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Requests

Visits by the Dog Warden at Allhallows

Date submitted: 22 March 2024

Summary of request

Please confirm the number of visits the dog warden can recall visiting the Allhallows Public Open Space in the last 12 months.

Summary of response

- The number of visits (or hours) spent by the Dog Warden at Allhallows Public Open space in 2022-2023.
2022 - one visit
2023 - two visits

Date responded: 28 March 2024

Information on shisha cafes

Date submitted: 14 March 2024

Summary of request

We would like to ask the following questions about your local authority area, where we define a "shisha cafe" as any premise where the sale and consumption of shisha tobacco occurs on site, and can include restaurants, clubs, lounges, cafes, and other venues. Please ensure these questions are answered jointly by Environmental Health and Trading Standards.

Q1. Please provide the estimated number or range of shisha cafes known as of January 2024.
Please reply "unknown" if this information is not held.

Q2. a) Please state the number of prosecutions made for violations of the smoke-free law in 2023.
b) How many of these violations were by shisha cafes?

Q3. a) Please state how many inspections were made to shisha cafes by Trading Standards, Environmental Health, or other officers in 2023.

b) Of these inspections, how many shisha cafes required intervention due to lack of compliance with policies (including tobacco, health and safety, and licensing laws).

c) Of these inspections, approximately how many kilograms of illicit shisha tobacco were seized in total?

d) Of these inspections, how many led to successful prosecutions and what was the total amount ordered to pay from the shisha cafe business?

Q4. Please state the number of reports of underage smoking at shisha cafes in 2023.

Q5. Please state the number of complaints made for noise and nuisance against shisha cafes in 2023.

Summary of response

Q1. Please provide the estimated number or range of shisha cafes known as of January 2024 - Zero
Please reply "unknown" if this information is not held.

Q2. a) Please state the number of prosecutions made for violations of the smoke-free law in 2023.
b) How many of these violations were by shisha cafes? - Zero

Q3. a) Please state how many inspections were made to shisha cafes by Trading Standards, Environmental Health, or other officers in 2023 - Zero

b) Of these inspections, how many shisha cafes required intervention due to lack of compliance with policies (including tobacco, health and safety, and licensing laws) - N/A

c) Of these inspections, approximately how many kilograms of illicit shisha tobacco were seized in total? - N/A

d) Of these inspections, how many led to successful prosecutions and what was the total amount ordered to pay from the shisha cafe business? - N/A

Q4. Please state the number of reports of underage smoking at shisha cafes in 2023 - Zero

Q5. Please state the number of complaints made for noise and nuisance against shisha cafes in 2023 - Zero

Date responded: 14 March 2024

Taxi accidents

Date submitted: 14 March 2024

Summary of request

I am seeking information on vehicle accidents involving licensed Taxis and Private Hire vehicles over the past 3 years (individually 2021/2022/2023).

Ideally I would like to know the number of accidents reported per year and the number (if any) of fatal accidents involving licensed vehicles.

Summary of response

I am seeking information on vehicle accidents involving licensed Taxis and Private Hire vehicles over the past 3 years (individually 2021/2022/2023). Ideally I would like to know the number of accidents reported per year and the number (if any) of fatal accidents involving licensed vehicles.

Please see our response below:

From our records, as follows:

2021 - 2
2022 - 4
2023 - 9

As part of the vehicle conditions applicable to hackney carriage and private hire, the driver must inform us of any accident within 72 hours and complete an accident report form. There may be cases where this has not happened and we have not been informed, so the figures may not be truly accurate. We can only record what is reported to us and this does rely on the driver reporting the accident to us. There has been no fatalities reported.

Date responded: 14 March 2024

Levelling Up funding

Date submitted: 14 March 2024

Summary of request


How much has your council received in funding for Levelling Up to date in total?

Can you show the figures for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 separately?

How much of this funding has your council spent? Again, for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 separately.

If full data for 2023/24 is unavailable, please share as much information as possible up to the latest reporting period for this financial year.

How much do you expect to receive and spend in 2024/25?

Summary of response

EDDC has not received any Levelling Up funding


How much has your council received in funding for Levelling Up to date in total? - Zero
Can you show the figures for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 separately? - N/A
How much of this funding has your council spent? Again, for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 separately - N/A
If full data for 2023/24 is unavailable, please share as much information as possible up to the latest reporting period for this financial year.
How much do you expect to receive and spend in 2024/25? - Not known

Date responded: 18 March 2024

Byelaws and Policies on Recreational Use of Drones

Date submitted: 8 March 2024

Summary of request

We seek information regarding your authority's regulations on the recreational use of drones from land under your jurisdiction.

1. Do you have any byelaws specifically relating to the recreational use of drones from your land? If yes, please provide:
a) The date(s) of these byelaws.
b) A digital copy of the byelaw(s) or a link to where these can be found on your website.

2. In the absence of specific byelaws, do you have any policies relating to the recreational use of drones from your land? If yes, please provide:
a) The date(s) of these policies.
b) A digital copy of the policy(i.e.) or a link to where these can be found on your website.

Summary of response

1. Do you have any byelaws specifically relating to the recreational use of drones from your land? - No byelaws specifically relating to the recreational use of drones

If yes, please provide:
a) The date(s) of these byelaws.
b) A digital copy of the byelaw(s) or a link to where these can be found on your website.

2. In the absence of specific byelaws, do you have any policies relating to the recreational use of drones from your land? - No policies relating to the recreational use of drones

If yes, please provide:
a) The date(s) of these policies.
b) A digital copy of the policy(i.e.) or a link to where these can be found on your website.

Date responded: 14 March 2024

Funding and grants available to small businesses in the UK

Date submitted: 8 March 2024

Summary of request

1. What funding (if any) do you offer to small businesses in the local area?

2. How many grants (if any) do you offer to small businesses in the local area?

3. If funding or grants are offered, please can you provide the specific monetary figures that are available to small businesses in the local area.

4. How many grants, or funding offers, were applied for and successfully granted to small businesses in the calendar years 2021, 2022 and 2023

Summary of response

1. What funding (if any) do you offer to small businesses in the local area?

2. How many grants (if any) do you offer to small businesses in the local area?

3. If funding or grants are offered, please can you provide the specific monetary figures that are available to small businesses in the local area.

4. How many grants, or funding offers, were applied for and successfully granted to small businesses in the calendar years 2021, 2022 and 2023.

We are about to go live with a new scheme funded using our UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation. A list of schemes can be found at https://eastdevon.gov.uk/business-and-investment/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/grant-schemes/#article-content

Once you click on the links to the IRF or CLTF, you will be able to find a link to those who have previously received funding under these schemes.

We do offer and apply rate relief to a number of small businesses but this is not what I would class as grants or funding as it is a reduction in the NDR bill as opposed to direct funds. Go to our website to see NDR datasets for this information at https://eastdevon.gov.uk/access-to-information/transparency-code/transparency-code-information/

Regarding question 4 the information we have is as follows:

• The information recorded as per the government guidance for the Covid Business grants was split by micro, small, medium and large businesses.
• 2021 Micro businesses 5389
• 2021 Small businesses 708
• 2022 Micro businesses 902
• 2022 Small businesses 157

Please note that the LRSG schemes started in 2020 (November and December) and finished in March 2021. We have included them but can’t determine if the businesses claimed the grant in 2020 or 2021.

Date responded: 28 March 2024

Translation and Interpretation Costs

Date submitted: 7 March 2024

Summary of request

What is the total cost for all translation and interpretation activities for each of the financial years 21/22 and 22/23. I would like a separate total for each financial year.

Summary of response

What is the total cost for all translation and interpretation activities for each of the financial years:

2021/22 - Zero

2022/23 - £2,000.54.

Date responded: 14 March 2024

Green Wedge Exmouth/Lympstone discussions

Date submitted: 22 February 2024

Summary of request

• Proposing the site be allocated to housing development would mean crossing the watershed that runs down Courtlands Lane and breaching the parish boundary – effectively moving the parish boundary. This suggests some political sleight of hand. Who initiated the proposal?
• When did discussions occur between Exmouth Town Council and EDDC to address changes to the green wedge?
• Were outcomes shared with Lympstone Parish Council?
• Was the Parish Council involved with any meeting between EDDC, and Exmouth Town Council?
• Minutes of meetings when a change to the green wedge were discussed.
• Minutes of meetings when the use of grade 1 agricultural land for housing was discussed.
• Minutes of meetings when the requirement to change the protections afforded to this landscape were discussed.
• Minutes of ad hoc meetings with Exmouth Town Council to discuss the above.

Summary of response

• Minutes of meetings when a change to the green wedge were discussed

- Internal officer discussions are not minuted, however the discussions of Strategic Planning Committee on this matter can be found on the council’s website at Browse meetings - Strategic Planning Committee - East Devon. https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=154 Green wedges were particularly discussed at meetings on the 11th January 2022, 3rd October 2023 and 13th February 2024 but may also have been mentioned in debate at other meetings.

• Minutes of meetings when the use of grade 1 agricultural land for housing was discussed

- There have not been any explicit reports just about agricultural land quality and which therefore resulted in minutes being taken. There will be many reports where agricultural land quality formed a component of discussion and minutes may refer. Strategic Planning Committee minutes and reports Committee details - Strategic Planning Committee - East Devon https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=154 will record some but also the issue will have been raised in terms of numerous planning applications discussed at Planning Committee the minutes of which can be found at: Browse meetings - Planning Committee - East Devon https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=308

• Minutes of meetings when the requirement to change the protections afforded to this landscape were discussed

- See links in previous responses.

• Minutes of ad hoc meetings with Exmouth Town Council to discuss the above

- There were no such meetings/minutes.

• Proposing the site be allocated to housing development would mean crossing the watershed that runs down Courtlands Lane and breaching the parish boundary – effectively moving the parish boundary. This suggests some political sleight of hand. Who initiated the proposal?

- There are no proposals to amend Parish boundaries. Consideration of allocation of the site for development in the Local Plan was initiated by the land owner/promoter putting the land forward in a call for sites.

• When did discussions occur between Exmouth Town Council and EDDC to address changes to the green wedge?

- No such discussions took place.

• Were outcomes shared with Lympstone Parish Council?

- Not applicable.

• Was the Parish Council involved with any meeting between EDDC, and Exmouth Town Council?

- Not applicable.

Date responded: 15 March 2024

Reports of dog fouling

Date submitted: 19 February 2024

Summary of request

Please can you tell me how many reports of dog fouling you have received from the start of 2019 to the end of 2023, breaking the data down by year?

Summary of response

You requested to know how many reports of dog fouling the council has received from the start of 2019 to the end of 2023, breaking the data down by year.

Please see our response below:

2019 157
2020 130
2021 112
2022 137
2023 96

Date responded: 11 March 2024

Planning apps approved ICNIRP self certification - 5G mast planning applications

Date submitted: 16 February 2024

Summary of request

Please would you let me know how many prior approval planning applications for your council have been approved on the basis of an ICNIRP self certification in the name of Three UK Ltd, since the end of 2015.

Summary of response

You requested to know how many prior approval planning applications have been approved on the basis of an ICNIRP self certification in the name of Three UK Ltd, since the end of 2015.

The requested data can be searched via our planning portal on our website by using the advanced search facility. You can visit the planning portal and search for the information you require and collate it yourself. You will need to use the drop down tabs to narrow down your search - Application Type - 'Telecommunications Notification' and include the date parameters you are interested in.

Applications Search (eastdevon.gov.uk)
https://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=advanced

As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

Date responded: 19 February 2024

Council housing

Date submitted: 16 February 2024

Summary of request

Specifically I would like to ask:
• How many council homes are currently owned by your local housing services
• How many council homes owned by your local housing services are occupied
• How many council homes owned by your local housing services are not occupied
• What the average length of time your council homes are unoccupied for
• What is the longest amount of time a currently unoccupied council home has been unoccupied for
• What reasons are given for why your council homes are not occupied

Summary of response

• How many council homes are currently owned by your local housing services - 4173
• How many council homes owned by your local housing services are occupied - 4045
• How many council homes owned by your local housing services are not occupied - 128
• What the average length of time your council homes are unoccupied for - 212.42
• What is the longest amount of time a currently unoccupied council home has been unoccupied for - 718 days
• What reasons are given for why your council homes are not occupied - see below

Reasons why properties are void:
o Preinspect
o Contractor Work
o Available to Let
o Evictions
o General property turnover work
o TORTS
o Long term void work eg subsidence
o Out Of Management

Date responded: 29 February 2024

Budget and percentage of spend on temporary accommodation

Date submitted: 15 February 2024

Summary of request

The total budget in pounds (£) and the percentage of your Local Authorities total budget spent on non-statutory obligations funding in each of the financial years a) 2019-20, b) 2020-21, c) 2021-22, d) 2022-23, e) 2023-24

The total budget in pounds (£) and the percentage of your Local Authorities total budget spent on social care funding in each of the financial years a) 2019-20, b) 2020-21, c) 2021-22, d) 2022-23, e) 2023-24

The total budget in pounds (£) and the percentage of your Local Authorities total budget spent on temporary accommodation funding in each of the financial years a) 2019-20, b) 2020-21, c) 2021-22, d) 2022-23, e) 2023-24

Summary of response


The total budget in pounds (£) and the percentage of your Local Authorities total budget spent on non-statutory obligations funding in each of the financial years a) 2019-20, b) 2020-21, c) 2021-22, d) 2022-23, e) 2023-24 - Information not held

The total budget in pounds (£) and the percentage of your Local Authorities total budget spent on social care funding in each of the financial years a) 2019-20, b) 2020-21, c) 2021-22, d) 2022-23, e) 2023-24 – Not EDDC

The total budget in pounds (£) and the percentage of your Local Authorities total budget spent on temporary accommodation funding in each of the financial years a) 2019-20, b) 2020-21, c) 2021-22, d) 2022-23, e) 2023-24 =

2019/20 £200,000 0.33%
2020/21 £250,000 0.44%
2021/22 £300,000 0.53%
2022/23 £350,000 0.46%
2023/24 £400,000 0.64%

Date responded: 11 March 2024

Contact Centre Solution

Date submitted: 14 February 2024

Summary of request

1. Contact Centre
a. Do you have a customer/ citizen facing contact centre?
b. Do you employ and manage your own agents, or do you outsource to a third party? If you outsource who to?
c. How many contact centre agents do you have?
d. Do agents work from home? Or just your offices?
e. Please confirm the manufacturer of your contact centre system(s) that are currently in place?
f. When is your contract renewal date?
g. Who maintains your contact centre system(s)?

2. CRM
a. Do you use a CRM in the contact centre? What platform is used?
b. Do you use the same CRM for the rest of the organisation? What platform is used?
c. Do you use a knowledge base / knowledge management platform? What platform is used?

3. AI & Automation
a. Does your organisation have a customer or citizen facing chatbot? If so, who provides this chatbot technology?
b. Does your organisation utilise RPA technology? If so which RPA technology provider do you use?

Summary of response

1. Contact Centre
a. Do you have a customer/ citizen facing contact centre? - Yes
b. Do you employ and manage your own agents, or do you outsource to a third party? If you outsource who to? - In-house
c. How many contact centre agents do you have? - 12
d. Do agents work from home? Or just your offices? - Office based & home
e. Please confirm the manufacturer of your contact centre system(s) that are currently in place? - Skype for Business & Anywhere 365
f. When is your contract renewal date? - for Skype for Business & Anywhere 365 Rolling
g. Who maintains your contact centre system(s)? - Strata

2. CRM
a. Do you use a CRM in the contact centre? What platform is used? - Firmstep
b. Do you use the same CRM for the rest of the organisation? What platform is used? - Firmstep
c. Do you use a knowledge base / knowledge management platform? What platform is used? - No

3. AI & Automation
a. Does your organisation have a customer or citizen facing chatbot? If so, who provides this chatbot technology? - Yes, Who’s on Chat
b. Does your organisation utilise RPA technology? If so which RPA technology provider do you use? - No

Date responded: 14 February 2024

Council Staff on Long Term Sick

Date submitted: 14 February 2024

Summary of request

I would also like to request the amount of staff that were on long term sick leave on the same day in 2023 and in 2019.

Summary of response

You requested to know the number of staff that were on long term sick leave as of 12th February 2024 and on the same day in 2023 and in 2019.

Please see our response below:

2019 – 4
2023 – 4
2024 – 8

Date responded: 29 February 2024

Offsite biodiversity gain site section 106 agreement

Date submitted: 13 February 2024

Summary of request

Does the council have a template for an offsite biodiversity gain site section 106 agreement and if so could a link to this be provided?

Which officer at the council is responsible for biodiversity net gain and should be contacted about such agreements?

Summary of response

You requested information on whether the council has a template for an offsite biodiversity gain site section 106 agreement.

Please go to our website at https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-services/planning-development-management/biodiversity-net-gain/ BNG Biodiversity Net Gain - East Devon As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

Which officer at the council is responsible for biodiversity net gain and should be contacted about such agreements? - Please contact planning@eastdevon.gov.uk

Date responded: 13 February 2024

Length of time households in temporary accommodation

Date submitted: 13 February 2024

Summary of request

How many households in the local authority have spent under one year in temporary accommodation?

How many households in the local authority have spent between one to five years in temporary accommodation?

How many households in the local authority have spent between five to ten years in temporary accommodation?

How many households in the local authority have spent over ten years in temporary accommodation?

Can we this information for each year ending between 2013 to 2023.

Summary of response

How many households in the local authority have spent under one year in temporary accommodation? - 44

How many households in the local authority have spent between one to five years in temporary accommodation? - 0

How many households in the local authority have spent between five to ten years in temporary accommodation? - 1

How many households in the local authority have spent over ten years in temporary accommodation? - 0

Can we this information for each year ending between 2013 to 2023 - We can only provide current figures as above. We are unable to report each year for last 10 years.

Date responded: 19 February 2024

Copy of the covenant for Candy's Field

Date submitted: 13 February 2024

Summary of request

I wish to obtain a copy of the covenant for Candy's Field

Summary of response

You requested a copy of the covenant for Candy's Field - Information not held. Candy’s recreation ground isn’t owned by EDDC so I would suggest you approach the Land Registry to obtain any information regarding any covenants within the title.

Date responded: 19 February 2024

Leasehold Right to Buy and Subletting

Date submitted: 8 February 2024

Summary of request

1. The number of leasehold properties sold by the council under Right to Buy since 1981. To clarify, this is leasehold only, not the total of freehold and leasehold.
2. How many of those leasehold properties (related to the above) are registered with an away address, indicating that they may be sublet.

Summary of response

1. The number of leasehold properties sold by the council under Right to Buy since 1981. To clarify, this is leasehold only, not the total of freehold and leasehold - Since 01/01/1980 there were 71 leasehold properties sold.
2. How many of those leasehold properties (related to the above) are registered with an away address, indicating that they may be sublet - We do not hold this information.

Date responded: 13 February 2024

Shared heating system maintenance

Date submitted: 8 February 2024

Summary of request

1. How many times have the council arranged for a shared central heating system (i.e. one that heats multiple houses, such as on an estate) to undergo maintenance since September 2021? Please split this figure into the following periods: September 2021-August 2022 (inclusive), September 2022-August 2023, September 2023-present.

2. For each of these occasions, please provide a start date and end date. For works that have not yet finished, please provide a planned end date or estimated length of project where this is noted. Please provide this information in an Excel format.

Summary of response

1. How many times have the council arranged for a shared central heating system (i.e. one that heats multiple houses, such as on an estate) to undergo maintenance since September 2021? Please split this figure into the following periods: September 2021-August 2022 (inclusive), September 2022-August 2023, September 2023-present.

2. For each of these occasions, please provide a start date and end date. For works that have not yet finished, please provide a planned end date or estimated length of project where this is noted. Please provide this information in an Excel format.

Sep 21- Aug 22 Annual service to 5no communal systems
Sep 22- Aug 23 Annual service to 5no communal systems
Sep 23-present 1 communal boiler replacement (2 days 11-12 Jan 2024)

Date responded: 4 March 2024

Voluntary sector grants

Date submitted: 8 February 2024

Summary of request

1. A list of grants you have made to the voluntary sector (including to any charities, churches, social enterprises, community groups) in the financial year 2022/23. Please include the amount paid to each entity and, if recorded, a description of what each payment is for.

2. A list of grants you have made or are due to make to the voluntary sector (including to any charities, churches, social enterprises, community groups) in the current financial year. Please include the amount paid to each entity and, if recorded, a description of what each payment is for.

Summary of response

1. A list of grants you have made to the voluntary sector (including to any charities, churches, social enterprises, community groups) in the financial year 2022/23. Please include the amount paid to each entity and, if recorded, a description of what each payment is for - None

2. A list of grants you have made or are due to make to the voluntary sector (including to any charities, churches, social enterprises, community groups) in the current financial year. Please include the amount paid to each entity and, if recorded, a description of what each payment is for - None

Date responded: 4 March 2024

Building under 18 metres that have have flammable cladding

Date submitted: 8 February 2024

Summary of request

I would like to know how much money in contracts from the council has been given to the following companies since July 2017: Kingspan and Rydon .

Following the Grenfell fire how many council tower blocks (over 18 meters high) were identified as having flammable cladding (likely made from aluminium composite material).
How many of these high rises still have flammable cladding?

How many other council-owned buildings, under 18m, currently have flammable cladding? I would like this broken down into building type - school, hospital ect

Summary of response

I would like to know how much money in contracts from the council has been given to the following companies since July 2017: Kingspan and Rydon - Zero

Following the Grenfell fire how many council tower blocks (over 18 meters high) were identified as having flammable cladding (likely made from aluminium composite material) – Not Applicable. EDDC does not have any housing above 18 metres.
How many of these high rises still have flammable cladding? – Not Applicable.

How many other council-owned buildings, under 18m, currently have flammable cladding? I would like this broken down into building type - school, hospital etc. - None

Date responded: 29 February 2024

Affordable Rural Housing

Date submitted: 1 February 2024

Summary of request

Please can you name the parishes within EDDC that have a Housing Needs Survey that is less than two years old?
Please can you list the parishes within EDDC that qualify for a Rural Exception Site?

Summary of response

Please can you name the parishes within EDDC that have a Housing Needs Survey that is less than two years old?
Please can you list the parishes within EDDC that qualify for a Rural Exception Site?

The parishes within EDDC that have a Housing Needs Survey that is less than 2 years old are:

Woodbury
Colyton
Wilmington

The vast majority of East Devon is within a designated rural area, with only the parishes of Exmouth, Sidmouth, Seaton and Honiton excluded.

Date responded: 13 February 2024

Approaches made by victims of domestic abuse

Date submitted: 1 February 2024

Summary of request

Specifically I need, for the calendar year 2023 (1st January to 31st December inclusive):

1. Total number of approaches made to your authority (either through homelessness channels, specialist domestic abuse team or antisocial behaviour team) citing domestic abuse as the reason for need for support.

2. How many of these approaches were made by males.

3. A numerical breakdown of those approaches made by males by sexual orientation.

4. A numerical breakdown of those approaches where it was subsequently determined that the male was in fact the perpetrator of domestic abuse.

5. A numerical breakdown of those approaches where the male victim was assisted into either
a) refuge or
b) B&B or
c) refused safe accommodation.

Summary of response

1. Total number of approaches made to your authority (either through homelessness channels, specialist domestic abuse team or antisocial behaviour team) citing domestic abuse as the reason for need for support - 68
2. How many of these approaches were made by males - 6
3. A numerical breakdown of those approaches made by males by sexual orientation - 6 heterosexual
4. A numerical breakdown of those approaches where it was subsequently determined that the male was in fact the perpetrator of domestic abuse - 1
5. A numerical breakdown of those approaches where the male victim was assisted into b) B&B - 3

Date responded: 13 February 2024

Cllr discretionary allowance for training

Date submitted: 29 January 2024

Summary of request

1. Do your councillors get a discretionary allowance to spend on training individually as they choose?
2. How much is this amount annually?
3. How many councillors are on your council?
4. How many have used their discretionary allowance?
5. How much have they spent and on what service, training, activity or otherwise?

