Disclosure Log - April 2026 | North Devon Council

Request reference: FOI 11178

Issue date: 09.04.26

Request received:

1. Garage stock

• How many garages does the council own or manage?

• How many are currently let, vacant, or decommissioned/awaiting redevelopment?

2. Who uses them (rough percentages)?

• Council tenants

• Other local residents

• Businesses

3. Which service or team is responsible for managing garage assets?

4. When was the last stock survey carried out?

5. Is day to day management and maintenance handled in house?

6. What is the typical monthly rent for a garage?

7. Approximate annual income from garage lettings

8. Any common issues or complaints about garage sites over the past five years?

(e g condition, security, anti-social behaviour)

9. Any recent or planned reviews or redevelopment of garage sites?

10. Any documents, if easily available, showing community engagement or wider impacts considered in these projects?

Response provided:

Garage stock

• How many garages does the council own or manage = 49

• How many are currently let, vacant, or decommissioned/awaiting redevelopment = 25 let, 7 vacant, 17 decommissioned

This information is not recorded by the Council
The Council’s Estates team
The last stock survey was carried out in 2024, only to the garages vacant at that time
Split landlord and tenant responsibility, dependent on agreement
Between £11.63 and £13.83 per week
Approximately £15,500 per annum

None
Yes, recently redeveloped a garage site to premium parking spaces due to storm damage of existing buildings.
Planning application: 80457 - Council Services

Request reference: 11179

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information, relating to the financial year 2024–25 (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025):

Homelessness Presentations

1. How many households with a lead applicant aged 18 - 40 were assessed as owed a -prevention or relief duty by your authority in financial year 2024/25?

2. Of the households above, how many cited each of the following as the main reason for loss of last settled home or threatened loss of last settled home?

Main reason categories:

a) End of assured shorthold tenancy (AST) in the private rented sector

b) Harassment or illegal eviction from private rented sector

c) Family or friends no longer willing or able to accommodate

d) Relationship breakdown with partner (non-violent)

e) Domestic abuse

f) Departure from custody

g) Departure from institution — including hospital discharge, looked-after child placement, or other institutional setting

h) Required to leave Home Office asylum support accommodation

i) Loss of social rented tenancy

j) Loss of supported housing placement

k) Mortgage repossession

l) Other reason

3. For households whose main reason was end of assured shorthold tenancy (category a above), how many were recorded as losing that tenancy due to rent arrears?

4. For households whose main reason for homelessness was loss of social rented tenancy (category i above), how many were recorded as losing that tenancy due to rent arrears?

5. Of the households with a lead applicant aged 18–40 assessed as owed a prevention or relief duty in 2024–25, how many had "care leaver" recorded as a support need for the main applicant or a household member?

6. Of the households with a lead applicant aged 18–40 assessed as owed a prevention or relief duty in 2024–25, how many had "financial difficulties" recorded as a support need for the main applicant or a household member?

Temporary Accommodation

7. How many households with a lead applicant aged 18–40 were in temporary accommodation provided by your authority as of 31 March 2025?

8. Of those households, how many had been in temporary accommodation for more than 12 months as of 31 March 2025?

Financial Support

9. How many Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) were awarded by your authority in 2024–25?

10. How many referrals to debt advice or money guidance services were made by your housing or homelessness team in 2024–25?

Policy and Practice Questions

11. At what stage in the homelessness assessment process does your authority first offer or refer an applicant to money advice, debt support or financial capability services? Please select the most accurate description:

- At or before initial contact/triage

- During the prevention duty stage

- During the relief duty stage

- Only after the main housing duty has been accepted

- Not systematically offered, depends on the individual case

12. Does your authority have a dedicated financial inclusion, money advice or financial capability service embedded within, or formally linked to, your housing or homelessness team? (Yes / No / Signposting only to external services)

13. Does your authority provide or commission financial education or money management support specifically for care leavers as part of their statutory leaving-care package? If yes, please briefly describe the provision (for example: one-to-one money coaching, group sessions, online resources, referral to an external provider).

14. Has your authority recorded or tracked whether financial literacy or debt knowledge gaps were a contributing factor in homelessness presentations? (Yes / No / Not systematically)

15. Does your authority record whether a benefit delay, sanction or Universal Credit migration issue was a contributing factor in a homelessness presentation? If yes, please provide available figures for 2024–25

Response provided:

The Council provided the applicant with the following response for the financial year 2024/25:

1. 334

a) 54

b) Zero

c) 70

d) 24

e) 48

f) Eight

g) Four

h) Four

i) 14

j) 16

k) Zero

l) 74

3. Four

4. One

5. One

6. Three

7. 49

8. Six

9. 161

10. This information is not recorded and therefore not held by the authority

11. At or before initial contact/triage

12. Signposting only to external services

13. Referral to an external provider

14. Not systematically

15. No

Request reference: FOI 11183

Issue date: 02.04.26

Request received:

1. How does the Council publish the register of enforcement, stop notices and other enforcement action, including enforcement warning notices, that it is required to maintain under section 188 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and paragraph 43 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015?

2. Is this information published on your online Planning Portal?

3. If no, why not?

4. Does the Council publish information about planning enforcement investigations undertaken prior to taking enforcement action?

5. If so, what information do you publish and how is it published?

Response provided:

1. Historically, an Enforcement Register was recorded in a physical format. Now the Council publishes enforcement notices online which can be accessed by selecting the link below. The Council has endeavoured to scan in all historic notices as well. This includes Enforcement Notices, Stop Notices, Breach of Condition Notices and Section 215 Notices: Planning Portal

2. Yes, please refer to the link as provided above

3. N/A

4. The Council publishes a record of decision for reasons issuing a notice. This can be published prior to the notice being served. The Council does not publish information regarding active enforcement cases as not all cased reported are found to be in breach of planning control, therefore the Council does not consider it appropriate to make this information publicly available

5. Please refer to responses to questions 1 and 4 above

Request reference: EIR 11189

Issue date: 01.04.26

Request received:

CON29 information relating to a property at EX33 2LT

Response provided:

Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information

Request reference: EIR 11190

Issue date: 02.04.26

Request received:

CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 0DH

Response provided:

Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information

Request reference: FOI 11191

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

1. Current parking app provider and commercial model

a) Which parking app(s) or mobile parking payment solution(s) are currently used in the authority’s on street and off street parking estate?

b) Is the authority using the National Parking Platform (NPP) provider model, or is it contracted with a single/solo cashless parking provider? Please provide brief details

2. Contract details and renewal date

a) What is the start date and end date of the current contract(s) for parking app / mobile parking payment services?

b) Does the contract include any extension options, and if so, what are the extension periods and the latest possible end date if all extensions are used?

3. Revenue from convenience fees/reminder and alert fees

a) Does the current parking app arrangement include any convenience fees, reminder fees, or alert fees charged to motorists?

b) If so, what is the:

• Convenience fee pence per transaction?

• Reminder fee pence per transaction?

• Alert fees pence per transaction?

c) If so, what was the total revenue generated from:

• Convenience fees in the most recent full financial year?

• Optional reminder and alert related fees in the most recent full financial year?

• Please indicate whether these revenues are retained by the authority, by the provider, or shared (and if shared, in what proportions, if available)

4. Route to market for the next contract

a) How does the council currently plan to procure its next parking app/mobile parking payment contract when the existing arrangement ends?

b) Specifically, does the council lintend to use any of the following frameworks:

• ESPO framework (please specify which, if known)

• Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework (please specify which, if known)

• Another framework (please specify)

• A standalone/open tender outside a framework

• Unsure / not yet decided

5. Timescales and market engagement

a) What is the anticipated timescale for commencing any procurement activity for the replacement or re-procurement of the parking app/mobile parking payment contract (e g quarter/year)?

b) Does the council plan to undertake any soft market testing or supplier engagement exercises prior to starting procurement?

6. Devolution and local government reorganisation

a) Is the authority affected by any current or proposed devolution deals or local government reorganisation (for example, moving into a combined authority or changes to council boundaries/structure)?

b) If so, what impact, if any, does the council anticipate this having on the management or procurement of parking app/mobile parking payment services (for example, joint procurements, merged contracts, or changes to decision making responsibility)?

c) Does the council have an indicative timeframe for any such changes becoming operational?

7. Contact and roles

Please provide the name and job title of the officer with primary responsibility for day to day management of parking services (e g Parking Manager).

8. Contact for future procurement correspondence

Please provide the contact details or generic email address that suppliers should use for any future correspondence relating specifically to parking payment app procurements (e.g. procurement or commissioning inbox), or confirm which Tender Platform the Council plans to use

Response provided:

1. a) RingGo

b) Currently use RingGo only; other options are being explored including NPP.

2. a) Start: 07.08.24, End: 06.08.26

b) Currently unknown. The Parking Office team requested confirmation from RingGo and confirmed to the applicant that the answer would be forwarded onto them upon receipt

3. a) Yes

b) convenience fee – pence per transaction = None

Reminder fee – pence per transaction = £0.125 cost to NDC, £0.15

to motorist (reminder SMS)

Alert fees – pence per transaction = 0.125 cost to NDC, £0.15

to motorist (Confirmation SMS)

c) NDDC received 0% revenue from the suppliers

4. a) It is most likely that an ESPO framework will be used or the current contract extended if this is an option (awaiting response to enquiry). Procurement is carried out in partnership with Devon County Council

b) Parking Management Solutions 509_23

5. a) In process, contract expires 06.08.26

b) Engagement with alternative suppliers

6. a) Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

b) It is unknown what impact there may or may not be from any LGR

c) No

7. Lena Iliffe, Parking Manager

8. Enquiries can be sent to: parkingoffice@northdevon.gov.uk. For procurement enquiries, the applicant was directed to the Council’s website: Doing business with North Devon Council. Any future FOI requests should be sent direct to: requestinformation@northdevon.gov.uk

Request reference: FOI 11192

Issue date: 02.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested for each calendar year from 2021 to the present:

1. The number of planning applications received for data centre developments (including those classified as sui generis or otherwise identified as data centres)

2. The number of these applications that were approve

Please include all applications where the primary use is a data centre, regardless of use class

Response provided:

The applicant was advised that the Council has not received any planning applications for data centre developments (including those classified as sui generis or otherwise identified as data centres) since 2021

Request reference: FOI 11193

Issue date: 21.04.26

Request received:

1. Use of temporary accommodation

For each of the following calendar years – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025:

The total number of temporary accommodation placements or bookings made
Of these, the total number of placements or bookings made with private providers
The total number of private providers of temporary accommodation that the council made payments to
The total amount paid by the council to private providers of temporary accommodation

2. Costs

For the calendar year 2025:

The average monthly cost of temporary accommodation per person, and please provide this separately for:

