Request reference: FOI 12225

Issue date: 05.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following information for the most recent full financial year available:

1. The three highest individual areas of expenditure that the council classifies as discretionary or non-statutory (i e services or spending not required by law), ranked by total annual spend

2. For each of these three areas, the applicant requested to be provided with:

The name or description of the service/project

The total amount spent in that financial year

A brief description of what the expenditure relates to

1. The total amount spent by the council on alcohol, including:

Alcohol purchased for events, functions, or hospitality

Alcohol purchased using council funds, expenses, or procurement systems

If possible, please also provide a breakdown of this figure by category (e.g. events, civic hospitality, staff functions)

If the council does not hold a specific category for alcohol expenditure, please provide the closest available information, such as hospitality or event catering costs where alcohol is included

Response provided:

Questions 1 and 2:

Below are the three highest areas of discretionary expenditure in 2025/26:

Parks & Open Spaces = £994,491 - Staff, Equipment, sub-contractors

Economic Development = £716,897 - Staff, Professional Services, Security Services

Built Environment = £660,195 - Staff, Professional Services, Security Services, ICT costs

Question 3:

The Council does not incur any costs in respect of alcohol 

Request reference: FOI 12221

Issue date: 07.05.26

Request received: 

How many times Coombe Fisheries has been monitored, either for odour or noised, since 2020, who requested that monitoring be conducted (i e member of public w/out contravening GDPR or other data laws, business name) and the outcome of the monitoring

Response provided:

Regarding Noise complaints = No records of any noise complaints held/recorded against Coombe Fisheries in the period from 1 January 2020 - 4 May 2026

Regarding Odour complaints: 

Please see the below summary of monitoring that was undertaken in response to these odour complaints, from 1 January 2020 – 4 May 2026:

Odour complaint WK/201908512 received from The Barnstaple Hotel, Braunton Road, Barnstaple, EX31 1LE = No records of monitoring held 

Odour complaint WK/202002117 received from an individual at Financial Services, Upcott Avenue, Barnstaple, EX31 1HN.

Email from officer to complainant dated 16 October 2020: “Just wanted to keep you posted that I have been visiting the area on a number of occasions in the last couple of weeks and sitting in your car park area to assess the odour. I may have been unfortunate to attend on the wrong days as have not witnessed it when it has been bad yet but will continue to visit in the next couple of weeks.” 

In response to Odour complaint WK/202100606 received from 2 complainants: an individual at Financial Services (address as above) and also from a member of the public = No records of monitoring held 

Odour complaint WK/202102741 received from a member of the public = No records of monitoring held 

Odour complaint WK/202202076 received from a member of the public = File note from officer dated 9 August 2022: “passing inspection - hot dry day in sustained hot dry spell - little or no breeze; no odour in car park of Burger King - due North of factory; neither on South side - but detected light to moderate odour on East side. Wind data for about 5 pm shows slight breeze from NNW.” 

Odour complaint WK/202208386 received from a member of the public =

File note from officer dated 29 May 2024: “Check on current odour issues - No significant odour issues.”

File note from officer dated 13 August 2024: “Frequent visits when passing. No odour issues at present and no further reports.” 

Odour complaint WK/202301529 received from an individual at Financial Services (address as above) =

File note from officer dated 29 May 2024: “Check on any odour - No significant odour witnessed.”

File note from officer dated 13 August 2024: “Frequent visits since May whenever passing 20+ times. No odour issues. Faint fishy smell on occasions.”

Odour complaint WK/202503372 received from The Park Hotel, New Road, Barnstaple, EX32 9AE =

File note from officer dated 17 July 2025: “We conducted a perimeter walk. I noted that there was no specific area where the odour was present around the site, there was however a low fish odour at the traffic lights prior to entering the industrial estate from the Taw Bridge. This may be linked to the extraction unit and deodorisers age; however, this cannot be confirmed until data is collected.”

File note from officer dated 6 August 2025: “Attended the location - parked outside where the waste is stored - there was a slight odour nearby, however when walking across towards the footpath / vets the odour was gone (approx 10 meters).”

File note from officer dated 19 August 2025: “Additional monitoring conducted - parked at the rear of the Hotel and monitored for 30 minutes - during this period there was no noticeable odour of fish.”

File note from officer dated 5 September 2025: “Further monitoring conducted - attended by the waste store and also moved around to the rear of the hotel - there was no odour.” 

Odour complaint WK/202543242 received from a member of the public =

File note from officer dated 18 March 2026: “Walked all around the area. No bad odours or strong fish or seafood smells.” 

With regards to the named individuals who made the complaints from the respective businesses as identified above, the Council considers that this withheld information to be exempt under Section 40 of the Act as the information constitutes personal data and those individuals 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 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 

Request reference: FOI 12266

Issue date: 08.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following information regarding paper and cardboard recycling in the Council’s area:

• What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract?

• Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful and not successful at the PQQ and ITT stages 

• Who is the current supplier?

• Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date?

• Are there any processing facilities or MRFs utilised within the contract if so what the names and addresses?

• How is your fibre processed (baled or loose)?

• Where is the end destination of the fibre?

• What is your current collection method (dual stream, single source, kerbside sort or comingled) 

• What tonnage per year do you produce by fibre grade?

• Start date and duration of framework/contract?

• Could you please provide a copy of the service/product specification given to all bidders for when this contract was last advertised?

• Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension?

• Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s) are being either extended or renewed?

• Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract?

• Are there any plans to change the existing service?

Response provided:

What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract? = N/A, the Council does not have contract in place for paper and cardboard recycling.

• Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful & not successful at the PQQ & ITT stages 

• Who is the current supplier? = N/A

• Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date? = N/A

• Are there any processing facilities or MRFs utilised within the contract if so what the names and addresses? = N/A

• How is your fibre processed (baled or loose)? = Baled

• Where is the end destination of the fibre? =

ND PAPER MALAYSIA (SELANGOR) SDN BHD

No 6 & 8 JALAN NEUTRON TAMAN PERINDUSTIAN

BANDAR MAHKOTA 2 BANTING

KUALA LANGAT 42700

SELANGOR

MALAYSIA

 

VIETNAM LEE & MAN PAPER MFG LTD

PHU HUU A INDUSTRIAL ZONE – STAGE

1 HAU GIANG PROVINCE

VIETNAM

MAI DAM TOWN

 

CHENG YANG PAPER MILL CO LTD

B-2-CN LOT , D15 STREET, MY PHUOC INDUSTRIAL PARK

MY PHUOC WARD

BEN CAT CITY

BINH DUONG PROVINCE

VIIETNAM

 

SUBAMPAPERS PVT LTD

V. IN-627010 TAMILNADUVADUGANPATT VILLAGE

TIRUNELVELI

INDIA

 

PAPIERFABRIK VREDEN GmbH

AUSBACHSTRASSE 9, 48685

VREDEN

DUITSLAND

 

SMURFIT KAPPA TOWNSEND HOOK LTD

PAPER MILLS

MILL STREET

SNODLAND

ME6 5AX

 

PEUTE PAPIER RECYCLING B.V

RAPENBURG 2 2952

AP ALBLASSERDAM

THE NETHERLANDS

 

WIZPAPER

RUE DU CHOQUET 2 62570

WIZERNES

FRANCE

 

SUBAM PAPERS PRIVATE LIMITED

143 VADUGANPATTI VILLAGE

TIRUNELVEIL

627010, TAMIL

INDIA

• What is your current collection method (dual stream, single source, kerbside sort or comingled) = Kerbside sort

 • What tonnage per year do you produce by fibre grade? = 795 tonnes mixed card only single stream

• Start date and duration of framework/contract? = N/A

• Could you please provide a copy of the service/product specification given to all bidders for when this contract was last advertised? = N/A

• Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension? = N/A

• Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s) are being either extended or renewed? = N/A

• Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract? = N/A

• Are there any plans to change the existing service? = No

Request reference: FOI 12270

Issue date: 11.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following cover each of the past five financial years: 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 in a spreadsheet, with column headings for each financial year:

1. How much the council spent on employer contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme
2. How much the council received in council tax

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with the requested information in Excel format and was also advised that Council Tax is not the old source of funding for North Devon Council services. All funding is used to fund the net revenue budget. The applicant was directed to the Council's published Statement of Accounts on its website for this information