Summary of response


1. Do your councillors get a discretionary allowance to spend on training individually as they choose? - No
2. How much is this amount annually? - N/A
3. How many councillors are on your council? - 60
4. How many have used their discretionary allowance? - N/A
5. How much have they spent and on what service, training, activity or otherwise? - N/A

Date responded: 31 January 2024

Monitoring officer data

Date submitted: 29 January 2024

Summary of request

1. The name of each Monitoring Officer for the Authority since 1.1.2019. Kindly also provide the dates they were in post and any other roles they held within the Authority (before, during and after) -
2. The name of each Deputy Monitoring Officer for the Authority since 1.1.2019. Kindly also provide the dates they were in post and any other roles they held within the Authority (before, during and after).
3. Please provide the date of every report made by the Monitoring Officer under Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
4. Please provide a copy of each report made by the Monitoring Officer under Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
5. The name of each Director of Children’s Services for the Authority since 1.1.2019. Kindly also provide the dates they were in post and any other roles they held within the Authority (before, during and after).
6. The name of each Lead Member for Children’s Services for the Authority since 1.1.2019. Kindly also provide the dates they were in post and any other roles they held within the Authority (before, during and after).

Summary of response

1. The name of each Monitoring Officer for the Authority since 1.1.2019. Kindly also provide the dates they were in post and any other roles they held within the Authority (before, during and after):

Henry Gordon Lennox; Strategic Lead (Governance and Licensing), Returning and Electoral Registration officer, 2019 - 19.01.2023, previously Principal Solicitor and Deputy Monitoring Officer

Anita Williams Interim Director of Governance and Licensing & Monitoring Officer 19.01.2023-30.04.2023, previously Principal Solicitor and Deputy Monitoring Officer

Melanie Wellman Director of Governance & Licensing, Interim Chief Executive & Returning and Electoral Registration officer) 25th April 2023 to date

2. The name of each Deputy Monitoring Officer for the Authority since 1.1.2019. Kindly also provide the dates they were in post and any other roles they held within the Authority (before, during and after)
Anita Williams, Principal Solicitor, Interim Monitoring Officer as above then Principal Solicitor and Deputy Monitoring Officer after 30.04.2023.

3. Please provide the date of every report made by the Monitoring Officer under Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 – Report taken 17th March 2021 Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 17th March, 2021, 6.00 pm - East Devon https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=136&MId=1680&Ver=4

4. Please provide a copy of each report made by the Monitoring Officer under Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 – as per link above

5. The name of each Director of Children’s Services for the Authority since 1.1.2019. Kindly also provide the dates they were in post and any other roles they held within the Authority (before, during and after) - Not an EDDC function

6. The name of each Lead Member for Children’s Services for the Authority since 1.1.2019. Kindly also provide the dates they were in post and any other roles they held within the Authority (before, during and after) - Not an EDDC function

Date responded: 16 February 2024

Working definition of Antisemitism / Islamophobia

Date submitted: 29 January 2024

Summary of request

This is related to your council adopting any working definition of Islamophobia or Antisemitism.
Please note - there are several different definitions of both antisemitism and Islamophobia in use around the country - and this FoI request covers all of them.

1. Did your council adopt a working definition of antisemitism? If so
Which one?
When?
2. Did your council adopt a working definition of Islamophobia? If so
Which one?
When?

Summary of response

1. Did your council adopt a working definition of antisemitism? - No
2. Did your council adopt a working definition of Islamophobia? - No

Date responded: 22 February 2024

Car park parking bay sizes

Date submitted: 29 January 2024

Summary of request

I am after information relating to car park parking bay sizes.

1. Do you have a standard parking bay size which is in place across your car parks?

a. For Q1, Are there plans to enlarge the standard parking bay size in car parks?

2. Since 23rd January 2014, how many PCNs have been issued for parking outside of the lines in car parks?
a. For Q2, please provide a year-by-year breakdown of the figures

b. For Q2, please provide the value in (£) of the PCNs paid, also providing a year-by-year breakdown

3. Are cars exceeding a certain length banned from any of your car parks?

a. For Q3, if size rules are enforced, from what date did the council start doing so.

b. For Q3, if size rules aren’t enforced, are there plans to do so?
4. How many PCNs have been issued to people for parking these banned cars in car parks since 23rd January 2014?

a. For Q4, please provide a year-by-year breakdown of the figures
b. For Q4, please provide the value in (£) of the PCNs paid, also providing a year-by-year breakdown
5. What is the total number of PCNs issued in car parks from 23rd January 2014?

Summary of response

1. Do you have a standard parking bay size which is in place across your car parks? - Yes, 4.8m by 2.4m
Are there plans to enlarge the standard parking bay size in car parks? - Not at this time.

2. Since 23rd January 2014, how many PCNs have been issued for parking outside of the lines in car parks? - 695 since September 2019. We do not hold the data from before this date due to a system change.

Please provide a year-by-year breakdown of the figures. - Financial year breakdown as below.

2024 - 187
2023 - 134
2022 - 128
2021 - 151
2020 - 85

Please provide the value in (£) of the PCNs paid, also providing a year-by-year breakdown

2024 - £6,250
2023 - £5,100
2022 - £3,985
2021 - £5,125
2020 - £2,710

3. Are cars exceeding a certain length banned from any of your car parks? - No
If size rules are enforced, from what date did the council start doing so?
If size rules aren’t enforced, are there plans to do so?

4. How many PCNs have been issued to people for parking these banned cars in car parks since 23rd January 2014? - N/A
Please provide a year-by-year breakdown of the figures
Please provide the value in (£) of the PCNs paid, also providing a year-by-year breakdown

5. What is the total number of PCNs issued in car parks from 23rd January 2014? - Since September 2019 we have issued 9420

Date responded: 22 February 2024

Fly tipping data

Date submitted: 29 January 2024

Summary of request

Is historic fly-tipping data available for East Devon Council?

I'm interested in fly-tipping incidents along Stoke Hill and Church Lane (above Pinhoe). Land on the other side of Church Hill falls within the East Devon area. I would be using the data to identify local hotspots.

Summary of response

You requested information on historic fly-tipping data incidents along Stoke Hill and Church Lane (above Pinhoe).

We have gone back to July 2021 and can confirm that from then until now no fly tips have been reported or collected in the Stoke Hill to Church Lane area of Exeter.

Date responded: 31 January 2024

Working From Home/Abroad

Date submitted: 26 January 2024

Summary of request

Please could you provide me with details for the last three years (2023/2022/2021) of how many full-time staff:

1. work from home/remotely in a hybrid form (i.e. dividing their time between office and remote/home working)?

2. work from home permanently (i.e. work from home for the majority of their contractual hours)?

3. have been granted permission to work from abroad firstly, permanently (i.e. work from abroad for the majority of their contractual hours) and secondly, in a hybrid form (i.e. dividing their time between office and remote/home working abroad)? Please list the countries where they work from. If possible - particularly if the above numbers are low - please specify what departments they work in.

4. the council employed? In other words, what were the total numbers of all full-time staff employed by the council for 2023/2023 and 2021 (broken down per year)?

Summary of response

Please could you provide me with details for the last three years (2023/2022/2021) of how many full-time staff

- The Council does not engage employees on homeworker contracts, all contracts have a place of work as the Council’s designated offices. The Council operates a flexible working policy of allowing employees to work from home in agreement with their manager and their service needs with the offices always available.

1. work from home/remotely in a hybrid form (i.e. dividing their time between office and remote/home working)? - Information not captured

2. work from home permanently (i.e. work from home for the majority of their contractual hours)? - Information not captured

3. have been granted permission to work from abroad firstly, permanently (i.e. work from abroad for the majority of their contractual hours) and secondly, in a hybrid form (i.e. dividing their time between office and remote/home working abroad)? Please list the countries where they work from. If possible - particularly if the above numbers are low - please specify what departments they work in. - We have had one request and this was refused.

4. the council employed? In other words, what were the total numbers of all full-time staff employed by the council for 2023, 2022 and 2021 (broken down per year)? -

31 March 2023 - 414 Full Time
31 March 2022 - 380 Full Time
31 March 2021 - 367 Full Time

Date responded: 6 February 2024

Unpaid council tax

Date submitted: 26 January 2024

Summary of request

The figures for each of the following financial years 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24 (to current date)
1) What is the total value of unpaid council tax debt owed to the council at the end of each financial year, To current date for 2023-24?
2) What is the total value of unpaid council tax debt owed to the council by a social housing provider at the end of each financial year, To current date for 2023-24?
3) Please list the total value of unpaid council tax debt owed to the council by each individual social housing provider at the end of each financial year, To current date for 2023-24?
4) For each year what was the total value of social housing provider council tax debt accrued in the 12 month period, To current date for 2023-24?
5) What is the council policy around court summons and bailiff action for social housing providers with outstanding debt?
6) What is the council policy around issuing class B exemption. Does the council automatically award a social housing provider, does the social housing provider have to request once per property or every account change?

Summary of response

1) What is the total value of unpaid council tax debt owed to the council at the end of each financial year, To current date for 2023-24?
The amounts of unpaid council tax as at 21.01.24 for the following years was;

17/18 - £115,844.87
18/19 - £206,320.62
19/20 - £347,571.15
20/21 - £381,614.28
21/22 - £529,440.01
22/23 - £746,900.12
23/24 - £7,021,238.92


2) What is the total value of unpaid council tax debt owed to the council by a social housing provider at the end of each financial year, To current date for 2023-24? - This information is not recorded.
3) Please list the total value of unpaid council tax debt owed to the council by each individual social housing provider at the end of each financial year, To current date for 2023-24? - This information is not recorded.
4) For each year what was the total value of social housing provider council tax debt accrued in the 12 month period, To current date for 2023-24? - This information is not recorded.
5) What is the council policy around court summons and bailiff action for social housing providers with outstanding debt? - We would follow the standard procedure for issuing summonses in line with legislation, and if the debt remained unpaid then we may consider Enforcement action if appropriate on a case by case basis.
6) What is the council policy around issuing class B exemption. Does the council automatically award a social housing provider, does the social housing provider have to request once per property or every account change? - We would not automatically apply the Class B exemption, as not all social housing providers would be entitled to this. We would expect them to apply if the exemption is relevant to the property in question.

Date responded: 21 February 2024

Right to Buy Properties

Date submitted: 24 January 2024

Summary of request

1. How many leasehold properties have been sold by the local authority under the Right to Buy scheme (1980) since its inception?
2. How many of these leaseholds are currently registered at an away address (an address which is not that of the property itself)?
3. How many properties initially sold under the Right to Buy act have been subsequently purchased by the local authority?
a. How many of these were purchased on or after January 1st 2020?
b. How much money has the local authority spent on purchasing these properties? (If any properties have been sold again after being re-purchased, please also specify this income)

Summary of response

• How many leasehold properties have been sold by the local authority under the Right to Buy scheme (1980) since its inception? - 71 leasehold properties
• How many of these leaseholds are currently registered at an away address (an address which is not that of the property itself)? - We do not record this information.
• How many properties initially sold under the Right to Buy act have been subsequently purchased by the local authority?
a. How many of these were purchased on or after January 1st 2020? - 17
b. How much money has the local authority spent on purchasing these properties? (If any properties have been sold again after being re-purchased, please also specify this income) - Total £4,274,652.27 on purchases; Income - N/A

Date responded: 20 February 2024

18+ Unstaffed Semi-Independent Accommodation

Date submitted: 24 January 2024

Summary of request

Please Note: The following questions are about care leavers (Aged 18 – 21) placed in supported accommodation who receiving floating support, these young people come under the Leaving Care Act 2000.

Who are the currently supported accommodation providers you use for 18+ floating support & accommodation?

What provider out of your current list of supported accommodation providers has the majority of your care leavers?

What is the minimum support hours L.A requirement for 18-21 care leavers in supported accommodation?
for example, a min of 2 hours.

What is the current minimum cost L.A. pays for 18+ floating accommodations? (Accommodation Only)
for example, £500PW per placement depending on support needs.

How many service users were placed with your L.A between the years 2022 - 2023?

What are the practical postcodes your L.A placements team require for 18+ service users?

What are the current issues your L. A’s placement team face when it comes to placing 18+ service users in supported accommodation?

What is the placements teams’ budget per week for 18+ placements?
for example, £620PW per placement including 3 support hours.

What is the procedure for your L.A if a provider wishes to join both on-tender & off-tender providers list?

What are the main KPI's (key performance indicators) your L.A placements team use to separate a good semi-independent service to a bad one specifically for 18+ service users?

What are the main factors your L.A Placements team use to ascertain whether a placement / provider is a good match for 18+ service users?

What is the L.A's budget for support hours specifically per hour for 18+ service users ?
for example £21.50 per additional support hour.

What type of accommodation is needed but in short supply for your L.A placements team ? I.e. studio's, shared, 2 bed flats etc.
What is the L.A placements team budget per week for the following accommodation: Studio, 1 bed Flat, 2 bed flat, Shared Accommodation.

When does the L.A plan to publish their next tender for 18+ placements ?

What is L.A's standard procedure before placing an 18+ service user with a provider for the first time ?Who are the current providers you use for 18+ unstaffed accommodation ?

Summary of response

You requested information about care leavers (Aged 18 – 21) placed in supported accommodation who are receiving floating support. The requested information is not held by the District Council. You will need to refer your request to Devon County Council.

Date responded: 31 January 2024

DFG equipment-based assessments

Date submitted: 23 January 2024

Summary of request

We are requesting this information under freedom of information requests and have tried to find this information through the public domain, but unable to do so.
1. How many equipment-based assessments did you carry out in the last FY?
2. What is the current average wait time for this type of assessment?
3. Is it your organisation’s current policy to use Trusted Assessors within your equipment assessments pathways?
4. How many staff do you employ as Trusted Assessors?
a. What percentage are accredited / unaccredited?
b. If accredited, how many are accredited at level three? At level four?
5. Which roles and services are they based in?
6. What is your policy on refreshing their training?
7. Is the number expected to grow?
8. What percentage of equipment assessments are carried out face to face / remotely?
a. What percentage of assessments that are remote are telephone based / video based?
9. Can people access a DFG funded home adaptation without the involvement of an OT?
10. Is any of your Trusted Assessor provision outsourced?
11. Do you accept prescriptions or recommendations for equipment from external organisations such as care and nursing homes, housing associations, supported living providers or domiciliary care providers if the case handler is an OT (Occupational Therapist) or Trusted Assessor?
a. How many cases were handled of this type in the last FY?
12. Is your community equipment service managed in-house or via an external contract?

Summary of response

You have requested information on DFG equipment-based assessments.

You will need to refer your request to Devon County Council. This is for Occupational Health to provide this information as EDDC doesn’t do this part of the grant process so we don’t have any data to return.

Date responded: 13 February 2024

Business Rates Revenue Raising Consultants

Date submitted: 23 January 2024

Summary of request

Freedom of Information Request – Business Rates Revenue Raising Consultants
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information:

1) Have the Local Authority instructed an RICS accredited Property Advisory company to raise Council revenue from business rates by either identifying properties which have been undervalued in the Rating List or identifying properties which are not in the Rating List but are complete and have not been valued for business rates purposes?

Our request does not relate to Rating Advisors who have been appointed by the Council to review and Challenge Rateable Values on their own Local Authority assets.

We would be grateful for the information in the following format:
• Name of company;
• Date of contract award;
• Term of contract;

Summary of response

You requested information about Business Rates Revenue Raising Consultants.

1) Have the Local Authority instructed an RICS accredited Property Advisory company to raise Council revenue from business rates by either identifying properties which have been undervalued in the Rating List or identifying properties which are not in the Rating List but are complete and have not been valued for business rates purposes? - No. We undertake this in-house using our Revenues Inspector and Business Rates staff.

Date responded: 24 January 2024

Farmed animal welfare

Date submitted: 23 January 2024

Summary of request

I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘the Act’) to please request the following information in relation to farm animal species only during the years 2022 and 2023 (broken down by year):

1. Do you enforce farmed animal welfare legislation?
a. if not why? e.g. no farms, a different local authority does
b. if a different local authority enforces this legislation in your area, please inform us which one?

2. How many of each of the following are under your authority?
a. Farms;
b. Markets; and
c. Borders

3. How many of each of the following in your jurisdiction were inspected one or more times?
a. Farms;
b. Markets; and
c. Borders

For the avoidance of doubt, if the same farm/market/border was inspected more than once then it should only be recorded once.

4. How many of each of the following in your jurisdiction showed non-compliance with animal welfare law following an inspection:

a. Farms;
b. Markets; and
c. Borders

For the avoidance of doubt, if the same farm/market/border was inspected more than once and showed non-compliance each time, then it should only be recorded once, similarly if it showed compliance on one inspection and not the other, then it should also be recorded as one.

5. How many of each of the following were inspected more than once in your jurisdiction?
a. Farms;
b. Markets; and
c. Borders

6. What were the total number of inspections that were conducted in your jurisdiction at each of the following:
a. Farms;
b. Markets; and
c. Borders

7. What was the total number of inspections conducted in your jurisdiction at each of the following that found non-compliance with animal welfare law?
a. Farms;
b. Markets; and
c. Borders

8. What was your body’s budget for farmed animal welfare enforcement?

9. Please list whether an official improvement notice or a prosecution was issued or commenced by you on each of the occasion an inspection revealed non-compliance at each of the following:
a. Farms;
b. Markets; and
c. Borders

10. How many welfare complaints did you receive in relation to the following:
a. On-farm animal welfare;
b. Welfare at markets; and,
c. Welfare during transport
d. Welfare at a border post

11. How many welfare complaints did you investigate in relation to the following:
a. On-farm animal welfare;
b. Welfare at markets; and,
c. Welfare during transport
d. Welfare at a border post

12. How many prosecution proceedings did you commence for offences named in the Animal Welfare Act 2006?
a. Of those proceedings, how many resulted in a successful prosecution?

13. How many improvement notices did you serve under section 10 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for failures to comply with section 9(1) of that Act?

14. How many prosecution proceedings did you commence for offences named in Section 7 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007?
a. Of those proceedings, how many resulted in a successful prosecution?

15. How many compliance notices were issued by your inspectors for failures to comply with the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006?

16. How many prosecution proceedings did you commence for offences named in the Welfare of Animals at Markets Order 1990?
a. Of those proceedings, how many resulted in a successful prosecution?

17. How many individuals subject to any of the above enforcement action had previously committed an animal welfare offence?

18. How many people do you employ to carry out farm animal welfare inspections as part of their duties?
a. How many farm animal welfare inspections did they complete?

19. How many people do you employ to carry out enforcement of the Animal Health Act 1981 as part of their duties?

20. In handling future freedom of information requests, is your authority able to respond to questions through a Google Form as an alternative to email response to enhance accessibility and efficiency?

Summary of response

You requested information on farmed animals. EDDC do not investigate Farmed Animal Welfare matters.

Please refer your request to Devon County Council and or Trading Standards

Date responded: 24 January 2024

Contaminated land and Green Belt land

Date submitted: 22 January 2024

Summary of request

1. The total area of your local authority, measured in acres, that is designated as Green Belt.

2. The proportion of the total area of your local authority that is designated as Green Belt.

3. The total area of your local authority, measured in acres, that consists of contaminated land - under the official definition. https://www.gov.uk/contaminated-land. If you do not have an exact
figure please provide a minimum figure or approximate estimate if possible.

4. The total area of your local authority, measured in acres, that is both designated as Green Belt and is contaminated land, under the official definition. If you do not have an exact figure please provide a minimum figure or approximate estimate if possible.

Summary of response

1. The total area of your local authority, measured in acres, that is designated as Green Belt. - Zero

2. The proportion of the total area of your local authority that is designated as Green Belt - N/A

3. The total area of your local authority, measured in acres, that consists of contaminated land - under the official definition. https://www.gov.uk/contaminated-land. If you do not have an exact figure please provide a minimum figure or approximate estimate if possible - Zero

4. The total area of your local authority, measured in acres, that is both designated as Green Belt and is contaminated land, under the official definition. If you do not have an exact figure please provide a minimum figure or approximate estimate if possible - Zero

Date responded: 13 February 2024

Public toilets closures

Date submitted: 18 January 2024

Summary of request


- How many public toilets were maintained by your council in 2022/2023?


- How many public toilets were closed by your council between 2010/11 and 2022/23?

Summary of response

- How many public toilets were maintained by your council in 2022/2023? - 27

- How many public toilets were closed by your council between 2010/11 and 2022/23? - 9

Date responded: 13 February 2024

HR Management Solution

Date submitted: 18 January 2024

Summary of request

1. Does the council have its own HR and Payroll solution or use another authority or outsourced service?
2. If the council does have its own solution which solution provider is it?
3. When did the council procure the solution?
4. Does the council provide HR and Payroll services to any other councils or organisations? If so how many?
5. How many live payroll recipients are there in your system?

Summary of response

1. Does the council have its own HR and Payroll solution or use another authority or outsourced service? - Inhouse
2. If the council does have its own solution which solution provider is it? - MHR, iTrent
3. When did the council procure the solution? - Feb 2021
4. Does the council provide HR and Payroll services to any other councils or organisations? If so how many? - Yes, one limited Company and five Town Councils.
5. How many live payroll recipients are there in your system? - 588 (as at 23 January 2024)

Date responded: 24 January 2024

Net Zero Spending

Date submitted: 17 January 2024

Summary of request

How much has the council spent on developing a net zero strategy?
What steps is the council taking to reduce carbon emissions to reach net zero?


Summary of response

How much has the council spent on developing a net zero strategy? - The current strategy runs until 2025. We haven’t spent anything on ‘developing’ the strategy since 2020. We have brought forward the review date to this year and are going through the process at the moment.

What steps is the council taking to reduce carbon emissions to reach net zero? - Please go to our website where this information is available. https://eastdevon.gov.uk/climate-change/climate-change/ As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - information reasonably accessible to the requestor via other means

Date responded: 6 February 2024

Council housing, mould and unsafe

Date submitted: 17 January 2024

Summary of request

How many occupied council-owned residential properties are currently affected by internal mould? How many occupied council-owned residential properties are currently deemed unsafe?
How many occupied council-owned residential properties are currently waiting for repairs?
How many occupied council-owned residential properties are currently waiting for fire safety mitigations?

Summary of response

How many occupied council-owned residential properties are currently affected by internal mould? - 318
How many occupied council-owned residential properties are currently deemed unsafe? - 18
How many occupied council-owned residential properties are currently waiting for repairs? - 1118
How many occupied council-owned residential properties are currently waiting for fire safety mitigations? - 0

Date responded: 19 February 2024

Cost of training Unconscious Bias training

Date submitted: 17 January 2024

Summary of request

How much in total the council spent on unconscious bias training in the years 2022/23?
How much the council spent on their Stonewall subscription in the years 2022/23 (if applicable)?

Summary of response

How much in total the council spent on unconscious bias training in the years 2022/23? - No training specifically named ‘unconscious bias’ however this would be covered off in our Diversity and Equality Training.

How much the council spent on their Stonewall subscription in the years 2022/23 (if applicable)? - EDDC doesn't have a subscription to Stonewall. Our eLearning system Nexus Totara cost £9000 per annum which covers/provides all our mandatory training and for approximately 500 staff.

Date responded: 13 February 2024

Communications in relation to boycott or divestment policies

Date submitted: 17 January 2024

Summary of request

Details of any internal communications regarding the implementation of boycott or divestment policies by the council?

Summary of response

You requested details of any internal communications regarding the implementation of boycott or divestment policies by the council? - Information not held. EDDC do not have a boycott or divestment policy.

Date responded: 17 January 2024

Household waste collection data

Date submitted: 17 January 2024

Summary of request

What percentage of household waste bins were collected on time in 2022-3?
How many household waste bins were collected late in 2022-3?


How many different types of household waste bins (e.g. plastic recycling/general waste/paper recycling/garden waste) are collected by the council?

Summary of response

What percentage of household waste bins were collected on time in 2022-3? - We do not record this data
How many household waste bins were collected late in 2022-3? - We do not record this data

How many different types of household waste bins (e.g. plastic recycling/general waste/paper recycling/garden waste) are collected by the council?

Wheeled waste bins = 74,200 (collected three weekly)
Recycling boxes = 74,200 (collected weekly)
Recycling sacks = 74,200 (collected weekly)
Recycling caddies = 74,200 (collected weekly)
Wheeled green waste bins = 20,000 (collected fortnightly)


Date responded: 24 January 2024

Days lost to Strike Action

Date submitted: 17 January 2024

Summary of request

I would like to request the following information in the format provided below for the period 1 January 2023 to 1 January 2024.

The cumulative total of days of work lost due to strikes by council workers/employees

Days should be defined by the number of officials who took strike action times by the number of days those officials engaged in strike action.

If unable to provide days, please provide number of council officials took strike action in this period and the number of days that council staff engaged in strike action.

