
Number of PCNS = 5,836
Total Charges = £304,724.00
Payment Received = £128,553.84
Write off Account = £5,632.00
Cancel Account = £29,346.00
Total outstanding = £52,067.16
Request reference: 9352
Issue date: 09.10.23
Request received:
A copy of the planning pre-application submission and the Council’s response regarding Land at Braunton and Wrafton
Response provided:
Full withheld under Regulation 12(5)(d) - confidentiality of proceedings
Request reference: 9358
Issue date: 09.10.23
Request received:
1. How many complaints for noise nuisance have you had in your council area over the past three years? Please provide a figure for each year (i e 2023 so far, 2022 and 2021)
2. How many of these complaints are for road noise, i e noise caused by driving, traffic, etc? Please provide a figure for each year as outlined in 1
3. Please can you provide the top 10 streets/roads for the greatest number of road noise complaints relating to Q2, with the number of complaints for each street/road in the top 10? Please can we also have these figures per year as outlined in 1
4. Please can you provide the top 10 streets/road for the greatest number of noise nuisance complaints overall, with the number of complaints for each street/road in the top 10? Please can we also have these figures per year as outlined in 1
5. Please can you provide the figures for the number all noise nuisance complaints, broken down by type of complaint (in the way it’s recorded), e g noisy pubs, building work, dogs, parties, etc), also for each year as outlined in 1
Response provided:
Response provided in Excel spreadsheet which is available upon request
Request reference: 9360
Issue date: 03.10.23
Request received:
1. Does the council currently have a green fleet strategy for converting to EVs/low carbon vehicles?
2. Please state the total number of vehicles registered to your council fleet in the following years, and please state how many of these were electric at the end of 2021, 2022 and 2023 Year to Date:
Number of electric cars
Number of electric vans
Total number of vehicles Internal Combustion Engine plus electric
3. Please state how many electric vehicles the council currently has on order?
4. Please state the total number of electric vehicle charging points available in your council depots at the end of:
a. 2021
b. 2022
c. 2023 YTD
5. For each of the following calendar years, please state the total expenditure on electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the council’s depots:
a. 2021
b. 2022
c. 2023 YTD
Response provided:
1. No
2. As follows:
2021 2022 2023 YTD
Number of electric cars 0 0 0
Number of electric vans 0 0 0
Total number of vehicles Internal Combustion Engine
plus electric 83 83 83
3. Zero
4. 1,2 and 3 = Zero
5. 1 and 2 = Zero 3. £1,183
Request reference: 9361
Issue date: 02.10.23
Request received:
1. Please could you confirm the total number of personal injury accidents at work involving council employees and contractors that have been reported between September 2022 to September 2023?
2. What were the causes of these accidents?
3. How much compensation was paid out between September 2022 and September 2023 as a result of employee accident at work claims irrespective of the date the claim was submitted?
Response provided:
1. Eight
2. Distracted by approaching ambulance and heel run over by Truck driver
Reached to get cardboard resulting in contact with machinery
Due to late reporting of ice, officer slipped on untreated Ice
Accident involving foot step, slipped on mat when getting into van
Due to old loose hanger, a hanging basket fell - no injuries
Due to condition of property, stepped through ceiling of a dilapidated house
Due to oncoming car speeding, a small graze to knee after jumping into hedge
Exiting a Council vehicle, officer caught under wheels
3. £891,374
Request reference: 9369
Issue date: 05.10.23
Request received:
All of the data released on all the times the Matrons (noise monitoring equipment used by Environmental Health) were used in the last (12 months)
Response provided:
Case Parish Matron In Matron Out
Case 1 Chulmleigh 17/05/23 25/05/23
Case 2 Chulmleigh 16/06/23 22/06/23
Case 3 Barnstaple 18/07/23 25/07/23
Case 4 Roundswell 26/07/23 02/08/23
Case 5 North Molton 04/08/23 10/08/23
Case 6 Yelland 21/08/23 30/08/23
Case 7 Combe Martin 22/09/23 29/09/23
Request reference: 9371
Issue date: 10.10.23
Request received:
1. What is the total number of staff hired in a diversity, equity or inclusion role?
2. I would like information for those currently on staff and for any vacancies you may currently have
3. What is the total annual salary cost for these roles?
Response provided:
1. Zero
2. The Council does not have any vacancies in a diversity, equity or inclusion role
3. N/A
Request reference: 9376
Issue date: 18.10.23
Request received:
For the years to end 31.04.23 and 31.04.22:
Total purchased electricity kwh's
Total purchased electricity Cost including VAT
Estimated monetary value of benefit received from the EBRS
Total purchased natural gas kwh's
Total purchased natural gas Cost including VAT
Estimate value of benefit received from the EBRS
Response provided:
Information provided to applicant within table format, which is available upon request
Request reference: 9378
Issue date: 04.10.23
Request received:
E-Scooters in Barnstaple:
1. How many have been stolen/vandalised
2. How well has it been used
3. How many arrests/on-the-spot and postal fines have occurred
4. The number of people registered
5. What restrictions there are on them in the busier areas of the town
Response provided:
1. We have not had any e-scooters vandalised. Three from the fleet have been classed as ‘lost’, but these may well be located in due course
2. There has been good take-up of the scheme since if launched in May 2023. There have been 14,175 trips, which is just over 3,100 a month on average. This is a good take-up for a small rural fleet
3. NDC/Zipp (micromobility partner) do not hold this data. This would need to be requested from Devon and Cornwall Police authority
4. Since the launch of the scheme in May 2023, 1,600 people have registered to use the scheme
5. We have introduced no-go-zones and slow-zones within Barnstaple – our very high-use pedestrianised areas are no-go-zones and have slow-zones in areas where greater mix of pedestrians/cyclists and e-scooters are used. We operate a parking-bay only scheme, which ensures riders have to park within a parking bay to end their ride, which means we do not have the e-scooters left in inappropriate spaces. We have a stakeholder group that meets regularly, and includes disability groups, the police, North Devon Council and Barnstaple Town Council to discuss any issues and find solutions
Request reference: 9380
Issue date: 12.10.23
Request received:
A copy of any documented procedures and/or policies that officers within the Council’s complaints team considers during the course of a complaints investigation
Response provided:
The Council confirmed to the applicant that it does not hold specific documented procedures regarding the consideration and processing of complaints investigations. In discharge of its obligation under section 1(1)(b), the Council confirmed that officers follow the Council’s Feedback procedure which is published on the Council’s website and best practice guidance produced by the Local Government Ombudsman
Whilst the following is not considered to be information that is held for the purposes of the Act (i e the information to follow is not already documented) the Council chose to supply this additional explanation to assist the applicant as far as it can reasonably do so. An officer that carries out such investigations provided the following:
“I have been investigating complaints in my previous job in the private sector and for over 21 years for the Council. I use my own methodology dependent on the details in the complaint itself. These can (but not always) include: looking at any pertinent legislation, asking departments for copies of all pertinent records, asking officers for their version of events and interviewing any pertinent independent witnesses or viewing pertinent and available footage
I will discuss complex complaints with my peers in the Feedback Team and we often discuss any remedies we may be considering. I will usually allow the department to see my response before I send it to a customer, as it is helpful to have a second pair of eyes to spot typos etc and for them to discuss any parts they feel may be inaccurate, unclear or to suggest changes – whether I take on their suggestions will vary, dependent on what they are.”