Request reference: FOI 12272

Issue date: 07.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following information for the period 1 January 2020 to present:

1. Inspections and maintenance

a) The total number of playground inspections carried out per year

b) Copies of any inspection guidance, checklists, or policies used, particularly those referencing corrosion, rust, metal degradation

2. Recorded defects

a) The number of recorded maintenance issues or defects relating to playground equipment, broken down by year

b) Where available, the number of defects specifically categorised as corrosion, rust, structural degradation of metal components

(If defects are not categorised in this way, please provide any relevant keyword-searchable records or closest equivalent classification)

3. Complaints from the public

a) The number of complaints received relating to playground equipment described as rusty, corroded, damaged or unsafe

 4. Incidents and injuries

a) The number of reported incidents or accidents in council-managed playgrounds, per year.

b) If recorded, the number of incidents where equipment condition (e g damage, corrosion, or wear) was noted as a contributing factor

5. Maintenance response

Any policies or service standards relating to:

1. repair timeframes for damaged or corroded equipment
2. criteria for removing unsafe equipment from use

Response provided:

The Council provided the following response for the period 01.01.2020 to date (07.05.26):

1. Inspections and maintenance:

Total number of playground inspections carried out per year = 2,704 routine inspections, 93 operational inspections and 31 annual inspections per year (this is the same for each individual year from 01.01.2020 to date

Copies of any inspection guidance, checklists or policies used, particularly those referencing corrosion, rust, metal degradation = The Council does not hold any such information

2. Recorded defects:

    The number of recorded maintenance issues or defects relating to playground equipment, by year = This information was provided to the applicant within an Excel spreadsheet which is available upon request

3. Complaints from the public as described as rusty, corroded, damaged or safe: Zero 

4. Incidents and injuries:

    Number of reported incidents or accidents in council-managed playgrounds per year = Two, both in 2025

    Number of incidents where equipment condition was noted as a contributing factor = Zero

 

5. Maintenance response:

Any policies or service standards relating to repair time frames for damaged or corroded equipment and criteria for removing unsafe equipment from use = The Council does not hold any such information 

Request reference: FOI 12276

Issue date: 07.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following data for each financial year from 2015/16 to 2025/26:

 

1. Initial Notices from Approved Inspectors / Registered Building Control Approvers

The number of Initial Notices received and accepted by the council in each year, broken down by:

Building type, using whatever categorisation is held in case management system

New build vs alteration/extension/refurbishment

The identity of the Approved Inspector/RBCA named on each notice, where held

 

2. Lapsed Initial Notices

The number of Initial Notices that lapsed or were cancelled in each year, and where held, the identity of the Approved Inspector/RBCA named on the original notice

 

3. Local Authority Building Control Applications

The number of building control applications received by the council in each year, broken down by:

Application type: Full Plans (FP), Building Notice (BN), Regularisation

Building type, using whatever categorisation is held in your case management system

New build vs alteration/extension/refurbishment

 

4. Performance

Any performance data held by the council relating to the Building Control Service, including but not limited to average application processing times, time to first site inspection, or any metrics reported internally or to committee

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that it does hold some information fall within the scope of the request. In discharge of its obligation under section 1(1)(b) the Council was unable to provide the information requested due to the way in which it is recorded/held. Building Control services for North Devon and Mid Devon are provided under a combined partnership. It is understood that to be able to respond to the request in full would require the team to create new system queries and reports to identify and extract references to the specific applications the applicant sought. This would be considered a creation of new information and as such, the Council is not required to do so in order to be able to satisfy a request under the Act

Furthermore, all potentially relevant records/information would then need to be gathered and manually reviewed by an officer to determine whether they fall within the scope of the request, as there is not single report or dataset that sets out the detail required as per the request. The information requested would then need to be manually extracted and collated and would go beyond simple extraction which would take many hours to complete

In addition, Competent Persons records are not information Building Control routinely reports on. Locating, retrieving, and extracting this information would require further searches across separate records and systems, adding substantially to the overall time required

The Building Control service receives approximately 1,500 applications per year (including local authority and Approved Inspector applications). Over a 10‑year period, this equates to up to 15,000 records that would potentially need to be searched and reviewed

By way of comparison, the production of existing monthly reports involves working through approximately 140 records and can take up to five hours to locate, retrieve, and extract into the required formats. Expanding this process to cover all records at the scale and level of detail requested would be extremely burdensome and if Competent Persons records were also included, this would add several hundred additional applications per month, further increasing the time required

Section 12 of the Act makes provision for public authorities to refuse requests for information where the cost of dealing with them would exceed the appropriate limit, which for Local Authorities is set at £450 by the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004. This represents the estimated cost of one person spending 18 hours at £25 per hour in determining whether the Council holds the information, locating, retrieving and collating the information

It is confirmed by the Building Control team that it would far exceed the 18-hour limit to provide the requested information as set out above. The procedure would cause serious disruption and a disproportionate diversion of staff resources which would negatively impact the day to day working of the Building Control team; therefore, the Council confirmed that it was unable to process the request 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 with Section 16(1) (advice and assistance) the Council considered how it is able to assist the applicant in refining the request to bring it under the 18-hour cost limit

To reduce the scope and cost of compliance, the applicant was advised that they may wish to consider refining your request, for example by:

requesting high‑level summary figures, such as the number of applications per year

limiting the request to commercial applications only or Approved Inspector applications only; or

requesting information that aligns with existing reports already routinely produced by the service

For example, The Council could provide basic annual totals showing the number of applications received per year and how many were commercial or Approved Inspector applications, which would be significantly less resource‑intensive than the level of detail currently requested

Request reference: FOI 12278

Issue date: 15.05.26

Request received: 

  
1. Has the council undertaken any internal assessment or planning in relation to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act?

2. Has the council identified any council-owned or operated premises that may fall within the scope of the Act? If yes, please indicate the number of locations

3. Has the council already got effective Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Measures (HVM) securing key locations?

4. What percentage of identified locations still need to be secured with HVM measures?

5. The full amount (in £) the council has spent to date implementing the aforementioned measures as well as the amount of money (in £) assigned in relation to responding to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act

6. If you have not yet assigned a budget or implemented measures, do you expect to do so in the next 6 months? (please answer either Yes, No or N/A)

7. Has any internal guidance documents, briefings, or training materials been produced relating to the Act?

8. Has the council engaged with private businesses to educate them on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act?

9. Does the council have plans to support private businesses financially in implementing relevant security measures to ensure compliance?

10. Has the council received guidance or communications from central government or regulators regarding the Act?

Response provided:

1. The implementation of Martyn’s Law is currently being reviewed as part of the Council’s Housing and Community Safety Programme. Work has commenced on identifying those premises that will be in scope. An initial baseline assessment has been undertaken but not completed in such a way to achieve full compliance

2. Yes, approximately six locations may fall within the scope of the Act

3. No

4. Unknown

5. £0/Zero to date

6. Yes

7. An initial briefing paper was provided on Martyn's Law (May 2025) to Senior Management Team outlining its scope

8. Not proactively, however the Council's webpages Entertainment and alcohol licences | North Devon Council do signpost information on gaining readiness for the legislative changes

9. Only where there is a contractual/statutory obligation

10. Yes 

Request reference: FOI 12279

Issue date: 15.05.26

Request received: 

1. Does the Council has a person responsible for managing social value?
2. If it does, who are they are?
3. If it does not, who is managing the Council’s social value?
4. Is the Council using a social value platform?
5. If the Council is using a platform, which platform is it using, and when does the current contract come to an end?
6. If the Council is not, how is it managing social value?