Number of council officials took strike action in this period
Number of days that council staff engaged in strike action

Summary of response

I would like to request the following information in the format provided below for the period 1 January 2023 to 1 January 2024.

The cumulative total of days of work lost due to strikes by council workers/employees - Nil

Days should be defined by the number of officials who took strike action times by the number of days those officials engaged in strike action.

If unable to provide days, please provide number of council officials took strike action in this period and the number of days that council staff engaged in strike action.

Number of council officials took strike action in this period - Nil
Number of days that council staff engaged in strike action - Nil

Date responded: 5 February 2024

Spend on private Car hire

Date submitted: 17 January 2024

Summary of request

Details of any spending on private car hire and chauffeur services and details of who received these services in the 2022-23 financial year.

Summary of response

You requested to know details of any spending on private car hire and chauffeur services and details of who received these services in the 2022-23 financial year - Nil spend.

Date responded: 31 January 2024

External spend on consultants

Date submitted: 17 January 2024

Summary of request

Total annual spend on external consultants
Breakdown of cost of external consultants listed by relevant project
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23

Summary of response

You requested information on the total annual spend on external consultants.
Breakdown of cost of external consultants listed by relevant project
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23


This information is covered by the Scrutiny Committee reports as published:

2020/21 = Agenda for Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 2nd December, 2021, 6.00 pm - East Devon
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=148&MId=1767&Ver=4

2021/22 = Agenda for Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 2nd March, 2023, 6.00 pm - East Devon
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=148&MId=1976&Ver=4

2022/23 = Agenda for Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, 24th January, 2024, 6.00 pm - East Devon
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=148&MId=2254&Ver=4

As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

Date responded: 24 January 2024

Veterans and homelessness

Date submitted: 16 January 2024

Summary of request

The number of armed forces veterans residing in your local authority for each of the years a) 2018, b) 2019, c) 2020, d) 2021, e) 2022, f) 2023

The number of armed forces veterans who were identified as at risk of homelessness in your local authority for each of the years a) 2018, b) 2019, c) 2020, d) 2021, e) 2022, f) 2023

The number of armed forces veterans who were identified as at risk of homelessness due to a Section 21 notice in your local authority for each of the years a) 2018, b) 2019, c) 2020, d) 2021, e) 2022, f) 2023

Summary of response

We are unable to answer the first question.

The number of armed forces veterans who were identified as at risk of homelessness in your local authority for each of the years a) 2018, b) 2019, c) 2020, d) 2021, e) 2022, f) 2023:

2018 53
2019 85
2020 59
2021 49
2022 74
2023 67

The number of armed forces veterans who were identified as at risk of homelessness due to a Section 21 notice in your local authority for each of the years a) 2018, b) 2019, c) 2020, d) 2021, e) 2022, f) 2023:

2018 0
2019 22
2020 15
2021 14
2022 36
2023 25

Date responded: 6 February 2024

S106 Financial Contributions

Date submitted: 16 January 2024

Summary of request


Please can you help, I am focusing on S106 documents agreed and signed between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2016, with particular attention to the following:

1. The current status of unallocated or unspent funds, focusing on the categories of Education Contribution, Open Spaces and Environmental Improvements Contribution, Health Facilities Contribution, and the Community Centre Contribution.
2. Any projects or initiatives that have been identified for the utilization of these unallocated funds.
3. The council's plans or considerations for allocating the remaining funds, ensuring they are utilized effectively for the benefit of the community.

Moreover, I would appreciate receiving any relevant documents or reports that outline the allocation and expenditure of these funds and the planning references for the corresponding sums.

Summary of response

I am focusing on S106 documents agreed and signed between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2016, with particular attention to the following:

1. The current status of unallocated or unspent funds, focusing on the categories of Education Contribution, Open Spaces and Environmental Improvements Contribution, Health Facilities Contribution, and the Community Centre Contribution - This information is available through the Council’s planning obligations dashboard at: East Devon PFM - Home (exacom.co.uk) https://pfm.exacom.co.uk/eastdevon/ As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.
2. Any projects or initiatives that have been identified for the utilization of these unallocated funds - By definition unallocated funds will not have an identified project or initiative.
3. The council's plans or considerations for allocating the remaining funds, ensuring they are utilized effectively for the benefit of the community - We are working to bolster our staff resources to aid the collection and spend of Section 106 monies. Please see report to Strategic Planning Committee of the 5th September 2023 at: 6. S106CILResourcesandProcesses2023.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk). The recommendation referred to in the report were all agreed and the posts referred to are currently being advertised.

https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/s21223/6.%20S106CILResourcesandProcesses2023.pdf

Date responded: 31 January 2024

Maternity leave

Date submitted: 16 January 2024

Summary of request

1. Total number of staff that went on maternity leave since 2012?
2. Average length of maternity leave mothers has taken since 2012? E.g. 9 months or 1 year
3. Total number of mothers that returned full time to work after maternity leave?
4. Total number of mothers that returned to work part time following maternity leave?
5. Total number of mothers that did not return to work at all following maternity leave?
6. Number of stress absences after turning to work post birth in the first 2 years?
7. How many management instructions or disciplinaries related to mothers returning to work post birth? E.g. off for too many periods of time
8. What is your policy for staff needing time off to take care of their children or take their children to doctors’ appointments?
9. Do staff have to take unpaid leave to take care of their sick children, or do they get paid?
10. Do you carry out a health and safety risk assessment for pregnant women?
11. What is your maternity pay policy?
12. Are women explained their pregnancy rights when they tell their employer/manager they are pregnant?
13. Total number of employment tribunal claims since 2012 taken by mothers against the Council for any case with ‘maternity’ or ‘pregnancy’ mentioned since 2012?
14. Reason for employment tribunal claims if stated.
15. Total number of successful tribunals claims against the Council for any case with ‘maternity’ or ‘pregnancy’ mentioned since 2012?

Summary of response


1. Total number of staff that went on maternity leave since 2012? - 48 (two of which are current)
2. Average length of maternity leave mothers has taken since 2012? E.g. 9 months or 1 year - 43.46 weeks.
3. Total number of mothers that returned full time to work after maternity leave? - 20
4. Total number of mothers that returned to work part time following maternity leave? - 25 (of which 18 were part time prior to absence)
5. Total number of mothers that did not return to work at all following maternity leave? - 1
6. Number of stress absences after turning to work post birth in the first 2 years? - 10
7. How many management instructions or disciplinaries related to mothers returning to work post birth? E.g. off for too many periods of time - None
8. What is your policy for staff needing time off to take care of their children or take their children to doctors’ appointments? - See attached policy.
9. Do staff have to take unpaid leave to take care of their sick children, or do they get paid? - See attached policy.
10. Do you carry out a health and safety risk assessment for pregnant women? - Receipt of written notification that an employee is pregnant will immediately trigger consideration of a risk assessment where the employee’s work involves risks from working arrangements or from legally specified physical, biological, or chemical agents that may pose a risk of harm or danger to the employee or their baby. This is regularly reviewed throughout up to commencement of maternity leave
11. What is your maternity pay policy? - 6 weeks @ 90% of average pay, 12 weeks at half pay plus SMP, 21 weeks at SMP only
12. Are women explained their pregnancy rights when they tell their employer/manager they are pregnant? - Yes. A letter is sent to employees to confirm receipt of notification of their pregnancy and this letter directs employees to the Maternity Leave Policy, which explains the employee’s rights.
13. Total number of employment tribunal claims since 2012 taken by mothers against the Council for any case with ‘maternity’ or ‘pregnancy’ mentioned since 2012? - None
14. Reason for employment tribunal claims if stated. - NA
15. Total number of successful tribunals claims against the Council for any case with ‘maternity’ or ‘pregnancy’ mentioned since 2012? - NA

Date responded: 2 February 2024

Pollution incident Exmouth

Date submitted: 12 January 2024

Summary of request

Following a burst to a rising sewer main there was a pollution incident declared in Exmouth by the Environment Agency over the period 1-4 January. SWW reported this to the Environment Agency.

As the discharge is into a designated shellfish water SWW is also required under regulations to notify yourselves as the Local Food Authority https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-companies-environmental-permits-for-storm-overflows-and-emergency-overflows/water-companies-environmental-permits-for-storm-overflows-and-emergency-overflows

Please can you confirm if and when SWW notified you of this incident?

Summary of response

You requested if and when SWW notified EDDC of a pollution incident declared in Exmouth by the Environment Agency over the period 1-4 January.

EDDC Environmental Health received the following notification from SWW which we believe may relevant to the request:

• 31/12/2023 00:39 – Small spill from Phear Park SPST, Withycombe, Exmouth.

Two other reports were received in/or around the time period specified but were not in Exmouth.

Date responded: 31 January 2024

Sport and leisure services and facilities

Date submitted: 10 January 2024

Summary of request

1) How much has the council spent on sport and leisure services and facilities between 2018 and 2023? This includes: Leisure centres, parks, grass pitches, all publicly accessible swimming pools, health and fitness facilities and sports halls.
Please provide a figure of how much was spent for each year in the five-year period by text on email, through an excel spreadsheet or a Microsoft Word document.

2) How many sport and leisure facilities operated by the council have closed between 2018 and 2023?
Please provide the number of closures for each year in the five-year period?

Summary of response

1) How much has the council spent on sport and leisure services and facilities between 2018 and 2023? This includes: Leisure centres, parks, grass pitches, all publicly accessible swimming pools, health and fitness facilities and sports halls -

2018/19 - 2,615,224
2019/20 - 2,677,966
2020/21 - 3,941,180
2021/22 - 3,205,803
2022/23 - 4,381,128
2023/24 - 3,694,100
Total - 20,515,401


2) How many sport and leisure facilities operated by the council have closed between 2018 and 2023? - None
Please provide the number of closures for each year in the five-year period? - N/A

Date responded: 2 February 2024

Council Tax Accounts banded schemes

Date submitted: 10 January 2024

Summary of request

1. What is the name of your Local Authority

2.What was your in year collection rate (%) for the year 2022/23?

3.Was your Council Tax Reduction delivered through a banded scheme in 2022/23
Yes
No

4.If yes, please provide the link to the application on your website

5.How many Council Tax Accounts did you have in the year 2022/23?
for this and the following questions, please assume 1 account per property, where there are in year changes in liability

6.How many accounts had an award of Council Tax Reduction in 2022/23?

7.Of the accounts in Q6, how many were issued with a final notice within the year 22/23?

8.Of the accounts in Q6, how many progressed to liability order within the year 22/23?

9.Of the remaining accounts without Council Tax Reduction, how many were issued with a final notice within the year 22/23

10.Of the remaining accounts without Council Tax Reduction, how many progressed to liability order within the year 22/23

Summary of response

1.What is the name of your Local Authority - East Devon District Council

2.What was your in year collection rate (%) for the year 2022/23? - 98.74%

3.Was your Council Tax Reduction delivered through a banded scheme in 2022/23 - Yes

4.If yes, please provide the link to the application on your website - Apply for Council Tax Reduction Working Age Only - East Devon

5.How many Council Tax Accounts did you have in the year 2022/23? For this and the following questions, please assume 1 account per property, where there are in year changes in liability - As At 26.03.23 there were 73,600 Properties

6.How many accounts had an award of Council Tax Reduction in 2022/23? - As at 27.03.2023 – 8117 CTR claims

7.Of the accounts in Q6, how many were issued with a final notice within the year 22/23? - Only hold details of total Finals notices issued, not split between CTR and Non CTR accounts

8.Of the accounts in Q6, how many progressed to liability order within the year 22/23? - Only hold details of total Liability orders issued, not split between CTR and Non CTR accounts

9.Of the remaining accounts without Council Tax Reduction, how many were issued with a final notice within the year 22/23 - As per Q7

10.Of the remaining accounts without Council Tax Reduction, how many progressed to liability order within the year 22/23 - As per Q8

Date responded: 31 January 2024

EV charge point accessibility

Date submitted: 10 January 2024

Summary of request

I am after information relating to electric charge point access for disabled/motability drivers.

If the request proves too broad, or exceeds the allocated time allowance for an FOI request, could you please focus on questions 2, 3, 4 and 5 as priority and inform me? In particular, I am after the following information:
Q1. How many electric vehicle public charging outlets or chargepoints have you installed in your local authority to date that are classed as on-street residential chargepoints, located in residential streets or areas? Please provide figures to the nearest possible date and include the month and the year the figures correspond to.

Q2. For Question 1, how many on-street residential charging outlets or chargepoints have you installed to date in your local authority that have been adapted specifically for disabled users? Please provide figures to the nearest possible date and include the month and year the figures correspond to.

Q3. For Question 1, how many on-street public charging outlets or chargepoints are positioned in disabled parking bays?

Q4. For Question 1, how many of the on-street residential chargepoints in your area adapted for disabled users conform to the BSI’s latest accessible charging specification (PAS 1899:2022)? Please provide figures to the nearest possible date and include the month and year the figures correspond to.

Q5. Does your electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy include specific considerations for elderly and / or disabled users?

Q6. Do you provide any additional support for disabled or elderly users wanting to access public chargepoints for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, such as charge-point assistants or roaming charging services?

Q7. Do you support or provide marketing tools to residents to make finding charge point services easier, such as charge point booking or journey planning technologies?

Summary of response

As a district authority we do not have jurisdiction for the highway and therefore have not installed any on-street charge points.
Questions 1-4 are therefore Information not held.

Q5 – Our Parking Strategy is currently in development, although we work closely with the County Council when planning our EV infrastructure
Q6 – Not at this time. Please note that we are not the Highway authority.
Q7 – Not at this time. Please note that we are not the Highway authority.

Date responded: 31 January 2024

Donkeys/ mules in licensed commercial operations

Date submitted: 10 January 2024

Summary of request

1.
• The number of operators using donkeys and mules registered under the Hiring of Horses licence.
• The number of donkeys/ mules these businesses own.
• The postcodes of these businesses.
• Please give data for the last three years

2.
• The number of businesses using donkeys and mules registered under the Keeping for Exhibition licence.
• The number of donkeys/ mules these businesses own.
• The postcodes of these businesses.
• Please give data for the last three years.

Summary of response

1.
• The number of operators using donkeys and mules registered under the Hiring of Horses licence - Zero
• The number of donkeys/ mules these businesses own - N/A
• The postcodes of these businesses - N/A
• Please give data for the last three years - N/A

2.
• The number of businesses using donkeys and mules registered under the Keeping for Exhibition licence - Zero
• The number of donkeys/ mules these businesses own - N/A
• The postcodes of these businesses - N/A
• Please give data for the last three years - N/A

Date responded: 2 February 2024

Construction of parklets

Date submitted: 10 January 2024

Summary of request

This is an information request relating to the construction of parklets.

Please include the following information for each of the following financial years; 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23:
• Total number of parklets
• Cost of installation of parklet
• Cost of maintenance of the parklet
• Reason for building parklet
• Location of parklet

Summary of response

You requested information on Parklets. You need to refer your request to Devon County Council as they manage applications for sidewalk extensions.

Please include the following information for each of the following financial years; 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23:
• Total number of parklets
• Cost of installation of parklet
• Cost of maintenance of the parklet
• Reason for building parklet
• Location of parklet

Date responded: 24 January 2024

Household Support Fund

Date submitted: 8 January 2024

Summary of request

1. The number of applications to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2023 – 31 December 2023.
2. The monetary amount of support provided to applicants to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2023 – 1 December 2023.
3. The number of successful applicants to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2023 – 31 December 2023.
4. What is the outstanding monetary amount from the Household Support Fund that is available before the scheme ends on 31 March 2024.

Summary of response

1. The number of applications to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2023 – 31 December 2023.

718 open applications (does not included targeted support)

2. The monetary amount of support provided to applicants to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2023 – 1 December 2023.

£384,692.34 (includes targeted support and open applications)

3. The number of successful applicants to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2023 – 31 December 2023.

316 (open applications only)

4. What is the outstanding monetary amount from the Household Support Fund that is available before the scheme ends on 31 March 2024.

£261,374 (note: we have another set of targeted support we are aiming to send out between the end of Jan to mid-February, currently working on the cohorts and amounts).

Date responded: 24 January 2024

Gender/Demographics gas engineers/tradespeople

Date submitted: 5 January 2024

Summary of request

- How many council-employed gas engineers do you have in your council at the moment in total?
- How many council-employed gas engineers do you have in your council at the moment who are males?
- How many council-employed gas engineers do you have in your council at the moment who are females?
- How many council-employed tradespeople do you have in your council in total at the moment?*
- How many council-employed tradespeople do you have in your council at the moment who are males?
- How many council-employed tradespeople do you have in your council at the moment who are females?

Summary of response

You requested to know how many gas engineers and tradespeople we employ and gender. The council does not directly employ any gas engineers or tradespeople.

- How many council-employed gas engineers do you have in your council at the moment in total?
- How many council-employed gas engineers do you have in your council at the moment who are males?
- How many council-employed gas engineers do you have in your council at the moment who are females?
- How many council-employed tradespeople do you have in your council in total at the moment?*
- How many council-employed tradespeople do you have in your council at the moment who are males?
- How many council-employed tradespeople do you have in your council at the moment who are females?

Date responded: 24 January 2024

Claims management software to manage insurance claims

Date submitted: 5 January 2024

Summary of request

1. Do you use claims management software to manage your insurance claims?

2. What is the name of the software system you currently use?

3. When is the contract for your current system up for renewal?

4. What is the total annual cost of the system on an annual basis, over the last 5 years?

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5

Summary of response

1. Do you use claims management software to manage your insurance claims? - Yes

2. What is the name of the software system you currently use? - JCAD Lachs

3. When is the contract for your current system up for renewal? - Aug 2024

4. What is the total annual cost of the system on an annual basis, over the last 5 years?

Year 1 £2,187 2022/23
Year 2 £2,400 2023/24
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5

Date responded: 24 January 2024

Equal pay claims

Date submitted: 3 January 2024

Summary of request

1.
How many equal pay claims have been made against your council in the time period between 31 December 2018 and 29 December 2023.

2.
Please share the cost of claims closed/settled with compensation paid for successful claims in the last five years (31 December 2018 and 29 December 2023) in relation to equal pay claims. Please include the following information in the table:
Compensation paid
Defence costs paid
Claimant Costs Paid
Total Paid

3.
What is your council's current estimated equal pay liability?

Summary of response


1. How many equal pay claims have been made against your council in the time period between 31 December 2018 and 29 December 2023 - None.

2. Please share the cost of claims closed/settled with compensation paid for successful claims in the last five years (31 December 2018 and 29 December 2023) in relation to equal pay claims - Not Applicable, as per Q1.

Please include the following information in the table:
Compensation paid
Defence costs paid
Claimant Costs Paid
Total Paid

3. What is your council's current estimated equal pay liability? - Nil.

Date responded: 12 January 2024

Climate Emergency Declaration

Date submitted: 3 January 2024

Summary of request

I would like to request the following information:

1. Do you have a full-time officer solely dedicated to managing your declared climate and/or nature emergency? Yes/No

2. Does your policy/strategy specify that some or all planning applications that could affect trees must include a tree canopy cover assessment as supporting information? Yes/No

3. Do you have a professional tree officer dedicated to advise on planning applications that could affect existing trees? Yes/No

4. Do you have standard planning conditions that specifically require that the supply, planting, and maintenance of new trees must be complaint with BS 8545 (2014) Trees: from nursery to independence in the landscape – Recommendations? Yes/No

Summary of response

1. Do you have a full-time officer solely dedicated to managing your declared climate and/or nature emergency? - Yes

2. Does your policy/strategy specify that some or all planning applications that could affect trees must include a tree canopy cover assessment as supporting information? - No

3. Do you have a professional tree officer dedicated to advise on planning applications that could affect existing trees? - Yes

4. Do you have standard planning conditions that specifically require that the supply, planting, and maintenance of new trees must be complaint with BS 8545 (2014) Trees: from nursery to independence in the landscape – Recommendations? - No

Date responded: 4 January 2024

Homeless Deaths 2023

Date submitted: 3 January 2024

Summary of request

Please can I request the number of deaths from 1st January 2023 – 31st December 2023 (inclusive) in each of the following housing situations in your local authority area:

• accommodation for homeless people commissioned by your council, including hostels and supported accommodation for people identified as rough sleeping or with a history of rough sleeping
• exempt accommodation
• temporary accommodation commissioned by your local authority
• supported accommodation for homeless young people commissioned by your council
• rough sleeping or with no fixed abode

Where you have access to any of the following information, please include the cause of death or suspected cause of death, date of death, the person’s gender, the person’s age when they died, their ethnicity, and their immigration status. If you cannot provide any of this additional information, then please just provide the number of deaths.

Please provide the information in the Excel document attached.

Summary of response

Please can I request the number of deaths from 1st January 2023 – 31st December 2023 (inclusive) in each of the following housing situations in your local authority area - Zero

• accommodation for homeless people commissioned by your council, including hostels and supported accommodation for people identified as rough sleeping or with a history of rough sleeping - 0
• exempt accommodation - 0
• temporary accommodation commissioned by your local authority - 0
• supported accommodation for homeless young people commissioned by your council - N/A
• rough sleeping or with no fixed abode - 0

Date responded: 4 January 2024

Jubilee play park cost of refurbishment

Date submitted: 3 January 2024

Summary of request

a, When were the public of Beer consulted about the changed to the Jubilee play park as per the Play Strategy 2022-2032?
b, What is the cost of the refurbishment project?
3, What are the time scales?

Summary of response

• When were the public of Beer consulted about the changed to the Jubilee play park as per the Play Strategy 2022-2032? - Here is the section of the play strategy relevant to your query:

Most refurbishment and renewal of play facilities in East Devon involves community consultation or the participatory budgeting process, with local children and parents providing ideas and requests for facilities in their community. This helps develop an increased feeling of community ownership, helping reduce the risk of vandalism and other anti-social behaviour.

It should be noted that the first word in the paragraph is ‘most’ and not ‘all’ or ‘every’ and therefore the process is subject to change in certain circumstances.

Prior to this procurement process, EDDC’s Public Engagement officer would often consult with the people who are likely to use the facility, such as children in primary schools, youth groups and children aged 11-14 in secondary schools. Unfortunately, EDDC didn’t have the resources to consult in this way for this procurement process. It was agreed that EDDC would consult with local Town and Parish Councils instead, with the knowledge that they would be aware of issues and requests raised by the local community. Beer PC were comprehensive in their challenge of the proposed design and tried very hard to meet the expectations of the local community, requesting swings and several other items of equipment. EDDC met with Beer PC to discuss the requests and agree how best to proceed.

• What is the cost of the refurbishment project? - Jubilee play area renewal is part of a much larger contract to upgrade 5 sites across the District. The total contract sum is £400k and our preferred supplier is Kompan.

• What are the time scales? - The equipment is currently being manufactured for all 5 sites and installation is expected to take place throughout the Spring. We are striving to complete the contract prior to the start of the school summer holidays 2024.

Date responded: 24 January 2024

Rent algorithms

Date submitted: 3 January 2024

Summary of request

I'm requesting information on any rent-prediction or rent-gathering algorithms used by the council. Please provide me a list of tools, either in-house or through a third-party agent, the council uses to:

• Analyse the cost of housing in the area
• Predict a tenant's ability to pay rent
• Facilitate a tenant paying their rent

I would also like a copy of the most recent risk assessment of any algorithms that are used.

Summary of response

You requested to know if the council uses any rent-prediction or rent-gathering algorithms. The council does not currently use rent-prediction or rent-gathering algorithms.

Date responded: 4 January 2024

Recreational impacts in Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

Date submitted: 19 December 2023

Summary of request

1. Have you received communication from Natural England, or consultants on behalf of Natural England, concerning recreational impacts in Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) as a result of new housing development?
2. Has Natural England designated any part of this local authority a Zone of Influence (ZOI)?
3. If yes, how much land (km) is currently designated a ZOI?
4. Have you been advised to implement an exclusion zone due to the impact of net increases in development?
5. If yes, how large is the boundary of the exclusion zone?
6. Have you been advised to implement a presumption against net increases of residential development in specified areas of the local authority due to a ZOI?
7. How many homes are currently help up as a result of the interim position?
8. Have you worked with any developers to agree a recreational impact mitigation scheme and allow home building to resume?