Accommodation provided by private sector providers
Accommodation owned or managed by the council

b) The average monthly amount charged to residents for utilities and/or service charges in private sector temporary accommodation, where these costs are charged in addition to the accommodation cost covered by the local authority

3. Largest private providers

Please provide the following information for the three private providers that received the highest total payments from the council for temporary accommodation in 2025:

Provider name
Total amount paid to each provider
The number of accommodation sites operated by each provider
A breakdown of the types of accommodation used (for example, number of hostel placements, Bed and Breakfast placements, nightly paid accommodation, or other categories, where recorded)
The average monthly charge per placement (or equivalent measure of cost) for each provider

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with the following response:

Q1a Records are no long held prior to 2018:

2018 = 121

2019 = 178

2020 = 192

2021 = 202

2022 = 236

2023 = 229

2024 = 248

2025 = 239

Q1b Records no long held prior to 2018:

2018 = 112

2019 = 160

2020 = 162

2021 = 180

2022 = 218

2023 = 203

2024 = 212

2025 = 193

Q1c Records not held in calendar years and so this data is provided by financial year as follows:

2019/20 = 17

2020/21 = 21

2021/22 = 23

2022/23 = 24

2023/24 = 20

2024/25 = 12

Q1d In accordance with Sections 21(1) of the Act, the Council the Council is not obliged to provide information that is already in the public domain. In this instance, the Council publishes its annual spend on Temporary Accommodation in a dataset which covers the requested years and as well as data going back to 2009/10: Cost of Providing Temporary Accommodation to the Council

A (Accommodation owned or managed by the council) = £122.08 Based on actual spend/bedspaces available

B (Utility/service charge) = £0 Customers pay for their own utilities

A Provider name = Homemade (Pickwell) Ltd / North Devon Homes

B Total amount paid to each provider = £81575.25 / £44312.32

C The number of accommodation sites operated by each provider = Both provide 8 (eight) units

D A breakdown of the types of accommodation used = Self-contained residential units

E The average monthly charge per placement (or equivalent measure of cost) for each provider = Homemade (Pickwell) Ltd £261.46, North Devon Homes £230.79

Request reference: EIR 11195

Issue date: 13.04.26

Request received:

CON29 information relating to a property at EX31 4GB

Response provided:

Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information

Request reference: EIR 11198

Issue date: 08.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested to be provided with all records held by North Devon Council relating to:

Water quality testing (including metals testing) at The Paddocks, West Twitchen Ball Farm, Sandyway, South Molton, EX36 3LX. The information may be under the farms address as it was a caravan situated on farmland, for the period June 2023 - December 2026

Any communications, reports, or advice issued to the landlord or occupants regarding water safety

Any inspections, visits, or involvement by Environmental Health

Any notices, recommendations, or enforcement actions considered or taken

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with some information that was identified to fall within the remit of the request, with some personal data redacted throughout in accordance with Regulation 13

The applicant was advised to make a separate request for any information about themself under a Subject Access Request and was provided with the relevant information to submit their request

Request reference: FOI 11199

Issue date: 13.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the completion of a Word document with data regarding dog breeding and pet selling March 2026

Response provided:

The applicant provided with the completed Word document in response, which is available upon request

Request reference: FOI 11201

Issue date: 13.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested a list of all licensed and/or registered tattoo studios and commercial tattooing premises currently authorised to operate within the council’s area. For each premises, they requested the following:

Name of the studio

Full postal address (including postcode)

Name of the licence or registration holder, where recorded

Type of approval (for example, tattooing only; tattooing and cosmetic piercing; semi permanent skin colouring etc)

The date the licence/registration was first granted and, if applicable, the date it is due for renewal or expiry

Response provided:

The applicant was directed to the Council Licensing Public Register for the requested information, in accordance with Sections 16 (advice and assistance) and 21 (already publicly available) of the FOI

Request reference: EIR 11202

Issue date: 17.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested a copy of the pre application advice referred to in the planning statement (July 2025) for planning application 81431

Response provided:

The applicant was provided a copy of the pre application advice with the consent of the planning applicant, via their Agent

Request reference: FOI 11203

Issue date: 22.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested aggregated information relating to health and safety standards and local authority oversight in temporary accommodation used to house individuals and families experiencing homelessness

This request is for summary information only, not property-level address lists or manual reviews of individual case files. If any information is not held in the exact format requested, the applicant requested the closest equivalent data held with the differences briefly described

For the purposes of this request, temporary accommodation means accommodation arranged or secured by the authority to meet homelessness duties, including, where used, B&Bs/hotels, hostels, nightly-paid accommodation, private sector leased accommodation, self-contained temporary accommodation and any other temporary placements

The applicant requested the following information for each of the last two complete financial years:

2023/24

2024/25

And, where readily available, please also provide 2025/26 year-to-date figures up to your latest complete month, shown separately:

The number of households placed in temporary accommodation at any point during each period. If held, please also provide the figure for households with dependent children
The number of households in temporary accommodation on the last day of each period. If held, please also provide the figure for households with dependent children
The total number of inspections, checks or other property standards / health and safety visits carried out in relation to temporary accommodation during each period
The number of temporary accommodation properties, placements or cases where serious hazards were identified during each period. If your authority records these differently, please provide the closest equivalent measure used
The number of complaints or reports received relating to the condition, health or safety of temporary accommodation during each period
The number of formal enforcement actions taken in relation to temporary accommodation properties during each period. If possible, please include the total number and, where readily available, a breakdown by type of action
For 2024/25 only, if readily available, please provide the main issue types identified in temporary accommodation, for example:

damp and mould

fire safety

electrical safety

heating / hot water failure

pests / infestation

overcrowding / space standards

structural hazards
For 2024/25 only, if readily available, please provide:

the number of complaints relating specifically to damp and mould

the number of complaints relating specifically to fire safety

the average or median time to first response for condition-related complaints
For 2024/25 only, if readily available, please provide the number of temporary accommodation providers or landlords that were:

removed from use due to standards or condition concerns, or

subject to a formal “do not use” decision or equivalent

Response provided:

The Council provided the following response:

2023/24 = 237 (Total)

2023/24 = 91 (With Children)

2024/25 = 239 (Total)

2024/25 = 112 (with Children)

2025/26 = 220 (Total to date 22.04.26)

2025/26 = 95 (With Children to date 22.04.26)

2. 31.03.2024 = 95 (Total)

31.03.2024 = 46 (With Children)

31.03.2025 = 90 (Total)

31.03.2025 = 39 (With Children)

31.03.2026 = 96 (Total)

31.03.2026 = 42 (With Children)

3. 2023/24 = 47 (Does not include contractor or TA Officer visits (change to reporting system)

2024/25 = 262 (Includes contractor attendance by not TA Officer

4. 2023/24 = Zero

2024/25 = Zero

5. 2023/24 = Not known due to a change in reporting system used.

2024/25 = 52

6. 2023/24 = Zero

2024/25 = Zero

7. For 2024/25 only:

Damp and mould = Two

Fire safety = one

Electrical safety = Two

Heating/hot water failure = Four

Pests/Infestation = One

Overcrowding/space standards = Zero

Structural hazards = Zero

8. For 2024/25 only:

Number of complaints specifically relating to damp and mould = Two

Number of complaints specifically relating to fire stafety = Zero

Average or median time to response for condition-related complaints:

Urgent = within Five working days

Minor = up to 50 days

9. 2024/25 only:

Removed from use due to standards or conditions = One

Subject to a formal "do not use" decision or equivalent = Zero

Request reference: FOI 11205

Issue date: 22.04.26

Request received:

The following information for the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025, or the most recent 5-year period available

If providing 5 years of data would exceed the cost limit, please provide the most recent 3-year period instead

1. Stray Dog Intake and Outcomes

a) The total number of stray dogs taken into your authority’s care

b) Of those, the number: Reclaimed by owners

Rehomed (via rescues or otherwise)

Euthanised

Transferred to rescue organisations

2. Kennelling and Costs

a) The average cost per dog per day for kennelling

b) The average length of stay for stray dogs

c) The total annual cost of stray dog kennelling (if available)

3. Holding Period and Decision Making

a) The standard holding period for stray dogs before outcome decisions

b) Whether your authority has arrangements with rescue organisations for rehoming

c) If so, the criteria used to determine whether a dog is suitable for rehoming

4. Dogs Suspected of Prohibited Type

Where recorded:

a) The number of stray dogs identified or suspected to be of a prohibited type

b) The number of such dogs: Referred to police

Retained in kennels pending assessment

Euthanised

Transferred to rescue (if applicable)

c) Whether stray dogs identified or suspected as being of a prohibited type are afforded the standard statutory 7-day holding period under Section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

d) Where such dogs are not afforded the 7-day holding period, please provide:

• the policy or legal basis for this decision

• whether the dog is immediately transferred to police

• and the point at which responsibility transfers from the local authority to the police

e) Whether any internal guidance or policy exists regarding the handling of stray dogs suspected to be of a prohibited type, and if so, please provide a copy

Response provided:

Question 1

2021 = 17 (x13 Returned to Owner, x2 Rehomed to a New Owner, x1 Euthanized, x1 Taken to Kennels or Trust)

2022 = 16 (x14 Returned to Owner, x2 Taken to Kennels or Trust)

2023 = 14 (x12 Returned to Owner, x1 Rehomed to a New Owner, x1 Taken to Kennels or Trust)

2024 = 15 (x5 Returned to Owner, x5 Rehomed to a New Owner, x2 Taken to Kennels or Trust, x3 Euthanized)

2025 = Eight (x3 Returned to Owner, x2 Rehomed to a New Owner, x2 Taken to Kennels or Trust, x1 Euthanized)

Question 2

a) 2021 = £20.00 / 2022 = £20.00 / 2023 = £20.30 / 2024 = £22.90 / 2025 = £27.43

b) 2021 = 6.2 days / 2022 = 2.5 days / 2023 = 3.1 days / 2024 = 7.0 days / 2025 = 7.6 days

c) 2021/22 = £5625.40 / 2022/23 = £795.25 / 2023/24 = £3411.06 / 2024/25 = £5570.72 / 2025/26 = £3998.60

(please note that the answers to 2c relate to financial years, as opposed to the other answers which relate to calendar years, as requested)

Question 3

a) One week

b) No (although maybe used on an ad-hoc basis)

c) N/A

Question 4

a and b) 2021 = 0 / 2022 = 0 / 2023 = 0 / 2024 = 1 (euthanised) / 2025 = 0

c) Yes

d) N/A

e) None

Request reference: FOI 11207

Issue date: 02.04.26

Request received:

Soldo is prepaid card and spend management solution which is listed on the CCS (Lot 2) and G-Cloud frameworks and is supporting public sector fund disbursement use cases such as Direct Payments and Appointeeship; ensuring public funds are distributed safely and efficiently to individuals or their representatives, enabling them to pay for care, support services, and essential living costs while maintaining oversight and compliance

Who do you currently use as your card or banking provider to facilitate fund disbursement use cases?
When is the contract due to end?
When are you next planning to tender?