Response provided:

1. At present it is the responsibility of each respective Head of Service to ensure that social value is considered as appropriate, and they are advised by procurement/legal colleagues as to how to do this

2. N/A

3. As above

4. The Council has not subscribed to a social value platform

5. N/A

6. The Council has adopted the TOMS social value calculator as standard and uses this when evaluating social value in respective of tender submission

Request reference: FOI 12280

Issue date: 18.05.26

Request received: 

During the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020 the applicant requested:

- The total value of Section 106 contributions received during this period that remain unspent and are no longer capable of being lawfully spent

- For each instance, the amount held and the relevant planning application reference

- Whether any such funds are subject to repayment to developers or require renegotiation due to the expiry of the relevant obligation

- Confirmation that these funds are held within your accounts and are clearly recorded and linked to the relevant planning application references and S106 agreements

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with an Excel spreadsheet providing the majority of the requested information and was referred to the detail tab which provided the breakdown of the planning applications to which the contributions related

With regards to whether any such funds are subject to repayment to developers or require renegotiation due to the expiry of the relevant obligations, this information is not recorded in a centralised document or spreadsheet or in a way that it can be easily gathered in order to be able to provide a definitive response to this part of your request. The Council however confirmed to the applicant that they would be able to search the relevant Planning Applications using the planning application reference numbers and the Planning Tracker as copies of Section 106 Agreements are publicly available via the respective planning applications to which they relate

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 considers it has done so in providing the applicant with the link above to the Planning Tracker about and the attached spreadsheet

Upon your review of the attached spreadsheet, if there are any specific agreements that the applicant wishes to request further information about, the Council confirmed that it would be more than happy to consider further under a/any new FOI request(s) 

With regards to the last part of the request, the applicant was information that the Council does not consider this to be a request for recorded information falling within the remit of the Act

Request reference: EIR 12281

Issue date: 13.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following information as part of an environmental review for the property Willow Heights II, Witheridge, Tiverton, EX16 8FD:

1. Does the Council consider the site to be suitable for its continued use?

2. Has the site been identified for inspection or further review under the Council's Contaminated Land Strategy (or other Part 2A undertaking)? If so, please describe the priority status/risk ranking of the site and the likely timescale for any further scrutiny of the site

3. Are there any known contamination issues associated with the site or in the near vicinity e.g. in terms of former or current contaminative site uses, leaks or spills of any oil/chemical substances etc.? If there have been any intrusive investigations at the site or near vicinity, please provide dates and titles of any reports and confirm whether the reports are publicly available

4. Please provide the following details of any current or former landfills located within a 250m radius of the site: 

1. The location of all landfills, both closed and operational (i e National Grid Reference and location plan if available)
2. Dates when the landfill was operational
3. Types of waste deposited
4. Any information on volume of waste deposited, depth of infilling and landfill structure
5. Details of any landfill gas monitoring, site investigation or gas spiking undertaken at the landfill or in the immediate vicinity of the site                                                                     

5. Have elevated indoor radon gas concentrations been identified within buildings on or within 100m of the site? Have radon protection measures been required in buildings on site or within 100m? If so, please provide details

6. Are there any known current or former nuisance issues, prosecutions or enforcements associated with the site or adjoining properties, e g noise, odour or dust issues/complaints? If yes, what was the nature of the issue and what was the outcome?

7. Are there any known private water supplies recorded on your Local Authority Private Water Supply Register, within 2km radius of the site? If yes what is the location (i e NGR), the source of abstraction and its purpose?

8. Please provide details of any Part A(2) or Part B Environmental Permits (formerly LAAPC/LAPPC authorisations) licensed to the site or to adjoining properties

Response provided:

Questions 1 – 4:

Please see the attached map and spreadsheet (QGIS contaminated land report) 

The Council's Environmental Protection team confirms that it does not hold any other records regarding potentially contaminated land in this area. As such, they recommend that you also contact the Environment Agency and Devon County Council regarding any information they may hold in relation to the site or the land in the vicinity 

North Devon Council has not yet fully inspected its area to identify sites of contaminated land as required by Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. As such, it is not possible to say whether or not this site will be classified under this legislation. At this time, it is considered unlikely that this site would be the subject of inspection under this legislation to the future 

Question 5: The Council does not hold this information 

Question 6:

One complaint received 13 June 2024 reporting “Excessive red dust from development site”. Visits undertaken and advice given to site manager 

Question 7:

Easting: 279971.0 / Northing: 115582.0 / Borehole / Holiday Accommodation

Easting: 280141.0 / Northing: 114841.0 / Well / Private Dwelling

Easting: 282011.5 / Northing: 114443.3 / Borehole / Private Dwelling 

Question 8:

The Council publishes its permits register on its website: Pollution prevention and control

Request reference: FOI 12282

Issue date: 08.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following information for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025:

1. Licensed drivers

The total number of licensed:

Taxi (hackney carriage) drivers

 Private hire drivers

 

2. Applications and licensing decisions

The number of driver licence applications:

* Received

* Granted

* Refused

 

3. Suspensions and revocations

The number of driver licences:

* Suspended

* Revoked

 

Where recorded, please indicate how many were related to:

* Sexual offences

* Violent offences

 

4. Safeguarding and adverse information decisions

For the purposes of this request, “adverse information” includes: criminal convictions, police intelligence, safeguarding referrals and any other information considered relevant to the “fit and proper person” assessment

Please provide the number of cases where a taxi or private hire driver licence was granted, or renewed, where adverse information was known to the authority at the time of the decision

Where possible, please also indicate:

How many of these cases involved sexual or violent offences (convicted or otherwise, where recorded)

If exact categorisation is not held, please provide any internal category used to record such decisions

 

5. Background checks and safeguarding systems

Please confirm:

a) Whether your authority uses the NR3 register when assessing applicants (Yes/No)

b) Whether your authority subscribes to the DBS Update Service for ongoing monitoring (Yes/No)

c) How frequently enhanced DBS checks are required for licensed drivers:

* At application only

* At renewal

* Other (please specify)

 

6. Private hire operators (including app-based services)

The number of licensed private hire operators under your authority, including app-based booking platforms such as Uber, Bolt or similar services where licensed locally

Where available, please provide:

* Number of operator licences granted

* Refused

* Suspended or revoked

* Any enforcement action taken against operators

Response provided:

1. Licensed drivers:

The total number of licensed: = 327

Taxi (hackney carriage) drivers = 310

 Private hire drivers. = 17

 

2. Applications and licensing decisions

The number of driver licence applications:

Received = 467

Granted = 463

Refused = Four

 

3. Suspensions and revocations

The number of driver licences:

Suspended = 17

Revoked = Eight

Where recorded, please indicate how many were related to:

* Sexual offences = Zero

* Violent offences = Zero

 

4. Safeguarding and adverse information decisions

Please provide the number of cases where a taxi or private hire driver licence was granted, or renewed, where adverse information was known to the authority at the time of the decision. = Zero

 

5. Background checks and safeguarding systems

a) Whether your authority uses the NR3 register when assessing applicants = Yes

b) Whether your authority subscribes to the DBS Update Service for ongoing monitoring = Yes

c) How frequently enhanced DBS checks are required for licensed drivers:

* At application only

* At renewal

* Other (please specify) = 6 monthly

 

6. Private hire operators (including app-based services)

Number of operator licences granted = 31

Refused = Zero

Suspended or revoked = Zero

Any enforcement action taken against operators = Zero

Request reference: FOI 12286

Issue date: 14.05.26

Request received:

1. A copy of the Council’s current paternity-leave policy, including any variations depending on employee status (e g full-time, part-time, length of service). Please clearly state the standard entitlement (number of weeks) and the rate of pay (full pay, statutory pay, enhanced pay, etc.) across that entitlement

2. For the most recent three financial years (or calendar years) for which data is held: 

a) the number of employees who took paternity leave, and 

b) the average number of weeks taken per employee, and 

c) if available, a breakdown of take-up by type of pay (e g full pay vs statutory pay)

3. The median (or mean) gross pay of all council employees

Response provided:

1.  The Council informed the applicant at the time its response that it was updating its policy with changes that were effective from 01.04.26 of which there is no definitive deadline for completion, however, they were advised that they may wish to submit a new FOI request for a copy of the updated policy from July onwards

In the meantime, the Council confirmed that all eligible employees are entitled to paternity leave and are eligible from their first day of employment and there is no variation to what we give to full time/part time etc. The entitlement is two weeks and the first week is topped up to full pay (from the statutory amount) and the second week is paid at the statutory rate

2. The response was provided as follows: 

	2023/24	2024/25	2025/26
A)The number of employees who took paternity leave	Three	Three	Four
B)The average number of weeks taken per employee	Employee 1 = 10 working days taken   Employee 2 - 10 working days taken   Employee 3 - five working days taken	Employee 1 = five working days taken   Employee 2 - five working days taken   Employee 3 - four working days taken	Employee 1 = 10 working days taken   Employee 2 - five working days taken   Employee 3 - five working days taken   Employee 4 - 10 working days taken
C) A breakdown of take-up by type of pay (full pay vs statutory pay)	All received statutory paternity pay whilst on paternity leave. For the first week, pay is topped up to full pay and if a second week is taken then it is Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP).	All received statutory paternity pay whilst on paternity leave. For the first week, pay is topped up to full pay and if a second week is taken then it is Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP).	All received statutory paternity pay whilst on paternity leave. For the first week, pay is topped up to full pay and if a second week is taken then it is Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP).