Summary of response

1. Have you received communication from Natural England, or consultants on behalf of Natural England, concerning recreational impacts in Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) as a result of new housing development? - Yes – in relation to the Exe Estuary SAC and East Devon Pebblebed Heaths SAC
2. Has Natural England designated any part of this local authority a Zone of Influence (ZOI)? - This is work we have done ourselves, but we have an agreed zone of influence around both sites.
3. If yes, how much land (km) is currently designated a ZOI? - 10km
4. Have you been advised to implement an exclusion zone due to the impact of net increases in development? - Again, this has arisen from work that we have commissioned rather than directly from advise from Natural England but there is an exclusion zone.
5. If yes, how large is the boundary of the exclusion zone? - 400m
6. Have you been advised to implement a presumption against net increases of residential development in specified areas of the local authority due to a ZOI? - No
7. How many homes are currently held up as a result of the interim position? - None – This is not an interim position. The issues were identified some years ago and we have a joint mitigation strategy in place with Exeter City Council and Teignbridge District Council to deliver mitigation to address recreational impacts of new residential developments on the protected habitats.
8. Have you worked with any developers to agree a recreational impact mitigation scheme and allow home building to resume?- See answer to 7 above. More information is available on our web-site at: Habitat Mitigation - East Devon

Date responded: 4 January 2024

The 'Exmouth Eye' big wheel

Date submitted: 15 December 2023

Summary of request

• How many people used the ‘Exmouth Eye’ big wheel in the summer of 2023?
• How many people used the big wheel in the summer of 2019?
• What was the busiest single day for the wheel in 2023 in terms of users?
• How much did the wheel cost EDDC to install?
• How much money did the wheel generate through admissions (and other sources of income if applicable)?
• How much of a profit/loss did EDDC make from the big wheel in 2023?

Summary of response

• How many people used the ‘Exmouth Eye’ big wheel in the summer of 2023? - Information not held
• How many people used the big wheel in the summer of 2019? - Information not held
• What was the busiest single day for the wheel in 2023 in terms of users? - Information not held
• How much did the wheel cost EDDC to install? - Planning application was the only cost incurred, which was £400.
• How much money did the wheel generate through admissions (and other sources of income if applicable)? - Information not held
• How much of a profit/loss did EDDC make from the big wheel in 2023? - EDDC charged the Operator £3400, so £3000 profit.

Date responded: 4 January 2024

Minutes of East Devon Safety Advisory Group held 11th October 2023

Date submitted: 15 December 2023

Summary of request

Copy of the Minutes of East Devon Safety Advisory Group held 11th October 2023.

Summary of response

You requested a copy of the Minutes of East Devon Safety Advisory Group held 11th October 2023. This is a closed meeting and what is discussed in the meeting is in confidence with the attendees. Publishing information regarding safety and security arrangements of events being held in East Devon could be utilised in the perpetration of a malicious act and, therefore, endanger the physical or mental health of the staff and spectators. The public interest in maintaining public safety and wellbeing and not putting it at potential risk by disclosing the withheld information outweighs the public interest in openness and transparency regarding health and safety measures. Therefore the information you have requested is withheld under section 38(1)(a) of the FOI Act 2000 – Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to – (a) Endanger the physical or mental health of any individual.

Date responded: 16 January 2024

Audit Committee Annual/External Reviews

Date submitted: 13 December 2023

Summary of request

CIPFA Guidance on Local Authority Audit Committees states that “Recommended practice is for audit committees to review and assess themselves annually or to seek an external review.”

We realise that the committee with audit related responsibilities are not always called ‘Audit Committee’. Please can you confirm what the title of this committee is within your local authority and answer the following questions in relation to that committee.

a) Internal Annual Review of Audit Committee
For each of the last five financial years please provide me with a copy of the audit committee’s annual review of its work. Please state the date the review was published and how it was made public at the time.

b) External Review of Audit Committee
Please confirm the most recent date that an external review of the audit committee was sought, who undertook that review, when and where it was published and provide a copy of the review.

Summary of response

The South West Audit Partnership have conducted an Internal Audit review and these were reported to the Audit and Governance Committee at EDDC on 25/07/2019: 24/09/2020; 29/07/2021; 28/07/2022; 27/07/2023 – details are available from the Council’s website: Committee details - Audit and Governance Committee - East Devon. https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=149

The Audit and Governance Committee terms of reference are available in the Council’s Constitution which is available on the Council’s website: part-3-section-2-terms-of-reference-and-delegated-powers-of-committees.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk) https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/kttpmhuk/part-3-section-2-terms-of-reference-and-delegated-powers-of-committees.pdf

In line with the 2018 CIPFA guidance and the 2022 updated position statement it is stated that an internal review is one of the ways the committee can demonstrate its effectiveness:
• Page 7 of the guidance: report regularly on its work to those charges with governance, and at least annually report an assessment of their performance. An annual public report should demonstrate how the committee has discharges its responsibilities. The guidance also includes a self-assessment of good practice (Appendix D) and evaluating the effectiveness of the audit committee (Appendix E)

A knowledgeable and experienced membership (page 43 Developing Audit Committee effectiveness) is also stated as an essential requirement for delivering effectiveness. We are currently in the process of assessing this based on the results of a questionnaire issued to members earlier this year.

External reviews are mentioned on page 47 of the CIPFA guidance, These are not mandatory and is generally ‘where the committee is struggling and an external assessment may be an appropriate way to evaluate the committee and develop an action plan for improvement’. The Committee is not in this position.

In terms of Internal audit we are required to have an external assessment at least every 5 years. Our last one was carried out in February 2020 and confirmed conformance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.

Date responded: 11 January 2024

Independence of Audit and/or Scrutiny Committee Chairs

Date submitted: 13 December 2023

Summary of request

The independence of scrutiny committees and audit committees has been identified in a number of Public Interest Reports as being an important factor in facilitating meaningful scrutiny and challenge within local authorities.

If your local authority doesn’t not have an overview and scrutiny system please answer the following in relation to the committee within your councils which has audit responsibilities.

If your local authority has an overview and scrutiny system please note that as audit committees are not formally treated as part of scrutiny it may be that they are treated differently in the council’s constitution and policies.

Please confirm whether you are responding to this request in relation to scrutiny committees and/or audit committees.

If your local authority has an overview and scrutiny committee system, please confirm how many committees (excluding audit) are part of that system?

Policy on Selection & Appointment of Committee Chairs: Please provide the council’s current policy on selection and appointment of scrutiny committee chairs and audit committee chairs. Please either copy and paste the section of council policy relating to the selection of scrutiny and audit committee chairs or provide a link and details of the section/sub-section within the document where we can locate this information.

Current Political Configuration of Committee Chairs/Conveners: Please provide a figure showing what percentage of current scrutiny and audit committee chairs (or conveners) are members of an opposition party to the main controlling party or controlling coalition.

Summary of response

You requested information regarding the council's Scrutiny Committee. Please see our response below:

• EDDC has an overview and scrutiny committee system, excluding audit, there are 2 committees: Scrutiny Committee and Overview Committee. There is also a 3rd committee with a scrutiny function, the Housing Review Board.

• The appointment of the Scrutiny Committee Chair is made under the terms of the Constitution (see page 59): https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/constitution/
2.3. Scrutiny Committee
2.3.1. Membership: 15 Councillors (subject to the rules relating to political balance / proportionality). The Chair shall be a Councillor from the opposition party / group agreed at Annual Council but in the event that no Councillor is proposed by the opposition then the Leader shall retain the right to nominate the Chair.

• The current Chair of the Scrutiny Committee is a member of the opposition party (Conservative Group)


Date responded: 4 January 2024

Use of Scrutiny Call-In Mechanism

Date submitted: 13 December 2023

Summary of request

This request relates to uses of the call-in mechanism that forms part of the overview and scrutiny committee system.

If your authority has an overview and scrutiny system please answer the following:

For the past ten years, please confirm how many decisions taken by the council’s cabinet/executive were available for call-in.

Please provide a table showing a breakdown of the following for each year since 2013.
For each year please state how many call-ins there were.
For each call-in please show which committee called them in, what the response was, the topic and provide a link to the relevant committee where the call was discussed.

Summary of response

For the past ten years, please confirm how many decisions taken by the council’s cabinet/executive were available for call-in.

Please provide a table showing a breakdown of the following for each year since 2013.
For each year please state how many call-ins there were.
For each call-in please show which committee called them in, what the response was, the topic and provide a link to the relevant committee where the call was discussed.


Please note that minutes on the website and the system only go back to June 2015.

Scrutiny Committee minutes following call-ins:

7 February 2019 – Portfolio Holder decision regarding a discretionary Home Stay grant repayment Agenda for Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 7th February, 2019, 6.00 pm - East Devon (minute 50) https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=148&MId=144&Ver=4

24 October 2019 – Cabinet decision (minute 66) on car parking tariff review Agenda for Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 24th October, 2019, 6.00 pm - East Devon (minute 33) https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=148&MId=1300&Ver=4

5 March 2020 – Cabinet decision (minute 140) on Queens Drive Development project Agenda for Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 5th March, 2020, 6.00 pm - East Devon (minute 66) https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=148&MId=251&Ver=4

8 April 2021 – Portfolio Holder decision regarding proposed price increase for beach huts and beach hut sites for season/financial year 2021-22 Agenda for Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 8th April, 2021, 6.00 pm - East Devon (minute 145) https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=148&MId=1480&Ver=4

Date responded: 12 January 2024

HR, renewables, Riddor

Date submitted: 13 December 2023

Summary of request

We are currently conducting research analysing UK data about the following topics: mental health, careers & jobs and sustainability and I was wondering if you could help us by sending us the most updated data you have about the East Devon. It would be amazing if you could help!
We need the following information to complete our research:
• How many staff members are in your council
• How many mental health-trained staff members are in your council
• How many first aid-trained staff members are in your council
• How many council properties with solar panels installed this year
• How many total council properties with solar panels installed
• How many total council properties with renewables installed
• How many council properties with renewables installed this year
• How many RIDDOR reportable incidents in council properties
• How many gas-related incidents in council properties

Summary of response

We need the following information to complete our research:
How many staff members are in your council – 553
How many mental health-trained staff members are in your council – There are 11 mental health first aiders across the organisation and one post which deals specifically with mental health of sheltered housing tenants.
How many first aid-trained staff members are in your council – There are 43 employees designated as first aiders
How many council properties with solar panels installed this year – 92
How many total council properties with solar panels installed – 130
How many total council properties with renewables installed – 249
How many council properties with renewables installed this year – 95
How many RIDDOR reportable incidents in council properties – 3
How many gas-related incidents in council properties – 1

Date responded: 11 January 2024

ICT contracts

Date submitted: 13 December 2023

Summary of request

This is a request for information that relates to the organisation’s contracts around ICT contract(s) for Server Hardware Maintenance, Server Virtualisation Licenses and Maintenance and Storage Area Network (SAN) Maintenance/Support, which may include:

• Server Hardware Maintenance- contracts relating to the support and maintenance of the organisation’s physical servers.
• Virtualisation Maintenance/Support/ Licensing (VMware, Solaris, Unix, Linux, Windows Server)
• Storage Area Network Maintenance/Support (EMC, NetApp etc)

For each of the types of contract described above, please can you provide me with the following data. If there is more than one contract please split the information for each separate supplier this includes annual spend

1. Contract Title: Please provide me with the contract title.
2. Type of Contracts (ABOVE): Please can you provide me with one or more contract types the contract relates to: Server Hardware, Virtualisation, SAN (Storage Area Network)
3. Existing/Current Supplier: Please provide me with the supplier name for each contract.
4. Brand: Please state the brand of hardware or software
5. Operating System / Software (Platform): (Windows, Linux, Unix, Vsphere, AIX, Solaris etc.) Please state the operating system used by the organisation.
6. Annual Average Spend: Please provide me with the most recent annual spend for this contract?
7. Contract Duration: (Please can you also include notes if the contract includes any contract Extension periods.)
8. Contract Expiry Date: Please can you provide me with the date of when the contract expires.
9. Contract Review Date: (An approximate date of when the organisation is planning to review this particular contract.)
10. Purchase of Servers: Could you please provide me with the month and year in which most/bulk of servers were purchased.
11. Number of Physical Server: Please can you provide me with the number of physical servers.
12. Number of Virtual Servers: Please can you provide me with the number of Virtual servers
13. Brief Contract Description: I require a brief description of the service provided under this contract. Please do not just put maintenance. I need at least a sentence.
14.Contract Owner: (The person from within the organisation that is responsible for reviewing and renewing this particular contract. Please include their full name, job title, direct contact number and direct email address.)

Summary of response

Please see updated information below for the two contracts that were out of date. Information for the other contracts remain the same as previously advised.

1. Contract Title: 2 year extension to maintenance and support, 4 hour response time
2. Type of Contracts (ABOVE): maintenance and support
3. Existing/Current Supplier: HPE
4. Brand: HPE
5. Operating System / Software (Platform): VMWare vSphere ESXi
6. Annual Average Spend: N/A
7. Contract Duration: 2 year
8. Contract Expiry Date: 9 August 2025
9. Contract Review Date: 1 May 2025
10. Purchase of Servers: June 2020
11. Number of Physical Server: 14
12. Number of Virtual Servers: N/A, used for VDI desktops
13. Brief Contract Description: This is maintenance and support for the VDI hosts.


1. Contract Title: VMWare vSphere 7 production support
2. Type of Contracts (ABOVE): maintenance and support
3. Existing/Current Supplier: VMWare
4. Brand: VMWare
5. Operating System / Software (Platform): VMWare vSphere ESXi
6. Annual Average Spend: N/A
7. Contract Duration: 1 year
8. Contract Expiry Date: 06/01/24
9. Contract Review Date: Renewal review
10. Purchase of Servers: N/A
11. Number of Physical Server: N/A
12. Number of Virtual Servers: 340
13. Brief Contract Description: This is maintenance and support for our VSI & VDI license

Date responded: 8 January 2024

Enforcement Agency Services

Date submitted: 7 December 2023

Summary of request

The details required are:

Q1. Your current suppliers used to collect the following debts (please give names of all suppliers for each debt type):

• Parking Fines (PCNs)
• Council Tax
• Business Rates (NDR)

Q2. Number of cases issued to enforcement agents for each debt type, for the immediate past two financial years and year to date, e.g. 2021/22; 2022/23; 2023 Year to date:

• Parking Fines (PCNs)
• Council Tax
• Business Rates (NDR)

Q3. Enforcement/Debt Collection contract start and contract end date, and any contract extension dates for each of the following debt types:

• Parking Fines (PCNs)
• Council Tax
• Business Rates (NDR)

Q4. Are your Revenues and Benefits or Parking Services outsourced, and if they are, please state who is the supplier responsible for each or both service e.g. Capita, APCOA, Agilysis, Serco, Liberata etc.

• Parking (RTD)
• Revenues and Benefits

Q5. The name and/or job title of the Senior Office (outside of procurement) responsible for the above contract(s)?

Summary of response


Q1. Your current suppliers used to collect the following debts (please give names of all suppliers for each debt type):

• Parking Fines (PCNs) - Jacobs; Dukes; Bristow & Sutor
• Council Tax - Jacobs; Dukes; Bristow & Sutor
• Business Rates (NDR) - Jacobs; Dukes; Bristow & Sutor

Q2. Number of cases issued to enforcement agents for each debt type, for the immediate past two financial years and year to date, e.g. 2021/22; 2022/23; 2023 Year to date:

• Parking Fines (PCNs) - 0
• Council Tax - 21/22 1360; 22/23 689; 23/24 to date 1223
• Business Rates (NDR) - 21/22 67; 22/23 67; 23/24 75.

Q3. Enforcement/Debt Collection contract start and contract end date, and any contract extension dates for each of the following debt types:

• Parking Fines (PCNs) - The contract for all providers started on 1/2/20 and ends on 31/1/24.
• Council Tax - The contract for all providers started on 1/2/20 and ends on 31/1/24.
• Business Rates (NDR) - The contract for all providers started on 1/2/20 and ends on 31/1/24.

Q4. Are your Revenues and Benefits or Parking Services outsourced, and if they are, please state who is the supplier responsible for each or both service e.g. Capita, APCOA, Agilysis, Serco, Liberata etc.

• Parking (RTD) - No
• Revenues and Benefits - No

Q5. The name and/or job title of the Senior Office (outside of procurement) responsible for the above contract(s)? – Revenues and Benefits Council Tax Manager

Date responded: 8 January 2024

Council tenants in temp accommodation due to repairs

Date submitted: 7 December 2023

Summary of request

(1a) The number of social housing tenants currently living in temporary accommodation due to repairs being carried out on their social housing property
(1b) Of these, how many have been in temporary accommodation for 6 weeks or more, while repairs are undertaken?
(2a) The number of social housing tenants currently in a hotel/b&b (ie any temporary accommodation with shared facilities or no kitchen) due to repairs being carried out on their social housing property
(2b) Of these, how many have been in hotel/b&b for 6 weeks or more, while repairs are undertaken

Summary of response

(1a) The number of social housing tenants currently living in temporary accommodation due to repairs being carried out on their social housing property - 8 (including self-contained and hotel/B&B)
(1b) Of these, how many have been in temporary accommodation for 6 weeks or more, while repairs are undertaken? - 5
(2a) The number of social housing tenants currently in a hotel/b&b (ie any temporary accommodation with shared facilities or no kitchen) due to repairs being carried out on their social housing property - 1 (included in figure (1a))
(2b) Of these, how many have been in hotel/b&b for 6 weeks or more, while repairs are undertaken - 0

Date responded: 8 January 2024

Funding gap

Date submitted: 7 December 2023

Summary of request

1) What is your current predicted funding gap by the end of this financial year
2) What is your current predicted cumulative funding gap by the end of this financial year?

Summary of response

1) What is your current predicted funding gap by the end of this financial year - The information you have requested can be found on our website in the current year budget monitoring report:
Financial Monitoring Report 2023-24 - Month 6 update.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk)
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/s21757/Financial%20Monitoring%20Report%202023-24%20-%20Month%206%20update.pdf

2) What is your current predicted cumulative funding gap by the end of this financial year? - The information you have requested can be found on our website. Financial Plan detailing future predicted funding gaps:
Financial Plan 2024 - 2034.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk)
https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/s21388/Financial%20Plan%202024%20-%202034.pdf

As the above information is already published it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

Date responded: 14 December 2023

Disrepair claims since 2020

Date submitted: 1 December 2023

Summary of request

Since 2020:
How many housing disrepair claims has the council received?
Of those, how many were successful?
How much money has the council paid out to those claims?

Please separate the data by individual year

Summary of response

Since 2020:
How many housing disrepair claims has the council received?
Of those, how many were successful?
How much money has the council paid out to those claims?

Please separate the data by individual year

2020
How many housing disrepair claims has the council received? - 4
Of those, how many were successful? - 2
How much money has the council paid out to those claims? - £8520.70


2021
How many housing disrepair claims has the council received? - 7
Of those, how many were successful? - 2
How much money has the council paid out to those claims? - £7000


2022
How many housing disrepair claims has the council received? - 18
Of those, how many were successful? - 10
How much money has the council paid out to those claims? - £53,620


2023
How many housing disrepair claims has the council received? - 32
Of those, how many were successful? - 5
How much money has the council paid out to those claims? - £13,455

Date responded: 14 December 2023

Local plan - percentage of biodiversity net gain

Date submitted: 29 November 2023

Summary of request

• Any policies and papers, from 1 Jan 2022 to 1 November 2023, stating the percentage of biodiversity net gain your council will require as a condition for planning permission (under the Environment Act 2021) (a) as part of an agreed Local Plan; or (b) as part of a draft Local Plan.
• Any polices and papers, from1 Jan 2019 to 1 November 2023, stating whether you have formally declared a nature/ecological emergency.
• Any policies and papers, from 1 Jan 2022 to 1 November 2023, containing a target for your area to contribute to protect and manage 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
• On what date your current Local Plan will be five years old and when you expect a new Local Plan to be agreed.

Summary of response

• Any policies and papers, from 1 Jan 2022 to 1 November 2023, stating the percentage of biodiversity net gain your council will require as a condition for planning permission (under the Environment Act 2021) (a) as part of an agreed Local Plan; or (b) as part of a draft Local Plan.

Please See: Emerging Local Plan - East Devon https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/ Emerging Local Plan - East Devon and specifically Draft Local Plan Consultation - East Devon https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/draft-local-plan-consultation/ plus committee papers that have informed local plan making work to date can be read at: Browse meetings - Strategic Planning Committee - East Devon https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=154

• Any polices and papers, from1 Jan 2019 to 1 November 2023, stating whether you have formally declared a nature/ecological emergency. – This is not referenced in local plan work.

• Any policies and papers, from 1 Jan 2022 to 1 November 2023, containing a target for your area to contribute to protect and manage 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. – This is not referenced in local plan work.

• On what date your current Local Plan will be five years old and when you expect a new Local Plan to be agreed.

Current plan was five years old on 28 January 2021. For next plan timetable see: Agenda for Strategic Planning Committee on Tuesday, 31st October, 2023, 10.00 am - East Devon https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=154&MId=2161&Ver=4


Date responded: 14 December 2023

Modern slavery training provision

Date submitted: 29 November 2023

Summary of request

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This request relates to the training offered to staff on modern slavery. Please share the details of training on modern slavery delivered to staff, including:

- The nature of training offered (e.g. e-learning or in-person, shared with housing staff or adult safeguarding etc) and whether themes of cultural intelligence, equality, diversity and inclusion are included as part of this training
- Where held, please share copies of training materials used to support council staff in identifying modern slavery (such as PDFs, guidance, or presentations)

Summary of response

- The nature of training offered (e.g. e-learning or in-person, shared with housing staff or adult safeguarding etc) and whether themes of cultural intelligence, equality, diversity and inclusion are included as part of this training

The council provides all it’s employees with guidance on modern slavery and safeguarding with further information on the council’s safeguarding policy published on the web site here: Devon District Councils Joint Safeguarding Policy - East Devon https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/our-key-policies/devon-district-councils-joint-safeguarding-policy/
All staff are required to undertake safeguarding training as part of the council’s mandatory training program and this is provided via online e-learning.

- Where held, please share copies of training materials used to support council staff in identifying modern slavery (such as PDFs, guidance, or presentations)

Training is via online e-learning so training materials are not available.

Date responded: 15 December 2023

Number of tenants in council housing

Date submitted: 20 November 2023

Summary of request

What is the total number of people currently living in social and council housing?

What is the total number of people currently living in social and council housing that are non-British citizens?

What is the breakdown of non-British citizens living in social and council housing by nationality?

Summary of response


What is the total number of people currently living in social and council housing? - We currently have 4160 council tenant households and 14 rooms of which 8 are used for temporary accommodation.

What is the total number of people currently living in social and council housing that are non-British citizens? - Information not captured

What is the breakdown of non-British citizens living in social and council housing by nationality? - Information not captured

Date responded: 4 December 2023

Transit site and pitch provision

Date submitted: 17 November 2023

Summary of request

I am seeking information about the provision of transit sites for Gypsies and Travellers, and transit pitches on permanent sites, situated on land which is owned and/or managed by your public authority. Please find below a series of questions, submitted as a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

1. Does this local authority own and/or manage any transit sites OR transit pitches situated on permanent sites?
If ‘yes,’ please continue to answer the following questions below.

2. How many
a) transit sites, and/or
b) transit pitches are there in total in your local authority area?

3. Of these transit pitches, on the 16th November 2023, how many were:
a) occupied
b) vacant?

4. What is the name and full address of each transit site, and/or permanent site containing one or more transit pitch(es), within your jurisdiction?

5. What are the criteria which must be met to be allocated a pitch on a transit site, or a transit pitch on a permanent site (if you have an allocation policy for one or both types of site, please can you share copies via email)?

6. What is the process by which people can apply for a transit pitch, and what are the contact details for applying for a pitch (e.g., list telephone number of site warden, and/or online form, depending on specific site arrangements)? And;
a) What are the operational hours on site?
b) Are staff always on site?
c) Is there weekend cover?

7. What is the maximum length of time for which people are permitted to stay on the transit site(s)/pitch(es)?

8. Please indicate how each transit site the local authority owns/manages is managed day to day, e.g.:
• Managed in-house by your local authority which owns the site (please provide details)
• Managed by another local authority within your jurisdiction, e.g., a district or borough council on behalf of a county council (please provide details)
• Outsourced to a separate housing provider or similar (please provide details)
• Managed by a security company (please provide details)
• Leased to a named individual, who may themselves live on the site (please provide details)
• Named person who manages them and contact details (please provide details)

9. Have the police used Section 62a-e (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) to direct people to the site?