Response provided:

1. Not Applicable

2. Not Applicable

3. Not Applicable

Request reference: EIR 11208

Issue date: 17.04.26

Request received:

CON29 information relating to a property at EX34 0LB

Response provided:

Applicant provided with the information, where held and also directed to the Council’s website for some of the information

Request reference: FOI 12210

Issue date: 22.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested to know if the Council holds records of any complaints about noise have ever been made by any of the owners of The Old Rectory, East Down, EX31 4LR in the past. They confirmed that they do not need to know the details of any individuals or properties covered by any such complaints, just whether the Council holds any record of any noise complaints having been made by any owners of The Old Rectory, East Down, EX31 4LR

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that it does hold some information that falls within the remit of the request, namely details of noise complaints, however, in discharge of its obligation under section 1(1)(b) the Council was unable to provide the applicant with a specific response regarding whether any complaints about noise have ever been made by any of the owners of The Old Rectory, East Down, EX31 4LR in the past

It was noted in the request that the applicant stated that they do not need to know the details of any individuals or properties covered by any such complaints, just whether the Council holds any record of any noise complaints having been made by any owners of The Old Rectory to the Council

Following enquiries with the Council's Environmental Protection team which is responsible for dealing with noise complaints that are received into the authority, they confirmed that they are only able to carry out a search on their system used to record such complaints by:

The address of where the alleged report of noise is coming from, or by

The name of the complainant who has made the report of alleged noise

It is not possible to search the system by the address of a complainant as all reports of alleged noise are recorded against the address as to where the noise is alleged to be coming from

Whilst it is possible to search the system by name of complainant, this information is considered to be third party personal data and so even if the Council were able to confirm to the applicant that noise complaints have or have not been made to the Council by a named individual, it would still, in the Council's view, be a disclosure of personal data. Those individual(s) concerned would have no reasonable expectation for the Council to make their personal information publicly available, particularly as a disclosure under the Act is not just to the requester, but to the world at large, and so a disclosure under the Act places the information into the public domain for all to see

Section 40(2) provides that personal data is exempt information if one of the conditions set out in section 40(3A), (3B) or (4A) is satisfied. In this case Section 40(3A)(A) is met because disclosure of this information would breach the fair processing principle contained in the General Data Protection Regulation. This is an absolute exemption and there is therefore no requirement to consider the public interest

In accordance with Section 16 (Advice and Assistance) the Council has considered what information it may be able to disclose to the applicant that would not breach the above

The applicant was advised that if there is a particular address to which thhey are interested to know if any alleged noise complaints have been made against, the Council would consider that it would be able to disclose the number(s) received for specific periods of time (e g in each of the last three financial/calendar years) and it may also be able to disclose the dates such complaints were received and provide a general overview of the nature of the complaint and how it was dealt with, however, it would not be able to disclose the names of any complainant(s) or relevant parties or any specific details that could be considered to be indirect personal data and that its disclosure could lead to the identification of any complainant(s)/relevant parties

Request reference: FOI 12212

Issue date: 28.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested information about preventative pest control measures and compliance oversight at sites for which the Council has responsibility. Please provide the following information:

1. A description of the preventative measures currently in place to reduce the risk of pest infestations at council-owned or council-managed sites. This should cover the full range of sites under the Council's control, including (but not limited to) housing stock, council offices, depots, public spaces, parks, and any other land or buildings managed by or on behalf of the Council. Please address each category of site, even if only briefly, rather than limiting the response to housing or tenant-facing services

2. Details of any policies, procedures, guidance, or standard operating procedures used to ensure that pest prevention and control activities comply with:

- a. Relevant legislation (including environmental health and animal welfare requirements)

- b. Any internal council standards or best-practice guidance

3. Information on how the Council monitors and ensures compliance with these preventative measures and guidelines, including:

- a. Any inspection, audit, or review processes, including the frequency of such processes, who is responsible for conducting them, and whether any independent or external scrutiny is applied

- b. The role of officers, teams, or contractors in overseeing compliance

- c. What action is taken, or what escalation process exists, where non-compliance or a failure of preventative measures is identified

4. Where pest control services are delivered by external contractors, please confirm:

- a. What policies or codes of practice relating to prevention and control that external contractors are expected to comply with

- b. How the Council assures itself that those requirements are being met

Response provided:

1. The Council does not hold any documented/recorded information that sets out preventative measures to reduce the risk of pest infestations at its owned/managed sites. Pest control throughout the Council is managed by various teams/departments (Waste and Recycling/Main Council office site, Temporary Accommodation Property Team, Parks) as and when pest control services are required and those respective team are responsible for arranging a pest control service provider to attend a site and carry out the necessary assessment and treatment as required

2. a and b) The Council does not hold any such documented/written information applicable to these parts of the request

3. a - c) N/A as the response to 2 above confirms that the Council does not hold any such documented/written information that is applicable to these parts of the request

4. a) The Council does not have any specific policies or codes of practice that it expects external contractors to comply with

b) N/A

Request reference: FOI 12213

Issue date: 29.04.26

Request received:

1. The number of Housing Benefit claims for exempt accommodation made between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2025, broken down by year

2. The total expenditure on Housing Benefit for exempt accommodation between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2025, broken down by year

3. The number of distinct landlords OR providers receiving Housing Benefit payments for exempt accommodation between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2025, broken down by year

For clarity, “exempt accommodation” refers to accommodation where Housing Benefit is paid under the exempt accommodation provisions of the Housing Benefit Regulations. If your authority records this under a different but equivalent category (e g specified accommodation), please provide the closest available data and specify the definition used

Response provided:

Q1, Q2 response

The Council's Benefits team confirmed that it is not possible to answer these questions as they have estimated that it will not be possible to identify, locate, retrieve and collate the information within 18 hours and that this task would far exceed the aforementioned cost limit

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

In order to be able to respond would require an officer to run a report from the system 251 times for each year (365 days less 104 weekend days less 10 public holidays). This is because the system does not allow for an officer to enter a 'from' and 'to' date on the reports available. Each report takes approximately 10 minutes to run. 251 reports multiplied by 10 minutes multiplied by 6 years = 15,060.00 divided by 60 minutes = 251 hours. This time estimate does not include the additional time it would take an officer to manually go through each of the reports run for each of the years and work out the answers to both of the questions

In addition to the above, the Benefits team has three pay runs per week. An officer would need to look at each landlord schedule for each pay run and calculated the total for each year

It has been estimated by the Benefits team that it would take far in excess of 251 hours to provide the requested information for these parts of the request; the task of which would cause serious disruption to the day to day operations and a disproportionate diversion of an officers time to complete. Therefore, the Council confirmed that it was unable to process these parts of 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

In accordance Section 16 (advice and assistance) the Council went on to consider if there is any way the request can be refined/narrowed in order to bring it under the 18 hours, however on this occasion the Council has been unable to identify any other way the request could be answered. Even if the Council considered responding for just one year instead, the time estimate to run the reports would be 41.84 hours and would not include the additional time an officer would require to manually go through each of the reports to work out the answers to both questions

Q3 response

2020 = 9

2021 = 9

2022 = 9

2023 = 9

2024 = 9

2025 = 9

Request reference: FOI 12218

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information regarding vacant commercial properties currently owned or managed by the council:

The total number of empty commercial properties in 2025

The total number of empty commercial properties in 2024 and 2023

If possible, please also provide:

A breakdown of empty properties by category (e g retail, office, industrial, leisure)

The length of time the properties have been empty

Response provided:

2023

37 vacant properties

No breakdown of categories held

No dates held

2024

41 vacant properties

35 garages, six retail

No dates held

2025

45 vacant properties

36 garage, nine retail

No dates held

Request reference: FOI 12223

Issue date: 28.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information relating to the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) currently used by North Devon District Council:

ATS details

The name of the Applicant Tracking System currently in use

The supplier/vendor of the system:

Contract information

The start date of the current ATS contract

The end date of the current ATS contract

Any extension options included within the contract (if applicable)

Contract value (£)

Future procurement

Whether the Council intends to re‑tender for the ATS at the end of the current contract

If known, the anticipated timeframe for any future tender or procurement process

Contract ownership

The job title and department of the officer with primary responsibility for managing the current ATS contract

Procurement responsibility

The job title and department of the person primarily responsible for procurement of recruitment or HR systems within the Council

Response provided:

ATS details

The name of the Applicant Tracking System currently in use: ITrent, however the Council's HR team confirms that it is not a full ATS as they do not use automation or filtering

The supplier/vendor of the system: The Council confirms that its contract information is published via its Contract Register which provides this information: Softcat plc

Contract information

The start date of the current ATS contract: As published via the link provided above

The end date of the current ATS contract: As published via the link provided above

Any extension options included within the contract (if applicable): As published via the link provided above

Contract value (£): As published via the link provided above

Future procurement

Whether the Council intends to re‑tender for the ATS at the end of the current contract: Currently unknown, however the contract will be reviewed from the date as given on the Contract Register as linked above (Review date:)

If known, the anticipated timeframe for any future tender or procurement process: Unknown at this time.

Contract ownership

The job title and department of the officer with primary responsibility for managing the current ATS contract:

Procurement responsibility As published via the link provided above (Primary contact who is an HR Advisor within the HR team)

The job title and department of the person primarily responsible for procurement of recruitment or HR systems within the Council: As published via the link provided above (Primary contact who is an HR Advisor within the HR team)

Request reference: FOI 12222

Issue date: 30.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the number of complaints that have been received by the Council against Coombe Fisheries Ltd since 2021, providing their nature and who the complainant was (without contravening data laws)

Response provided:

The Council provided the following response for the period 01.01.21 - 28.04.26:

2021: Two complaints received. One on 21.04.21 and the other on 12.07.21. Both reported an odour/foul smell coming from the premises. The complainants of the April 21 complaint was a member of the public and the business Financial Services Ltd based in Pottington. The name of the individual from this business who made the report is personal data and therefore withheld from disclosure. The complainant of the July 2021 complaint was a member of the public

2022: Two complaints received. One on 13.06.22 and the other on 30.09.22. The June 2022 complaint reported an odour/foul smell coming from the premises and the September 22 complaint reported that the seagull net was in a state of disrepair. The complainant of the June 2022 complaint was a member of the public and the September 2022 complaint was reported by the business Pest Control Ltd, Cullompton. The name of the individual from this business who made the report is personal data and therefore withheld from disclosure

2023: Two Complaints received. One on 06.02.23 and the other on 01.06.23. Both reported an odour/foul smell coming from the premises. The complainant of the February 2023 complaint was a member of the public and the June 2023 complaint was report by the business Financial Services Ltd based in Pottington. The name of the individual from this business who made the report is personal data and therefore withheld from disclosure

2024: No complaints received

2025: One complaint received on 15.07.25 which reported an odour from the premises and was reported by the business The Park Hotel, Barnstaple. The name of the individual from this business who made the report is personal data and therefore withheld from disclosure

2026: One complaint received 17.03.26 which reported an ongoing odour from the premises and was made by a member of the public

The Council considered that this withheld information to be exempt under Section 40 of the Act as the information constitutes personal data and those individual(s) would have no reasonable expectation for the Council to make their personal information publicly available, particularly as a disclosure under the Act is not just to the applicant as the requester, but to the world at large, and so a disclosure places the information into the public domain for all to see

Request reference: FOI 12224

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information about the numbers and cost of placements for 16- and 17-year-old looked after children in the local authority for the Fiscal Year 25/26

1) How many 16 and 17 year old looked after children is the local authority responsible for currently?