Request reference: 9381
Issue date: 09.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX32 0DU
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9383
Issue date: 09.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX33 2JS
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9385
Issue date: 09.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX33 1AH>
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9386
Issue date: 13.10.23
Request received:
I asked for full details of said plans including:
• Full details of the urban planners who approached every local government
• Copies of all records presented to local governments relating to said concept; including copies of the urban planners’ invitation to the local council proposing that the Local Government should consider their non-government led concepts and proposals, all evidence presented, and all subsequent records and minutes of meeting and communications etc that have taken place between both parties (whether telephony, face to face, via text or via zoom or any other media)
• Details of all Local Council communications presented to council members and to the public to introduce and explain the concept and implications for their towns
• Full details of all evidence and processes used to evaluate and assimilate all evidence for proposals that was used to enable the Local Government to arrive at a decision to “sign up“to said concept
• Full details of all public enquiries held, together with details of outcomes
• Full details of the business case for the Local government decision, together with the required risk assessment
I also require details of how this initiative has been funded:-
1. Please provide details of costs incurred to the council for researching and processing plans and proposals for this initiative
2. Please provide full details of any private funding or financial initiatives provided TO councils to enable them to invest in this initiative
3. Furthermore, based on subsequent media reports, please confirm how Active Travel England is involved and how is it funded? If Active travel is not involved, please state this in the response
Please confirm or deny that North Devon District Council/Devon County Council/Exeter City Council and Braunton Parish Council have or have not been approached by urban designers or signed up to considering this concept... as current government information presented to me to date is confusing and contradictory. Please answer in your personal capacity if you are unable to answer for all.
If you are unable to provide any of the information requested then please provide a full explanation as to why this information is not available or where I can research this information myself
Response provided:
It would seem that your main interest relates to 15 minute city/neighbourhood plans and so I have answered your questions (in green) on that basis, however, we do have adopted Neighbourhood Plans both in Braunton and Georgeham
Details of Neighbourhood Plans can be found on our website and are defined as follows:
Neighbourhood planning allows communities to come together to have more of a say on the future of the places where they live and work. There is a legal framework to produce a neighbourhood plan and this includes the need to formally designate a neighbourhood planning area, undertake formal consultation, independent examination and pass a local referendum
Neighbourhood Plans are prepared by the Parish/Town Council and if successful, the neighbourhood plan becomes part of the statutory development plan and will be used in making planning decisions (alongside other documents including the Local Plan). More details can be found here:
Neighbourhood planning | North Devon Council
Details of the Braunton Plan can be found here and that includes the consultation:
Braunton Neighbourhood Plan (brauntonparishneighbourhoodplan.org.uk)
Braunton Parish Council do reference 20 minute neighbourhoods related to policies H8 and H10 in their Plan. Details can be found here:
neighbourhood-plan-6-Housing-Referendum-Version-280723.pdf (brauntonparishneighbourhoodplan.org.uk)
I can advise that North Devon Council have not adopted the 15 minute city/20 minute neighbourhood concept
The Local Plan strategic policies refer to Sustainable Development; securing development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions of an area. The supporting text explains this further. This is in line with the expectations in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
The Local Plan was the subject of significant consultation and independent examination, prior to its adoption in 2018
In response to the applicant’s specific questions:
· Full details of the urban planners who approached every local government – I am not aware of any approach in this regard related to 15/20 minute Neighbourhoods.
· Copies of all records presented to local governments relating to said concept; including copies of the urban planners’ invitation to the local council proposing that the Local Government should consider their non government led concepts and proposals, all evidence presented, and all subsequent records and minutes of meeting and communications etc that have taken place between both parties (whether telephony, face to face, via text or via zoom or any other media) – None
· Details of all Local Council communications presented to council members and to the public to introduce and explain the concept and implications for their towns – None from NDC
· Full details of all evidence and processes used to evaluate and assimilate all evidence for proposals that was used to enable the Local Government to arrive at a decision to “sign up“ to said concept – N/A
· Full details of all public enquiries held, together with details of outcomes – N/A
· Full details of the business case for the Local government decision, together with the required risk assessment. – N/A
I also require details of how this initiative has been funded:-
1. Please provide details of costs incurred to the council for researching and processing plans and proposals for this initiative – N/A
2. Please provide full details of any private funding or financial initiatives provided TO councils to enable them to invest in this initiative. – N/A
3. Furthermore, based on subsequent media reports, please confirm how Active Travel England is involved and how is it funded? If Active travel is not involved, please state this in the response. I can’t answer for Active Travel
Please confirm or deny that North Devon District Council/Devon County Council/Exeter City Council and Braunton Parish Council have or have not been approached by urban designers or signed up to considering this concept... as current government information presented to me to date is confusing and contradictory. please answer in your personal capacity if you are unable to answer for all. I can only answer for NDC and say we have not been approached to my knowledge neither have we signed up to the concept, albeit the strategic policies in the Local Plan are related to sustainable development. Details of our Local Plan, which was the subject of detailed consultation can be found here:
North Devon and Torridge Local Plan
Request reference: 9387
Issue date: 23.10.23
Request received:
1. How many council owned properties in your local authority have Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) that is deemed to present a risk to life safety?
2. For each of the last five years, please provide:
a) The total number of council owned properties overall
b) The total number of council owned (residential and commercial) properties identified to contain RAAC concrete
c) The number of these properties that have been deemed to present a risk to life safety due to the RAAC concrete
d) The number of properties where remediation work has been undertaken to address the risks associated with the RAAC concrete