10. How much are the costs for:
a) rent for a pitch?
b) a deposit to secure a pitch?

11. Are there any additional utility costs not included in the nominal rent amount for which residents are liable? Please provide details (e.g., water, electricity, other utilities).

12. Is there a license agreement or another form of written contract for stays on the site, and if so, please can you share a copy?

13. What facilities and services operate on the site? Please list, for example:
• Traveller education
• Health visitor
• Support services
• Meeting room to hold interviews
• CCTV
• Height restrictor/gate

14. Does the local authority accept welfare benefit payments to cover rent for transit pitches, or transit sites?

15. Have there been any difficulties with setting up Universal Credit or Housing Benefit payments to cover rent for a transit pitch? If so, please outline these.

16. Following a stay on a transit site or transit pitch, is there a certain time period on each site before which those who have vacated are permitted to return to the transit site or pitch? If so, please specify.

17. Have there been changes made to individual site policies, with regard to the amount of time before which those who have vacated are permitted to return to the transit site or pitch, since the introduction of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (if applicable in your area)? If so, please provide details.

Summary of response


1. Does this local authority own and/or manage any transit sites OR transit pitches situated on permanent sites? - No
If ‘yes,’ please continue to answer the following questions below.

2. How many
a) transit sites, and/or
b) transit pitches are there in total in your local authority area? - There are 5 transit pitches on 1 privately owned site (Hawkwell Park at Hawkchurch)

3. Of these transit pitches, on the 16th November 2023, how many were - This is a privately owned and managed site, so we don’t hold these figures
a) occupied
b) vacant?

4. What is the name and full address of each transit site, and/or permanent site containing one or more transit pitch(es), within your jurisdiction? - Hawkwell Park, Hawkchurch, Nr Axminster

5. What are the criteria which must be met to be allocated a pitch on a transit site, or a transit pitch on a permanent site (if you have an allocation policy for one or both types of site, please can you share copies via email)? - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC

6. What is the process by which people can apply for a transit pitch, and what are the contact details for applying for a pitch (e.g., list telephone number of site warden, and/or online form, depending on specific site arrangements)? And - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC
a) What are the operational hours on site?
b) Are staff always on site?
c) Is there weekend cover?

7. What is the maximum length of time for which people are permitted to stay on the transit site(s)/pitch(es)? - N/A

8. lease indicate how each transit site the local authority owns/manages is managed day to day, e.g. - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC
• Managed in-house by your local authority which owns the site (please provide details)
• Managed by another local authority within your jurisdiction, e.g., a district or borough council on behalf of a county council (please provide details)
• Outsourced to a separate housing provider or similar (please provide details)
• Managed by a security company (please provide details)
• Leased to a named individual, who may themselves live on the site (please provide details)
• Named person who manages them and contact details (please provide details)

9. Have the police used Section 62a-e (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) to direct people to the site? - Not known

10. How much are the costs for - Not known
a) rent for a pitch?
b) a deposit to secure a pitch?

11. Are there any additional utility costs not included in the nominal rent amount for which residents are liable? Please provide details (e.g., water, electricity, other utilities) - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC

12. Is there a license agreement or another form of written contract for stays on the site, and if so, please can you share a copy? - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC

13. What facilities and services operate on the site? Please list, for example - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC
• Traveller education
• Health visitor
• Support services
• Meeting room to hold interviews
• CCTV
• Height restrictor/gate

14. Does the local authority accept welfare benefit payments to cover rent for transit pitches, or transit sites? - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC

15. Have there been any difficulties with setting up Universal Credit or Housing Benefit payments to cover rent for a transit pitch? If so, please outline these - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC

16. Following a stay on a transit site or transit pitch, is there a certain time period on each site before which those who have vacated are permitted to return to the transit site or pitch? If so, please specify - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC

17. Have there been changes made to individual site policies, with regard to the amount of time before which those who have vacated are permitted to return to the transit site or pitch, since the introduction of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (if applicable in your area)? If so, please provide details - N/A as the pitches are not operated by EDDC

Date responded: 21 November 2023

Apprenticeship Levy

Date submitted: 16 November 2023

Summary of request

1. Is your organisation and apprenticeship levy payer? Yes or no is sufficient.

2. What was the value (£) of your organisation’s apprenticeship levy contributions in (a) 2019-20 (b) 2020-21 (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23. Please provide an annual breakdown.

3. How much apprenticeship levy ‘expired’ – i.e. was not used - in (a) 2019-20 (b) 2020-21 (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23. Please provide an annual breakdown.

4. How many apprenticeship starts did your organisation create in (a) 2019-20 (b) 2020-21 (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23. Please provide an annual breakdown.

5. How many of those apprenticeship starts created were (a) male and (b) female in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23. Please provide an annual breakdown for each gender.

Summary of response

1. Is your organisation and apprenticeship levy payer? - Yes

2. What was the value (£) of your organisation’s apprenticeship levy contributions in (a) 2019-20 (b) 2020-21 (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23. Please provide an annual breakdown - (a) £60,393; (b) £62,128; (c) £64,914; (d) £77,641

3. How much apprenticeship levy ‘expired’ – i.e. was not used - in (a) 2019-20 (b) 2020-21 (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23. Please provide an annual breakdown. - (a) N/A; (b) £13,699.29; (c) £32,566.90; (d) £14,854.30


4. How many apprenticeship starts did your organisation create in (a) 2019-20 (b) 2020-21 (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23. Please provide an annual breakdown - (a) 9 apprenticeships started; (b) 2 apprenticeship started; (c) 4 apprenticeship started; (d) 8 apprenticeship started

5. How many of those apprenticeship starts created were (a) male and (b) female in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23. Please provide an annual breakdown for each gender.

(a) 2019-20 - 5 male 4 Female (9)
b) 2020-21 - 2 male 0 Female (2)
c) 2021-22 - 0 Male 4 female (4)
d) 2022-23 - 3 Male 5 Female (8)

Date responded: 23 November 2023

Homes for Ukraine

Date submitted: 15 November 2023

Summary of request

1. How many households in your council area have acted as hosts in the Homes for Ukraine scheme since it was launched nationally on 14 March 2022?

2. How many hosts have been identified as charging Ukrainians rent?

3. a)How many hosts have been identified as charging excessive rent?
b) How many hosts have been identified as asking for excessive contributions to food or utilities?

4. How many cases of fraud – where hosts are both charging rent and receiving 'thank you' payments – has the council identified?

Summary of response

1. How many households in your council area have acted as hosts in the Homes for Ukraine scheme since it was launched nationally on 14 March 2022? - 354

2. How many hosts have been identified as charging Ukrainians rent? - 1

3. a) How many hosts have been identified as charging excessive rent? - 1
b) How many hosts have been identified as asking for excessive contributions to food or utilities? - 2

4. How many cases of fraud – where hosts are both charging rent and receiving 'thank you' payments – has the council identified? - 1

Date responded: 17 November 2023

Cost of temporary accommodation

Date submitted: 14 November 2023

Summary of request

1. In the financial year of 23/24, as of 13.11.23, how much has your council spent on providing temporary accommodation and, if the figure is known, how much is the council projected to spend by the end of the financial year?
2. In the financial year 22/23, how much did your council spend on providing temporary accommodation?

Summary of response

1. In the financial year of 23/24, as of 13.11.23, how much has your council spent on providing temporary accommodation and, if the figure is known, how much is the council projected to spend by the end of the financial year? - Up to end of October 2023 £376,515.98; estimated spend for 2023/2024 £550,000

2. In the financial year 22/23, how much did your council spend on providing temporary accommodation? - £629,594.55

Date responded: 17 November 2023

Cost to resurface Manstone workshops forecourt and parking area

Date submitted: 14 November 2023

Summary of request

How much money is it costing to resurface manstone workshops forecourt and parking area

Summary of response

How much money is it costing to resurface Manstone workshops forecourt and parking area - £32,000

Date responded: 17 November 2023

Time spent in temporary accommodation

Date submitted: 14 November 2023

Summary of request

1. The average length of time households spent in temporary accommodation after making a homelessness application to the council in each of the past 4 and a half years…

a). between April 1st 2019 and March 31st 2020
b). between April 1st 2020 and March 31st 2021
c). between April 1st 2021 and March 31st 2022
d). between April 1st 2022 and March 31st 2023
e). between April 1st 2023 and September 30th 2023

2. The average length of time households with children spent in temporary accommodation after making a homelessness application to the council in each of the past 4 and a half years…

a). between April 1st 2019 and March 31st 2020
b). between April 1st 2020 and March 31st 2021
c). between April 1st 2021 and March 31st 2022
d). between April 1st 2022 and March 31st 2023
e). between April 1st 2023 and September 30th 2023

3. What were the number of households in Temporary Accommodation:

a) On September 30th 2020
b) On September 30th 2021
c) On September 30th 2022
d) On September 30th 2023


4. Of the households living with children in temporary accommodation in each of the following financial years, how many were placed in accommodation outside of your local authority area?

a). between April 1st 2019 and March 31st 2020
b). between April 1st 2020 and March 31st 2021
c). between April 1st 2021 and March 31st 2022
d). between April 1st 2022 and March 31st 2023
e). between April 1st 2023 and September 30th 2023

Summary of response

1. The average length of time households spent in temporary accommodation after making a homelessness application to the council in each of the past 4 and a half years… - Information not held. We don’t record the data you have asked for.

a). between April 1st 2019 and March 31st 2020
b). between April 1st 2020 and March 31st 2021
c). between April 1st 2021 and March 31st 2022
d). between April 1st 2022 and March 31st 2023
e). between April 1st 2023 and September 30th 2023

2. The average length of time households with children spent in temporary accommodation after making a homelessness application to the council in each of the past 4 and a half years… - Information not held. We don’t record the data you have asked for.

a). between April 1st 2019 and March 31st 2020
b). between April 1st 2020 and March 31st 2021
c). between April 1st 2021 and March 31st 2022
d). between April 1st 2022 and March 31st 2023
e). between April 1st 2023 and September 30th 2023

3. What were the number of households in Temporary Accommodation:

a) On September 30th 2020 - 40
b) On September 30th 2021 - 36
c) On September 30th 2022 - 55
d) On September 30th 2023 - 44


4. Of the households living with children in temporary accommodation in each of the following financial years, how many were placed in accommodation outside of your local authority area? - Information not held. We don’t record the data you have asked for.

a). between April 1st 2019 and March 31st 2020
b). between April 1st 2020 and March 31st 2021
c). between April 1st 2021 and March 31st 2022
d). between April 1st 2022 and March 31st 2023
e). between April 1st 2023 and September 30th 2023

Date responded: 23 November 2023

Otter Mills - all correspondence and evidence relating to this listed building application

Date submitted: 7 November 2023

Summary of request

Under the FOI act I would like to see all correspondence and evidence relating to this listed building application.

Summary of response

You have requested to see all correspondence and evidence relating to this listed building application.

There are multiple applications relating to the overall development of the Mill so you will to list which applications you are referring to and provide the application numbers. However we believe that everything will already be available on-line but there is no way of checking unless we know which applications you are referring to.

Date responded: 4 December 2023

Gender neutral toilets

Date submitted: 6 November 2023

Summary of request

This is an information request relating to renovations made to facilitate gender neutral toilets in the main council office.

Please include the following information for each of the following financial years; 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23:

Please include the following information:
• A total number of new gender neutral toilets and a total number of conversions made.
• The sum of money spent on building new gender neutral toilets including the conversion of existing toilets.
• The number of complaints related to gender neutral toilets and copies of any complaints (with redactions made to ensure confidentiality is maintained)

By gender neutral toilets I am referring to those with shared facilities, that are not separated by sex or gender.


Summary of response

This is an information request relating to renovations made to facilitate gender neutral toilets in the main council office - EDDC have no gender neutral toilets in the main council office, nor planning to have them either.

Please include the following information for each of the following financial years; 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23:

Please include the following information:
• A total number of new gender neutral toilets and a total number of conversions made.
• The sum of money spent on building new gender neutral toilets including the conversion of existing toilets.
• The number of complaints related to gender neutral toilets and copies of any complaints (with redactions made to ensure confidentiality is maintained)

Date responded: 17 November 2023

Council Use of Bailiffs/Enforcement Agents

Date submitted: 6 November 2023

Summary of request


1. The number of times between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023, or the nearest available twelve-month period, that private bailiffs/enforcement agents have been instructed to enforce debts to the local authority relating to each of the following;
a. Council Tax
b. Parking
c. Housing Benefit overpayments
d. Business Rates
e. Commercial Rents
f. Any other debt types, including any other overpayments.

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. Before seeking a liability order for a resident for Council Tax arrears, do you take any of the following steps? Please indicate the steps you take.
• Assessment of their income and expenditure,
• Assessment of whether the resident (or anyone else) in their household is vulnerable,
• Referral to your Council Tax Reduction / Support scheme,
• Referral to income maximisation,
• Referral to a free debt advice organisation.

3. Do you signpost residents to one or more free debt advice agencies as part of your Council Tax collections process? (Yes/No) If so, which charities?

4. Have you adopted the Standard Financial Statement as a tool for objectively assessing income and expenditure as part of your Council Tax collections process? (Yes/No)

5. Do you have a formal policy in place for dealing with residents in vulnerable circumstances as part of your collections process for Council Tax arrears? (Yes/No)

If so, please may you provide a copy of the policy if it is for public consumption.

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

7. Have you adopted the Citizens Advice/Local Government Association Council Tax Protocol? (Yes/No)

Summary of response

1. The number of times between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023, or the nearest available twelve-month period, that private bailiffs/enforcement agents have been instructed to enforce debts to the local authority relating to each of the following;

a. Council Tax - 689
b. Parking - 0
c. Housing Benefit overpayments – 7 case referred to EA
d. Business Rates - 70
e. Commercial Rents - 0
f. Any other debt types, including any other overpayments – Any possession action for council rents is dealt with by the county court bailiffs.

2. If a resident for council tax actively engages with us at any point before the court hearing for the liability order to be granted then we may take some or all of the following steps dependant on a case by case basis;
Assessment of income and Expenditure
Vulnerability assessment
Referral to income maximisation
Referral for council tax reduction (If the information provided suggests they may qualify)
Referral to a free debt advice organisation.

3. Yes, we work closely with CAB to refer cases on an individual basis

4. In some cases we would ask residents to seek independent advice and provide us with a SFS as proof of income and expenditure, but this is not a part of our every day collection process at present, we are currently working towards adopting the SFS into our processes.

5. Not a specific policy but is part of corporate debt policy, which can be found at Corporate Debt policy - East Devon https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-tax/find-out-about-our-policies-relating-to-council-tax/corporate-debt-policy/

6. No, we do not exempt recipients of council tax reduction from enforcement agent action.

7. No, we have not formally agreed to the council tax protocol.

Date responded: 1 December 2023

Double Gazing

Date submitted: 6 November 2023

Summary of request

1. Please tell if building control in your townhall carry out double glazing inspections to residential properties that are replacing windows

2. Please say what double glazing standards are used by you with regards to for example, installation methods, window positioning, bolting, washers, rain ingress prevention, shape, size, measurement, extrusion and glass quality, beading, silicon, foaming, sill, stays, locks, accessories, spacers / shims, tools etc

Summary of response


1. Please tell if building control in your townhall carry out double glazing inspections to residential properties that are replacing windows -
The replacement of a window, or windows and external doors, triggers the requirements of the Building Regulations. Where Building Regulations applications are submitted to the Local Authonrity for the replacement of windows, this work is checked which includes visiting the site address and inspecting the installation. Building Regulations approval can also be obtained by companies that are associated to the Registered Competent Person Scheme. The Council receives a CPS (competent person scheme) notification for this work which confirms that the windows have been installed and are compliant with the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. The CPS is a scheme covering all Councils in England. Failure to submit a Building Regulations application to the Local Authority, or to use a company registered to the competent person scheme is a breach of the Building Regulations.

2. Please say what double glazing standards are used by you with regards to for example, installation methods, window positioning, bolting, washers, rain ingress prevention, shape, size, measurement, extrusion and glass quality, beading, silicon, foaming, sill, stays, locks, accessories, spacers / shims, tools etc -

The Building Control authority enforce that the minimum relevant requirements of the Building Regulations are met. The building control authority do not design work or specify work practices, This is the role of the Principal Designer. Building Control only ensure that the minimum performance standards of the Building Regulations are met. The performance standards will include several of the items raised, such as: -
• Window positioning (Part L1 – Cold bridging)
• Rain ingress (Part C2)
• Glass quality (Parts B, K, L and Part Q – Part Q applies to newly formed dwellings only)
• Window fittings (fixings, stays and locks) (Part Q – Newly formed Dwellings only including a material change of use.)
Guidance on how to meet the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations can be found in the Approved Documents which align to each Part of the Building Regulations.

Date responded: 8 November 2023

Cost of homelessness relief and prevention duties

Date submitted: 6 November 2023

Summary of request

- The total spent providing homelessness relief and prevention duties to residents within your authority area as a result of a section 21 eviction (please provide both totals);
- For each of the last 4 financial years (2019-2020, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)

Summary of response

- The total spent providing homelessness relief and prevention duties to residents within your authority area as a result of a section 21 eviction (please provide both totals) - It is not possible for us to break this down. We could provide a total cost for prevention and relief duties, but not specific to reasons for homelessness.
- For each of the last 4 financial years (2019-2020, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)

Date responded: 8 November 2023

Afghan citizens who entered the UK under ACRS or ARAP

Date submitted: 3 November 2023

Summary of request

(a) The number of Afghan citizens who entered the UK under ACRS or ARAP are living within your district within Government funded bridging accommodation.
(b) The number of Afghan citizens in your district who entered the UK under ACRS or ARAP have declared themselves as homeless.
I would be grateful if you could provide this information on a month-by-month basis from August 2020 to date. If this breakdown will incur too high costs, then please provide broken down by quarter.
In addition, please provide the following:
(c) What plans are in place to respond to homelessness amongst this cohort, including the use of bridging accommodation.
If there is anything I can do to narrow down my request or to assist, please do let me know and I would be happy to help.

Summary of response

(a) The number of Afghan citizens who entered the UK under ACRS or ARAP are living within your district within Government funded bridging accommodation - 0
(b) The number of Afghan citizens in your district who entered the UK under ACRS or ARAP have declared themselves as homeless.

I would be grateful if you could provide this information on a month-by-month basis from August 2020 to date. If this breakdown will incur too high costs, then please provide broken down by quarter.

06/2023 2
07/2023 7

In addition, please provide the following:
(c) What plans are in place to respond to homelessness amongst this cohort, including the use of bridging accommodation - Homeless applications taken and processed, emergency accommodation offered where there is a duty. There is no longer any bridging accommodation in East Devon.

Date responded: 8 November 2023

Networks Strategy

Date submitted: 3 November 2023

Summary of request

Please could you assist me by sending information regarding the following:
• Please can you direct me to the authority's current IT Network strategy?
• What does the council currently use for their Networks (Wifi/LAN/SD-WAN)?
• Who are you currently working with for your Networks?
• When does that contract come up to an end?
• What does the council consider most important when reviewing their Network Strategy?
• Who is the best contact around this area?

Summary of response

Please could you assist me by sending information regarding the following:

• Please can you direct me to the authority's current IT Network strategy? - N/A
• What does the council currently use for their Networks (Wi-Fi/LAN/SD-WAN)?
Wi-Fi – FortiAP’s
LAN – Dell – purchased via Bechtel
SD-WAN – N/A

• Who are you currently working with for your Networks? - Dell / Bechtel
• When does that contract come up to an end? - 2027 both
• What does the council consider most important when reviewing their Network Strategy? - N/A
• Who is the best contact around this area? - The persons involved will change over time so our policy is to provide a contact route to our procurement team in our in-house IT company, Strata Service Solutions via https://strata.solutions/

Date responded: 9 November 2023

Primate Licensing

Date submitted: 3 November 2023

Summary of request

This request is in 2 parts. We ask that you answer all of the questions in the first section whether or not you have any licences issued under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA). If there are any current DWAA licences for primates in your area, please also complete all of the questions in the second section.

As of 25th February 2023:

PART 1

1) How many DWAA licences are currently issued in your area?

____________________________________________________________________

2) How many of these DWAA licences are issued for primates (monkeys, apes or prosimians such as lemurs)?

____________________________________________________________________

3) How many applications for licences to keep primates under the DWAA Act have been refused in your area in the last 12 months?

____________________________________________________________________
On what grounds were they refused?

____________________________________________________________________

4) What is the cost of obtaining a DWAA licence in your area (please indicate whether this includes any veterinary fees incurred)?

____________________________________________________________________

5) What is the cost of ‘renewing’ a DWAA licence in your area (please indicate whether this includes any veterinary fees incurred)?

____________________________________________________________________

6) Are you aware of any breeders or dealers of primates in your area?

____________________________________________________________________
If yes how many?

____________________________________________________________________


7) If a member of the public is aware of a breach of the Animal Welfare Act with regards to a primate, who do they contact in your area?

____________________________________________________________________

8) In order to be granted DWAA licences for primates, must applicants
demonstrate that they meet the conditions laid out in the Code of Practice for
the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-human Primates?

____________________________________________________________________

9) If a DWAA licence is not renewed, do you contact previous licence holders to establish why it has not been renewed?

____________________________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________
10) Would you investigate what has happened to primates that were licensed in your area but are no longer licensed?

____________________________________________________________________

PART 2

11) If there are primates licensed in your area, please provide copies of all licences, and the most recent relevant veterinary and inspection report(s) for each licence (on the understanding that for data protection purposes, certain information may be obscured). If no written reports are available, please indicate the date on which the most recent report was conducted, by whom, and the outcome of the visit. If not included in the report(s), please also provide the following information:

For each licence issued for primates:
a) How many individuals of each species are covered (please provide the scientific name: i.e. Sapajus apella)?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

b) What is the age and sex of each licensed primate? If this information is not kept by your council, please indicate so.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

c) Where was each primate obtained? If this information is not kept by your council, please indicate so.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

d) Are these primates considered to be pets? If not, how are they classified?

____________________________________________________________________


e) Please confirm whether any restriction is placed on the breeding of the licensed animals. If no restriction exists, please indicate whether the existing licence would automatically cover the offspring, and until what age this cover would last.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

f) Has a licence been issued to the licence holder previously?

____________________________________________________________________

g) If so, what was the last year a licence was issued, and what primates were licenced?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________


12) Would you or someone in your department, be willing to share any further information about DWAA licensing?

____________________________________________________________________

And who can we contact for such information?

__________________________________________

Summary of response

FOI Request 2023

This request is in 2 parts. We ask that you answer all of the questions in the first section whether or not you have any licences issued under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA). If there are any current DWAA licences for primates in your area, please also complete all of the questions in the second section.

As of 25th February 2023:

PART 1

1) How many DWAA licences are currently issued in your area?

x1
____________________________________________________________________

2) How many of these DWAA licences are issued for primates (monkeys, apes or prosimians such as lemurs)?

NONE
____________________________________________________________________

3) How many applications for licences to keep primates under the DWAA Act have been refused in your area in the last 12 months?

NONE

____________________________________________________________________

On what grounds were they refused?

N/A
____________________________________________________________________

4) What is the cost of obtaining a DWAA licence in your area (please indicate whether this includes any veterinary fees incurred)?

New/renewal licence: £100 plus vet’s fee.


____________________________________________________________________

5) What is the cost of ‘renewing’ a DWAA licence in your area (please indicate whether this includes any veterinary fees incurred)?

New/renewal licence: £100 plus vet’s fee.
____________________________________________________________________

6) Are you aware of any breeders or dealers of primates in your area?

NO
____________________________________________________________________

If yes how many?

N/A
____________________________________________________________________

7) If a member of the public is aware of a breach of the Animal Welfare Act with regards to a primate, who do they contact in your area?

RSPCA
____________________________________________________________________

8) In order to be granted DWAA licences for primates, must applicants
demonstrate that they meet the conditions laid out in the Code of Practice for
the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-human Primates?

The Council complies with current DEFRA guidelines for all Animal Licensing which includes using DEFRA nominated Vets who specialise in the conditions of animal welfare.
____________________________________________________________________

9) If a DWAA licence is not renewed, do you contact previous licence holders to establish why it has not been renewed?

NO
____________________________________________________________________

10) Would you investigate what has happened to primates that were licensed in your area but are no longer licensed?