2) How many 16 and 17 year old looked after children in the local authority are currently placed out of area?

3) What proportion of placements are:

a) Block commissioned

b) Framework placements

c) Spot purchased

4) What was the cost of placements/supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds per week in the current year (25/26 fiscal year)?

a) lowest cost

b) highest cost

c) average cost

5) Are there sufficient placements in the local authority area for 16 and 17 year old looked after children who have an elevated level of needs?

6) What types of supported accommodation models are currently commissioned, or spot purchased for 16–17-year-old looked after children in your local authority? e g solo placements, shared accommodation, clustered models, staffed hubs, floating support, etc

7) What proportion of placements fall into each model type (if recorded)?

8) What types of supported accommodation provision does the local authority anticipate needing more of over the next two to five years?

Response provided:

The Council directed the applicant Devon County Council for this information covering the North Devon area as it is not held by the authority

Request reference: FOI 12226

Issue date: 07.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following documents under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, relating to the council's CCTV infrastructure and any use of artificial intelligence or facial recognition technology

Please provide, for the period 1 January 2023 to the date of this request:

1. Any Cabinet or committee reports concerning the procurement, deployment, or proposed deployment of AI-assisted CCTV cameras or facial recognition technology (live or retrospective) in public spaces

2. Any Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) completed or in progress in relation to facial recognition technology or AI-assisted surveillance systems

3. Any agreements, memoranda of understanding, or data-sharing arrangements between the council and police forces relating to facial recognition technology or CCTV footage

If the council has not deployed or considered deploying such technology, a brief confirmation of this would be appreciated

Response provided:

The Council confirmed to the applicant that it does not hold any of this information. In discharge of its obligation under section 1(1)(b) the Council provided the following response from 01.01.23 to date (07.04.26):

1. The Council does not hold any applicable information

2. The Council does not hold any applicable information

3. The Council does not hold any applicable information

The Council confirmed that it has not deployed or considered deploying such technology

Request reference: FOI 12227

Issue date: 13.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested what, if any, disciplinary actions have been taken against councillor Malcolm Prowse during his long tenure at North Devon Council

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that Monitoring Officer files have a retention period of four years and so a search of these for the last four years has not identified any applicable disciplinary actions having been taken against Councillor Malcom Prowse

Request reference: FOI 12228

Issue date: 16.04.26

Request received:

He applicant requested the following information for each calendar year from 2020 to 2026 inclusive:

1. The number of cyber security breaches that have being identified that were found to be a result of a malicious threat actor (i e not accidental data breach)

2. The breakdown in high-level causes of these breaches as identified by cyber security incident response teams (CSIRTs), for example (but not limited to) unpatched software/hardware, lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA), leaked user credentials, lack of in-transit encryption, etc

3. The number of breaches that occurred that were attributed to a previously known vulnerability to the organisations hardware, software, policies, or processes, for example where system was known to be at risk due to being unpatched or out of support, or security controls were recommended but not enforced, and was defined within the resulting incident response report

4. The estimated combined costs incurred as a result of cyber security breaches defined in request number one in each year

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that it does hold some information that falls within the remit of the request; however the Council does also consider that given it relates to the Council’s ICT security and the protection of Council systems, it engages Section 31(1)(a) prejudicial to law enforcement which states information is exempt if its disclosure under the Act, would or would likely prejudice the prevention and detection of crime

ICT considered that the request goes beyond simple volume statistics as requests:

• Identified malicious breaches

• High level causes (e g MFA absence, unpatched systems, credential compromise)

• Whether breaches relate to known vulnerabilities or unenforced controls

• Estimated financial impact

Even at a “high level” this information would:

• Reveal patterns of control weaknesses over time

• Allow inference about maturity, resourcing, and residual risk

• Confirm whether certain attack vectors have been successful historically

• Signal whether known vulnerabilities existed and how long they persisted

In the ICO decision FS50600199 it was submitted that disclosing the information would help an IT attacker establish that its attack had or had not been detected. The ICO confirmed this and stated that revealing whether the public authority holds or does not hold the number of cyber security/details of would pose a real and significant threat to the authority’s operations, and consequently, the prevention or detection of crime. The test is whether the prejudice envisaged from complying with section 1(1)(a) is real and significant and in this case the compliance with section 1(1)(a) would be likely to assist a determined attacker, and consequently, that the risk to the authority’s IT systems as a result, is real and significant

When applying this exemption, the Council is required to carry out a Public Interest Test which considers the factors that favour disclosure and the withholding of the data:

Factors in favour of disclosure

Would promote openness and transparency about how the Council deals with cyber-crime and demonstrate its accountability in managing this in order that the public can be reassured that the Council is doing everything it is practicably able to keep the information it holds protected

Factors in favour of withholding

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 software and hardware, 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 its security

The Council considered that the answering the request could be used to jeopardise the integrity of the Council’s systems via current or future vulnerabilities. Revealing the requested information would provide some of the Council’s security counter measures and mean that potential hackers would have an insight into both the strengths and weaknesses of the Council’s cyber security measures and ultimately provide them with an advantage in identifying, or being able to easily find potential vulnerabilities and accordingly weaken and/or breach the Council’s security controls currently in place. There is a strong public interest in not making it easier for crime to be committed and so the Council is required to consider very carefully the amount of information is chooses to disclose in this regard

The Council’s ICT team indicated that the risk of cyber-attack is greater than even given today’s current climate and raise valid concerns that we are unable to expand upon further as that information in itself would disclose information that could be used to target the Council negatively

The Council determined that for the reasons as set out above, the public interest in preventing crime from being committed outweighs the public interest in releasing the information on this occasion

Request reference: FOI 12228

Issue date: 17.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information for each calendar year from 2020 to 2026 inclusive:

1. The number of cyber security breaches that have being identified that were found to be a result of a malicious threat actor (i e not accidental data breach)

4. The estimated combined costs incurred as a result of cyber security breaches defined in request number one in each year

Response provided:

ICT stated that the request goes beyond simple volume statistics as requests:

• Identified malicious breaches

• High level causes (e g MFA absence, unpatched systems, credential compromise)

• Whether breaches relate to known vulnerabilities or unenforced controls

• Estimated financial impact

Even at a “high level” this information would:

• Reveal patterns of control weaknesses over time

• Allow inference about maturity, resourcing, and residual risk

• Confirm whether certain attack vectors have been successful historically

• Signal whether known vulnerabilities existed and how long they persisted

When applying this exemption, the Council is required to carry out a Public Interest Test which considers the factors that favour disclosure and the withholding of the data:

Factors in favour of disclosure

Factors in favour of withholding

The Council operates a multi layered approach to ICT security. One of these layers is to obfuscate information that could be used to comprise its security

The Council considers that the answering the request could be used to jeopardise the integrity of the Council’s systems via current or future vulnerabilities. Revealing the requested information would provide some of the Council’s security counter measures and mean that potential hackers would have an insight into both the strengths and weaknesses of the Council’s cyber security measures and ultimately provide them with an advantage in identifying, or being able to easily find potential vulnerabilities and accordingly weaken and/or breach the Council’s security controls currently in place. There is a strong public interest in not making it easier for crime to be committed and so the Council is required to consider very carefully the amount of information is chooses to disclose in this regard

The Council’s ICT team indicates that the risk of cyber-attack is greater than even given today’s current climate and raise valid concerns that we are unable to expand upon further as that information in itself would disclose information that could be used to target the Council negatively

The Council determines that for the reasons as set out above, the public interest in preventing crime from being committed outweighs the public interest in releasing the information on this occasion

Request reference: FOI 12229

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: LM Barry and Co (LMB)

2. Address: Britannia Mill, North Crescent, London, E16 4TG

3. Email: info@lmb.co.uk

4. Telephone Number: 207 476 2888

5. Website: https://www.lmb.co.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by LM Barry and Co (LMB) in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted LM Barry and Co (LMB) to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to LM Barry and Co (LMB) operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12230

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: SOEX UK

2. Address: SOEX House, 16 Perrywood Business Park, Surrey RH1 5JQ

3. Email: info@soex.uk

4. Telephone Number: 08000902321

5. Website: https://www.soex.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by SOEX UK in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted SOEX UK to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to SOEX UK) operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12231

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Savanna Rags International Ltd

2. Address: Savanna Mill, Forest Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 4BU

3. Email: srags@savanna-rags.com)

4. Telephone Number: 01623 421555

5. Website: https:////www.savanna-rags.com/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Savanna Rags International Ltd in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Savanna Rags International Ltd place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Savanna Rags International Ltd operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12232

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Salvation Army Trading Company

2. Address: 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8 2QH

3. Email: partnerships@satcol.org)

4. Telephone Number: 0808 141 5890

5. Website: https://www.satcol.org/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Salvation Army Trading Company in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Salvation Army Trading Company to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Salvation Army Trading Company operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. Yes

7. Yes

8. Yes

9. Yes, joint Devon wide contract

Request reference: FOI 12233

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Chris Carey’s Collections Ltd

2. Address: Raymond House, Cricket Lane, Beckenham, Kent , BR3 1LW

3. Email: info@chriscareyscollections.co.uk)

4. Telephone Number: 020 8778 6971

5. Website: https://www.chriscareyscollections.co.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Chris Carey’s Collections Ltd in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Chris Carey’s Collections Ltd to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Chris Carey’s Collections Ltd operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12234

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Coppermill Ltd

2. Address: 118-122 Cheshire Street, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6EJ

3. Email: info@coppermill.ltd.uk)

4. Telephone Number: (020) 7 729 2999

5. Website: https://coppermill.ltd/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Coppermill Ltd in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Coppermill Ltd to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Coppermill Ltd operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12235