3. The number of properties still requiring remediation work.
Please provide this information in an Excel spreadsheet or other digital document format, if possible
Response provided:
1. Unknown at time of response as this was pending an engineer visit
2. a) Applicant referred to published Asset Register for September 2023 in dataset format and provided with copies of previous Asset Registers held within the requested time period that are no longer published:
July 2017, July 2018, 2019, 2020,
February 2022 and May 2023
b) 2023 = One, 2022 = Zero, 2021 = Zero,
2020 = Zero, 2019 = Zero
c) The number of these properties that have been deemed to present a risk to life safety
due to the RAAC concrete 2023 = unknown as this is pending an engineer
2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 = N/A
d) The number of properties where remediation work has been undertaken to
address the risks associated with the RAAC concrete 2023 = None (pending engineer
visit), 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 = N/A
3. The number of properties still requiring remediation work. 2023 = currently unknown as this is pending an engineer visit. 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 = N/A
Request reference: 9389
Issue date: 09.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX31 4PR
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9391
Issue date: 11.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX16 8FD
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9392
Issue date: 13.1023
Request received:
1. The number of people on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2023
2. The number of people on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2022
3. The number of social/council homes completed in 2022/23
4. The number of social/council homes "lost" (e g demolished, sold, etc) in 2022/23
5. The total social/council home stock as of September 2023
In essence, I am looking for the net gain/loss in public housing in the area and the local housing need
Response provided:
- The housing register holds ‘household applications’ with each applicant/joint applicant applying for housing for their whole household. The household can have multiple members/persons e.g. a couple and 2 children equals ‘one household’. There were 2157 household applications on the register as at 30.9.23
If you require the number of ‘people’ we can only produce reports based on the day we run it. We could run a report if needed but it will be relevant to that date only
The DHC website contains annual reports providing summary data for each quarter of the current year and annual reports for the previous 7 years: https://www.devonhomechoice.com/useful-information-2
- There were 2195 household applications on the register as at 30.9.23. We cannot provide the number of persons on the register for this date (see explanation above)
- 87
- We are unable to provide the 2022/23 data for ‘North Devon area’ because we do not hold this data. North Devon District Council does not own social housing stock. We own a small number of units (10) used to meet statutory homeless functions i.e. emergency/temporary accommodation placements. North Devon Council and each of the individual Registered Providers (with stock in the North Devon District area) report separately to Central Government. The national data sets are available on the following pages https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/local-authority-data-housing-supply/
The latest data set for social stock lost was at 2021/22 (see attached spreadsheet downloaded from the linked page)
5. We are unable to provide the 2022/23 data for North Devon because we do not hold this data. North Devon District Council does not own social housing stock. North Devon Council and each of the individual Registered Providers (with stock in the North Devon District area) report separately to Central Government. The national data sets are available on the following pages https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/local-authority-data-housing-supply/
The latest data set for total social/housing association stock is for March 2022 (2021/22) (see attached spreadsheet downloaded from the linked page) - Total social/housing association stock as at March 2022 was 4,954
Request reference: 9393
Issue date: 03.10.23
Request received:
1. The number of Parish Councils in the North Devon District
2. The population in each Parish
3. The Parish Precept for each Parish for 23/24
Response provided:
1. 59
2. The Council does not hold population information, however the Council's Electoral Services team is able to provide the electorate totals per Parish for October 2023 as attached. You may wish to make a separate request to The Office Of National Statistics on population figures, trends
3. Applicant provide with an Excel spreadsheet setting out this information, which is available upon request
Request reference: 9394
Issue date: 18.10.23
Request received:
1. A copy of the expenditure statement for year 2023 to 2024. A full transactional list of all of the expenses paid by the Council (not the profit and loss spreadsheet) providing itemised proof in pounds as to where the annual Council Tax is being spent
2. If Council Tax payments fund the Police Service, Ambulance Service, Waste Collections and Schools
3. With regards to 2, if the answer is yes, you wish to know the percentages for each
4. Applicant wishes to know if their home address has been used as collateral by the Council should it claim bankruptcy
Response provided:
In response to 1, the Council does not yet hold this information for 2023/24, however it provided the information for 2022/23 which is held
In response to 2 and 3, the percentages of Council Tax collected goes to the following areas (2022/23, total for average bill £2,169.76)
a) North Devon Council = £198.35, 9.14%
b) Devon County Council = £1,556.46, 71.74%
c) Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner = £246.56, 11.36%
d) Devon and Somerset Fire Authority = £91.79, 4.23%
e) Town and Parish Council’s = £76.60, 3.53%
In response to 4, the applicant was advised that their home address would not be used as collateral by North Devon Council. If the Council were in a position where it thought it would claim bankruptcy it would issue what is called a section 114 notice which would limit spending to statutory/essential spend and would place the authority in special measures with Central Government
Request reference: 9395
Issue date: 04.10.23
Request received:
Any information on private water supplies (groundwater and surface water) that you hold on register with a 2km radius of EX34 8BH (SS 51414 46782) -for a site in Ilfracombe. If possible I'm looking for abstraction location, source, depth to water (if borehole), quantity abstracted and use
Response provided:
Site: Lower Campscott Farm, Lincombe, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8LS
Source: Borehole
Eastings: 249484
Northings: 145609
Volume m3: 8
Site: Middle Campscott Farm, Lee, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8LS
Source: Spring
Eastings: 249418
Northings: 145132
Volume m3: 0.6
Site: Winsham Farm, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8PQ
Source: Spring
Eastings: 252666
Northings: 146145
Volume m3: 0.6
Site: 2 Francis Cottages, New Barnstaple Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9RH
Source: Well
Eastings: 2533333
Northings: 146076
Volume m3: 0.6
The council does not hold the requested data on depth of borehole. The quantity abstracted is an estimate based on population
Request reference: 9396
Issue date: 04.10.23
Request received:
1. Do you outsource your annual and daily billing print and mail requirements? If so, who is your current provider and when does your contract(s) end?
2. Who provides your electoral print requirements including postal vote packs, poll cards, annual canvass, grass skirts etc? When does your current contract(s) end?
Response provided:
- We outsource all our annual billing and part of our daily billing to CFH Docmail. Details of the contract are published on our Contract Register which includes the contract end date
- Postal votes and election printing are done in-house
Poll Cards =Sci Print
Annual Canvass forms = Civica
There are no contracts in place for this printing
Request reference: 9397
Issue date: 10.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX32 7QJ
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9398
Issue date: 20.10.23
Request received:
Evidence of an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) in respect of the provision of a bus gate off the Old Torrington Road
Response provided:
In accordance with Regulation 3(2), the Council’s Planning department confirms that there is no evidence for this specifically, however an EIA Screening Opinion was provided in respect of the wider proposal and that an Environmental Statement was provided in respect of a wider area still. The original bus gate was approved under reference 26450 and the “new” bus gate at Gratton Way/Old Torrington Road was required to be provided as ‘off site highway works’ following the approval of the first phase of development at Larkbear for 236 dwellings (application 61119)
The EIA screening “exercise” was carried out in relation to the whole development proposed under 61119 - not just in respect of the bus gate and other highway works elements. NDC concluded that the development was not EIA development and that consequently the applicants were not required to provide an Environmental Statement in respect of the proposed development under 61119. A copy of the Screening Opinion is attached and is also linked to the record for 61119 on the Council website. You may also find the decision notice and associated S106 Agreement for this proposal to be of interest, together with the Environmental Statement submitted in respect of application 54762
Returning to the requirements around the provision of the bus gate, Condition 20 of the planning permission for 61119 is particularly relevant:
20. With 3 months of the removal of the bus gate between Gratton Way and the Old Torrington Road the works to the highway detailed on drawing contained in APPENDIX 9.2 of the Transport Assessment dated September 2012 and called Old Torrington Road Priority Junction Site Access shall be undertaken and completed in accordance with the approved plans unless agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority
Reason: To ensure that the junction is improved to facilitate the access strategy for the development
Whilst the provision of off-site works is conditioned as part of the Planning Permission, a separate decision was required by a Traffic Regulation Order to change the bus gate arrangements. Devon County Council is the decision maker with regards to the Traffic Regulation Order and it is understood that the matter has been before DCC’s Housing And Traffic Order Committee (HATOC) on numerous occasions. Consequently, it is considered that DCC are best placed to provide any additional information regarding the EIR. It is noted that their advice so far has been simply that… “There is no requirement to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to making a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).”