We have no licensed primates in East Devon under DWAA
____________________________________________________________________

PART 2

11) If there are primates licensed in your area, please provide copies of all licences, and the most recent relevant veterinary and inspection report(s) for each licence (on the understanding that for data protection purposes, certain information may be obscured). If no written reports are available, please indicate the date on which the most recent report was conducted, by whom, and the outcome of the visit. If not included in the report(s), please also provide the following information:

For each licence issued for primates:
a) How many individuals of each species are covered (please provide the scientific name: i.e. Sapajus apella)?

N/A
____________________________________________________________________

b) What is the age and sex of each licensed primate? If this information is not kept by your council, please indicate so.

N/A
____________________________________________________________________

c) Where was each primate obtained? If this information is not kept by your council, please indicate so.

N/A
____________________________________________________________________

d) Are these primates considered to be pets? If not, how are they classified?

N/A
____________________________________________________________________

e) Please confirm whether any restriction is placed on the breeding of the licensed animals. If no restriction exists, please indicate whether the existing licence would automatically cover the offspring, and until what age this cover would last.

N/A
____________________________________________________________________

f) Has a licence been issued to the licence holder previously?

N/A
____________________________________________________________________

g) If so, what was the last year a licence was issued, and what primates were licenced?

N/A
____________________________________________________________________


12) Would you or someone in your department, be willing to share any further information about DWAA licensing?

YES via FOI requests for information
____________________________________________________________________

And who can we contact for such information?

FOI@eastdevon.gov.uk
___ _________________________________________________________________

Date responded: 30 November 2023

ASC Telecare

Date submitted: 2 November 2023

Summary of request

I am conducting some research on telecare/assistive technology and how it may benefit older people who live alone, what councils approaches are to address this issue as well as how this differs by geography so that this information can be published to help TEC companies better meet the growing needs of the country.

In order to do this I would please request the following information:

1. How many individuals did your council supply telecare to last year?
2. How many of those individuals were over the age of 65?
3. How many of those individuals lived alone?
4. What is the total population of your area?
5. Could you please provide a copy of your Better Care Fund Plan if it exists.

Summary of response

1. How many individuals did your council supply telecare to last year? - 4,400
2. How many of those individuals were over the age of 65? - 3,564
3. How many of those individuals lived alone? - 2,602
4. What is the total population of your area? - 144,317 (2018)
5. Could you please provide a copy of your Better Care Fund Plan if it exists. - Information not held. You need to refer this part of your request to Devon County Council.

Date responded: 7 November 2023

Tree management data

Date submitted: 30 October 2023

Summary of request

Since the 2020 financial year can you publish.
1. All documents related to where to plant trees?
2. Long term management plans for planted trees?
3. Survival rates of planted trees?

Summary of response

Since the 2020 financial year can you publish.
1. All documents related to where to plant trees? - Information not held
2. Long term management plans for planted trees? - We will keep the trees watered for the first year to help them get established and then they will just move over to our normal management for our tree stock. This is inspecting as needed and undertaking any maintenance work as required.
3. Survival rates of planted trees? - Information not held

Date responded: 16 November 2023

Performance Management Software

Date submitted: 30 October 2023

Summary of request

A) Does your organisation use specific performance management software?
A.2) If the answer to question A is no, how does your organisation record performance management information?
B) If applicable, what is the name of the performance management software used by your organisation?
C)If applicable, is your performance management software a bespoke package or an off the shelf application?
D) What is the job title of the person responsible for performance management within your organisation?

Summary of response

A) Does your organisation use specific performance management software? - Yes
A.2) If the answer to question A is no, how does your organisation record performance management information? - N/A
B) If applicable, what is the name of the performance management software used by your organisation? - SPAR
C) If applicable, is your performance management software a bespoke package or an off the shelf application? - Off shelf
D) What is the job title of the person responsible for performance management within your organisation? - There is no one person responsible for performance management within the council. Please see our structure chart https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/pay-and-reward/our-structures/

Date responded: 7 November 2023

'New refugees' and housing

Date submitted: 30 October 2023

Summary of request


1. The number of ‘new refugees’ who applied to the Council for housing in 2022?
2. The number of ‘new refugees’ who presented as homeless to the Council in 2022?
3. The number of ‘new refugees who have applied to the Council for housing in 2023 (up until today’s date)?
4. The number of ‘new refugees’ who have presented as homeless to the Council in 2023 (up until today’s date)?
5. Does your Council have an estimate of the number of ‘new refugees’ who will approach you for housing behind today’s date and the end of 2023?

For the purposes of the FOI, ‘new refugees’ has been defined as asylum seekers who have recently received a positive decision on their asylum application, granting them refugee or humanitarian status to remain in the UK.

Summary of response

1. The number of ‘new refugees’ who applied to the Council for housing in 2022? - 0
2. The number of ‘new refugees’ who presented as homeless to the Council in 2022? - 0
3. The number of ‘new refugees who have applied to the Council for housing in 2023 (up until today’s date)? - 2
4. The number of ‘new refugees’ who have presented as homeless to the Council in 2023 (up until today’s date)? - 2
5. Does your Council have an estimate of the number of ‘new refugees’ who will approach you for housing behind today’s date and the end of 2023? - No – information not held

Date responded: 8 November 2023

Weekly housing eligible rent levels for all supported accommodation

Date submitted: 27 October 2023

Summary of request

Weekly housing eligible rent levels for all supported accommodation

Summary of response

You requested weekly housing eligible rent levels for all supported accommodation.

We are unable to provide this information.

Please provide weekly Housing Benefit eligible rent levels paid for all supported accommodation in the Borough (and clarify if these are supported but not exempt and supported exempt) - As each case is looked at on an individual basis the weekly eligible rent will vary from accommodation to accommodation. It could change throughout the year if there was a contractual increase. We therefore need further clarification on what information is required before we can provide this information.

If possible, please could you show the total/gross weekly rent split between the core rent, eligible and ineligible service charges - We don’t hold this information on our system

If you cannot provide this, could you give the highest rent paid in these categories - We don’t hold this information on our system.

Date responded: 2 November 2023

Equality Impact Assessment installation of EV charging points in Rolle Mews car park

Date submitted: 27 October 2023

Summary of request

Can I read the Equality Impact Assessment relating to the installation of electric vehicle charging points in Rolle Mews car park in Budleigh Salterton?

Summary of response

Can I read the Equality Impact Assessment relating to the installation of electric vehicle charging points in Rolle Mews car park in Budleigh Salterton? - Information not held. There is no Equality Impact Assessment relating to the installation of electric vehicle charging points in Rolle Mews car park in Budleigh Salterton

Date responded: 21 November 2023

Social Media Management and Listening

Date submitted: 25 October 2023

Summary of request

The details we require are:
1) Do you use a social media management platform?
2) If so, what tools do you use?
3) How much do you spend annually on a Social media management tool?
4) Which month & year does your contract with your supplier end?
5)Do you use a social listening / media monitoring platform?
6) If so, what tools do you use?
7) How much do you spend annually on a social listening / media monitoring tool?
8) Which month & year does your contract with your supplier end?
9) Who is the senior officer in charge of these contracts?

Summary of response

1) Do you use a social media management platform? - Yes
2) If so, what tools do you use? - Orlo
3) How much do you spend annually on a Social media management tool? - £3,000
4) Which month & year does your contract with your supplier end? - Contract is organised by Devon County Council
5)Do you use a social listening / media monitoring platform? - Yes
6) If so, what tools do you use? - Onclusive/PR Gloo
7) How much do you spend annually on a social listening / media monitoring tool? - £1,500
8) Which month & year does your contract with your supplier end? - Contract is organised by Devon County Council
9) Who is the senior officer in charge of these contracts? - Corporate Lead - Communications

Date responded: 9 November 2023

Website, Website Content Management System and Website Development, Maintenance and Support Costs

Date submitted: 20 October 2023

Summary of request

1. CRM Platform Information:
a. What CRM platform does your council currently use?
b. When is the contract end date for the CRM platform?
c. When was the CRM contract last re-tendered?
d. Could you please provide the contract value for the CRM platform? (Please note that invoices exceeding £5,000 are required to be accessible to the public.)
e. Is there an intent to release a tender for CRM platforms in the foreseeable future? If so, kindly provide an estimated timeline or relevant details.

2. CMS Platform Information:
a. What CMS platform does your council currently use?
b. When is the contract end date for the CMS platform?
c. When was the CMS contract last re-tendered?
d. Could you please provide the contract value for the CMS platform? (Please note that invoices exceeding £5,000 are required to be accessible to the public.)
e. Is there an intent to release a tender for CMS platforms in the foreseeable future? If so, kindly provide an estimated timeline or relevant details.

Summary of response

1. CRM Platform Information:
a. What CRM platform does your council currently use? - Firmstep
b. When is the contract end date for the CRM platform? - Rolling
c. When was the CRM contract last re-tendered? - 2020
d. Could you please provide the contract value for the CRM platform? (Please note that invoices exceeding £5,000 are required to be accessible to the public.) - £40-50k. For information, it’s transactions of value £500 and above have to be made available. Not the invoices.
e. Is there an intent to release a tender for CRM platforms in the foreseeable future? If so, kindly provide an estimated timeline or relevant details. - No intention to release a tender in the foreseeable future.

2. CMS Platform Information:
a. What CMS platform does your council currently use? - Umbraco, which is an open source product – it is free to use.
b. When is the contract end date for the CMS platform? - N/A
c. When was the CMS contract last re-tendered? - N/A
d. Could you please provide the contract value for the CMS platform? (Please note that invoices exceeding £5,000 are required to be accessible to the public.) - N/A
e. Is there an intent to release a tender for CMS platforms in the foreseeable future? If so, kindly provide an estimated timeline or relevant details. - No

Date responded: 3 November 2023

Housing Benefit eligible rent levels

Date submitted: 17 October 2023

Summary of request

Please provide weekly Housing Benefit eligible rent levels paid for all supported accommodation in
the Borough (and clarify if these are supported but not exempt and supported exempt). If possible,
please could you show the total/gross weekly rent split between the core rent, eligible and ineligible
service charges. If you cannot provide this, could you give the highest rent paid in these categories.

Summary of response

Please provide weekly Housing Benefit eligible rent levels paid for all supported accommodation in the Borough (and clarify if these are supported but not exempt and supported exempt).

As each case is looked at on an individual basis the weekly eligible rent will vary from accommodation to accommodation. It could change throughout the year if there was a contractual increase. We therefore need further clarification on what information is required before we can provide this information.

If possible, please could you show the total/gross weekly rent split between the core rent, eligible and ineligible service charges.
We don’t hold this information on our system

If you cannot provide this, could you give the highest rent paid in these categories
We don’t hold this information on our system

Date responded: 20 October 2023

Firewall, Anti-virus, and Enterprise Agreement

Date submitted: 17 October 2023

Summary of request

1. Standard Firewall (Network) - Firewall service protects your corporate Network from unauthorised access and other Internet security threats

2. Anti-virus Software Application - Anti-virus software is a program or set of programs that are designed to prevent, search for, detect, and remove software viruses, and other malicious software like worms, trojans, adware, and more.

3. Microsoft Enterprise Agreement - is a volume licensing package offered by Microsoft.

The information I require is around the procurement side and we do not require any specifics (serial numbers, models, location) that could bring threat/harm to the organisation.
For each of the different types of cyber security services can you please provide me with:

1. Who is the existing supplier for this contract?
2. What does the organisation annually spend for each of the contracts?
3. What is the description of the services provided for each contract?
4. Primary Brand (ONLY APPLIES TO CONTRACT 1&2)
5. What is the expiry date of each contract?
6. What is the start date of each contract?
7. What is the contract duration of contract?
8. The responsible contract officer for each of the contracts above? Full name, job title, contact number and direct email address.
9. Number of Licenses (ONLY APPLIES TO CONTRACT 3)

Summary of response

NETWORK - CONTRACT 1
1. Who is the existing supplier for this contract - Virgin
2. What does the organisation annually spend - £106,354
3. What is the description of the services provided - MPLS
4. Primary Brand - Virgin
5. What is the expiry date - 31st March 2024
6. What is the start date - 1st April 2023
7. What is the contract duration - 12 months

ANTI-VIRUS - CONTRACT 2
1. Who is the existing supplier for this contract? - Epic Network
2. What does the organisation annually spend - £21k
3. What is the description of the services provided - AV
4. Primary Brand - This information has been withheld under section 31 of the FOI Act 2000 where complying with the request would prejudice or would be likely to prejudice various law enforcement purposes including preventing crime.
5. What is the expiry date - Aug-24
6. What is the start date - Aug-23
7. What is the contract duration - Annual

MICROSOFT ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT - CONTRACT 3
1. Who is the existing supplier for this contract? - Softcat
2. What does the organisation annually spend - £1.2m - 3 year contract for all 3 councils & Strata
3. What is the description of the services provided - SCE & ESA licenses
4. What is the expiry date - Mar-24
5. What is the start date - 1st April 2021
6. What is the contract duration - 3 years
7. Number of Licenses - ESA approx 3200 / SCE approx 170

Contact details for all of the above contracts: The persons involved will change over time so our policy is to provide a contact route to our procurement team in our in-house IT company, Strata Service Solutions via https://strata.solutions/

Date responded: 8 November 2023

Recyclate & Residual Collection Contracts

Date submitted: 17 October 2023

Summary of request

We understand that the following contracts has expired:
• Service ~ Recyclate collection
• Contractor ~ SUEZ
• Expiry date ~ 01/07/2023
• Service ~ Residual Collection - Three-weekly collections commenced February 2017 in Exmouth area
• Contractor ~ SUEZ
• Expiry date ~ 01/07/2023
Can you advise if a new contract has been/will be awarded for this service and if so what the new contract details are (in the same format as below): -
• Service description
• Contractor
• Contract reference number
• Start data
• End date
• Duration and possible extension periods
• Annual or total (please specify)contract value
• Main waste facility/facilities used
• Tonnes collected
• Number of households collected from
• Frequency of collection

Summary of response

• Service description - Recycling & Waste Collections and associated services
• Contractor - SUEZ Recycling & Recovery Ltd
• Contract reference number - not known
• Start data - 1st July 2016
• End date - Initial term 30th June 2023 with three year extension period to 30th June 2026
• Duration and possible extension periods - 7 year initial term with 3 year extension period
• Annual or total (please specify) contract value - c. £ 7million/year
• Main waste facility/facilities used - Exeter EfW for waste; Greendale Business Park for dry recycling and food; Hill Barton Business Park for green waste composting
• Tonnes collected - 2022 full year tonnages – General waste = 17,994t; Green waste = 6389t; Recycling & food = 20,860t
• Number of households collected from - 74,000
• Frequency of collection - Dry recycling and food – weekly; green waste – two weekly; general waste – three weekly.

Date responded: 20 October 2023

Council tax enforcement

Date submitted: 12 October 2023

Summary of request

1. In relation to your collection of council tax for the 2022/2023 council tax period please provide the total number of referrals/debts passed to enforcement agents.

2. Please confirm the name of the enforcement company used by the council for the recovery of council tax debt.

3. Please confirm if accounts which are part of the council tax reduction/support scheme are passed to enforcement companies and if so how many such cases were passed on for the 2022/23 council tax period.

4. Please confirm if accounts of people on health/disability related benefits such as Disability Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment are passed to enforcement companies and if so how many such cases were passed on for the 2022/23 council tax period.

5. Please confirm if an assessment of vulnerability is done prior to a debt being passed to an enforcement company and if so provide a brief description of what the assessment involves. Please also confirm how many cases of people assessed as being vulnerable or potentially vulnerable were passed on to an enforcement company for the 2022/23 council tax period.

6. Please confirm what protocols are in place between the local authority and enforcement companies regarding the approach that should be taken when someone is assessed as being vulnerable as per the assessment referred to in Q5. Please also confirm the kinds of cases which should be raised with, or referred back to, local authorities for further consideration when encountered.

7. Please confirm A) how many requests the council received to bring a council tax debt back from an enforcement agent due to vulnerability reasons during the 2022/23 period and B) How many times the council agreed to bring an account back due to vulnerability reasons during the 2022/23 period.

Summary of response

1. In relation to your collection of council tax for the 2022/2023 council tax period please provide the total number of referrals/debts passed to enforcement agents - During the 22/23/ council tax period, a total of 689 Liability order cases were sent to enforcement agents for collection.

2. Please confirm the name of the enforcement company used by the council for the recovery of council tax debt - We currently use 3 Enforcement Agent companies, Bristow & Sutor, Jacobs Enforcement and Dukes.

3. Please confirm if accounts which are part of the council tax reduction/support scheme are passed to enforcement companies and if so how many such cases were passed on for the 2022/23 council tax period - I can confirm that cases which are part of the council tax reduction scheme do get sent to enforcement agents. In the 22/23 year the total number of cases was 86.

4. Please confirm if accounts of people on health/disability related benefits such as Disability Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment are passed to enforcement companies and if so how many such cases were passed on for the 2022/23 council tax period - I can confirm that people on health/disability related benefits do get sent to enforcement agents. We do not keep a record of the number of these.

5. Please confirm if an assessment of vulnerability is done prior to a debt being passed to an enforcement company and if so provide a brief description of what the assessment involves. Please also confirm how many cases of people assessed as being vulnerable or potentially vulnerable were passed on to an enforcement company for the 2022/23 council tax period - All cases are reviewed manually to assess suitability before being sent to an enforcement agent, any potential vulnerabilities that we are aware of are highlighted when we make the referral. We do not keep a record of the numbers of cases referred with a potential vulnerability.

6. Please confirm what protocols are in place between the local authority and enforcement companies regarding the approach that should be taken when someone is assessed as being vulnerable as per the assessment referred to in Q5. Please also confirm the kinds of cases which should be raised with, or referred back to, local authorities for further consideration when encountered - As part of our contract with the Enforcement Agents they are expected to identify cases where a vulnerability may exist and do a welfare visit prior to doing any enforcement action.

7. Please confirm A) how many requests the council received to bring a council tax debt back from an enforcement agent due to vulnerability reasons during the 2022/23 period and B) How many times the council agreed to bring an account back due to vulnerability reasons during the 2022/23 period - Information not held

Date responded: 25 October 2023

Garages

Date submitted: 12 October 2023

Summary of request

1. The total number of lock-up domestic garages owned by your council.
2. The total number of these garages that are currently empty.
3. The total number that are currently let to council estate residents.
4. The total number that are let to non council estate residents.
5. The estimated average total space in sq ft of all the council-owned garages.

Summary of response

1. The total number of lock-up domestic garages owned by your council - 727
2. The total number of these garages that are currently empty - 379
3. The total number that are currently let to council estate residents -158
4. The total number that are let to non council estate residents - 190
5. The estimated average total space in sq ft of all the council-owned garages - Based on average being 240 sq feet = 174,480

Date responded: 31 October 2023

Visiting officers employed for inspections of Domestic & Non domestic Properties

Date submitted: 12 October 2023

Summary of request

• The total number of Domestic Properties you have listed in your area
• The total number of Non-Domestic Properties you have listed in your area
• The total number of visiting officers employed for inspections of Domestic Properties
• The total number of visiting officers employed for inspections of Non-Domestic Properties
• The lowest salary of these visiting officers
• The highest salary of these visiting officers
• The average salary of all visiting officers

Summary of response

• The total number of Domestic Properties you have listed in your area - 74047 domestic properties banded within the East Devon Area

• The total number of Non-Domestic Properties you have listed in your area - In relation to NDR the current 2023 rating list is showing 7650 rateable hereditaments.

• The total number of visiting officers employed for inspections of Domestic Properties - In relation to inspections we only have 1 inspector who covers Ctax and NDR visits.

• The total number of visiting officers employed for inspections of Non-Domestic Properties - In relation to inspections we only have 1 inspector who covers Ctax and NDR visits.

• The lowest salary of these visiting officers - As there is only one officer this information is withheld. The officer could be identified from this information and as such is exempt under section 40(2) of the FOI Act 2000 where personal data which is not the personal data of the requester (i.e. third-party personal data) should not be disclosed if this would contravene the data protection principles.

• The highest salary of these visiting officers - As there is only one officer this information is withheld. The officer could be identified from this information and as such is exempt under section 40(2) of the FOI Act 2000 where personal data which is not the personal data of the requester (i.e. third-party personal data) should not be disclosed if this would contravene the data protection principles.

• The average salary of all visiting officers - As there is only one officer this information is withheld. The officer could be identified from this information and as such is exempt under section 40(2) of the FOI Act 2000 where personal data which is not the personal data of the requester (i.e. third-party personal data) should not be disclosed if this would contravene the data protection principles.

Date responded: 31 October 2023

Networking LAN, Core & Edge refresh

Date submitted: 11 October 2023

Summary of request

1. When was your last networking (LAN, Core & Edge refresh, and when is the next refresh planned?

1a. What would you like to improve upon in your next refresh?

1b. Could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using ?



2. When was your last Wi-Fi refresh, and when is the next refresh planned?

2a. What would you like to improve upon in your next refresh?

2b. Could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using ?



3. When was your last telephony or Unified Communications refresh, and when is the next refresh planned?

3a. What would you like to improve upon in your next refresh?

3b. Could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using ?



4. Do you currently use SD-WAN or SASE, if not it this something that you are planning to do?

4a. If yes, could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using ?



5. How many users do you currently have in your contact centre?

5a. What would you like to improve upon with your contact centre

5b. Could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using?

Summary of response

1. When was your last networking (LAN, Core & Edge refresh, and when is the next refresh planned? - The last Core/Edge switch refresh was Sept 2023

1a. What would you like to improve upon in your next refresh? - N/A

1b. Could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using ? - The switches were Dell, and procured through Bechtle Ltd.

2. When was your last Wi-Fi refresh, and when is the next refresh planned? - No plans for a refresh. Corporate Wi-Fi is based on FortiAPs

2a. What would you like to improve upon in your next refresh? - N/A

2b. Could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using ? - Most recently APs were purchased from 'Switchshop'

3. When was your last telephony or Unified Communications refresh, and when is the next refresh planned? - Refresh planned for 2024. Currently Skype for Business on premise. Intention is to migrate to MS Teams.

3a. What would you like to improve upon in your next refresh? - N/A

3b. Could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using ? - No contract currently. We support the system ourselves, but have a call-off arrangement for retained technical services with Nexus Open Systems Ltd, when required.

4. Do you currently use SD-WAN or SASE, if not it this something that you are planning to do? - Not currently

4a. If yes, could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using ? - N/A

5. How many users do you currently have in your contact centre? ~ 700

5a. What would you like to improve upon with your contact centre - Looking to replace the contact centre in 2024. Minicomp run in October 23 through Proactis to identify potential suppliers

5b. Could you please confirm the supplier for your current contract and the vendor that you are using? - Anywhere365

Date responded: 8 November 2023

CRM and CMS Platform Information

Date submitted: 11 October 2023

Summary of request

I kindly request information regarding the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Content Management System (CMS) platforms used by your council.

1. CRM Platform Information:
a. What CRM platform does your council currently use?
b. When is the contract end date for the CRM platform?
c. When was the CRM contract last re-tendered?
d. Could you please provide the contract value for the CRM platform? (Please note that invoices exceeding £5,000 are required to be accessible to the public.)
e. Is there an intent to release a tender for CRM platforms in the foreseeable future? If so, kindly provide an estimated timeline or relevant details.

2. CMS Platform Information:
a. What CMS platform does your council currently use?
b. When is the contract end date for the CMS platform?
c. When was the CMS contract last re-tendered?
d. Could you please provide the contract value for the CMS platform? (Please note that invoices exceeding £5,000 are required to be accessible to the public.)
e. Is there an intent to release a tender for CMS platforms in the foreseeable future? If so, kindly provide an estimated timeline or relevant details.

Summary of response

1. CRM Platform Information:
a. What CRM platform does your council currently use? - Firmstep
b. When is the contract end date for the CRM platform? - Rolling
c. When was the CRM contract last re-tendered? - 2020
d. Could you please provide the contract value for the CRM platform? (Please note that invoices exceeding £5,000 are required to be accessible to the public.) - £40-50k. For information, it’s transactions of value £500 and above have to be made available. Not the invoices.
e. Is there an intent to release a tender for CRM platforms in the foreseeable future? If so, kindly provide an estimated timeline or relevant details. - No intention to release a tender in the foreseeable future.