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Ward Recycling

2. Address: Moira Road, Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 8DG

3. Email: info@ward.com)

4. Telephone Number: 0345 337 0000?

5. Website: https://www.ward.com/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Ward Recycling in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Ward Recycling to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Ward Recycling operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12236

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: ELT Global

2. Address: Unit G4, Gallmans End Farm Manor Road Romford Essex RM4 1NA

3. Email: info@elt-global.com

4. Telephone Number: (0) 208 501 0743

5. Website: https://www.elt-global.com/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by ELT Global in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted ELT Global to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to ELT Global operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12237

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: ASTCO

2. Address: Beechings Way Industrial Estate, Beechings Way, Alford, Lincs LN13 9JE

3. Email: info@astco.co.uk

4. Telephone Number: 01507 466159

5. Website: https://www.astco.co.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by ASTCO in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted ASTCO to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to ASTCO operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12238

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Tom W. Beaumont Limited

2. Address: Unit 14A, Mallard Industrial Park, Charles Street, Horbury Junction, West Yorkshire, WF4 5F

3. Email: simon.jackson@tomwbeaumont.co.uk)

4. Telephone Number: 0192 427 8758

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

5. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

6. utilised or consumed services provided by Tom W. Beaumont Limited in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

7. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Tom W. Beaumont Limited to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

8. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Tom W. Beaumont Limited operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

5. No

6. No

7. No

8. No

Request reference: FOI 12239

Issue date: 29.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information under the Freedom of Information Act. The information relating to Environmental Health / Public Protection teams covering Statutory Nuisance, Housing, Private Water Supplies, Contaminated Land, PPC, Air Quality, Food and Environmental Crime for the 2024/25 2025/26 financial years

How many FTE contractors/agency staff were used in these areas?
The overall spend on contractors/agency staff in these areas?
What role(s) were the contractors / agency staff covering? E.g. investigation of nuisances or water sampling
How long the contractor/ Agency staff were hired to complete this work to the nearest month?
How much was spent on over-time for non-agency staff within these areas?
How much was spent on training for teams within these areas?
How many staff did you recruit into teams within these areas?

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with the following in response:

	Question – (All questions relate to Environmental Health / Public Protection teams covering Statutory Nuisance, Housing, Private Water Supplies, Contaminated Land, PPC, Air Quality and Environmental Crime)	2024/25 Financial Year	2025/26 Financial Year
1	How many FTE contractors/agency staff were used in these areas?	Environmental Protection (EP) = None Food Safety = Four	Environmental Protection (EP) = None Food Safety = None
2	The overall spend on contractors/agency staff in these areas?	EP = N/A Food Safety = £155,570.40	EP = N/A Food Safey = N/A
3	What role(s) were the contractors / agency staff covering? E.g. investigation of nuisances or water sampling	EP = N/A Food Safety = undertake food hygiene inspections	EP = N/A Food Safety = N/A
4	How long the contractor/ Agency staff were hired to complete this work to the nearest month?	EP = N/A Food Safety = 26 months	EP = N/A Food Safety = N/A
5	How much was spent on over-time for non-agency staff within these areas?	EP = None Food Safety = None	EP = None Food Safety = None
6	How much was spent on training for teams within these areas?	EP = £2,784 Food Safety = £1,295	EP = £6,140 Food Safety = £3,205
7	How many staff did you recruit into teams within these areas?	EP = None Food Safety = none	EP = None Food Safety = None

Request reference: FOI 12240

Issue date: 15.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested a list including the vehicle registration number, make and model of the vehicle of all vehicles that were issued a license as a Taxi, Hackney Carriage or for Private Hire (both approved and active licenses) between the dates of 01/12/2025 to 31/03/2026

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with the Council’s response in Excel format, which is available upon request

Request reference: FOI 12241

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: SWD Premier Clothing

2. Address: Unit 2, Worsley Trading Estate, Lester Road, Little Hulton, Manchester, Lancashire M38 0PT

3. Email: info@swdclothing.co.uk)

4. Telephone Number: 0161 799 1444

5. Website: https://swdclothing.co.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by SWD Premier Clothing in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted SWD Premier Clothing to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to SWD Premier Clothing operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12242

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Planet Aid

2. Address: 6730 Santa Barbara Ct., Elkridge, MD 21075

3. Email: info@planetaid.org)

4. Telephone Number: 888-224-0925

5. Website: https://www.planetaid.org/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Planet Aid in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Planet Aid to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Planet Aid operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12243

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: British Heart Foundation

2. Address: British Heart Foundation, Compton House, 2300 The Crescent, Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham, B37 7YE

3. Email: heretohelp@bhf.org.uk

4. Telephone Number: 0300 330 3322

5. Website: https://www.bhf.org.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by British Heart Foundation in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted British Heart Foundation to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to British Heart Foundation operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12244

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Bag It Up Ltd

2. Address: Calder Street, West Vale, Greetland, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX4 8AQ

3. Email: info@biugroup.co.uk

4. Telephone Number: 01902 357300

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

5. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

6. utilised or consumed services provided by Bag It Up Ltd in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

7. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Bag It Up Ltd to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

8. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Bag It Up Ltd operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

5. No

6. No

7. No

8. No

Request reference: FOI 12245

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Roberts Recycling Ltd

2. Address: Cheshire Headquarters, Halebank House, Pickerings Road, Halebank, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 8XW

3. Email: info@robertsrecycling.co.uk

4. Telephone Number: 0800 0142 412

5. Website: https://www.robertsrecycling.co.uk

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Roberts Recycling Ltd in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Roberts Recycling Ltd to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Roberts Recycling Ltd operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12246

Issue date: 20.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested to know, how many 40 year olds with a chronic disability have successfully bid for a 1 bed property in the last 3 years

Response provided:

The Council's Housing team provided the following response:

Devon Home Choice (DHC) does not record if a disability is a ‘chronic disability’, so the following statistics are based on:

The number of applicants aged 40 years old who have indicated on their application that they have one of the following disabilities:

Hearing impairment

Mental health condition

Speech impairment

Autism

Learning disability

Physical disability

Visual impairment

Or other

An applicant’s self-declaration of one of the above may not have verified. The instances where if may be verified may include (but not limited to):

If an applicant has indicated their health and wellbeing is affected by/made worse by their current housing circumstances

If an applicant has requested a form of accessible housing to meet their needs (e g step free accommodation/wheelchair accessible accommodation)

The statistics are for North Devon administered applications only, not the whole DHC area. The North Devon Council’s DHC team administers all applications from applicants living in the North Devon Council area. Each of the 10 Devon based Councils administer applications in their own Council area based on:

Applicants who live in their area or

For applicants living outside of Devon are administered based on the Council area in which the applicant wants to live

A DHC application for a 1 bedroomed property may have up to 2 persons on the application. The report is for any applications containing a person aged 40 years old at the time of being housed

Based on the above factors, the result for ‘The number of applicants (applications) meeting the above factors who have been housed in a 1 bedroomed property in the period 01.04.2023 to 15.04.26’ = 2 applications

Request reference: FOI 12247

Issue date: 09.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the ratepayer(s) names, and the current rates charged for the 2024/25 and 2025/2026 financial years (including reliefs and exemptions) and the respective Rateable Values in respect of Barum Gate, Whiddon Drive, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 8RY

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that the ratepayer was/is Whitbread Plc for the financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26

The Rateable Value was as follows:

01.04.2024 – 11.02.2025 = £187,000

12.02.2025 – 31.03.2026 = £220,000

The Rates payable were as follows:

2024/2025 = £102,102.00

2025/2026 = £106,193.55

Request reference: FOI 12248

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Colltex Ltd

2. Address: 114 Colne Valley Business Park, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5QG

3. Email: colltex@btinternet.com

4. Telephone Number: 07883 453 445

5. Website: http://www.colltexltd.net/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Colltex Ltd in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Colltex Ltd to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Colltex Ltd operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12249

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: National Children’s Air Ambulance

2. Address: The Air Ambulance Service, Blue Skies House, Butlers Leap, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 3RQ

3. Email: mailto:enquiries@theairambulanceservice.org.uk

4. Telephone Number: 0300 3045 999?

5. Website: https://theairambulanceservice.org.uk/childrens-air-ambulance

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by National Children’s Air Ambulance in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted National Children’s Air Ambulance to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to National Children’s Air Ambulance operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12250

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Green Global Recycling Ltd

2. Address: 174 Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV2 3DR

3. Email: info@greenglobalrecycling.co.uk

4. Website: https://greenglobalrecycling.co.uk

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

5. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

6. utilised or consumed services provided by Green Global Recycling Ltd in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

7. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Green Global Recycling Ltd to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

8. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Green Global Recycling Ltd operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12251

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Pink Elephant Limited

2. Address: 6th Floor, Reading Bridge House, George Street, Reading RG1 8LS

3. Email: info@pinkelephant.co.uk

4. Telephone Number: (0) 118 324 0620

5. Website: https://pinkelephant.co.uk//

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Pink Elephant Limited in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Pink Elephant Limited to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Pink Elephant Limited operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12252

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: UNITE

2. Telephone Number: (0) 7539 872765

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

3. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

4. utilised or consumed services provided by UNITE in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

5. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted UNITE to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

6. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to UNITE operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

3. No

4. No

5. No

6. No

Request reference: FOI 12253

Issue date: 16.04.26

Request received:

Management of Freedom of Information Requests:

1. For each of the last three financial years, the number of FOI requests received

2. For each of the last three financial years, the number of FOI requests responded to within the statutory timeframe

3. Confirmation whether the requests for FOI are managed by a centralised team (Information Governance/GDPR/Data Protection) or by individual departments/service areas or a Hybrid model (please describe briefly if hybrid)

4. The number of staff members (FTE/PTE if available) dedicated to handling FOI requests

Management of Subject Access Requests:

1. For each of the last three financial years, the number of SAR requests received

2. For each of the last three financial years, e the number of SAR requests responded to within the statutory timeframe

3. Confirmation whether the requests for SAR are managed by a centralised team (Information Governance/GDPR/Data Protection) or by individual departments/service areas or a Hybrid model (please describe briefly if hybrid)

4. The number of staff members (FTE/PTE if available) dedicated to handling SAR requests

Response provided:

Management of Freedom of Information Requests:

1 and 2.
This information is published within a dataset which is updated on a quarterly basis, with the last update completed and published 3 February 2026: FOIA and EIR Response Statistics and which provides the figures from 01.07.2021 to 31.12.25. The number of requests received are contained within column B and the number responded to within 20 working days/statutory time frame will be column C and column R provides the numbers of requests responded to either in full or part under the EIR