3. Mean of all Council employees = £32,699

Request reference: FOI 12287

Issue date: 11.05.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information for each of the followings the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (either calendar or financial year:

1. How many affordable homes in total were initially agreed when planning permissions were granted through Section 106 agreements?

2. How many requests were made to alter Section 106 agreements in each of the following years - solely in respect of alterations to affordable housing provision (such changes should include requests to reduce the provision on-site, requests to reduce the provision overall (if on- and off-site) and requests to change the tenure (e.g. from social rent to affordable rent)?

3. Because of these changes, how many affordable homes were subsequently agreed through the altered S106 agreements?

Response provided:

The applicant was advised that sites often take many years to come forward, and during that time there can sometimes be multiple viability assessments (VA) both before and after S106’s are signed. Some of the viability assessments we received between tax years 2020/2021 – 2024/25 related to S106s from prior to those dates 

It’s worth noting that with viability assessments across different years it is hard to present the information requested in a meaningful way, as the AH lost to viability in a certain year does not correlate to planning permissions agreed in that year, unless the S106/planning permission and VA are in the same year, which doesn’t often happen. Therefore the table below details the outcomes of the viability assessments received for the years requested 

It is also worth noting that on sites where some affordable housing is lost (or would be lost) due to viability, North Devon Council workd with partners such as RPs to try and bring forward AH outside of the S106 using methods such as grant funding from Homes England or moving the triggers with deeds of variation (DoV) (allowing the developer to build more open market homes before they are required to build the AH) 

For example on one site the applicant was unable to deliver 15 AH due in the last phase of the development due to viability; the S106 was changed via a DoV to remove the requirement for the 15 AH, however a Homes England grant was awarded which enabled the 15 AH to be built outside of the S106, so no AH were lost 

The Council also wishes to mention that its records show how many AH were granted full and final planning permission (reserved matters or full applications)  in each tax year; viability assessments often amend S106s which are in relation to an outline applications which often don’t have a set number of dwellings (this is decided at reserved matters stage)

Regarding Q2: This data is available via the planning tracker; there is an advanced search function for ‘S106 Discharge or Modification’ each one of these records would then need to be checked manually to see if the AH has been changed via a deed of variation. Instead of deeds of variation which would take too long to manually check, table 2 below shows how many viability assessments were received in each year and what the result of the viability assessment was after it was independently tested

Q1:

Number of affordable homes granted full and final planning permission by tenure in tax years 2020 – 2025:

Tax Year	Social Rent	Intermediate Rent	Shared Ownership	Unknown Tenure	Total
2020 – 2021	15	1	2	1	19
2021 – 2022	50	0	6	9	65
2022 – 2023	53	1	13	4	71
2023 – 2024	67	1	12	4	84
2024 – 2025	43	0	2	2	47

Q2 and 3: - Viability Assessments (VA) received by year and result of VA after independently tested tax years - 2020 - 2025:

Date VA received/ reviewed	Planning reference number	Date original S106 was signed	Date Deed of Variation was signed to reduce AH	Result of Viability Assessment after independently tested	Notes
June 2019	79586	18.08.2022	N/A	AH reduced from 30% to 10%	An RP has agreed to purchase up to a further 30% of the total dwellings on site making 40% total AH
July 2021	71251	09.06.2022	N/A	Reduction of affordable homes on site from 30% to 20%
Jan 2022	74592	18.08.2014	04.08.2022	Reduction of AH from 28% to 20%	Also a previous deed of variation in 2016 reducing AH from 30% to 28%
June 2022	71537	05.06.2017	N/A	There have been multiple VA reviews of this site the 1st being in 2012 reducing the AH to 11%
October 2022	61953	17.03.2017	24/05/2023	Reduction of overall number of dwellings and AH from total 220 with 43 AH, to total of 200 with 17 AH
Feb 2023	71594	18.04.2024	N/A	Reduction of AH from 30% to 14%
March 2024	71660	19.07.2021	N/A	No reduction in AH – site deemed fully viable
March 2024	78083	19.06.2024	N/A	No change in AH
March 2024	77999	26.09.2024	N/A	No change in AH
Aug 2024	78746	04.08.2016	06.02.25	Reduction of 15 AH within the s106 to 0 AH	15 AH dwellings delivered on-site with assistance from Homes England grant funding
Nov 2024	77023	21.07.2025	N/A	AH reduced from 3 Social Rent dwellings to 1 Discounted Market Sale dwelling
March 2025	75212	05.03.2026	N/A	Reduction of 3 Social Rent dwellings to 0

Request reference: FOI 12288

Issue date: 18.05.26

Request received: 

1. How many supported accommodation providers are currently operating in the council area?

2. What is the average weekly rent paid per room for supported exempt accommodation?

3. Who should be approached within the council to discuss commissioning, service provision, rates, and referrals?

Response provided:

1. 26

2. £296.93

3. Commissioning = Unknown/not held by the Council

Service provision = Unknown/not held by the Council

Rates = The Council assumes this means rent charge/service figures. The Council confirms that it does not become involved with these. It assesses cased as and when they are received and may question rent figures and charges upon receipt of a Housing Benefit claim, but never in advance of a Housing Benefit claim

Referrals = Unknown/not held by the Council 

Request reference: FOI 12289

Issue date: 15.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following covering the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026:

Print and Postal Communications

1. The total number of letters sent by the authority

2. Of these letters:

a. Number sent via 1st class post

b. Number sent via 2nd class post

3. The number of letters printed and posted in‑house

4. The number of letters sent via a hybrid mail service

5. If hybrid mail is used:

a. The name of the hybrid mail provider (e g Whistl, UK Mail, etc)

b. The date the current arrangement was agreed

c. The contract expiry date (if applicable)

 

Digital Communication Portals

6. The number of digital communication portals currently operated by the authority

7. The name(s) of the digital portal provider(s)

8. For each digital portal:

a. The month and year it went live

b. The number of citizens registered

c. The approximate number of communications sent via the portal during the period

9. The preferred framework used (if any) for procuring digital communication platforms

 

Digital Transformation and Channel Mix

10. Please state whether the authority has an active digital transformation programme relating to citizen communications (yes/no)

11. Whether the authority uses email as an outbound communication channel for residents (yes/no)

 

Responsible Roles

12. The name of the Manager responsible for:

a. Print and post management

b. Parking services

c. Accounts payable

d. Digital transformation

13. For each role above, please provide a Specific email address where available

Response provided:

1. Physical = 165,100, Hybrid = 19,821

 2.a) Physical = 24,5446, Hybrid = 19,818

    b) Physical = 140,554, Hybrid = Three

3. 165,100

4. 19,821 total, 19,818 first class, three second class

5. a) CFH Docmail Ltd

    b) 10.09.2021

    c) 09.09.2026

 6. Two 

7. Granicus self-serve portal, Civica OPENPortal (Council Tax)

8.  Granicus self-serve portal

     a) October 2017

     b) 76,452 user accounts

     c) 908,739 forms completed     

    Civica Council Tax OPENPortal (Council Tax)

     a) June 2023

     b) 4,657 total users have signed up, with 3,973 of those classed as ‘active’ users

     c) No real communications are sent via this portal save for electronic bills/notifications - this feature went live from December 2025. Approximately 300-400 electronic notifications have been sent since it went live to date

9. Gcloud 14, CCS

10. The authority does not currently operate a formally defined digital transformation  programme specifically relating to citizen communications, although digital communication improvements may be progressed as part of broader service delivery activities

11. Yes

12 and 13. 

 a) Print and post management: 

 Nick Hallam and Helen Gale -

 nick.hallam@northdevon.gov.uk, helen.gale@northdevon.gov.uk

 b) Parking services: Lena Iliffe - lena.Iliffe@northdevon.gov.uk

 c) Accounts payable: Tony Rumble - tony.rumble@northdevon.gov.uk

 d) Digital transformation: Sarah Higgins - sarah.higgins@northdevon.gov.uk

Request reference: FOI 12292

Issue date: 19.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the total amount of money spent by the council on cultural services, activities or buildings for each of the financial years 2009/10 – 2024/25

For each of the financial years the applicant requested the council’s total overall budget and what proportion (or percentage) of that budget was spent on cultural services/activities 

If “cultural services or activities” is defined differently across departments or reporting frameworks, please included a brief explanation of what is including in these figures e.g. museums arts programmes, heritage services etc

Response provided:

The information requested for the years 2009/10 - 2019/20 is no longer held as this falls outside of the Council's document retention period; therefore, the Council's response is as follows:

1.  