2. CMS Platform Information:
a. What CMS platform does your council currently use? - Umbraco, which is an open source product – it is free to use.
b. When is the contract end date for the CMS platform? - N/A
c. When was the CMS contract last re-tendered? - N/A
d. Could you please provide the contract value for the CMS platform? (Please note that invoices exceeding £5,000 are required to be accessible to the public.) - N/A
e. Is there an intent to release a tender for CMS platforms in the foreseeable future? If so, kindly provide an estimated timeline or relevant details. - No

Date responded: 25 October 2023

Homelessness staff on-site

Date submitted: 10 October 2023

Summary of request

Does your council have homelessness staff on-site at a council building to assess people approaching as homeless? (i.e. can people who are homeless go to council offices in person and be assessed by a person face-to-face).

If so, are the staff full time or part time? How many full time staff are there?

If full time, what happens at the weekend?

If part time, how many are there and how many days a week are people working in person?

If the council has no staff available for in person approaches, how do people approach the council?

Summary of response

Council offices are open Mon – Thurs 9-1in Honiton, Mon – Thurs 9-4 (at present) in Exmouth and manned by a Duty Housing Officer during those hours.

People can approach the offices to speak with a Triage Officer via the phone initially, the Triage Officer will determine if a face to face meeting with the Duty Housing Officer is necessary.

Once triaged, a Housing Officer will be assigned, and people can request a face to face Full Housing Assessment if they wish.

Applications can also be made via the phone, or email.

Outside of office hours we have an out of hours phone service.

Date responded: 31 October 2023

Road names changes & removal/relocation of monuments/plaques

Date submitted: 9 October 2023

Summary of request

I would like to know whether the council has changed the names of any roads in the area between 1 May 2020 and 6 October 2023. If so, I would like to know:
• The former name of the road, and what it was changed to
• The date the change took place
• Which stakeholders were consulted regarding the change
• How many road names have been changed in total
I would also like to know whether the council has removed or relocated any monuments, statues or plaques in the area between 1 May 2020 and 6 October 2023. If so, I would like to know:
• What the monument/statue represents (e.g. who is it a statue of?) or what is written on the plaque
• Where it has been moved and where it was previously installed
• Which stakeholders were consulted regarding the change
• How many monuments, statues or plaques have been relocated or removed in total

Summary of response

I would like to know whether the council has changed the names of any roads in the area between 1 May 2020 and 6 October 2023 - No the council hasn't

If so, I would like to know:
• The former name of the road, and what it was changed to
• The date the change took place
• Which stakeholders were consulted regarding the change
• How many road names have been changed in total

I would also like to know whether the council has removed or relocated any monuments, statues or plaques in the area between 1 May 2020 and 6 October 2023 - No the council hasn't

If so, I would like to know:
• What the monument/statue represents (e.g. who is it a statue of?) or what is written on the plaque
• Where it has been moved and where it was previously installed
• Which stakeholders were consulted regarding the change
• How many monuments, statues or plaques have been relocated or removed in total

Date responded: 20 October 2023

Planning appeal cost awards

Date submitted: 6 October 2023

Summary of request

Please can you provide the following information about each planning appeal cost award or partial cost award made against your council (including information for any now-defunct councils that have been merged into your council) by planning inspectors between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2023:
• Date of cost award decision
• Date of appeal decision letter (if different to date of costs award decision)
• Has the amount of the cost award been determined (yes/no)?
• Amount of sum negotiated between the applicant and council for cost award (£)
• Was the decision that was the subject of the appeal made against officer recommendation (£)?
• PINS case reference number

Please could you also provide the following information about each planning appeal cost award or partial cost award made against an applicant in your council’s favour by planning inspectors between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2023 (please include information for any now-defunct councils that have been merged into your council):
• Date of cost award decision
• Date of appeal decision letter (if different to date of costs award decision)
• Has the amount of the cost award been determined (yes/no)?
• Amount of sum negotiated between the applicant and council for cost award (£)
• Was the decision that was the subject of the appeal made against officer recommendation (yes/no)?
• PINS case reference number

Summary of response

Planning appeal cost award or partial cost award made against the council –

Planning Inspectorate Ref. APP/U1105/W/19/3231349 decision dated 20 December 2019. Full award of costs amounting to £4425.66 + vat, decision made against Officer recommendation.

Planning Inspectorate Ref. APP/U1105/F/20/3258749 decision dated 18 May 2021. Partial award of costs which has not been submitted or settled.

Planning appeal cost award or partial cost award made against an applicant in council’s favour –

None.

Date responded: 20 October 2023

New council housing sold under Right to Buy

Date submitted: 5 October 2023

Summary of request

In this request, ‘council housing’ includes housing built/owned by ALMOs, and includes both new-builds and acquisitions, but not renovations/refurbishments of existing council housing units (unless it involved demolishing old units and replacing them with new-builds).
This request is not asking for ‘net’ figures – so for question 3, if the council added 50 new council housing units between 2011 and 2015 but lost (through whatever route) 45 council housing units during that period, the response to question 3 would be 50, not five.
1. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2003 and 2010 (inclusive)?
2. Of the units referred to in response to question 1, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme?
3. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2011 and 2015 (inclusive)?
4. Of the units referred to in response to question 3, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme?
5. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2016 and 2020 (inclusive)?
6. Of the units referred to in response to question 5, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme?

Summary of response

In this request, ‘council housing’ includes housing built/owned by ALMOs, and includes both new-builds and acquisitions, but not renovations/refurbishments of existing council housing units (unless it involved demolishing old units and replacing them with new-builds).
This request is not asking for ‘net’ figures – so for question 3, if the council added 50 new council housing units between 2011 and 2015 but lost (through whatever route) 45 council housing units during that period, the response to question 3 would be 50, not five.

1. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2003 and 2010 (inclusive)? - Zero
2. Of the units referred to in response to question 1, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme? - Zero
3. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2011 and 2015 (inclusive)? - Zero
4. Of the units referred to in response to question 3, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme? - Zero
5. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2016 and 2020 (inclusive)? - Zero
6. Of the units referred to in response to question 5, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme? - Zero

Date responded: 25 October 2023

Animal welfare enforcement visits and warrants

Date submitted: 5 October 2023

Summary of request

1. How many raids, welfare enforcement visits and warrants were executed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 between 31st August 2019 and 31st August 2023 by the council with the assistance of the RSPCA on the day. Please indicate the RSPCA level of assistance if known, i.e transport only, assessment, physical handling of animals etc.

2. How many raids, welfare enforcement visits and warrants were executed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 during the same period by the council without the presence and assistance of the RSPCA.

3. Please indicate which type of council officers were present during the above action and how many of each type if known Animal Welfare Officers, Animal Licensing Officers, Animal Health Officers, Other.

4. How many requests for information or assistance were made to the council in relation to Animal Welfare issues between 31st August 2019 and 31st August 2023 by the local police authority; by the RSPCA.

5. How many of the above actions were on domestic premises; rescues; boarding kennels, and Animal Welfare Establishments
(AWE’s) including sanctuaries, and how many were puppy farms?

6. How many animals were seized during the above actions and removed from the premises, please breakdown by type, ie, dogs, cats, horses - paying particular attention to dogs.


7. How many animals paying specific reference to dogs were euthanised ‘on site’ during the above actions.

8. How many of those animals euthanised on site during the above actions were euthanised due to welfare issues; deemed too dangerous/difficult to handle or to transport, with specific reference to dogs. Please state any other reasons for euthanasia with numbers, with specific reference to dogs.

9.. How many animals which were seized, specifically dogs were later euthanised due welfare issues; too difficult to handle/aggressive or any other reason.

10. Please provide a breakdown of dogs by breed of those euthanised if known i.e., German Shepherd, Jack Russell etc. Or by size, small, medium, large dogs if known.

11. If this information is not held by you, please indicate which council should be contacted for assistance.

12. Please provide the information in the form of an email.

Summary of response

1. How many raids, welfare enforcement visits and warrants were executed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 between 31st August 2019 and 31st August 2023 by the council with the assistance of the RSPCA on the day. Please indicate the RSPCA level of assistance if known, i.e transport only, assessment, physical handling of animals etc. - NONE

2. How many raids, welfare enforcement visits and warrants were executed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 during the same period by the council without the presence and assistance of the RSPCA. - NONE

3. Please indicate which type of council officers were present during the above action and how many of each type if known Animal Welfare Officers, Animal Licensing Officers, Animal Health Officers, Other. - N/A

4. How many requests for information or assistance were made to the council in relation to Animal Welfare issues between 31st August 2019 and 31st August 2023 by the local police authority; by the RSPCA. - NONE

5. How many of the above actions were on domestic premises; rescues; boarding kennels, and Animal Welfare Establishments
(AWE’s) including sanctuaries, and how many were puppy farms? - N/A

6. How many animals were seized during the above actions and removed from the premises, please breakdown by type, ie, dogs, cats, horses - paying particular attention to dogs. - N/A

7. How many animals paying specific reference to dogs were euthanised ‘on site’ during the above actions. - N/A

8. How many of those animals euthanised on site during the above actions were euthanised due to welfare issues; deemed too dangerous/difficult to handle or to transport, with specific reference to dogs. Please state any other reasons for euthanasia with numbers, with specific reference to dogs. - N/A

9.. How many animals which were seized, specifically dogs were later euthanised due welfare issues; too difficult to handle/aggressive or any other reason. - N/A

10. Please provide a breakdown of dogs by breed of those euthanised if known i.e., German Shepherd, Jack Russell etc. Or by size, small, medium, large dogs if known. - N/A

11. If this information is not held by you, please indicate which council should be contacted for assistance.

12. Please provide the information in the form of an email.

Date responded: 27 October 2023

Most common bulky waste items

Date submitted: 5 October 2023

Summary of request

1. The most common bulky waste items collected from outside of UK properties over the last 12 months?

1a. How many of each common item were disposed in the last 12 months? Please can this be broken down by month.

2. How many mattresses have you collected from outside of UK properties over the last 12 months? Please can this be broken down by month.

3. How much have UK residents paid for bulky waste collections in the last 12 months? Please can this be broken down by month.

Summary of response

1. The most common bulky waste items collected from outside of UK properties over the last 12 months? - We do not record the types of items that we collect other than white goods.

1a. How many of each common item were disposed in the last 12 months? Please can this be broken down by month - N/A. Please see answer to question 1 above

2. How many mattresses have you collected from outside of UK properties over the last 12 months? Please can this be broken down by month - N/A. Please see answer to question 1 above

3. How much have UK residents paid for bulky waste collections in the last 12 months? Please can this be broken down by month - Please see breakdown below:

• Oct 2022 - £350
• Nov 2022 - £140
• Dec 2022 - £275
• Jan 2023 - £340
• Feb 2023 - £315
• March 2023 - £225
• April 2023 - £47
• May 2023 - £193
• June 2023 - £235
• July 2023 - £94
• Aug 2023 - £735
• Sept 2023 - £329

Date responded: 31 October 2023

Dogs euthanised in EDDC area

Date submitted: 5 October 2023

Summary of request

Please may we have information on the number of dogs put to sleep in your area by your local authority in the following format:
• Monthly figures for the past three years to the most recent date available.
(e.g. if the most recent date is August 2023, please provide data for Sep 2020 to Aug 2021, Sep 2021 to Aug 2022 and Sep 2022 to Aug 2023.)
• If dog breed/type is recorded, monthly figures for the past three years for American Bullies, including XLs, put to sleep by your local authority.

Summary of response

You requested data on the number of dogs put to sleep by the local authority in EDDC area.

Within the date range specified one dog has been euthanised -

18.08.2023
The Police’s dog liaison officer typed the dog as a Pitbull Terrier while it was in LA’s kennels.

Date responded: 27 October 2023

Outsourced Printing

Date submitted: 3 October 2023

Summary of request

Do you outsource your annual and daily billing print and mail requirements? If so, who is your current provider and when does your contract(s) end?

Who provides your electoral print requirements including postal vote packs, poll cards, annual canvass, grass skirts etc? When does your current contract(s) end?

Summary of response


Do you outsource your annual and daily billing print and mail requirements? If so, who is your current provider and when does your contract(s) end?
Yes – Latchams for EDDC Annual Billing; Contract end date – Latchams – April 2024

Who provides your electoral print requirements including postal vote packs, poll cards, annual canvass, grass skirts etc? When does your current contract(s) end? - Yes – Latchams for electoral print requirements; Contract end date – Latchams – April 2024

Date responded: 25 October 2023

Frequency of the council's general waste collection.

Date submitted: 29 September 2023

Summary of request

What is the frequency of the council's general waste collection?

Summary of response

You requested to know the frequency of the council's general waste collection.

Household waste is collected every 3 weeks
Food waste is collected weekly
Recycling is collected weekly

Date responded: 29 September 2023

Local housing demand and supply

Date submitted: 29 September 2023

Summary of request

- The number of people on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2023
- The number of people on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2022
- The number of social/council homes completed in 2022/23
- The number of social/council homes "lost" (e.g. demolished, sold, etc.) in 2022/23
- The total social/council home stock as of September 2023

In essence, I am looking for the net gain/loss in public housing in the area and the local housing need.

Summary of response


- The number of people on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2023 - 5666
- The number of people on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2022 - 5076
- The number of social/council homes completed in 2022/23 - 4. These are all acquisitions not new builds
- The number of social/council homes "lost" (e.g. demolished, sold, etc.) in 2022/23 - 32 sales
- The total social/council home stock as of September 2023 - 4168 stock total (includes 6 rooms and 14 rooms used for temporary accommodation).

Date responded: 11 October 2023

Buildings with RAAC Concrete

Date submitted: 25 September 2023

Summary of request

Please provide details of all buildings in East Devon affected by RAAC Concrete and what remedial work is being undertaken.

Summary of response

You requested to know details of all buildings in East Devon affected by RAAC Concrete and what remedial work is being undertaken - We are not aware of any EDDC buildings that are affected by RAAC Concrete.

Date responded: 26 September 2023

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

Date submitted: 5 September 2023

Summary of request

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund - Wave 1 Funding

1. Please confirm the amount of money spent in total of the Wave 1 SHDF Fund

2. Please confirm the total amount of properties retrofitted.

3. Please identify all measures (including product and supplier name) installed.

4. Please provide a breakdown of costs for each measure (including product and supplier name) installed

5. Please identify who was responsible for the SHDF Wave 1 Project

6. Please identify who is responsible for the SHDF Wave 2 Project

Summary of response

You requested information on the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Please see our response below:

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund - Wave 1 Funding

1. Please confirm the amount of money spent in total of the Wave 1 SHDF Fund - £1.2m
2. Please confirm the total amount of properties retrofitted - 50
3. Please identify all measures (including product and supplier name) installed - Please clarify the information sought.
4. Please provide a breakdown of costs for each measure (including product and supplier name) installed - Please see above request for clarity
5. Please identify who was responsible for the SHDF Wave 1 Project - The Housing Service/Property & Asset Team of the council.
6. Please identify who is responsible for the SHDF Wave 2 Project - EDDC is not proceeding with Wave 2.

Date responded: 5 September 2023

Art owned and sold by the council

Date submitted: 30 August 2023

Summary of request

1. The total number of works of art owned by your local authority.

2. The estimated total value.

3. The number of works currently on display.

4. How many works of art have been donated by the local authority over the past five years?

5. How many works of art have been leased by the local authority over the past five years and the total revenue.

6. How many works of art have been sold by the local authority over the past five years and the total proceeds from any sales.

7. The cost to the local authority of maintaining your art collection for the financial year 2022/23. Please include any costs for security, conservation and insurance.

Summary of response

1. The total number of works of art owned by your local authority - Zero

2. The estimated total value - N/A

3. The number of works currently on display - Zero

4. How many works of art have been donated by the local authority over the past five years? - Zero

5. How many works of art have been leased by the local authority over the past five years and the total revenue - Zero

6. How many works of art have been sold by the local authority over the past five years and the total proceeds from any sales - Zero

7. The cost to the local authority of maintaining your art collection for the financial year 2022/23. Please include any costs for security, conservation and insurance - N/A

Date responded: 25 September 2023

People with disabilities living in temporary accommodation

Date submitted: 29 August 2023

Summary of request

Do you record people’s disabilities when placing them into temporary accommodation?
If so, how many people currently living in temporary accommodation (that you placed there) have disabilities?
What percentage is that of the total number of people currently living in temporary accommodation (that you placed there)?
How do you record their disabilities? (Please describe the recording system you have in place and how the data is stored)
How is the data used? (for example are residents with disabilities prioritised in any way when they need a repair/help)

Summary of response

Do you record people’s disabilities when placing them into temporary accommodation? - No
If so, how many people currently living in temporary accommodation (that you placed there) have disabilities? - N/A
What percentage is that of the total number of people currently living in temporary accommodation (that you placed there)? - N/A
How do you record their disabilities? (Please describe the recording system you have in place and how the data is stored) - N/A
How is the data used? (for example are residents with disabilities prioritised in any way when they need a repair/help) - N/A

Date responded: 31 August 2023

Number of Summons, Liability Orders & Hearings 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023

Date submitted: 29 August 2023

Summary of request

1. How many summons regarding non-payment of council tax were issued and served in 2021 and 2022 and, to date, in 2023?
2. Consequently, how many notice of liability orders were served in 2021, 2022 and, to date, in 2023?
3. How many non-payment of council tax hearings were adjourned after the first sitting in the Magistrates' Court in 2021, 2022 and, to date, in 2023

Summary of response

You requested to know data concerning summons, liability orders and adjournments. Please see our response below:

1. How many summons regarding non-payment of council tax were issued and served in 2021 and 2022 and, to date, in 2023?
2. Consequently, how many notice of liability orders were served in 2021, 2022 and, to date, in 2023?
3. How many non-payment of council tax hearings were adjourned after the first sitting in the Magistrates' Court in 2021, 2022 and, to date, in 2023

1 - Summons
2021 – 4371
2022 – 3116
2023 – 2644

2 – Liability orders
2021 – 2570
2022 – 2510
2023 – 1865

3 - Adjournments
2021 – 5
2022 – 2
2023 – 3

Date responded: 25 September 2023

Homelessness cases referred to Now Medical Ltd

Date submitted: 29 August 2023

Summary of request

From the 1st January to the 31st December 2022:
1.
a. How many homelessness cases were referred to Now Medical Ltd
b. Of those cases identified in 1a, how many cases concerned vulnerability in relation to priority need under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996
c. Of those from 1b, how many responses from Now Medical Ltd supported the conclusion that the individual was vulnerable?
d. Of those from 1b, how many cases were then found to be vulnerable in the s.184 decision letter and therefore in priority need?
2.
a. How many cases were referred to Housing Reviews Ltd
b. Of those identified, how many cases concerned vulnerability in relation to priority need under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996
c. Of those from 2b, how many supported the conclusion that the individual was vulnerable?
d. Of those from 2b, how many cases were found to be vulnerable and therefore in priority need?

Summary of response

From the 1st January to the 31st December 2022:
1.
a. How many homelessness cases were referred to Now Medical Ltd - Zero
b. Of those cases identified in 1a, how many cases concerned vulnerability in relation to priority need under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 - N/A
c. Of those from 1b, how many responses from Now Medical Ltd supported the conclusion that the individual was vulnerable? - N/A
d. Of those from 1b, how many cases were then found to be vulnerable in the s.184 decision letter and therefore in priority need? - N/A


2.
a. How many cases were referred to Housing Reviews Ltd - Zero
b. Of those identified, how many cases concerned vulnerability in relation to priority need under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 - N/A
c. Of those from 2b, how many supported the conclusion that the individual was vulnerable? - N/A
d. Of those from 2b, how many cases were found to be vulnerable and therefore in priority need? - N/A


Date responded: 31 August 2023

Facilities Management

Date submitted: 24 August 2023

Summary of request

1. Office and building cleaning – Service contract that is focused around office, commercial and building cleaning services.
2. Lift service and maintenance – Service contract for lift service and maintenance.
3. Food – Service contract that is focused around catering services.
4. General waste services contracts – The organisation’s primary general waste service contract.
5. Laundry services - where clothes and linen can be washed and ironed.

1. Contract profile questionnaire for each type of contract:
2. Supplier/Provider of the services
3. Total Annual Spend – The spend should only relate to each of the service contracts listed above.
4. A description of the services provided under this contract please includes information if other services are included under the same contract.
5. The number of sites the contract covers
6. [ONLY FOR LIFT CONTRACT] The Brand name of the type of lifts used by the organisation
7. The start date of the contract
8. The end date of the contract
9. The duration of the contract, please include information on any extensions period.
10. Who within the organisation is responsible for each of these contracts? name, Job Title, contact number and email address.

Summary of response

1. Office and building cleaning – Service contract that is focused around office, commercial and building cleaning services - Please see below
2. Lift service and maintenance – Service contract for lift service and maintenance - Please see below
3. Food – Service contract that is focused around catering services – Not EDDC
4. General waste services contracts – The organisation’s primary general waste service contract - Please see below
5. Laundry services - where clothes and linen can be washed and ironed – Not EDDC


1. Office and building cleaning – Service contract that is focus around office, commercial and building cleaning services:

1. Supplier/Provider of the services – The service agreement is with an external contractor
2. Total Annual Spend – The spend should only relate to each of the service contract listed above: circa £80k
3. A description of the services provided under this contract please includes information if other services are included under the same contract - Office Cleaning
4. The number of sites the contract covers - 4 sites
5. The start date of the contract - January 2019
6. The end date of the contract - Rolling annual contract
7. The duration of the contract, please include information on any extension period - Rolling annual contract
8. Who within the organisation is responsible for each of these contracts? Name, Job Title, contact number and email address - Principal Building Surveyor, propety@eastdevon.gov.uk


2. Lift service and maintenance – Service contract for lift service and maintenance:

1. Supplier/Provider of the services – The maintenance agreement is with an external provider
2. Total Annual Spend – The spend should only relate to each of the service contract listed above - For 2023/2024 for all sites circa £1600
3. A description of the services provided under this contract please includes information if other services are included under the same contract - Lift Maintenance and LOLER inspections
4. The number of sites the contract covers - 7 sites
5. Lift Types - Orona, Thyssen Krupp, Stannah, Kone, Terry, Concorde
6. The start date of the contract - April 2021
7. The end date of the contract - March 2024
8. The duration of the contract, please include information on any extensions period - 3 years with the option of a 1 year extension
9. Who within the organisation is responsible for each of these contracts? Name, Job Title, contact number and email address – Principal Building Surveyor, property@eastdevon.gov.uk


4. General waste services contracts – The organisation’s primary general waste service contract:

1. Supplier/Provider of the services - SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
2. Total Annual Spend - The spend should only relate to each of the service contract listed above – circa 7 million/year
3. A description of the services provided under this contract please includes information if other services are included under the same contract - Kerb side collection of domestic recyclables and general waste, separation of some recyclable materials, trading of some materials, servicing of dog bins
4. The number of sites the contract covers - circa 74,000 domestic households
5. The start date of the contract - 1st July 2016
6. The end date of the contract - 30th June 2026 (including extensions)
7. The duration of the contract, please include information on any extensions period - 7 years plus the option of 3 years of extension giving a total contract term of 10 years
8. Who within the organisation is responsible for each of these contracts? name, Job Title, contact number and email address - Gareth Bourton, Recycling & Waste Manager, gbourton@eastdevon.gov.uk

Date responded: 5 September 2023

Use of force in respect of antisocial behaviour

Date submitted: 23 August 2023

Summary of request

For the purposes of this request, I define “use of force” as force used on behalf of the Council to protect the public and themselves from harm. Use of force includes, but is not limited to, the following tactics: handcuffing people, unarmed skills (including pressure points, restraints and takedowns), limb/ body restraints, drawing or use of irritant spray, spit guards, batons, firing rubber bullets. Use of force includes both physical and mechanical restraint.

I am interested in roles that are both directly employed by the council or arranged by private sector providers (commercial partners) through contractual arrangements with the Council.

Q1. Are there roles within the Council regarding the management of anti-social behaviour? The role may be called ‘Security Officer’, ‘Security Manager’, “Ranger”, or another title. Please answer either “yes” or “no”. If the Council does not employ staff to manage anti-social behaviour, please ignore the remaining questions of this request.

Q2. Are any of these roles regarding the management of anti-social behaviour authorised to use physical intervention or force? Please answer either “yes” or “no”.

Q3. For the purposes of this request, I will refer to those employed by the Council regarding the management of anti-social behaviour as “Security Officers”. If the Security Officer role is authorised to use physical intervention or force, please share the following information:

Any forms, or written documents from employees after using force between 1 June 2022 and 1 June 2023. These may be called “incident forms” or “high profile notification forms”, or the Council may use a different terminology internally. Please indicate if the Council does not require employees to debrief in this way after use of force. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions. I also kindly remind you that the time taken for redactions does not usually contribute towards the cost cap under FOI.