Request reference: 9399
Issue date: 24.10.23
Request received:
a) For the last three calendar years (2021-2023 inclusive):
a. Number of first time applications for a dog breeding licence
b. Number of renewal applications for a dog breeding licence
c. Number of applications refused (with reasons for refusal if possible)
d. Number of licences issued
b) In addition:
a. The number of breeding bitches in each currently licensed establishment
Response provided:
a) a. Three
b. Two
c. Zero
d. 2021 = Eight
2022 = Four
2023 = Eight
b) a. The number of breeding bitches in each currently licensed establishment:
Premises 1 = Five
Premises 2 = 10
Premises 3 = Seven
Premises 4 = Four
Premises 5 = Four
Premises 6 = Six
Premises 7 = 40
Premises 8 = Three
Premises 9 = Six
Premises 10 = Six
Premises 11 = One
Premises 12 = Three
Premises 13 = 31
Request reference: 9400
Issue date: 24.10.23
Request received:
1. How many raids, welfare enforcement visits and warrants were executed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 between 31st August 2019 and 31st August 2023 by the council with the assistance of the RSPCA on the day. Please indicate the RSPCA level of assistance if known, i.e transport only, assessment, physical handling of animals etc
2. How many raids, welfare enforcement visits and warrants were executed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 during the same period by the council without the presence and assistance of the RSPCA
3. Please indicate which type of council officers were present during the above action and how many of each type if known: Animal Welfare Officers, Animal Licensing Officers, Animal Health Officers, Other
4. How many requests for information or assistance were made to the council in relation to Animal Welfare issues between 31st August 2019 and 31st August 2023 by the local police authority; by the RSPCA
5. How many of the above actions were on domestic premises; rescues; boarding kennels, and Animal Welfare Establishments (AWE’s) including sanctuaries, and how many were puppy farms
6. How many animals were seized during the above actions and removed from the premises, please breakdown animal by type i e, dogs, cats, horses - paying particular reference to dogs
7. How many animals paying specific reference to dogs were euthanised ‘on site’ during the above actions
8. How many of those animals euthanised on site during the above actions were euthanised due to welfare issues; deemed too dangerous/difficult to handle or to transport, with specific reference to dogs. Please state any other reasons for euthanasia with numbers, with specific reference to dogs
9. How many animals which were seized, specifically dogs were later euthanised due welfare issues; too difficult to handle/aggressive or any other reason
10. Please provide a breakdown of dogs by breed of those euthanised if known i.e., German Shepherd, Jack Russell etc or by size, small, medium, large dogs if known
11. If this information is not held by you, please indicate which council should be contacted for assistance
Response provided:
1. Zero
2. Two warrants executed
3. First warrant attended by one Police Officer, one Licensing Enforcement Officer, one Licensing Officer, two Dog Wardens. Second warrant attended by one Licensing Enforcement Officer, one Licensing Officer, one Dog Warden, three Police Officers, plus two Licensing Officers from another local authority
4. One from the Police
5. One domestic premises, one puppy farm
6. Zero
7. Zero
8. N/A
9. N/A
10. N/A
11. N/A
Request reference: 9401
Issue date: 13.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 9HP
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9402
Issue date: 14.10.23
Request received:
Information related to permissions for building tiny homes, eco homes, and homes constructed from shipping containers in the United Kingdom
I would appreciate it if you could provide me with the following information:
1. The total number of applications made for the construction of tiny homes, eco homes, or homes built from shipping containers in the UK over the last 12 months, 3 years, and 5 years, respectively
2. A breakdown of the number of applications mentioned above by year, specifying the number of applications for each of the last 12 months, 3 years, and 5 years
3. The number of applications that were approved for the construction of tiny homes, eco homes, or homes built from shipping containers over the last 12 months, 3 years, and 5 years, respectively
4. A breakdown of the number of approvals mentioned above by year, specifying the number of approvals for each of the last 12 months, 3 years, and 5 years
5. The number of applications that were rejected for the construction of tiny homes, eco homes, or homes built from shipping containers over the last 12 months, 3 years, and 5 years, respectively
6. A breakdown of the number of rejections mentioned above by year, specifying the number of rejections for each of the last 12 months, 3 years, and 5 years
7. Information on the geographic distribution of these applications and approvals, including details on the regions or local authorities where they were filed and granted
8. Any specific policies, guidelines, or criteria that local authorities use to evaluate applications for tiny homes, eco homes, or homes built from shipping containers
9. Any available data or insights regarding the reasons for rejections of these applications
10. Information on any trends or changes in the number of applications, approvals, or rejections for such housing types over the specified time periods
11. Any other relevant information or insights that may assist in understanding the process and success rates of obtaining permissions for these housing types
Please provide this information in a digital format, such as PDF or Excel
Response provided:
The Council confirms that it does hold some of this information. In discharge of its obligation under section 1(1)(b) the Council’s Planning department advises that they do not capture/record the provision of these particular types of homes as a specific category for monitoring purposes and so they are unable to run a report for this information
However, the types homes that the applicant is interested in may be incorporated into the descriptions of the development in planning applications made over the time periods.
The applicant was advised that they are able to search the Planning Tracker (which makes applications publically available) by using the key words “tiny home(s)”, “eco home(s)” and “shipping container(s)” and depending on whether there are any applicable applications, would then be able to view the applications and extract the information themselves
In accordance with Section 21(1) of the Act, the Council is not obliged to provide information that is already held within the public domain. However, it does have a duty under Section 16(1) to provide all applicants advice and assistance in order to assist with locating the information, which it has done so in providing the applicant with the link above to the planning tracker and the suggestions for carrying out the searches
Request reference: 9403
Issue date: 20.10.23
Request received:
How many Householder (domestic) planning application requests have been rejected in your local authority between 1st October 2022 and 30th September 2023, listing all the reasons planning permission was rejected and how many instances for each reason were recorded
Response provided:
The applicant was provided with the Decision Notices applicable to the 10 identified cases falling within the remit of the request, which are available upon request. Using this information, these applications are also searchable via the Council’s Planning Tracker
Request reference: 9404
Issue date: 03.10.23
Request received:
The information I'm requesting is regarding the software contracts that the organisation uses, for the following fields:
Enterprise Resource Planning Software Solution (ERP)
Primary Customer Relationship Management Solution (CRM)
For example, Salesforce, Lagan CRM, Microsoft Dynamics; software of this nature Primary Human Resources (HR) and Payroll Software Solution:
For example, iTrent, ResourceLink, HealthRoster; software of this nature
The organisation’s primary corporate Finance Software Solution:
For example, Agresso, Integra, Sapphire Systems; software of this nature
1. Name of Supplier: Can you please provide me with the software provider for each contract?
2. The brand of the software: Can you please provide me with the actual name of the software. Please do not provide me with the supplier name again please provide me with the actual software name
3. Description of the contract: Can you please provide me with detailed information about this contract and please state if upgrade, maintenance and support is included
Please also list the software modules included in these contracts
4. Number of Users/Licenses: What is the total number of user/licenses for this contract?
5. Annual Spend: What is the annual average spend for each contract?
6. Contract Duration: What is the duration of the contract please include any available extensions within the contract
7. Contract Start Date: What is the start date of this contract?
8. Contract Expiry: What is the expiry date of this contract?
9. Contract Review Date: What is the review date of this contract? Please include month and year of the contract. If this cannot be provide please provide me estimates of when the contract is likely to be reviewed
10. Contact Details: I require the full contact details of the person within the organisation responsible for this particular software contract (name, job title, email, contact number)
Response provided:
Primary Customer Relationship Management Solution (CRM):
1. As follows:
CRM – GRANICUS-FIRMSTEP Ltd, as published on the Council’s contract register
Primary Corporate Finance Software Solution: Civica UK Ltd, as published on the Council’s contract register
2. As follows:
Granicus gov.Service and gov.Self
Civica.co.uk
- For both contracts, this information is published under the Details section of the contract as published via the link above
- For both contracts, unlimited users
- Granicus = £40K, Civica = £32K
- For both contracts, this information is published under the Details section of the contract as published via the link above
- As 6. above
- As 6. Above
- As 6. Above
- For both contracts, this information is published under the Primary Contact section of the contract as published via the link above
Request reference: 9405
Issue date: 13.10.23
Request received:
Litchdon Lane EX32 8NL - Fly Tipping Information
Response provided:
22 April 2020 - “In Litchdon Lane there is a house and there is waste that has been dumped there for weeks. Its attracting rats and customer is very worried that they will come into the property”. An officer from the team spoke to the occupier who stated they were not responsible. As there was no proof either way, no further action was taken and the council arranged for the removal of the waste
27 August 2021 - “Fly tip of domestic waste bags in Litchdon Lane.” - this case resulted in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued, and paid
No other cases have been identified
Request reference: 9406
Issue date: 13.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX31 3RF
Response provided:
Applicant advised no information held
Request reference: 9407
Issue date: 10.10.23
Request received:
The number of dogs put to sleep in the Council’s area by the local authority in the following format:
Monthly figures for the past three years to the most recent date available
(e g if the most recent date is August 2023, please provide data for Sep 2020 to Aug 2021, Sep 2021 to Aug 2022 and Sep 2022 to Aug 2023.)
If dog breed/type is recorded, monthly figures for the past three years for American Bullies, including XLs, put to sleep by your local authority
Response provided:
The Council’s Environmental Protection team has search the following periods: October 2020 - September 2021 / October 2021 - September 2022 / October 2022 - September 2023. In that period, the Council arranged for one dog to be euthanised which was a Greyhound on 28 January 2022
Request reference: 9408
Issue date: 24.10.23
Request received:
1. The most common bulky waste items collected from outside of UK properties over the last 12 months?
1a. How many of each common item were disposed in the last 12 months? Please can this be broken down by month
2. How many mattresses have you collected from outside of UK properties over the last 12 months? Please can this be broken down by month
3. How much have UK residents paid for bulky waste collections in the last 12 months? Please can this be broken down by month?
Response provided:
In response to 1 and 2, from 01.10.22 to and including 30.09.23, there 2,181 bulky waste collections made and carried out by the Council
However, the Council does not record details of bulky waste collections in a way that it can easily report on the individual items that have been collected within each of the 2,181 collections as customers are able to request multiple items on each bulky waste collection that that they arrange
3. As follows:
Oct-22 -2,924.00
Nov-22 -2,959.00
Dec-22 -1,430.00
Jan-23 -3,966.00
Feb-23 -3,143.00
Mar-23 -4,011.00
Apr-23 -4,153.00
May-23 -5,012.00
Jun-23 -4,102.00
Jul-23 -5,092.00
Aug-23 -4,911.00
Sep-23 -4,216.00
-45,919.00
Request reference: 9410
Issue date: 10.10.23
Request received:
One of the remedies that the Ombudsman suggests as a result of complaints that are upheld is that compensation/redress payments should be made to the complainant
Please provide copies of any internal documents or policies used by the council when deciding how much compensation/redress should be made to members of the public following complaints they have made
Response provided:
The Council does not have a document relating to how compensation or complaint remedies are applied
The Council follows its Feedback procedure as well as the ombudsman guidance on remedies but there is no set guide as to how much compensation is given or when, it is all based on the time and trouble or personal injustice the customer has experienced
The ombudsman guidance can be found here: Guidance on remedies - Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
Request reference: 9411
Issue date: 06.10.23
Request received:
For each of the last three financial years, broken down by department:
i) Total spend on staffing
ii) Total spend on agency staff
iii) Initial budget for spend on agency staff
iv) Annual percentage turnover rate
v) Annual percentage sickness absence rate
Response provided:
Applicant provided the response to i), ii) and iii) in Excel format (which is available upon request)
iv) 2020/21 = 7.8%
2021/22 = 12.8%
2022/23 = 12.66%
v) Applicant directed to the Council’s datasets published on its website: Employee Sickness which provides the raw data to work out the days lost per employee
The data for 2019/20 is not held due to a change in HR system
Request reference: 9412
Issue date: 19.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 8AS
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9413
Issue date: 19.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 8BJ
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9415
Issue date: 10.10.23
Request received:
Details of the liability on business rates at BP0114 Braunton Depot, Sandy Lane, Braunton, EX33 2NU between the dates of 01.04.2019 to 31.08.2023
Response provided:
The ratepayer between the dates 1 April 2019 to 31 August 2023 (and still is) Flogas Britain Ltd
Request reference: 9416
Issue date: 19.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX39 4LN
Response provided:
Applicant advised no information held
Request reference: 9417
Issue date: 13.10.23
Request received:
Information relating to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund:
1. Provide a link/contact email where groups are able to apply for this funding?
2. Could you please advise what funds local groups can apply for?
3. Could you please advise a detailed list of which council authorities (town/parish councils) in your area would be eligible to apply (not for example an 'ALL' response)
Response provided:
1. As follows:
• https://www.northdevonplus.co.uk/our-services/business-boost-programme/
2. As follows:
• We have a ‘town enhancement’ grant scheme open to town centre businesses and property owners, with grants up to £2,000 for capital works
• We are running a business support programme, and part of this includes seed-funding grants for small and micro businesses, with grants up to £1,500
• As an authority we qualified for the rural top-up under UKSPF, called Rural England Prosperity Fund – through this we are running a rural grants scheme, for capital projects and grants range from £2,500 up to £25,000. This covers agriculture, diversification, tourism, business growth and innovation projects
3. As follows:
We have a ‘town enhancement’ grant scheme open to town centre businesses and property owners, with grants up to £2,000 for capital works
We are running a business support programme, and part of this includes seed-funding grants for small and micro businesses, with grants up to £1,500
As an authority we qualified for the rural top-up under UKSPF, called Rural England Prosperity Fund – through this we are running a rural grants scheme, for capital projects and grants range from £2,500 up to £25,000. This covers agriculture, diversification, tourism, business growth and innovation projects
Request reference: 9418
Issue date: 10.10.23
Request received:
1. Does your council have homelessness staff on-site at a council building to assess people approaching as homeless? (i e can people who are homeless go to council offices in person and be assessed by a person face-to-face). If so, are the staff full time or part time? How many full time staff are there?