Spend (£)
Year	Activities	Cultural Services	Buildings
2020/21	-13,842.96	310,792.72	119,544.93
2021/22	578	527,762.39	180,146.84
2022/23	23,189.88	286,227.68	127,867.14
2023/24	-418.25	351,004.47	-232,380.37
2024/25	696.64	415,871.80	64,751.98

Note: most activities are now predominantly grant funded from external organisations such as the Arts Council and National Lottery, therefore North Devon Council only incurs costs associated to the building and cultural services

2.  

Budget (£)		Budget (£)
Year	Museums & Galleries	Theatres	NDDC Budget	Museum %	Theatres %
2020/21	306,680.00	152,730.00	13,380,330.00	2.29%	1.14%
2021/22	385,580.00	332,660.00	13,638,970.00	2.83%	2.44%
2022/23	354,591.00	165,032.00	13,721,640.00	2.58%	1.20%
2023/24	370,650.00	184,954.00	14,766,450.00	2.51%	1.25%
2024/25	253,221.00	204,953.00	16,432,690.00	1.54%	1.25%

Request reference: FOI 12294

Issue date: 19.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following information for the last five years to date in relation to all noise complaints made to the Council, providing the following for each complaint:

The property/address of the alleged noise source

The date received

The summary/nature of the complaint

The outcome (how it was resolved)

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that it does hold this information. In discharge of its obligation under section 1(1)(b) the Council considered the request further and identified that, in accordance with Section 21 of the Act, its published dataset' Noise and Odour complaints received by Environmental Health 01.01.19 - 31.12.25 provides:

Partial disclosure of the address of the alleged noise source (no house names or numbers)

Date complaint received

Type of complaint (Noise/Odour) (this can be filtered down to just Noise complaints)

Step date (the date an action regarding the complaint)

Step (the action taken)

Outcome

The Council drew the applicant’s attention to the first noise complaint on the dataset covers rows 3-12 and relates to a non-identified property on the High Street in Ilfracombe which was received 28.12.2025 and was subsequently completed 13.01.26 where the complainant was informed that their complaint had been referred to another body

The individual house names and numbers which identify the specific properties to where the noise complaints were alleged to have come from are exempt from disclosure in accordance with Section 40 of the Act (personal data) as this information is considered to be the personal data of those individuals who were complained about.  The dataset provides a partial disclosure in terms of the street addresses/locations

Following careful consideration with the Council's Environmental Health team, the Council determined that to provide the full addresses of where the reported noise was alleged from would be a disclosure of information that could indirectly lead to the identification of either those individuals who complained about or the owners of said properties. Many of complaints listed have outcomes such as 'Complaint Unfounded', 'No evidence found' 'Complaint withdrawn' and so it would be unfair to the individuals concerned for the Council to disclose their specific addresses especially when those complaints were not founded

Land and property ownership can be easily obtained via the Land Registry and so if there were a particularly address that the applicant wished to find more information about, they would be able to obtain title documents on a particular property which would disclose the names of individuals named on those title documents. The risk arises not only through Land Registry searches but also through the open electoral register, online property records through websites such as Zoopla, Rightmove etc, social media and together with local knowledge creates what is known as the mosaic effect which arises where separate items of information, none of which may identify an individual on their own but can be combined with each other or with reasonably available information to identify that person or individuals

In this context, disclosure of the full addresses linked to noise complaints could enable the identification of the individual(s) connected with the complaint by matching the address with publicly available property information, local knowledge and other online resources available. Furthermore, identifiability is not limited to whether a name is disclosed. A person(s) can still be identifiable indirectly if someone can single them out by combining the disclosed information with other information that is already available to them/in the public domain

In consideration of the above, those applicable individuals would have no reasonable expectation for the Council to make either their direct or indirect 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 any disclosure of information under the FOI/EIR also places the disclosed 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

Request reference: FOI 12296

Issue date: 13.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following information regarding the Council’s vehicle fleet:

Make

Model

Colour

VRM (Vehicle Registration Mark)

Registration Date (in dd/mm/yyyy format)

MOT Date (in dd/mm/yyyy format)

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with the requested information, in Excel format, which is available upon request 

Request reference: FOI 12297

Issue date: 15.05.26

Request received: 

1. A copy of the Council’s delivery plan for Household Support Fund Tranche 7 (HSF7). This should detail how the Council’s HSF grant was allocated to different initiatives between April 2025 - April 2026

 2. A copy of the Council’s delivery plan for the first year of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF). This should detail how the Council’s CRF grant is allocated to different initiatives between April 2026 - April 2027

Response provided:

The Council confirmed to the applicant that delivery plans for both the Household Support Fund and the Crisis and Resilience Fund are the responsibility of Devon County Council in Devon as they are the upper tier authority. The delivery plan for the Crisis and Resilience fund will not have been submitted/published yet as the deadline has not yet passed (at time of response issued, 15.05.26) 

Request reference: FOI 12303

Issue date: 19.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following data, if held, for the years:

• 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025

• 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026

1. The current standard bin colours used by the council for commercial and business waste collections for general waste, dry mixed recycling, paper and cardboard, glass, food waste

2. The total tonnage of commercial/business recycling collected

3. The total tonnage of commercial/business recycling that was rejected or sent to landfill/EfW (Energy from Waste) due to contamination

4. The number of commercial/business waste collections refused (i e the bin was not emptied) by the collection crew due to bin contamination

5. The number of formal warnings, fines, or Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued to businesses for failing to correctly separate waste or for bin contamination

Response provided:

1. All bins are black with blue lids for both requested years
2. 2024/25 = 490 tonnes, 2025/26 = 429 tonnes
3. Zero
4. This information is not recorded and therefore not held by the Council
5. Zero

Request reference: FOI 12304

Issue date: 19.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the total number of (working) CCTV cameras operated by the council as of 2026

Response provided:

The applicant was informed that the total number of working CCTV cameras operated by North Devon Council as of 19.05.26 was 73

Request reference: FOI 12305

Issue date: 07.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested a complete and most-recently updated list of all business (non-residential) property rates data, including the following fields:

- Billing Authority Property Reference Code (linking the property to the public VOA database reference)

- Firm's Trading Name (i e property occupant or ratepayer)

- Full Property Address (Number, Street, Postal Code, Town)

- Occupation / Vacancy status

- Date of Occupation / Vacancy

- Reliefs and / or exemption categories (classifications) granted or applied

- Date that reliefs and / or exemption categories granted or applied

- Value of reliefs and / or exemption categories granted or applied (in Pounds)

- Actual annual rates charged (in Pounds)

If unable to provide an absolute “Occupation / Vacancy” status, please provide the balance of the information requested

The applicant also requested a list of definitions for the codes for the Exemptions and / or Reliefs used

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with the requested information within an Excel spreadsheet and a separate Word document with all personal data redacted throughout the Excel spreadsheet in accordance with Section 40 of the Act, which are available upon request

Request reference: EIR 12306

Issue date: 13.05.26

Request received: 

1. The 1950s Drainage Plans: Full disclosure of the original development drainage plans for Barton Gate, previously withheld as "not relevant."