In accordance with Section 22 of the Act, the Council confirmed that the data is currently being prepared ready for its next update, which is due in May 2026 will be for the period 01.01.26 – 31.03.26. Due to a combination of high service demand during March 2026 and staff shortages the Council advised that it had a number of requests that were responded to that needed to be formally closed down and the statistics for each request to be updated accordingly which was taking some time to complete. The Council advised that it hoped to have this completed within the next few weeks so that the dataset can then be updated and published

3. FOI and EIR requests are managed by staff within the Council’s Legal Services team

4. One FTE (supported by other Legal Administrators as required)

Management of Subject Access Requests:

2023/24 = 26

2024/25 = 25

2025/26 = 32
2023/24 = 21

2024/25 = 16

2025/26 = 24
SARs are managed by staff within the Council’s Legal Services team
- Estimated FTE "Data Protection Officer and Solicitor" for SAR requests = 0.1

- Estimated FTE "Administrator" for SAR processing = 0.5*

*SAR processing forms part of the job role of a Legal Administrator (supported by other Legal Administrators as required)

Request reference: FOI 12254

Issue date: 15.04.26

Request received:

Q1) Based on the Council’s business rates database, how many tattoo-specific premises or tattoo studios were known to the Council for each financial year for the past 10 years

Q2a) Based on the Council’s Environmental Health records, how many premises were registered in order to provide tattooing services or were tattoo studios, during each financial year for the past 10 years under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (LGMPA 1982)

Please note that tattooing is considered alongside acupuncture, electrolysis, semi-permanent skin colouring, and piercing to be referred to more broadly as a ‘special treatment’, which is regulated by the above Act

Q2b) Based on the Council’s Environmental Health records regarding the above premises, how many individual practitioners were registered in order to provide tattooing services or were working within tattoo studios, during each financial year for the past 10 years under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (LGMPA 1982)?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

Q1) The Council's Business Rates department does not have any properties within the current Rating list with a description that would identify it as a Tattoo premises. Business Rates does not hold information on the specific use of premises

Q2a) Applicant provided with the information within a report 'Tattoo Premises licence numbers last 10 years' in response, which is available upon request

Q2b) Applicant provided with the information within a report 'tattoo Personal licence numbers last 10 years' in response, which is available upon request

Request reference: FOI 12255

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Star Foundation

2. Address: Derby Road, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1RX

3. Email: pete@starfoundation.org.uk

4. Telephone Number: 0845 869 4339

5. Website: http://starfoundation.org.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Star Foundation in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Star Foundation to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Star Foundation operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12256

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: AK Foundation

2. Email: enquiries@akfoundationcharity.org

3. Telephone Number: 0204 531 4385?

4. Website: https://akfoundationcharity.org/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

5. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

6. utilised or consumed services provided by AK Foundation in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

7. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted AK Foundation to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

8. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to AK Foundation operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

5. No

6. No

7. No

8. No

Request reference: FOI 12257

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Recycled Clothing Bank

2. Address: Unit 27 Chamberlains Farm, Sporehams Lane, Danbury, Sandon, Chelmsford CM3 4AJ

3. Email: enquiries@recycledclothingbanks.co.uk

4. Telephone Number: 020 3903 9933

5. Website: https://recycledclothingbanks.co.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Recycled Clothing Bank in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Recycled Clothing Bank to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Recycled Clothing Bank operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12258

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: JMP Wilcox

2. Address: Beldray Road, Bilston, WV14 7NH

3. Email: info@jmpwilcox.co.uk

4. Telephone Number: 01902357300

5. Website: https://jmpwilcox.co.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by JMP Wilcox in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted JMP Wilcox to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to JMP Wilcox operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12259

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested confirmation as to whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following ITEMISED DATA REQUESTS:

1. Name: Oxfam

2. Address: Oxfam, 2600 John Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park South, Oxford, OX4 2JY

3. Email: support@oxfam.org.uk

4. Telephone Number: 0300 200 1300

5. Website: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/

In particular, they requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

6. corresponded with or holds any records relating to the organisation named above?

7. utilised or consumed services provided by Oxfam in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

8. authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted Oxfam to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

9. held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to Oxfam operated by this organisation?

Response provided:

The Council responded as follows:

6. No

7. No

8. No

9. No

Request reference: FOI 12260

Issue date: 20.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested, in a summary table broken down by year, the number of planning applications received by between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025 relating to residential care homes, specifically involving a change of use from Use Class C3 (dwelling houses) to Use Class C2 (residential institutions)

For clarity, residential care homes typically fall under Use Class C2, and a material change of use from C3 to C2 generally requires planning permission

Response provided:

The Council's Planning department confirmed that the applicant would be able to find this information by way of a search using of the published Planning Tracker: https://planning.northdevon.gov.uk/

By entering 'care home' in the search criteria box, this will generate a list of 150 applications that they would be able to individually view to determine which ones fall within the period of their request (01.01.21 - 31.12.25) and their proposals, in order to determine if specifically involved a change of use from Class C3 to Class C2

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 has done so in providing the applicant with the link to the planning tracker and the assistance in how to use the planning tracker to find the information, as above

Request reference: FOI 12261

Issue date: 23.04.26

Request received:

Does the council accommodate pets (excluding guide dogs and trained assistance animals) in council provided / arranged temporary accommodation?
Does the council accommodate pets (excluding guide dogs and trained assistance animals) in council provided / arranged emergency accommodation (specifically for people who are considered legally homeless / threatened with homelessness)?
Are the responses to questions one and two formalised council policies?
Does the council work with any partners on the provision of pet-friendly temporary or emergency accommodation, OR has your council worked with any partners on the provision of pet-friendly temporary or emergency accommodation at any point since 1st January 2023 and now?
Does the council (at the time of writing) work with AT LEAST ONE temporary or emergency accommodation provider that will accept pets (not taking into account whether they are available/have vacancies at the present time)?

Response provided:

1. No, not currently

2. Currently under review

3. Currently under review

4. The Council has worked with a pet-friendly organisation during this time. It also works directly with the Environmental Wardens (that includes Dog Warden tasks) employed by the authority for emergencies

5. Yes

Request reference: FOI 12262

Issue date: 13.04.26

Request received:

The applicant confirmed that they have been requesting private hire vehicle/hackney carriage/taxi licensing data from the authority since 2017

Example:

Registration number

Vehicle make

Vehicle model

License from

License to

The applicant confirmed that they are aware the Council may not have records that go back this far however, they requested from the earliest date available, how many other individuals or companies excluding them have requested this type of information within each year? The applicant confirmed that they do not want the details of the FOI requester

Example:

2017 yourself plus 1 other.

2018 yourself plus 1 other

2019 yourself plus 2 others…

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that records of individual FOI/EIR requests are retained for two years from the date of issue of the final response/last action; any records of requests dating back to 2017 will no longer be held by the Council. The Council has identified the following for which records are held:

2024 = the applicant plus three other similar requests

2025 = the applicant plus three other similar requests

2026 = the applicant only

Request reference: FOI 12267

Issue date: 29.04.26

Request received:

1. The total number of currently licensed businesses authorised to sell animals as pets.

2. Of those currently licensed businesses, how many are licensed to sell:

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles

Amphibians

Fish

Invertebrates

For the avoidance of doubt:

I applicant clarified that they were asking for the number of premises licensed to sell animals as pets, not the number of specimens and understands many stores will be licensed to sell several of the taxa listed below

If the information is not held in exactly that format, they requested that it be provided in the closest recorded breakdown available

Response provided:

North Devon Council

Country (England)

Total number premises licensed to sell animals as pets = 5

Number licensed to sell MAMMALS = 3

Number licensed to sell BIRDS = 1

Number licensed to sell REPTILES = 2

Number licensed to sell AMPHIBIANS = 1

Number licensed to sell FISH = 4

Number licensed to sell INVERTEBRATES = 1

Request reference: FOI 12269

Issue date: 13.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information:

The name of the software system(s) currently used to facilitate BACS payments

The contract end date(s) and/or next renewal date(s) for the above system(s)

The current annual contract value paid for this software (excluding VAT). If the exact figure is exempt, please provide the value within a cost band or range

Response provided:

The Council confirmed to the applicant that it uses NatWest Autopay BACS software. This is linked to the Council’s banking contract which runs to 31.01.2028 with two optional 12-month extensions. The cost is £888 annually

Request reference: EIR 12265

Issue date: 24.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the know if the Council has served any notices for remedial works for subsidence in relation to 16-17 Larkstone Terrace, Hillsborough Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9NU, outlining the extent of the subsidence and advise on any restrictions that may apply

Response provided:

The Council confirmed to the applicant that it has not served any notices for remedial works for subsidence at the property

The applicant was also directed to the Council’s Planning Tracker where they are able to search on Planning Enforcement notices, however a search on the address did not generate any results

Request reference: FOI 12271

Issue date: 14.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested, in a machine-readable format such as CSV or Excel, a complete and up-to-date list of all non-domestic properties within the billing authority and for each property the following:

Full property address

Current ratepayer/liable party (company or organisation name only, they do not require personal names of individuals or sole traders)

Account start date/occupation date

Property description (e g warehouse, office, shop)

Rateable value

Details of any reliefs applied (including empty property relief, small business rate relief, charitable relief, etc)

Response provided:

The applicant was advised that the Council publishes the information requested on its website which is updated quarterly: Business Rates

In accordance with Section 21(1) of the Act, the Council is not obliged to provide applicants with information that is already in the public domain. However, the Council does have a duty under Section 16(1) to provide advice and assistance in order to help applicants locate the information, which it did done so in providing the applicant with the link to it as set out above

In accordance with Section 22 of the Act, it was confirmed to the applicant that the datasets for April 2026 are currently being prepared for publication later this month (April 2026)

Request reference: FOI EIR 12273

Issue date: 16.04.26

Request received:

Information regarding a new Local Wildlife Site (LWS) designated near land within the Council’s area named Dart Raffe, specifically:

Details of the circumstances for the designation of the Dart Raffe LWS
All email correspondence from first engagement of the potential for the designation up until the designation had been implemented
Details of the criteria that the LWS meets in order to be registered as a LWS
Any additional information available regarding the Dart Raffe LWS and why it has been recognised and meets criteria to be registered as a LWS
Also, any other details regarding Dart Raffe LWS including the location and confirmation of site boundaries

Response provided:

The applicant was informed that a designated Country Wildlife Site would not be as a result of planning permission being granted. Instead they were directed to Devon County Council for response. Following further correspondence with the applicant, the Council was able to establish that it does not hold the specific information requested by the applicant and that it is requestable outside of the authority, however it is held under licence for a fee and so is exempt under the FOI

In accordance with Regulation 12 4(a), the Council confirmed does not hold this information. All exceptions in Regulations 12(4) are subject to a public interest test, however it is noted in guidance produced by the ICO that it is accepted that if a public authority is refusing a request because it does not hold any information then it will not be able to carry out any meaningful public interest test, and therefore the Council is not expected to include consideration of the public interest test in this instance

Request reference: FOI 12274

Issue date: 16.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information regarding usage of Artificial Intelligence within your councils' services:

Tools and Implementation

A. Does your organization utilize any form of Artificial Intelligence or automated systems within its operations?

B. If yes, please list specific tools, programs or platforms in use and identify which service areas they are deployed in. (e g social care, housing, customer services)

C. Are any artificial intelligence tools being piloted, please provide brief details of its purpose, timeline and evaluation criteria if so

D. Do you have any AI tools specifically used for social care, housing services, bin routes or housing services?

Efficiency and Impact

A. Has use of AI boosted efficiency within your organization?

B. Has there been any formal or informal measurement of time saved, and efficiency gained because of artificial implementation? If so, please provide the findings

C. Can you identify specific areas where it has worked well?

D. How much of the staff within your organization has access to AI tools?

Governance and Policy

A. Do you have a formal AI strategy, policy or governance board in place? If so, please provide a copy or a link to it

B. Is a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) or any similar procedure required before any AI tool is deployed?