2. If full time, what happens at the weekend?
3. If part time, how many are there and how many days a week are people working in person?
4. If the council has no staff available for in person approaches, how do people approach the council?
Response provided:
1. Yes, we have 6 x Homeless Officers al full time, 1 x Service Lead Housing Options, 1 x Support Officer, 1 x Young Person officer 1 x Re-Settlement Officer - Our NDC offices are open Mon-Wed-Fri 9am – 1pm for face to face appointments – Applicants are able to register 24 hrs a day on our Locata system however if urgent they can call our services Mon- Fri 9am – 5pm and speak with a Housing Officer. NDC also has a Rough Sleeper Team based in a centre in Barnstaple open 5 days per week
2. Out of Hours Service – Telephone
3. N/A
4. Direct onto Locata Housing System
Request reference: 9420
Issue date: 18.10.23
Request received:
The total amount of credits and overpayments (£) held in CLOSED council tax accounts by the council between the tax years for 2021/22 and 2022/23. I am also requesting the total number of such accounts in the same period
Please provide the information in the form of a simple table with the Tax Year, Number of closed accounts in credit, and Total credits/overpayments (£)
If it is not possible to provide a breakdown of credits by financial year and they are instead only recorded on a rolling basis, could I get the total value of current credits (£) and the total number of accounts in credit as of the current date
I am also requesting the main reasons why residents have overpaid on their council tax during these periods
Response provided:
The Council is unable to provide this requested information. The credit report from the system used does not show if the Council Tax account is closed; therefore each account on the report would need to be manually checked to ascertain if it is closed. The details would then need to be entered into a spreadsheet to collate the data for closed accounts only. Currently there are 1,008 Council Tax accounts in credit
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 extracting the information
It has been estimated by the Revenues department that it would take in exceed of 50 hours (3 minutes per account) in order to provide the requested information and that this would seriously disrupt the day to day working of the Revenues department. Therefore we are sorry but we are unable to process your request as above any further, as set out in the previous paragraph, the Council has the right to refuse to take the matter further by virtue of Section 12 of the Act
The council confirms that it does not have any staff employed on zero hours contracts
Request reference: 9421
Issue date: 13.10.23
Request received:
The current number of staff the Council has employed on zero hours contracts
Response provided:
The council confirms that it does not have any staff employed on zero hours contracts
Request reference: 9422
Issue date: 20.10.23
Request received:
1. In relation to your collection of council tax for the 2022/2023 council tax period please provide the total number of referrals/debts passed to enforcement agents
2. Please confirm the name of the enforcement company used by the council for the recovery of council tax debt
3. Please confirm if accounts which are part of the council tax reduction/support scheme are passed to enforcement companies and if so how many such cases were passed on for the 2022/23 council tax period
4. Please confirm if accounts of people on health/disability related benefits such as Disability Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment are passed to enforcement companies and if so how many such cases were passed on for the 2022/23 council tax period
5. Please confirm if an assessment of vulnerability is done prior to a debt being passed to an enforcement company and if so provide a brief description of what the assessment involves. Please also confirm how many cases of people assessed as being vulnerable or potentially vulnerable were passed on to an enforcement company for the 2022/23 council tax period
6. Please confirm what protocols are in place between the local authority and enforcement companies regarding the approach that should be taken when someone is assessed as being vulnerable as per the assessment referred to in Q5. Please also confirm the kinds of cases which should be raised with, or referred back to, local authorities for further consideration when encountered
7. Please confirm A) how many requests the council received to bring a council tax debt back from an enforcement agent due to vulnerability reasons during the 2022/23 period and B) How many times the council agreed to bring an account back due to vulnerability reasons during the 2022/23 period
Response provided:
1. 2,735 cases were referred to enforcement agents in 2022/23
2. Dukes Enforcement Agents
3. Yes they are passed to Enforcement Agents, however this figure is not recorded separately and would therefore require the Revenues team to manually look each of the 2,735 cases to identify the information where it is held
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 would far exceed the 18 hour limit to provide the requested information. The Revenues team would need a minimum of three minutes per case which would exceed 136 hours. The procedure would cause serious disruption to the day to day working of the Revenues team and therefore we are unable to process this part of your 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
4. As 3 above
5. If the Revenues team are made aware that a debtor is vulnerable through contact by customer or third party, the debt is not referred to Enforcement Agents. The number of cases passed to Enforcement Agents is not recorded by the Revenues team
6. The authority will recall any cases with Enforcement Agents where vulnerability is identified by the authority and the Enforcement Agents will return cases where they identify any vulnerability
7. This information is not recorded by the Revenues team
Request reference: 9423
Issue date: 18.10.23
Request received:
1. Please confirm your overall spending on Translation and Interpreting Services, for each of the financial years:
a. 2020-2021:
b. 2022-2023:
2. Please provide a breakdown of languages for the last 12 months
3. What languages were your suppliers not able to supply in 2022?
4. Which external supplier(s) do you currently use to deliver your interpreting and translation services ?
5. Are you able to provide approximate fee / interpreting session for:
a. In-person/face to face interpreting
b. Telephone interpreting
c. Video interpreting
6. If you outsource the provision of interpreting services to an external provider, could you please confirm:
a) Whether the provider was contracted via a national framework? If so, which one?
b) When does the current contract expire?
c) Is there is an exclusivity clause, which would prevent the trust from piloting new cost saving interpreting services during the duration of your contract with your existing provider?
7. From which budget within your organisation are interpreting services funded?
8. Where do you advertise your tenders? If you do not do a full tender / which frameworks would you use?
9. What is the start and end date for either the framework or direct contracts you have with interpreting and translation supplier(s)?
10. Please provide the name and email of the contract manager for the service
11. If we would like to engage in conversation with a member of staff in your organisation to discuss the innovation we propose to develop, who would be the most suitable person to approach?