2. Court Testimony Basis: The specific evidence or documentation used to support the Council's 2007 court testimony regarding the absence of drainage infrastructure

3. Environmental Health Logs: A full timeline of the Council's response to the November 2020 sewage explosion, including an explanation for the nine-month delay in visiting the site

4. EIR Correspondence: All internal records relating to the claimants' requests for information between 2020 and 2022

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that it does hold some information falling within the remit of the request. The Council's Environmental Protection (EP) team carried out an exhaustive search of its records as such, provides the following response:  

1. This information is not held. Applicant advised to contact South West Water for this information

2. North Devon Council was not involved in the aforementioned 2007/08 court proceedings and as such, confirmed that it does not hold this information

3. The following worksheets falling within the scope of your request have been identified:

WK202005560 - drainage complaint received from an individual identified as the applicant’s mother, 27 November 2020

WK202005583 - drainage complaint received from the applicant, 30 November 2020

WK202006174 - service complaint received from the applicant, 7 January 2021

WK202201138 - food hygiene advice request received from the applicant, 11 May 2022

WK202201418 - contaminated land enquiry received from the applicant, 18 May 2022

The Council considers that the above information to be the applicant’s and their mothers own personal data and as such, a request for the applicant’s own personal data is exempt from disclosure under Section 41(1). Instead, this information must be processed under a Subject Access Request (SAR) under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

The council asks that individuals requesting their own personal data or data on behalf of a data subject (the applicant would be able to request their mothers personal data on their behalf with a signed letter of authority), submit a ‘Request access’ online application, through the North Devon Council website: Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) - Self (northdevon.gov.uk). When completing the form the applicant will be asked to upload identification documentation which would be required in order to verify their identity. The applicant was informed that if they require any assistance with this, to contact the Council's Data Protection team

4. It is the Council's understanding that the applicant was requesting internal records relating to the claimant's (South West Water's) requests for information to North Devon Council between 2020 and 2022. The Council confirms that it no longer holds records of EIR requests that it received and responded to in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Once an FOI/EIR is responded to and closed, its retention period is for two years from the last date of action. At time of this response, the Council's records of closed FOI and EIR requests went back to May 2024 only

Request reference: FOI 12307

Issue date: 13.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested, within the last five years, if any pre application enquiries have been made to the Council for the barn at grid reference easting 257904, northing 131025 and if so, whether they can have copies of both enquiries and any officer responses

Response provided:

The Council's Planning department confirmed that it does not hold any pre-application enquiries for the barn at grid reference easting 257904, northing 131025, within the last five years, at the time of the response (13.05.26)

Request reference: FOI 12308

Issue date: 19.05.26

Request received: 

A list of non‑domestic properties within the local authority area where Improvement Relief has been applied within the last few years, set out within an Excel spreadsheet

Response provided:

Applicant was provided with the requested information, in Excel format which is available upon request 

Request reference: FOI 12309

Issue date: 12.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested a copy of the periodic zoo inspection report for Exmoor Zoo that occurred in 2022

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with a copy, with some personal data redacted in accordance with Section 40 of the Act, which is available upon request 

Request reference: FOI 12310

Issue date: 07.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested information for each of the following financial years (from the first to last day of each financial year) - 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26: 

Council tax:

1. The number of live council tax accounts at the end of each financial year (if held)
2. The number of council tax accounts with arrears at the end of each financial yea
3. The total value (£) of council tax arrears outstanding at the end of each financial year

Debt collection:

4. The total amount (£) of council tax arrears collected/recovered in each financial year (regardless of the year the debt relates to)
5. The total number of liability orders issued for council tax arrears in each financial year
6. The total value (£) of liability order costs charged to council tax accounts in each financial year
7. The total number of council tax arrears cases referred to enforcement agents in each financial year
8. The total value (£) of unpaid council tax debt for cases referred to enforcement agents in each financial year (based on the balance recorded when the case was referred, where available)
9. The total value (£) of enforcement agent fees added to council tax accounts in each financial year (if held)

Response provided:

The Council provided its response in an Excel spreadsheet which is available upon request

With regard to Q2 and Q3: Arrears are considered to be cases where a reminder notice or beyond has been issued. The requested data is not recorded. The data supplied shows arrears at 07.05.2026

With regard to Q4: The requested data is not recorded. The data supplied shows the total amount collected for arrear and non-arrear cases 

With regard to Q9: The requested data is not recorded

Request reference: FOI 12311

Issue date: 27.05.26

Request received: 

1. How many permanent residential caravan sites are in the local authority? Of these sites, how many are set up and available for travellers to move to?

2. How many permanent residential pitches are in the local authority? Of these pitches, how many are available and set up for new traveller tenants?

3. How many transit caravan sites are in the local authority? How many are available and set up for travellers to move to?

4. How many households are on the Council’s waitlist for a suitable pitch on a traveller site?

5. Did the Council apply for funding to build traveller pitches as part of the 2016 – 2023 Affordable Homes Programme? If so, how much funding did you receive? And how many pitches did the Council build? 

6. Has the Council applied for funding for new traveller pitches under the Strategic Partnership route of the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026 to 2036?

Response provided:

1. There are 11 residential sites in total. A register of the Council's licensed sites are published via the Council's website: Caravan and campsite licences

The Council does not hold this information

2. The Council does not hold this information as these often change frequently and are sometimes governed by planning permission

3. The Council has one Temporary Stopover site which is currently available

4. The Council does not hold any waiting lists

5. No, Not Applicable

6. No 

Request reference: EIR 12313

Issue date: 19.05.26

Request received: 

CON29 information relating to a property at EX32 0QW

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 12315

Issue date: 20.05.26

Request received: 

1. Does your authority currently collect non-black plastic plant pots for recycling at the kerbside? 
2. If yes, how long has your authority been collecting non-black plastic plant pots for recycling? 
3. If no, does your authority intend to begin collecting non-black plastic plant pots? If yes, please provide the expected timeline for implementation
4. What waste collection or waste management contractor(s) does your authority use for kerbside recycling services?

Response provided:

1. No
2. Not Applicable
3. No
4. None, this is delivered in-house

Request reference: FOI 12316

Issue date: 28.05.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following information:

Print Room

1. Do you have a print room equipped with one/more high-speed production device/s to handle large volume printing?
2. Is this run by your own staff or outsourced to a third-party provider?
3. If run internally, how many full-time equivalent (FTE) run this facility?
4. Number of devices & model type/s?
5. Name of incumbent supplier?
6. Contract start / end date and length of any option to extend?
7. If outsourced, please advise contract start / end date and length of any option to extend?
8. Was this contract awarded through a framework? If yes, which one used?
9. Annual spend (ex VAT) covering non-pay and staff costs or total outlay if this service is outsourced?

External Print

1. Do you outsource any print requirements to external suppliers - for example to print forms, booklets, leaflets, manuals, posters, banners etc - but excluding print / mailing arrangements covering other areas such as revenue-related demands, housing benefit letters, electoral registrations, parking penalty notices etc?
2. Name of incumbent supplier/s?
3. If this arrangement is provided under contract, please advise start / end date and length of any option to extend?
4. Was this contract awarded through a framework? If yes, which one used?
5. Alternatively, was this awarded through a DPS arrangement?
6. Annual spend (ex VAT) for this service over the past 12 months?

Mail Room (Inbound and/or Outbound)

1. Do you have your own in-house Mail Room operation?
2. If yes, how is the service run - physical or digital mail distribution?
3. Is this run by your own staff or outsourced to a third-party provider?
4. If run by your own staff, how many full-time equivalent (FTE) staff run this facility?
5. If outsourced, please advise name of current provider, contract start / end date and length of any option to extend?
6. Was this contract awarded through a framework? If yes, which one used?
7. Annual spend (ex VAT) covering non-pay and staff costs or total outlay if this service outsourced?
8. Do you use a Hybrid Mail service / solution?
9. If yes, please (a) name supplier (b) contract start / end date (c) framework through which this awarded?
10.  Who is responsible for these arrangements at the Council?