C. Has an Equality Impact Assessment been completed for any AI tools in use?

D. Do you require human oversight for AI-assisted outputs or decisions? Please describe how this is enforced

E. Is there a designated individual or team responsible for AI oversight within your organization?

Ethics and Privacy

A. How have ethical risks such as bias, or privacy been addressed in the usage of AI within your organization?

B. How do you address risks of bias, particularly in services affecting vulnerable groups such as children, elderly residents, or benefit claimants?

C. Are residents informed when AI has been involved within decisions or communications affecting them? If so, how?

Staff and Culture:

A. Has your organization provided training or guidance regarding the usage of AI tools?

B. How have staff concerns around AI, such as job displacement been addressed?

Future Plans:

A. Are there any AI tools, pilots or strategies planned for the next 12-24 months? If yes, please provide detail

Response provided:

Tools and Implementation:

Yes, the Council makes limited use of AI-enabled tools
The Council currently uses AI primarily through vendor supplied functionality within existing software platforms. This includes AI assisted productivity features within Microsoft 365 (e g drafting assistance, summarisation, and data analysis tools) used internally by a limited number of staff. AI tools are not used to make automated decisions affecting residents, nor are they used to determine eligibility, prioritisation or statutory outcomes
At present, the Council has undertaken limited pilot activity involving AI productivity tools for internal use. These pilots focus on supporting document drafting and summarisation and improving efficiency in administrative tasks. Pilots are short term, evaluated qualitatively based on usability, staff feedback, and information governance considerations
No

Efficiency and Impact:

Limited productivity benefits have been observed primarily in administrative and documentation tasks
No formal assessment has taken place
Supporting tool for summarising information. It has also helped with members of staff who are neurodiverse
Everyone has access to limited tools, around 15% of the authority has access to CoPilot

Governance and Policy:

We have an internal AI policy which is not available externally, a copy of which was disclosed to the applicant and is available upon request
Yes, a DPIA is required
No Equality Impact Assessments have been undertaken specifically for AI tools
Yes, all outputs must be checked by human in the loop
Yes

Ethics and Privacy:

Yes, documented within the attached AI policy
AI is not used for operational decision making affecting vulnerable groups, risks relating to bias are currently limited
AI is not used for decision making

Staff and Culture:

We’ve completed an AI Governance workshop outlining the risks. We’ve taken those suggestions on board
We’ve reaffirmed our position that AI is a tool used to support users, not replace them

Future Plans:

We will continue to explore opportunities where AI can produce efficiency savings

Request reference: FOI 12275

Issue date: 17.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested accrued NNDR credit balances and write on’s (credits that the Council has been unable to trace recipients for and have therefore wrote into its accounts, leaving an outward appearance of a zero balance)

In Excel format, a breakdown of credit balances accrued since earliest records, for the amounts owing to all ‘incorporated’ companies or public bodies (i e not individuals) within the authorities billing area, including:

The name of each business in respect of which Non-Domestic Rate credit balances remain payable

The value of overpayment in each case with remains unclaimed

The years(s) in which the overpayment was made

The hereditament address

Billing Authority Reference

Account Number

and if possible, the

Account Liability start date

Account Liability end date

Response provided:

The applicant was informed that the Council does not publish or provide the details of individual business rates credits and write on’s. Following careful consideration of the ICO decision for Wandsworth Council (FS50619844) and discussions with the Council’s Revenues team which holds this data, the Council considers that any disclosure of this data would be likely to prejudice the prevention and detection of crime and therefore the Council considers that this data is exempt from disclosure under Section 31(1)(a)

When applying this exemption, the Council is required to carry out a Public Interest Test which considers the factors that favour disclosure and the withholding of the data:

Factors in favour of disclosure

• Withholding the information could be perceived as the council attempting to retain monies that belong to the public

• It is in the public interest to be open and transparent about its use of public funds

• It is also in the public interest to be transparent regarding the records held in respect of the administration of business rates. This could be of interest to the minority of people who are due a refund but have somehow failed to receive the notifications that money is owed to them

Factors in favour of withholding

• There is a public interest in ensuring that monies from the public purse, such as rebates on business accounts, are not fraudulently claimed and also a public interest in not making it easier for fraud to be committed

• The Council’ current verification procedure for refund claims is simple and cost effective however the Council cannot be certain as to whether some claimants are who they really say they are for every refund processed. If the Council were to continue to publish/disclose this data, this would ultimately result in additional verification processes needing to be implemented by the Revenues team at additional cost to the public, which would be disproportionate to the benefits that would accrue from disclosure. The additional verification procedures would also be likely to slow the verification process, resulting in detriment to the genuine ratepayer in that it would take longer for their credit to be refunded to them

• In relation to any new verification processes that might be needed, these would be likely to require the production of additional documents by those claiming a rebate which would place a new administrative burden on the majority of those legitimate claimants that did not currently exist. This would be compounded by the fact that the level of scrutiny of those documents would be higher than at present, given the increased suspicion that some of the claims (and associated documents) might well be fraudulent. The result would be that a new verification process would be likely to slow the rate at which credit balance claims could be considered and refunded, causing delay in all refunds and the likelihood of complaints, which would further burden the Council’s limited resources

• Disclosure of the requested information would result in the need to implement disproportionate steps and additional expense to the Council to counter an increased fraud risk

The cost consequences of a successful fraudulent claim would:

• have incurred the cost of paying out to the fraudster

• remain liable to the legitimate rate payer for an equivalent amount, raising the prospect of paying out twice; and

• be faced with the cost (legal and incurrence of internal management time) of seeking to recover the funds wrongly paid to the fraudster

It would not be in the public interest to expose it to such potential costs and expenses, given that they would be funded from the public purse

It is considered that the greater public interest, therefore, lies in withholding this data. In coming to that conclusion, the public interest in providing the information has been carefully weighed against any prejudice to the public interest that might arise from withholding the information; in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

The Council has published a dataset (All NDR Credit Balances which can be found on its Business Rates datasets page) that provides:

• the total amount of credit refunded

• the number of refunds

• the total amount of outstanding credit

• the number of outstanding refunds

This dataset is updated quarterly with the last update published 08.04.26, together with the other business rates datasets currently published

Request reference: FOI 12277

Issue date: 21.04.26

Request received:

1. What is the total number of personal injury claims recorded against the council for the last three tax years (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25), broken down by year?

2. How many of those claims outlined in question 1 were submitted:

·By employees

·By members of the public

3. What was the total amount paid out by the council as the result of personal injury claims against your council for the last three tax years (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25), broken down by year?

4. What were the most common types of claim recorded against the council during the last three tax years (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25), including but not limited to the following examples:

- Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs)

- Accidents at Work

- Public Liability Claims

- Industrial Disease

- Animal Accidents

- Criminal Injuries

- Travel Accidents

- Negligence

Response provided:

	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
	01/04/2022 - 31/03/2023	01/04/2023 - 31/03/2024	01/04/2024 - 31/03/2025
Employees	1	2	0
Public	2	5	2
total paid by NDC	0	£952	0
RTA	0	1	0
Accidents at Work	1	1	0
Public Liability	2	5	2

Request reference: FOI 12283

Issue date: 20.04.26

Request received:

North Devon use of bailiffs/enforcement agents to collect council tax debt in 2025/26

1. The number of times between 1st April 2025 – 31st March 2026 that private bailiffs/enforcement agents have been instructed to enforce council tax debts owed to the local authority

By “private bailiffs/enforcement agents” we mean those who are self-employed or who work for private companies, including as high court enforcement officers. Please include cases where local authority employees have visited a property to enforce a warrant of control

2. Do you currently have a policy of exempting recipients of Council Tax Support / Reduction from the use of bailiff action? (Yes/No)

Response provided:

1. 2,262

2. No

Request reference: FOI 12284

Issue date: 20.04.26

Request received:

The following information for the most recent 3-year period available (or each year separately if easier):

1. Enforcement Activity

The total number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued where Blue Badge misuse was identified or suspected

The number of Blue Badges confiscated due to misuse

The number of investigations carried out relating to Blue Badge misuse

2. Outcomes

The number of cases resulting in:

Formal warnings

Fixed penalties

Prosecutions

The number of successful prosecutions and any associated fines or penalties

3. Types of Misuse

If recorded, a breakdown of the most common types of misuse, for example:

Use of a deceased person’s badge

Use of a badge without the holder present

Altered or fraudulent badges

4. Operational Impact

Any available data on the estimated time or resources spent investigating Blue Badge misuse

The number of appeals or disputes related to Blue Badge misuse

5. Digital or Preventative Measures

Details of any digital systems, technologies, or processes currently used to detect or prevent Blue Badge misuse

Whether your authority is considering or has implemented any digital solutions for Blue Badge enforcement

Response provided:

The Council’s Parking team confirmed to the applicant that they do not enforce the misuse of blue badges within the North Devon areas as this falls under the remit of Devon County Council’s On-street enforcement team

For Off-Street Parking (which North Devon Council is responsible for) the Council only issues for non-display of a valid blue badge. The Council may report this to Devon County Council if it has proof that a blue badge is being misused, however Parking do not maintain any records of this

Request reference: FOI 12285

Issue date: 22.04.26

Request received:

<
The applicant requested information regarding the Parish Precept levied by Lynton Parish Council and collected as part of Council Tax by North Devon Council