Response provided:
1. a) £118.50 b) £120.00
2. Not known
3. None. If a language is not available the Council would look elsewhere but there have been no instances where a language has been unavailable
4. Language Line Solutions
5. a) Not used b) £1.50 per minute c) Not used
6. This information not held as there is no formal contract in place
7. Interpretation services
8. N/A see 6 above
9. N/A see 6 above
10. N/A see 6 above
11. supplyingndc@northdevon.gov.uk
Request reference: 9424
Issue date: 13.10.23
Request received:
1. The total number of Domestic Properties you have listed in your area
2. The total number of Non-Domestic Properties you have listed in your area
3. The total number of visiting officers employed for inspections of Domestic Properties
4. The total number of visiting officers employed for inspections of Non-Domestic Properties
5. The lowest salary of these visiting officers
6. The highest salary of these visiting officers
7. The average salary of all visiting officers
For clarification, Visiting Officers may inspect properties needing to be brought into council tax or business rates banding, or inspect a property to confirm its current state and status. These may be (but not exclusively) part of the Council Tax/Business Rates/Revenues Department
Regarding the properties, the request relates to all properties listed for council tax and for business rates
Response provided:
1. The Council publishes a dataset of all Council Tax properties on a quarterly basis with the most recent update as at 01.10.23
2. The Council publishes a number of NDR datasets on a quarterly basis with the last updated as at 01.07.23 currently available. The data as at 01.10.23 is currently being prepared for publication later this month
3. One inspector covering both domestic and non-domestic property inspections.
4. As 3 above
5. Revenues Inspector – salary band 7-17 (£22,369 - £26,845)
6. As 5 above
7. N/A
Request reference: 9425
Issue date: 13.10.23
Request received:
Numbers of burials and cremations in the North Devon area for the years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and January to September 2023
Response provided:
Burials:
Year Total
2018 49
2019 56
2020 38
2021 40
2022 33
2023 Jan – Sep 30
Cremations:
Year Total
2018 1,620
2019 1,530
2020 1,608
2021 1,509
2022 1,589
2023 Jan – Sep 1,357
Request reference: 9426
Issue date: 25.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 7DG
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9427
Issue date: 19.10.23
Request received:
To assist with the collation of the size and scope of sector and no central point of contact - this is a freedom of information request to confirm the number of registered premises or practitioners who have been issued a licence of registration from your Council for the activity of:
Epilation
Electrolysis to include advanced
Semi-permanent make up
Please also include the number prohibitions or sanctions issued that with reasons
Please include evidence spanning a 10-year timescale
Response provided:
The number of registrations issued for the 10 year period 18/10/2013 to 18/10/2023 are as follows:
• Epilation = Zero
• Electrolysis to include advanced = 11 personal, 43 premises
• Semi-permanent make up = 46 personal, 64 premises
The number prohibitions or sanctions issued that with reasons = No prohibitions or sanctions issued
Request reference: 9428
Issue date: 16.10.23
Request received:
The following information from the local authority between the dates 14/10/2022 to 13/10/2023:
1) How many parking tickets/penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued by the council?
2) How much revenue was accumulated from parking tickets/PCNs during this time period?
3) Which street was responsible for the greatest number of parking tickets/PCNs in this time period?
Response provided:
Applicant directed to Devon County Council for this information relating on-street parking enforcement, the following relates to Off-street (car parks) were held:
1. 5,765 PCNs issued between 14.10.22 to and including 13.10.23
2. £147,749.97 revenue accumulated from those PCNs between 14.10.22 to and including 13.10.23
3. Queen Street Car Park, Barnstaple
Request reference: 9429
Issue date: 18.10.23
Request received:
1. The number of exemptions registered for domestic properties broken down by exemption type
o No further relevant improvements (all relevant energy efficiency improvements have been made or there are no relevant energy efficiency improvements that can be made for the property (reg 25 MEES Regulations)
o Inability to obtain consent (reg 31 MEES Regulations)
o Devaluing effects (reg 32 MEES Regulations)
o Where a tenancy is granted in exceptional circumstances (reg 33 MEES Regulations)
2. The number of exemptions registered for non-domestic properties broken down by exemption type
o No further relevant improvements (all relevant energy efficiency improvements have been made or there are no relevant energy efficiency improvements that can be made for the property (reg 29 MEES Regulations)
o Inability to obtain consent (reg 31 MEES Regulations)
o Devaluing effects (reg 32 MEES Regulations)
o Where a tenancy is granted in exceptional circumstances (reg 33 MEES Regulations)
3. The number of penalty notices served to landlords of domestic properties in relation to non-compliance with MEES regulations
4. The number of penalty notices served to landlords of non-domestic properties in relation to non-compliance with MEES regulations
5. Total value (£) of penalty notices served to landlords of domestic properties in relation to non-compliance with MEES regulations
6. Total value (£) of penalty notices served to landlords of non-domestic properties in relation to non-compliance with MEES regulations
Response provided:
North Devon Council does not currently have a policy to enforce these regulations due to insufficient resources. EPC’s that do not meet the required standard maybe be considered if enforcement action is to be taken under terms of the Housing Act 2004. Therefore in response to the request:
1.0
2. 0
3. 0
4. 0
5. 0
6. 0
Request reference: 9430
Issue date: 20.10.23
Request received:
Under the application 73989 - (the Lawful Development Certificate for 62954 - Atlantis Lodge, Croyde EX33 1PA) - there is an important correspondence dated 15 Sept 2021 from the applicant which sets out that an additional form was filled and filed with Planning for 73989 and this additional form was not put up on the Planning Portal for 73989
Response provided:
The document the applicant referred to (the application form dated 15/09/21) is now available to view on the Council’s Planning Tracker via the Council website
Request reference: 9431
Issue date: 30.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX32 9HP
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9432
Issue date: 30.10.23
Request received:
CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 7EA
Response provided:
Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information
Request reference: 9433
Issue date: 18.10.23
Request received:
Administrative and enforcement duties concerning the private rented sector and social housing for the council
1. The number of complaints received per year by tenants related to private rented sector housing per year for the following years:
2021/2022
2022/2023
2. The number of complaints received per year by tenants related to social housing per year for the following years:
2021/2022
2022/2023
3. The number of Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) inspections carried out per year on PRS properties for the following years:
2021/2022
2022/2023
4. How many improvement notices have been served in relation to Category 1 and/or Category 2 hazards on PRS properties per year for the following years:
2021/2022
2022/2023
If possible, please list the total number of Improvement Notices served exclusively because of category 1 hazards
5. The total number of formal enforcement notices served: Overcrowding Notices (Housing Act 2004 Part 2) on properties in the PRS for the following years:
2021/2022
2022/2023
6. For each year since the offence was introduced, the number of civil penalties (if any) issued to private landlords for the following offences:
a) Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (England) Regulations 2015
b) The Electrical Safety Standards in the PRS (England) Regulations 2020
Response provided:
1. 2021/2022 = 192
2022/2023 = 188
2. 2021/2022 = 33
2022/2023 = 42
3. 2021/2022 = 40 recorded, but all visits consider HHSRS
2022/2023 = 36 recorded, but all visits consider HHSRS
4. 2021/2022 = 33
2022/2023 = Eight
5. 2021/2022 = 0
2022/2023 = One
6. a) Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (England) Regulations 2015 = 0
b) The Electrical Safety Standards in the PRS (England) Regulations 2020 = 0
Request reference: 9434
Issue date: 23.10.23
Request received:
1. Which enforcement agent or agents does the council employ for matters involving council debts?
2. How many court summons has the council issued in the following years: so far in 2023/24; 2022/23; 2021/22; 2020/21; 2019/ 2020; 2018/ 19?
3. How many times have enforcement agents visited the homes of constituents on behalf of the council for the purpose of debt collection for the following years: so far in 2023/24; 2022/23; 2021/22; 2020/21; 2019/ 2020; 2018/19?