Response provided:

Print Room

1. Yes
2. Own staff
3. One
4. One KM C751i
5. Konica Minolta
6. October 2025 - October 2030, 
7. Option to extend by 2 years 
8. CCS RM6174 LOT 2
9. £2967.60

External Print

1. Yes
2. Various including Printed.com, Solopress.com, Helloprint.com
3. No
4. Not applicable
5. Not applicable
6. £3,000

Mail Room (Inbound and/or Outbound)

1. Yes
2. Physical
3. Own staff
4. One
5. Not applicable
6. Not applicable
7.  Postage spend £140,000 per year
8. Yes
9. (a) Royal Mail (b) 10/09/2026 – 09/09/2026 (c) Further competition via CCS framework RM6017 Postal Goods, Services and Solutions
10. Head of Customer Focus

Request reference: FOI 12317 

Issue date: 07.05.26

Request received: 

1. When the organisation last ran a procurement or tender process for language services, including (but not limited to) translation, interpretation, or transcription services.

2. The evaluation weighting used in that tender, specifically the percentage weighting allocated to quality and the percentage weighting allocated to price (e.g., 70% quality / 30% price).

3. The quality and price scores awarded to each bidder in that tender, including:

The name of each bidder

The quality score for each bidder

The price score for each bidder

The total score for each bidder

Response provided:

1. The Council confirmed that it has not previously ran a procurement or tender process for the provision of language services as they used infrequently.
2. N/A
3. N/A

Request reference: FOI 12318

Issue date: 18.05.26

Request received:

The applicant requested, in Excel format, a list of motor vehicles registered for public hire, i e Taxi/Private Hire/Hackney Carriage that were either issued a new or renewal licence in the period 01/02/2026 to the 06/05/2026, providing the following for each:

Vehicle Registration Number

Manufacturer (Make)

Model

Licence Issue Date

Licence Expiry Date

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with the requested information in Excel format, which is available upon request 

Request reference: FOI 12319

Issue date: 28.05.26

Request received:

The applicant requested the following data, if held, for each financial year from 2022/23 to 2025/26 inclusive:

1. The number of properties which are registered for Business Rates as “Self-Catering Holiday Units” (or similar classification)

2. The number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) or formal warnings issued to owners of holiday lets or short-term rental properties for unauthorised use of domestic bins (i.e., using domestic waste collections for commercial business waste). If the data is not recorded by property type, please provide the total number of FPNs issued for unauthorised use of domestic bins for commercial waste generally

3. The number of Section 34 (Duty of Care) notices or Section 47 notices issued to holiday let owners requesting proof of a commercial waste contract

4. The number of reports or complaints received by the council regarding holiday lets/short-term rentals incorrectly using domestic bins in residential areas

5. The total monetary value of fines collected from holiday let owners related to waste offences in the requested periods

Response provided:

1. As follows:

31.3.2022 = 1,801

31.3.2023 = 1,911

31.3.2024 = 1,773

31.3.2025 = 1,577

31.3.2026 = 1,609

2. The Council's Waste and Recycling team confirms that they do not issue FPNs or formal warnings for either example.  Details of Fixed Penalty Notices issued by the Council's Environmental Protection are contained in a dataset which accessible through the Council's website: https://northdevon-self.achieveservice.com/service/results?ID=B51726BB-93ED-47AD-80F1-3E4AB3A25D63&DS=4005

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 above

3. The Council does not issue Section 47 notices and will only issue a Duty of Care for customers with a commercial waste agreement with the authority either at renewal, when joining as a new commercial customer or for an event

4. 2023/24 = Three

    2024/25 = Three

    2025/26 = Three

Please note that that the above figures are considered to be requests for service for the Trade Waste team rather that what is considered to be formal complaints. The Council's Feedback team that processes formal complaints confirms that they would not hold any separate figures as when customers contacting them about this direct would be passed to the Council's Customer Services team for the matter to be recorded as a request for service for the Trade Waste team

5. Please refer to dataset linked in response to question 2 above

Environmental Protection Officers have reviewed records for the last quarter of 2025/2026 (January to March) - there were no FPNs relevant to this request 

Request reference: FOI 12320

Issue date: 13.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following information for all vehicles owned/operated by the Council between 01.04.25 and 31.03.26:

Registration number

Make

Model

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with the requested information in Excel format, which is available upon request

Request reference: FOI 12322

Issue date: 08.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested a copy of the food safety report last submitted for the Bengal Tiger restaurant in South Molton

Response provided:

The applicant was provided with a copy of the information, with some personal data redacted in accordance with Section 40 of the Act, which is available upon request

Request reference: EIR 12324

Issue date: 28.05.26

Request received: 

CON29 information relating to a property at EX32 8PY

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 12325

Issue date: 13.05.26

Request received: 

1. Total number of graffiti instances reported in 2025

2. Total number of graffiti instances resolved in 2025, (e g cleaned/removed)

3. Total council spending on graffiti removal/cleaning in 2025 (if the exact spend isn't available, how much was budgeted?)

4. Total council budget for graffiti removal/cleaning in 2026

5. Estimated typical response time for Council to remove/clean graffiti after it is reported

Response provided:

1. In accordance with Section 21 of the Act, the Council directed the applicant to its published dataset Graffiti reported to the Council which is updated half yearly and which includes the number for 2025

2. This information is not recorded by the authority 

3. This information is not recorded by the authority

4. The Council does not have a specific budget for the removal of graffiti

5. This information is not recorded by the authority

Request reference: FOI 12326

Issue date: 13.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested information relating to proposed Conservation Areas within the authority. Please confirm whether the authority currently has any areas that are:

- Under consideration for designation as a Conservation Area

- Subject to a Conservation Area appraisal (draft or ongoing)

- Planned for future designation or review

If so, please provide the following details for each area:

- The name or location of the area

- The current stage of the process (for example, initial review, draft appraisal, public consultation, or committee stage)

- Any relevant reports, committee papers, or reference numbers

- Key dates, where available

If no such areas are currently being considered, please confirm this

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that it does not have any Conservation Areas that are currently under consideration for designation, in the process of having appraisals written, or planned for future designation or review

Request reference: FOI 12328

Issue date: 14.05.26

Request received: 

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The applicant requested the following information regarding TENWA6690 at Brendon Barton Farm:

copies of the documents submitted to the council to obtain this licence and 

a copy of the license issued and the terms and conditions attached to it

Response provided:

The Council provided the following response with regards to the Temporary Event Notice under TENWA6690 for Brendon Barton Farm:

Application form and plan

Acknowledgement letter sent

The Council’s Licensing team confirmed that it does not issue a separate document/licence once a TEN is authorised. The applicant was drawn to provided acknowledgement that it is confirmed that the licensable activities as stipulated in the application form are authorised if the applicant does not hear further from the Licensing team within three working days. In this case, the applicant of the TEN did not hear further from them. The Licensing team confirmed that there is no further correspondence or conditions issued with a TEN

Some of the information was redacted. The Council considered that this redacted 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 requester, but to the world at large, and so a disclosure 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   

Request reference: FOI 12329

Issue date: 18.05.26

Request received: 

1. Does the Council’s current Local Plan include policies protecting Local Green Space sites designated in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF?

2. If the Council is preparing a new Local Plan, does it plan to designate Local Green Space sites in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF and include policies protecting these?

Response provided:

1. Yes. The adopted North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011-2031 (adopted 29 October 2018) contains one or more sites identified and subject to Local Green Space designations. It should be noted that the sites subject to Local Green Space designations are all located within the North Devon Council local planning authority area element of the joint local plan, with none identified within the Torridge District Council local planning authority area

2. The Council is committed to preparing a new local plan for northern Devon in partnership with Torridge District. Work on the preparation of this new local plan is however at a very early stage and no decisions have been made on whether to designate Local Green Space sites through the plan 

Request reference: FOI 12333

Issue date: 14.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested information regarding the Council’s current status and plans regarding the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)

1. Adoption Status

1. Has the Council formally adopted the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) as its primary cyber security assurance model?
2. If yes, on what date was the framework adopted, and what is the current progress of its implementation (e g pilot stage, partial rollout, or fully implemented)?
3. If the Council has not adopted the CAF, is there a formal plan or timeline to do so in the 2026/27 financial year (or beyond)?

2. Alternative Frameworks

1. If the Council has decided not to adopt the CAF, please state the primary reason for this decision (e g lack of resources, preference for other standards, or awaiting further central government guidance)
2. Please list any other cyber security or risk management frameworks currently in use by the Council outside of PSN (e g ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials/Cyber Essentials Plus, NIST)

3. Manpower and Personnel

1. How many Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) staff members are currently allocated to the implementation, assessment, or ongoing maintenance of the CAF?
2. Has the Council recruited new staff specifically to handle the requirements of the CAF, or has the workload been absorbed by existing IT/security teams?
3. Have external consultants or third-party service providers been contracted to assist with the CAF assessment?
4. How are you planning to select systems to be prioritised during the CAF implementation?