A full and detailed breakdown of the Parish Precept for Lynton Parish Council for the most recent financial year (2026/2027), and where available, for the previous two financial years (2024/2025 and 2025/2026) for comparison

Specifically, the applicant requested the following information:

The total Parish Precept amount requested by Lynton Parish Council for each of the above financial years

The total amount collected from residents via Council Tax for the Parish Precept in each of those years

A detailed itemised breakdown of how the precept funding is allocated and/or spent by Lynton Parish Council, including but not limited to:

Staffing costs (including salaries, pensions, and administration)

Maintenance of public spaces (e g parks, cemeteries, open spaces)

Public amenities (e g toilets, benches, bins, lighting)

Grants or funding given to local organisations or events

Office and administrative expenses

Capital projects and infrastructure works

Loan repayments (if applicable)

Any reserves held, including earmarked and general reserves

If some of this information is more readily available via Lynton Parish Council, the applicant specified that they requested that North Devon Council provide any information held within its own records, as required under the Act, and advise where additional information may be obtained

Response provided:

The Council provided the following information that it holds:

The following amounts were requested from Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council:

2024 = £107,638

2025 = £107,666

2026 = £146,876

The Council confirmed to the applicant that it does not hold the figure specific to Lynton, nor does it hold any further information as set out within the request as above. The applicant was directed to contact Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council for response to the outstanding parts of their request

Request reference: FOI 12290

Issue date: 23.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following details relating to the local authority’s property licensing requirements, as currently in force and under consultation:

A list of all property licensing schemes operating, and under consultation, within your jurisdiction, including:

Selective licensing schemes

Additional licensing schemes (please specify which apply to properties falling under Section 254 and Section 257 of the Housing Act 2004)

Mandatory licensing schemes for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

Short-Term Let Schemes or restrictions

For each scheme, please supply the following information:

The areas or wards covered

The start/end (or renewal) date for each scheme

Eligibility criteria for properties

Types of properties included under Section 254 and 257 for additional licensing, if relevant

Fee structure and any applicable discounts

The current number of properties licensed under each scheme

Article 4 HMO Direction and Short-Term Let Schemes or Restrictions in force and under consultation for:

Details of any planning directives Article 4 HMO Direction and Short-Term Let Schemes or Restrictions in force and under consultation, including:

The precise areas they cover - map and list of streets/properties

The date implemented or proposed

Types of properties affected

Response provided:

1. Mandatory licensing schemes for Houses in Multiple Occupation

Mandatory licensing covers the whole district

Standard eligibility criteria for mandatory licensing applies

Fee structure and any applicable discounts = Please find the relevant information as published via the Council website: Environmental health and all licensing fees (these have been updated for the 2026/27 year)

The Council currently has 66 licenced HMOs. Information about these properties can be found on the Council website: HMO public register

The Council does not have any Article 4 HMO Directions or Short-Term Let Schemes or Restrictions in force or under consultation

Request reference: FOI 12291

Issue date: 30.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information for the previous three financial years (2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25):

The number of times council computers or internet services were used to access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus in each of the requested years

The total number of search requests made for adult content websites on council computers or internet services. If this is too broad, please amend the search for any website containing the words ‘pornography’, ‘porn’ or ‘XXX’ in the URL, in each of the requested years

By ‘council computers’ the applicant means all council owned or leased devices (laptops, desktops, mobile phones etc) used by council staff and to include the requested data regardless of whether the search/use took place on council property

By ‘internet services’ the applicant was referring to any council funded internet services, whether in the council offices or at remote working staff locations

Response provided:

1. The Council’s corporate internet logs are retained only for a limited period (a matter of days) due to the high volume of transactions. As such, we do not hold historical data for the requested years and are unable to provide a count of access instances

By way of context, access to Netflix and Disney Plus is blocked on the corporate network. Amazon services are not blocked, as they are required for legitimate business use (e g procurement), and therefore Amazon Prime Video is not specifically restricted

The Council’s public WiFi logs are retained for a period of 30 days. Data is not held beyond this timeframe. In the most recent 30-day period, approximately 10 hours of usage was recorded for Netflix. No usage was identified for Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video during this period

2. The Council does not retain internet usage logs for the requested years, as logs are only held for a limited period due to the volume of data. As such, the Council does not hold information on the number of search requests made for adult content websites and was unable to provide the requested figures

By way of context, the Council uses web filtering controls to block access to websites categorised as adult content, including those containing terms such as “pornography”, “porn” or “XXX”

Request reference: FOI 12293

Issue date: 23.04.26

Request received:

1. The number of stray cats collected by the Authority in the calendar year 2025

2. The number of those stray cats that were microchipped in accordance with the regulations (The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023)

3. The number of deceased cats collected by the Authority in the calendar year 2025

4. The number of those deceased cats whose owners were identified from a microchip

5. Are council tenants required to microchip their pet cats as part of their tenancy agreement?

6. The number of council tenants currently registered as owning a microchipped cat

7. The number of 21-day enforcement notices issued for failing to microchip a cat in the calendar year 2025

8. The number of cats handed over to the Authority for rescue or rehoming in 2025

Response provided:

The Council does not have any involvement with stray cats, only stray dogs)
N/A
The Council does not record this information
N/A as 3 above is not recorded information
The Council does not have any Council tenants. The Council's former social housing stock was transferred to North Devon Homes Ltd from 21.02.2000, therefore it no longer holds this information
N/A
N/A as 1 above
N/A as 1 above

Request reference: FOI 12295

Issue date: 23.04.26

Request received:

1. For each of the last three financial years, the number of households with dependent children placed in temporary accommodation outside the local authority area, broken down by destination local authority area

If providing data for all three years would exceed the appropriate cost limit, please provide the information for the most recent financial year available

2. For the most recent financial year available, a breakdown of out-of-area placements in Question 1 by accommodation type (for example: Bed and Breakfast, hotel, hostel, HMO/shared accommodation, and self-contained accommodation), where this information is readily available in recorded form

3. For the most recent financial year available, the number of households with dependent children placed out of area in accommodation with shared facilities (e g shared kitchen and/or bathroom), if recorded

4. For the most recent financial year available, the number of households with dependent children placed in temporary accommodation within the local authority area by other local authorities, broken down by placing authority

Where this information is readily available, please also provide a breakdown of these placements by accommodation type (for example: B&B, hotel, hostel, HMO/shared accommodation, and self-contained accommodation)

If a combined breakdown by both placing authority and accommodation type would exceed the cost limit, please provide the breakdown by placing authority only

In order to ensure the data is interpreted accurately, the applicant requested confirmation of the following:

a) Whether the figures provided represent the number of households placed, or another measure (for example, placement notifications or instances)

b) Whether the figures include only placements made during the reporting period, or also placements that began in a previous period but continued into it

c) Whether the data relating to placements into the Council’s area is derived from Section 208 notifications, and whether this is considered a complete record

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with the Council’s response in Excel format, which is available upon request

Request reference: FOI 12298

Issue date: 24.04.26

Request received:

Whether the Council has at any time engaged in correspondence with, or holds any records relating to, any of the following organisations:

Recycling Solution (North West) Limited

Scope

Green World Recycling Ltd

Helping Our Future Charity

The Fire Fighters Charity

Purple Monster Recycling

In particular, the applicant requested clarification as to whether the Council has ever:

1. Corresponded with or holds any records relating to the named organisations as listed above?

2. Utilised or consumed services provided by the named organisations as listed above in relation to textile recycling banks or similar services?

3. Authorised, licensed, or otherwise permitted the named organisations das listed above to place recycling banks on land owned, leased, or managed by the Council?

4. Held any agreements, permits, contracts, complaints, enforcement records, or internal communications relating to the named organisations as listed above?

Response provided:

The Council confirms that it does not hold any information for any of the listed as above. In discharge of its obligation under section 1(1)(b) the Council provides the following response/clarification for each of the listed above:

Request reference: FOI 12299

Issue date: 24.04.26

Request received:

For the period 1 June 2023 to the most recently recorded date, the applicant requested the following, preferably with a monthly breakdown and in CSV/Excel format:

1. The total number of recorded fires at any site or during any stage of waste collection or processing involving lithium-ion batteries

2. Of those, and if recorded, the number for which the suspected or recorded cause was vapes (of any type)

3. The quantity of vapes (of any type) or vape batteries found improperly disposed of in collected waste

4. The total number of loads rejected, quarantined, or diverted because of improper e-waste disposal and, if held, the proportion of which is specifically attributed to vapes

5. The total cost of improper e-waste disposal and, if held, the proportion of which is specifically attributed to vapes

6. The quantity of vapes (of any type) collected properly as e-waste

Response provided:

The Council provided the following response for the period 01.06.23 to date (24.04.26):

One laptop in bin lorry, March 2026
N/A
This information is not recorded by the Council and therefore is not held
As 3 above
As 3 above
As 3 above

Request reference: 12300

Issue date: 27.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information for the financial year 2026/27:

1. For Direct Debit payers:

1a. the total number of households on a 10 month instalment plan for council tax

1b. the total number of households on a 12 month instalment plan for council tax

1c. the total number of households with any other cadence of payment (e g weekly, fortnightly, 4-weekly)

1d. the total number of households paying by Direct Debit in your council tax billing caseload this year

2. For cash payers (for 'cash' please include all non-Direct Debit accounts):

2a. the total number of households on a 10 month instalment plan for council tax

2b. the total number of households on a 12 month instalment plan for council tax

2c. the total number of households with any other cadence of payment (e g weekly, fortnightly, 4-weekly)

2d. the total number of households paying by cash in your council tax billing caseload this year

3. the total number of households in your council tax billing case load for this year. (I know I can add it up, but I want to ensure there are no gaps in percentage calculations)

Response provided:

1a. 19,480

1b. 16,055

1c. 139

1d. 35,674

2a. 8,651

2b. 5,426

2c. 221

2d. 14,298

3. 49,972

Request reference: FOI 12301

Issue date: 27.04.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the name of the business rates software used by the Council

Response provided:

The Council confirmed the name of the business rates software uses by the authority is Civica Open Revenues

Request reference: FOI 12302

Issue date: 29.04.26

Request received:

1. The total value of expenditure written off or impaired in each of the past three financial years in relation to projects that were cancelled, paused, or not completed as planned

2. Where held, a list of the 10 highest value such projects since 1 April 2020, including:

* A brief description of each project and if it was cancelled, paused or not completed as planned

* The amount spent prior to cancellation or abandonment

3. Any internal category, classification, or accounting treatment used to record such expenditure (e g capital write-offs, aborted project costs)

Response provided:

1. The Council confirmed that it has a pre-project feasibility phase for projects where it tests viability before proceeding. The Council has not identified any project(s) that have been approved and subsequently cancelled paused, or not completed as planned within the past three financial years

2. N/A

3. N/A