4. For those who have been visited please provide an anonymised breakdown of demographics in the categories of household income and race of occupants
5. Has the council carried out any quality impact assessments on debt collection services? If so, would I be able to request access to this document?
6. How many complaints have been made to the council due to actions taken by enforcement agents in the following years: so far in 2023/24; 2022/23; 2021/22; 2020/21; 2019/ 2020; 2018/19?
Response provided:
1. The Council publishes details of its contract for the Provision of Enforcement Agent Services on its Contract Register
2. The Council publishes an annual dataset providing the numbers of summons and liability orders obtained for the non-payment of Council Tax from 2014/15 – 2022/23 and a separate dataset for the non-payment of Business Rates from 2014/15 – 2022/23
2023/24 to date: Council Tax = 2,283, NDR = 226 Summons issued
3. This information is not recorded by the Council
4. This information is not recorded by the Council
5. No, the Council has not and therefore does not hold this information
6. Revenues and Benefits (Revenues includes Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates (Business Rates)):
2023/24 = 6
2022/23 = 0
2021/22 = 5
2020/21 = 0
2019/20 = 1
2018/19 = 1
Parking PCNs:
2023/24 = 0
2022/23 = 1
2021/22 = 0
2020/21 = 0
2019/20 = 0
2018/19 = 1
Request reference: 9436
Issue date: 24.10.23
Request received:
1. Your current suppliers used to collect the following debts (please give names of all suppliers for each debt type):
• Parking Fines (PCNs)
• Council Tax
• Business Rates (NDR)
2. Number of cases issued to enforcement agents for each debt type, for the immediate past two financial years and year to date, e g 2021/22; 2022/23; 2023 Year to date:
• Parking Fines (PCNs)
• Council Tax
• Business Rates (NDR)
3. Enforcement/Debt Collection contract start and contract end date, and any contract extension dates for each of the following debt types:
• Parking Fines (PCNs)
• Council Tax
• Business Rates (NDR)
4. Are your Revenue and Benefits or Parking Services outsourced, and if they are, please state who is the supplier responsible for each or both service e g Capita, APCOA, Agilysis, Serco, Liberata etc
• Parking (RTD)
• Revenues and Benefits
5. The name and/or job title of the Senior Office (outside of procurement) responsible for the above contract(s)?
Response provided:
1. PCNs, Council Tax and Business Rates all fall under the Council's current contract for the provision of Enforcement Agent Services with Dukes Bailiffs Ltd
2. Parking Penalty Charge Notices:
2021/22 = 372
2022/23 = 330
2023/24 to date = 372
Council Tax:
2021/22 = 5,493
2022/23 = 2,735
2023/24 to date = 2,114
Business Rates (NDR):
2021/22 = 243
2022/23 = 125
2023/24 to date = 168
3. This information is published via the Council's Contract Register:
4. No, all are delivered in-house
5. Please refer to the link provided for 3 above, under the heading 'Primary Contact'
Request reference: 9440
Issue date: 24.10.23
Request received:
1. The amount spent by the council on celebrities to turn on Christmas lights in 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023
2. The name of any celebrity who turned on Christmas lights for the council in 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023
Response provided:
The Council does not hold this information. In discharge of its obligation under section 1(1)(b), I can confirm that the Council did not hire any celebrities or well-known television personalities for any Council events, campaigns or training for the period as referred to above
Activities requiring the presence of a celebrity or personality, such as switching on Christmas lights, are organised in the North Devon area by Barnstaple Town Centre Management, which is an unincorporated public/private sector partnership
Request reference: 9441
Issue date: 24.10.23
Request received:
How many times have the council referred to enforcement agents for the purpose of debt collection for the following years:
2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24 to date
Response provided:
Parking Penalty Charge Notices:
2018/19 = 670
2019/20 = 1001
2020/21 = 163
2021/22 = 447
2022/23 = 330
2023/24 to date = 372
Council Tax:
2018/19 = 2134
2019/20 = 2052
2020/21 = 42
2021/22 = 5,493
2022/23 = 2,735
2023/24 to date = 2,114
Business Rates (NDR):
2018/19 = 109
2019/20 = 124
2020/21 = 0
2021/22 = 243
2022/23 = 125
2023/24 to date = 168
Request reference: 9443
Issue date: 26.10.23
Request received:
1) Do you use a social media management platform?
2) If so, what tools do you use?
3) How much do you spend annually on a Social media management tool?
4) Which month and year does your contract with your supplier end?
5) Do you use a social listening/media monitoring platform?
6) If so, what tools do you use?
7) How much do you spend annually on a social listening/media monitoring tool?
8) Which month and year does your contract with your supplier end?
9) Who is the senior officer in charge of these contracts?
Response provided:
1. Yes
2. Hootsuite
3. Zero/£0
4. Ongoing
5. No
6. N/A
7. Zero/£0
8. N/A
9. Helen Owen, Communications and Feedback Manager
Request reference: 9447
Issue date: 30.10.23
Request received:
a. The amount of parish council precept for Band D properties for all the parish councils within the NDDC for 23/34
b. The number of properties within each parish paying parish council precept for 2023/24
Response provided:
The Council provided the applicant with a PDF document answering the request which is available upon request. The Tax base column is the number of Band D properties within each parish and the final precept request is presented in the last column
Request reference: 9450
Issue date: 30.10.23
Request received:
A) Does your organisation use specific performance management software?
A.2) If the answer to question A is no, how does your organisation record performance management information?
B) If applicable, what is the name of the performance management software used by your organisation?
C)If applicable, is your performance management software a bespoke package or an off the shelf application?
D) What is the job title of the person responsible for performance management within your organisation?
Response provided:
A) Yes
A.2) N/A
B) Pentana
C) Off the shelf
D) Head of Programme Management and Performance
Request reference: 9455
Issue date: 31.10.23
Request received:
The total expenditure by your Council on providing temporary accommodation in the private rental sector for each of the past 5 financial years up to 2023
A breakdown of the total expenditure for each financial year into:
1. Nightly paid, privately managed accommodation
2. Hostels
3. Bed and breakfast hotels
Please provide this information in an Excel spreadsheet or other digital document format if possible
Response provided:
The applicant was directed to the Council’s website where the information is published within a dataset via the following link:
Cost of providing temporary accommodation to the Council
Request reference: 9457
Issue date: 31.10.23
Request received:
I am reaching out with an FOI request for polling district or ward-level election results for any general elections for which they can be tabulated. I am agnostic about whether these results include postal votes or not, and in fact I believe the latter is necessary as postal votes probably cannot be assigned to any particular ward. I am also aware that some degree of vote-mixing is done at the polling district level. I am requesting this data for use in my dissertation
Response provided:
All ballot papers are mixed after the verification process
No results are produced at polling district or ward level
All full results are published on the Council's website:
https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections/election-results
In accordance with Section 21(1) of the Act, the Council is not obliged to provide information that is already in the public domain. However, it does have a duty under Section 16(1) to provide all applicants advice and assistance in order to assist with locating the information, which the Council did so in providing the link to the published information above