4. Financial Cost

1. What is the total estimated cost to date of adopting/implementing the CAF framework within the Council? (Please include costs for staff time, software/tools, and external consultancy)
2. What is the projected annual budget for maintaining compliance with the CAF over the next three financial years?

5. Governance

1. Which department or senior leadership role (e g SIRO, CISO, or Head of IT) is ultimately responsible for the Council’s CAF compliance and reporting?

Response provided:

1. Adoption Status:

a) The Council has not formally adopted the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) as its primary cyber security assurance model. The Council has, however, undertaken a CAF readiness assessment to understand the framework requirements and assess alignment with current cyber security controls

b) Not Applicable

c) Consideration is being given to the potential future adoption of CAF; however, no formal decision or implementation timeline has been approved for the 2026/27 financial year

2. Alternative Frameworks:

a) The Council has not made a formal decision to adopt CAF at this stage. It is awaiting the outcome of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

b) The Council currently operates a combination of established cyber security and risk management practices

3. Manpower and Personnel:

a) At present, the Council has not allocated dedicated Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) roles specifically for CAF implementation

b) No

c) No

d) Should CAF be formally adopted, a proportionate approach to resourcing, prioritisation of critical systems, and potential use of external support would be considered. System prioritisation would be risk-based, focusing on services deemed critical to delivery and citizen impact

4. Financial Cost:

a) As the Council has not formally adopted CAF, no specific budget has been allocated to its implementation

b) Not Applicable

5. Governance:

a) Overall responsibility for cyber security, including consideration of CAF adoption, sits within the Council’s ICT function under the ICT Manager 

Request reference: FOI 12335

Issue date: 18.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026:

1. How much council tax did the council collect through the second home premium? Please give this figure to the nearest £1 and only include the amount specifically collected through the premium element of second homeowners' council tax bill

2. How many homes did the council collect a second home premium from?

Response provided:

The amount of second home premium collected and the number of properties where a second home premium was collected is not recorded

However, the Council can confirm that on 31 March 2026 (for 2025/26):

 1,562 properties were charged a second home premium and a total of £3,427,246.20 was charged in second home premium

Request reference: FOI 12338

Issue date: 19.05.26

Request received: 

1. How many staff (as measured by full-time equivalents) do you employ to work on communications? Please include all internal and external communications including work on your website, media queries and social media

2. What was your communication spending for the financial year 2025/26?

3. What is your budget for communication spending for the current financial year (2026/27)?

Response provided:

1. The Council's Communications team comprises three full time Communications Officers and one full time Communications and Feedback Manager. The Council also employs one full time Graphic Designer who spends approximately 25% of their time assisting the team with direct public communications

2. £302,283.77 

3. £262,390

Request reference: FOI 12341

Issue date: 19.05.26

Request received: 

1. Committee Management System (CMS), Democratic Services:

The following information about the current CMS used by the council for committee management, meeting agenda and report pack publication, election results, and councillor profile management:

a) Name of the software supplier and product

b) Any optional add-on modules taken in addition to the core CMS product

c) Contract length and expiry date

d) Total contract value

e) Annual support and maintenance cost

f) Total number of councillors elected to the council

 

2. Electoral Management System (EMS), Electoral Services:

The following information about the current EMS used by the council for management of the Register of Electors, elections, and canvass:

a) Name of the software supplier and product

b) Any optional add-on modules taken in addition to the core EMS product

c) Contract length and expiry date

d) Total contract value

e) Annual support and maintenance cost

f) Total electorate for the council area

g) Number of voters registered to vote by post

 

3. Polling Station Management, Electoral Services:
a) Does the Council use a software product and devices (such as a tablet) for the electronic processing of voters in your polling stations?

b) If yes, please provide the following information:

• Name of the software supplier and product
• Any optional add-on modules taken in addition to the core product
• Contract length and expiry date
• Total contract value
• Annual support and maintenance cost

Response provided:

1. Committee Management System (CMS), Democratic Services

a) Modern Gov (forms part of the Council's main contract with Civica)

b) Please refer to link above to the published contract details via the Council's Contract Register

c) As b) above

d) As b) above

e) As b) above

f) 42

2. Electoral Management System (EMS), Electoral Services

a) Xpress Software Solutions Limited

b) Please refer to link above to the published contract details via the Council's Contract Register

c) As b) above

d) As b) above

e) As b) above 

f) 79,733

g) 8,768

3. Polling Station Management, Electoral Services

a) The Council does not use tablets in polling stations.

b) N/A

Request reference: FOI 12343

Issue date: 22.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following information in spreadsheet form:

1. The number of households in council tax arrears for each financial year from 2015/16 to 2025/26

2. Of those households who are in council tax arrears please provide the average amount of arrears a household is in for each financial year from 2015/16 to 2025/26

3. The total amount of council tax arrears for each financial year from 2015/16 to 2025/26

4. The highest amount owed by one household for 2025/26 or the most recent financial year

Response provided:

The Council provided the applicant with a spreadsheet in response to Q1-3 covering the data for the financial years held from 2019/20 - 2025/26. The data for the years 2015/16 - 2018/19 is no longer held in line with data retention policy (six years plus one)

Arrears are considered to be cases where a reminder notice or beyond has been issued. The data supplied shows arrears at 07.05.2026

Q4. £8,352.00

Request reference: FOI 12347

Issue date: 22.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested to know how many planning permission applications from travellers have been approved in 2024, 2025 and between January 2026 - May 2026

Response provided:

The Council confirmed that details of planning applications are publicly available via its Planning Tracker and as such, the applicant would be able to find this information: Planning Tracker by entering the word 'Traveller' into the search criteria field. This will generate a list of 15 applications which they would then be able to view individually in order to identify those that fall within the scope of the request

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 I the Council has done so in providing the applicant with the link to the Planning Tracker and the guidance on how to carry out the necessary search above

Request reference: FOI 12349

Issue date: 26.05.26

Request received: 

The applicant requested the following data for the council:

1. How many assaults were reported against the council's housing staff* in the 2025 calendar year**, and in the first quarter of 2026? 

2. For each of these years, how many of the assaults were verbal?

3. For each of these years, how many of the assaults were physical?

4. For each of these years, how many of the assaults were sexual?

5. For each of these years, how many of these assaults involved a protected characteristic?

*Housing staff = all council staff who work with council housing tenants. 

**Calendar year = January 1 to December 31. If the Council cannot provide this data in calendar years please specify (e g, data provided in financial years)

Response provided:

The Council's Housing team confirmed that the Council does not have any council housing tenants, and therefore the response to 1 is Zero for both 2025 and the first quarter of 2026

Request reference: FOI 12351

Issue date: 26.05.26

Request received: 

1. The name of the individual or legal entity liable to pay non-domestic rates in respect of 1 Market Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1BX for the period 08/11/2023 - 14/02/2025

2. If more than one individual/entity was liable to pay non-domestic rates in respect of this Site during the above period, confirm:

2.1. The name of each individual/entity

2.2. The period in respect of which that individual/entity was liable for the payment of non-domestic rates

Response provided:

The applicant was advised that the Council's Revenues team does not have an Non Domestic Rates entry for 1 Market Street, EX31 1BX, however they identified the following for 1 Garoncrest House, Market Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1BX. The liable parties for the period concerned (08.11.2023 – 14-02.2025), were/are as follows:

 11.11.2017 – 30.01.2025 – El Jefe Catering Ltd

31.01.2025 – 13.02.2025 – Banburys Ltd (owner and empty property for this period)

14.02.2025 onwards - The Pickwell Foundation

Request reference: FOI 12357

Issue date: 28.05.26

Request received: 

Licensing Software - Environmental Health

1. Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful and not successful at the PQQ and ITT stages 
2. Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date
3. Start date and duration of framework/contract?
4. Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract?

Response provided:

1. Direct Award Idox Software Ltd

2. Total contract value: £33,810.48

3. 27/11/2024 – 26/11/26

4. Richard Fowler