Copies of the minutes of all Council use of force governance meetings. Please indicate if the Council does not hold meetings to scrutinise use of force. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions, as above.

Copies of any written documents that were distributed to those attending each use of force governance meetings. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions, as above.

Copies of any presentations, such as PowerPoint slideshows, which were shown during each use of force governance meeting. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions, as above.

Summary of response

Q1. Are there roles within the Council regarding the management of anti-social behaviour? The role may be called ‘Security Officer’, ‘Security Manager’, “Ranger”, or another title. Please answer either “yes” or “no”. If the Council does not employ staff to manage anti-social behaviour, please ignore the remaining questions of this request - Yes. The Council has several posts that manage ASB within their roles. These are; ASB officer, Environmental Protection Technical Officers and Housing Estate Management Officers

Q2. Are any of these roles regarding the management of anti-social behaviour authorised to use physical intervention or force? Please answer either “yes” or “no” - NO

Q3. For the purposes of this request, I will refer to those employed by the Council regarding the management of anti-social behaviour as “Security Officers”. If the Security Officer role is authorised to use physical intervention or force, please share the following information - Council Officers are not authorised to use force and we have no documentation to provide re the following:

Any forms, or written documents from employees after using force between 1 June 2022 and 1 June 2023. These may be called “incident forms” or “high profile notification forms”, or the Council may use a different terminology internally. Please indicate if the Council does not require employees to debrief in this way after use of force. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions. I also kindly remind you that the time taken for redactions does not usually contribute towards the cost cap under FOI.

Copies of the minutes of all Council use of force governance meetings. Please indicate if the Council does not hold meetings to scrutinise use of force. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions, as above.

Copies of any written documents that were distributed to those attending each use of force governance meetings. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions, as above.

Copies of any presentations, such as PowerPoint slideshows, which were shown during each use of force governance meeting. I understand these may be redacted for personal information but I ask that you redact only exempted information and justify the use of those exemptions, as above.

Date responded: 25 August 2023

AED/Defibrillators

Date submitted: 23 August 2023

Summary of request


• Do you have an AED in place at the moment? If yes, how many?
• Is there an annual service contract for the AEDs? If so, with whom?
• How many of your locations/sites have AEDs and how many do not?
• What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract?
• Suppliers who bid for this contract and were successful and not successful at the SQ & ITT stages
• Start date & duration of 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 contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension?
• When is the current contract due to expire?
• Who is the key decision maker for the purchase of AEDs?
• Can you please provide the email contact details of the key decision maker for the purchase of AEDs?
• Do you intend to purchase or upgrade your AEDs in the next 3 to 5 years? If so, when?
• Which brand(s) of AED is currently used by your organisation?
• How much have you spent on a) purchasing AEDs and b) servicing AEDs?
• Is there an annual service contract for the AEDs? If so, with whom?

Summary of response


• Do you have an AED in place at the moment? If yes, how many? - 4 (1 each at 4 sites, Exmouth Town Hall, Blackdown House, Camperdown depot and Seaton Wetlands) plus12 in 12 out of 14 of the Council's Community centres
• Is there an annual service contract for the AEDs? If so, with whom? - The annual service contract is with South West Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT)
• How many of your locations/sites have AEDs and how many do not? - See above. 6 sites don't have Defibs
• What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract? - Checked & reported to The Circuit, The National Defibrillator Network monthly
• Suppliers who bid for this contract and were successful and not successful at the SQ & ITT stages - Information not known
• Start date & duration of contract? - September 1st 2021 and continues for 4 years
• Could you please provide a copy of the service/product specification given to all bidders for when this contract was last advertised? - Information not known
• Is there an extension clause in the contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension? - No
• When is the current contract due to expire? - As above
• Who is the key decision maker for the purchase of AEDs? - Andrew Ennis (now left)
• Can you please provide the email contact details of the key decision maker for the purchase of AEDs? - Matthew Blythe, Assistant Director - Environmental Health environmentalhealth@eastdevon.gov.uk
• Do you intend to purchase or upgrade your AEDs in the next 3 to 5 years? If so, when? - Not decided
• Which brand(s) of AED is currently used by your organisation? - Cardiac Science G5; NF1200 AED
• How much have you spent on a) purchasing AEDs and b) servicing AEDs? - £1800 excluding VAT additional defib support package 1.1 1.2 1.3 and 1.4 at £1000 for 4 units only. The other units at the community centres were donated to EDDC following fund raising by a tenant
• Is there an annual service contract for the AEDs? If so, with whom? - South West Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT)

Date responded: 14 September 2023

Utility Expenses

Date submitted: 23 August 2023

Summary of request

This is an information request relating to payments made for utility expenses for councillors and council staff.

Please include the following information, broken down by the 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years:
• The number of payments made for home gas and electricity expenses for councillors and council staff
• The total value of payments made for home gas and electricity expenses for councillors and council staff
• The number of payments made for home water expenses for councillors and council staff
• The total value of payments made for home water expenses for councillors and council staff

Summary of response

East Devon District Council does not make any payments for employees' or Councillors' utilities expenses.

his is an information request relating to payments made for utility expenses for councillors and council staff.

Please include the following information, broken down by the 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years:
• The number of payments made for home gas and electricity expenses for councillors and council staff
• The total value of payments made for home gas and electricity expenses for councillors and council staff
• The number of payments made for home water expenses for councillors and council staff
• The total value of payments made for home water expenses for councillors and council staff

Date responded: 23 August 2023

Afghans owed a homelessness prevention duty

Date submitted: 23 August 2023

Summary of request

(1.) The total number of Afghans that were housed in temporary accommodation in your local authority as of April 2023 after being resettled under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme or the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

(2.) The total number of Afghans who were housed in temporary accommodation under either of the above schemes in your local authority who are now owed a homelessness prevention duty or relief by you.

(3.) If possible, please tell me how many of (2.) are children.

(4.) The total number of Afghans who were housed in temporary accommodation under either of the above schemes in your local authority who the council have prevented or relieved from homelessness.

Summary of response


(1.) The total number of Afghans that were housed in temporary accommodation in your local authority as of April 2023 after being resettled under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme or the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme - 0

(2.) The total number of Afghans who were housed in temporary accommodation under either of the above schemes in your local authority who are now owed a homelessness prevention duty or relief by you - 0

(3.) If possible, please tell me how many of (2.) are children - 0

(4.) The total number of Afghans who were housed in temporary accommodation under either of the above schemes in your local authority who the council have prevented or relieved from homelessness - 0

Date responded: 24 August 2023

England flag and opening hours - during Women's football

Date submitted: 23 August 2023

Summary of request

Does the Council own an England flag (Flag of St George)?

Did the Council fly the England flag from their offices on Sunday 20th August 2023?

Did the Council extend alcohol licensing hours for licensed venues on Sunday 20th August 2023?

Summary of response

Does the Council own an England flag (Flag of St George)? - Yes

Did the Council fly the England flag from their offices on Sunday 20th August 2023? - No

Did the Council extend alcohol licensing hours for licensed venues on Sunday 20th August 2023? - East Devon District Council did not extend alcohol licensing hours on Sunday 20th August as only the Government has powers to do this on a blanket basis. Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 makes provision for the government to issue an order to extend licensing hours for special occasions such as this, but the Government declined to do so in this instance. However, further to the letter sent by the Rt Hon Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities Minister for Intergovernmental Relations), to all Heads of Councils, we followed the direction outlined in the letter in applying flexibility and proportionality to enquiries about extension of licence hours. This approach was in common with the other Devon Local Authorities and in agreement with our Police colleagues.

Date responded: 25 August 2023

List of Dog Wardens & Rescue Centres

Date submitted: 21 August 2023

Summary of request

We are an Animal Microchip Database approved by DEFRA and we are looking for some contact information about your local Dog wardens & Rescue Centres so we have an accurate point of contact for stray needs and also to provide them with a welfare account with us .

Ideally we are wanting a list of all the dog wardens that operate under the Council and their contact details such as Name, Email address, Contact number & Address if applicable.

It would also be greatly appreciated if you could provide us with a list of postcodes or towns that fall under your Authority so we can better direct customers to the correct Warden/Approved persons

Summary of response

East Devon District Council have one Dog Warden Service - Foredowne Kennels and Cattery Newton Abbot

We occasionally use ARC Animal Rescue - Contact | ARC Animal rescue (arcrescue.co.uk).

Date responded: 23 August 2023

Animals confiscated under the Dangerous Wild Animal Act

Date submitted: 21 August 2023

Summary of request

1) Since 1st January 2018, how many times have you confiscated animals under the Dangerous Wild Animal Act? Which species of animal have been confiscated in these instances?
2) Since 1st January 2018, how many individuals in your local authority have been prosecuted and subsequently convicted under the Dangerous Wild Animal Act? Which species of animal were involved? What sentences were imposed?
3) Since 1st January 2018, how many individuals in your local authority have you instigated prosecution against under the Dangerous Wild Animal Act, but have not subsequently been convicted? Which species of animal were involved? Why were the individuals not convicted?
4) Since 1st January 2018, how many individuals in your local authority have you considered prosecuting under the Dangerous Wild Animal Act, but have subsequently chosen not to prosecute? Which species of animal were involved? Why were the individuals not prosecuted?
5) Since 1st January 2018, how many individuals have been granted a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence as an alternative to the confiscation of their animal/s? Which species of animal were involved?

Summary of response

You asked for information on how many times we have confiscated animals under the Dangerous Wild Animal Act.

We only have 1 licence currently and I can confirm that we haven’t confiscated any DWA Licences in the past.

Date responded: 22 August 2023

Attenuation system and the Management requirements - Ottery st Mary

Date submitted: 17 August 2023

Summary of request

We have some information requests linked to:
Permission application No 14/0462/NAR
Permission application No12/1622/MFUL

We ask for this information because due to the builders (Feniton Park Ltd - Mr David Cultler) being in receivership Managment on the Estate has been neglected. We are trying to remedy this but find ourselves without key information. We see from the planning application that an attenuation system was employed to avoid possible flooding in Ottery town centre, however we have no plans to clarify how it is a accessed, where it is or how often it should be flushed and the requirements given for good management.

Application No 12/1622/NAR Condition 3. States “Geotechnical investigation report, prepared by Clark Bond South West and Wales Ltd. And dated July 2009 or any subsequent report that may be prepared...

Later in Application No 14/0462/NAR condition 8. Management and maintenance of the drainage system shall be carried out in accordance with the letter of Mark Mabey dated 29th March 2013 and approved in association with application 12/1622/MFUL...

We would like to acquire plans and relevant detailed information showing the attenuation system and the Managment requirements.

Summary of response

Application No 12/1622/NAR Condition 3. States “Geotechnical investigation report, prepared by Clark Bond South West and Wales Ltd. And dated July 2009 or any subsequent report that may be prepared. Please provide a copy of the report.

Reply: The report is on the website under general correspondence. It has been renamed to: Geotechnical investigation under 12/1622/MFUL | Construction of 10 no. dwellings, two flats and a commercial building with associated parking and amenity facilities | Marist Convent 8 Broad Street Ottery St Mary EX11 1BZ

Later in Application No 14/0462/VAR condition 8. Management and maintenance of the drainage system shall be carried out in accordance with the letter of Mark Mabey dated 29th March 2013 and approved in association with application 12/1622/MFUL. Please provide a copy of this letter.

Reply: The letter is part of the Discharge of Condition dated 9 April 2013 under 12/1622/MFUL | Construction of 10 no. dwellings, two flats and a commercial building with associated parking and amenity facilities | Marist Convent 8 Broad Street Ottery St Mary EX11 1BZ

https://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=M7PCP5GH3A000

Date responded: 6 September 2023

LOBO Loan

Date submitted: 16 August 2023

Summary of request

Does East Devon District Council have a LOBO Loan, if so what are the details ie. amount of loan, term of loan, interest rates/payment dates.

Summary of response

Does East Devon District Council have a LOBO Loan, if so what are the details i.e. amount of loan, term of loan, interest rates/payment dates. - No, East Devon DD do not hold any LOBO loans.

Date responded: 17 August 2023

Private Rented Sector Enforcement

Date submitted: 15 August 2023

Summary of request

1. The total number of Civil Penalties relating to housing offences served to private landlords per year for the following years:

2021/2022
2022/2023

2. The number of Civil Penalties issued to private landlords each year (so 2021/2022 & 2022/2023) for each of the following offences:

a) Failure to comply with an Improvement Notice (section 30 of the Housing Act 2004)
b) Offences in relation to licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (section 72 of the Housing Act 2004)
c) Offences in relation to licensing of houses under Part 3 of the Act (section 95 of the Housing Act 2004)
d) Offences of contravention of an overcrowding notice (section 139 of the Housing Act 2004)
e) Failure to comply with management regulations in respect of Houses in Multiple Occupation (section 234 of the Housing Act 2004)
f) Banning Orders under the Housing and Planning Act 2016
g) Offences in relation to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations

3. The total amount of income (£) levied (so before appeals/negotiations/legal costs etc) in Civil Penalties relating to housing offences to private landlords per year for the following years:

2021/2022
2022/2023
4. The total amount of income (£) collected (after appeals/negotiations/legal costs etc) in Civil Penalties relating to housing offences to private landlords per year for the following years:

2021/2022
2022/2023

Summary of response

The Council has not issued any civil penalties to landlords in the time frames you have specified.

1. The total number of Civil Penalties relating to housing offences served to private landlords per year for the following years:

2021/2022
2022/2023

2. The number of Civil Penalties issued to private landlords each year (so 2021/2022 & 2022/2023) for each of the following offences:

a) Failure to comply with an Improvement Notice (section 30 of the Housing Act 2004)
b) Offences in relation to licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (section 72 of the Housing Act 2004)
c) Offences in relation to licensing of houses under Part 3 of the Act (section 95 of the Housing Act 2004)
d) Offences of contravention of an overcrowding notice (section 139 of the Housing Act 2004)
e) Failure to comply with management regulations in respect of Houses in Multiple Occupation (section 234 of the Housing Act 2004)
f) Banning Orders under the Housing and Planning Act 2016
g) Offences in relation to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations

3. The total amount of income (£) levied (so before appeals/negotiations/legal costs etc) in Civil Penalties relating to housing offences to private landlords per year for the following years:

2021/2022
2022/2023

4. The total amount of income (£) collected (after appeals/negotiations/legal costs etc) in Civil Penalties relating to housing offences to private landlords per year for the following years:

2021/2022
2022/2023

Date responded: 23 August 2023

EV charge points for any grade 2 listed buildings

Date submitted: 15 August 2023

Summary of request

Have you approved installation of EV (electrical vehicle) charge points for any grade 2 listed buildings and if so, how many in the last five years?
Did you require any of those approved to submit a listed building consent application, again if so, how many of them?       
Of those approved EV charge points for grade 2 listed buildings was a planning application required, if so, how many?
Of those approved did you stipulate the kind of EV charger, size, made, model etc and if so, what were those stipulations.
How many EV charge points have you not approved, in the last five years, for grade 2 listed buildings?

Summary of response

Have you approved installation of EV (electrical vehicle) charge points for any grade 2 listed buildings and if so, how many in the last five years? - This information is not held in a way that can be reported on. You can search all the listed building planning applications on our planning portal to see if any are for EV connections. https://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=advanced ensure that in the 'Application Type' field you select 'listed building consent' then fill in the date ranges at the bottom of the form. You will then need to search for this information yourself. As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

Did you require any of those approved to submit a listed building consent application, again if so, how many of them? - N/A
Of those approved EV charge points for grade 2 listed buildings was a planning application required, if so, how many? - N/A
Of those approved did you stipulate the kind of EV charger, size, made, model etc and if so, what were those stipulations - N/A
How many EV charge points have you not approved, in the last five years, for grade 2 listed buildings? - N/A

Date responded: 17 August 2023

Swimming pools

Date submitted: 14 August 2023

Summary of request

How many libraries were run and staffed by your council in the last financial year (2022/2023)?

How many libraries, that were once part of your council’s statutory provision, were run exclusively by volunteers in the last financial year (2022/2023)?

How many swimming pools were operational and run directly by your council in the following financial years?
a) 2010/2011
b) 2022/2023

How many swimming pools were operational but run by another organisation under contract to your council in the following financial years?
a) 2010/2011
b) 2022/2023

If your council doesn’t have responsibility for providing library or leisure services then please just answer the questions that relate to the service you provide.

Summary of response

How many libraries were run and staffed by your council in the last financial year (2022/2023)? - Libraries are not manged/run by EDDC

How many libraries, that were once part of your council’s statutory provision, were run exclusively by volunteers in the last financial year (2022/2023)? - Libraries are not manged/run by EDDC

How many swimming pools were operational and run directly by your council in the following financial years?
a) 2010/2011 - None
b) 2022/2023 - None

How many swimming pools were operational but run by another organisation under contract to your council in the following financial years?
a) 2010/2011 - 3
b) 2022/2023 - 3

Date responded: 14 August 2023

Residency status Cranbrook

Date submitted: 14 August 2023

Summary of request

I kindly request that you provide me with the Cranbrook demographic data from 2019 to date. Specifically, I would like to familiarize myself with the statistics and wonder if you could direct me to the sources of the following:

- The number of East Devon residents with their residency status longer than 5 years who have applied for social housing in Cranbrook and the duration of their wait.
- The number of British residents with their residency status longer than 5 years from areas other than East Devon who have been waiting for social housing in Cranbrook and the duration of their wait.
- The number of non-British residents or British residents with residency status shorter than 5 years who have been waiting for social housing accommodation in Cranbrook, and the duration of their wait.
- The number of British residents who have been relocated from areas other than East Devon in the past 4 years and have already received social housing accommodation in Cranbrook.
- The number of non-British citizens and British residents with residency status shorter than 5 years who have been relocated to Cranbrook from other areas in the past 4 years and have already been accommodated under the social housing theme.
- The number of illegal immigrants who have been allocated and granted accommodation in Cranbrook, including temporary accommodation during the past 4 years.

Additionally, can I ask for a detailed breakdown of the council taxes, please?

Summary of response

- The number of East Devon residents with their residency status longer than 5 years who have applied for social housing in Cranbrook and the duration of their wait - Please clarify what you mean by residency status longer than 5 years? 5 years in the UK or East Devon? We can only report on the last/current address from the system.

- The number of British residents with their residency status longer than 5 years from areas other than East Devon who have been waiting for social housing in Cranbrook and the duration of their wait - We don’t ask for an area of preference so we can’t identify applicants who are waiting for Cranbrook specifically. Again we could only report based upon length of time in their current address.

- The number of non-British residents or British residents with residency status shorter than 5 years who have been waiting for social housing accommodation in Cranbrook, and the duration of their wait - We don’t ask for an area of preference so can’t identify applicants who are waiting for Cranbrook specifically. Again we could only report based upon length of time in their current address.

- The number of British residents who have been relocated from areas other than East Devon in the past 4 years and have already received social housing accommodation in Cranbrook - We can only report on people who have moved to Cranbrook from outside East Devon and their nationality so this would not give you the historic 4 year information you are after.

- The number of non-British citizens and British residents with residency status shorter than 5 years who have been relocated to Cranbrook from other areas in the past 4 years and have already been accommodated under the social housing theme - We can report on people who have moved to Cranbrook from outside East Devon and their nationality but could only include the date that they moved into their previous address so this would not give you the historic 4 year information you are after.

- The number of illegal immigrants who have been allocated and granted accommodation in Cranbrook, including temporary accommodation during the past 4 years - We do not hold this information.

Date responded: 25 August 2023

Average Council Tax

Date submitted: 14 August 2023

Summary of request

What is your Biggest town in your district.
Where is your office located?
Average council tax and age range of people in your biggest town.
Average council tax and age range of people in your town where your office is located. (if not the same as your biggest town).

Summary of response

What is your Biggest town in your district? - Exmouth
Where is your office located? - Honiton & Exmouth
Average council tax and age range of people in your biggest town? - The Band D charge for Exmouth for 2023/24 financial year is £2212.63 per year, Council tax data does not hold the age of the people in Honiton.

Average council tax and age range of people in your town where your office is located? - The band D charge for Honiton for 2023/24 financial year is £2267.07 per year, Council tax data does not hold the age of the people in Honiton.

Date responded: 17 August 2023

LAN information

Date submitted: 14 August 2023

Summary of request

I would like to request the following information about the organisation’s Local Area Network (LAN) environment.
You may have received the same request in the past and this information sent has now expired and I require an update as soon as possible for the following information
Please can you send me the organisation’s Local Area Network (LAN) contract, which may include the following:

• Support and Maintenance- e.g. switches, router, software etc
• Managed- If this includes services than just LAN.

1. Contract Type: Managed or Maintenance

2. Existing Supplier: Who is the current supplier?

3. Annual Spend for each supplier: What is the annual average spending on the supplier above? If there is more than one supplier, please split the annual averages spent for each supplier.

4. Number of Users: Please can you provide me with the number of users this contract covers. Approximate number of users will also be acceptable.

5. Number of Sites: The number of sites, where equipment is supported by each contract.


6. Hardware Brand: What is the hardware brand of the LAN equipment?

7. Contract Description: Please provide me with a brief description of the overall contract.


8. Contract Duration: What is the duration of the contract and can you please also include any extensions this may include.

9. Contract Expiry Date: When does the contract expire?

10. Contract Review Date: When will the organisation be planning to review the contract?

11. Responsible Officer: Contact details including name, job title, contact number and email address?

If the LAN maintenance is included in-house please include the following information:

1. Hardware Brand: What is the hardware brand of the LAN equipment?
2. Number of Users: Please can you provide me with the number of users this contract covers. Approximate number of users will also be acceptable.
3. Number of Sites: Estimated/Actual number of sites the LAN covers.
4. Responsible Officer: Who within the organisation is responsible for LAN please provide me with contact details including name, job title, contact number and email address?


If the contract is managed by a 3rd party e.g. Can you please provide me with

1. Existing Supplier: Who is the current supplier?
2. Number of Users: Please can you provide me with the number of users this contract covers. Approximate number of users will also be acceptable.
3. Number of Sites: Estimated/Actual number of sites the LAN covers.
4. Contract Type: Managed, Maintenance, Installation, Software
5. Hardware Brand: What is the hardware brand of the LAN equipment?
6. Contract Description: Please provide me with a brief description of the overall contract.
7. Contract Duration: What is the duration of the contract and can you please also include any extensions this may include.
8. Contract Expiry Date: When does the contract expire?
9. Contract Review Date: When will the organisation be planning to review the contract?
10. Responsible Officer: Who within the organisation is responsible for each of these contract(s) please provide me with contact details including name, job title, contact number and email address?

Summary of response


1. Contract Type: Managed or Maintenance - Maintenance
2. Existing Supplier: Who is the current supplier? - Dell
3. Annual Spend for each supplier: What is the annual average spending on the supplier above? If there is more than one supplier please split the annual averages spend for each supplier. - £0
4. Number of Users: Please can you provide me with the number of users this contract covers. Approximate number of users will also be acceptable. - 1800 (total users across all 3 councils and Strata. No breakdown available)
5. Number of Sites: The number of sites, where equipment is supported by each contract. - 25
6. Hardware Brand: What is the hardware brand of the LAN equipment? - Dell
7. Contract Description: Please provide me with a brief description of the overall contract. - Support is provided in house, maintenance is covered under the initial 5 year warranty purchased with the equipment
8. Contract Duration: What is the duration of the contract is and can you please also include any extensions this may include. - All hardware is purchased with a 5 year warranty.
9. Contract Expiry Date: When does the contract expire? - 2027
10. Contract Review Date: When will the organisation is planning to review the contract? – Q4 2026
11. Responsible Officer: Contact details including name, job title, contact number and email address?
The persons involved will change over time so our policy is to provide a contact route to our procurement team in our in-house IT company, Strata Service Solutions - Strata | Supporting government which includes the latest email address.


If the LAN maintenance is included in-house please include the following information:

1. Hardware Brand: What is the hardware brand of the LAN equipment? - Dell, Nortel & Avaya
2. Number of Users: Please can you provide me with the number of users this contract covers. Approximate number of users will also be acceptable. - 1800 (total users across all 3 councils and Strata. No breakdown available)
3. Number of Sites: Estimated/Actual number of sites the LAN covers. - 25
4. Responsible Officer: Who within the organisation is responsible for LAN please provide me with contact details including name, job title, contact number and email address? See 11 above.

Date responded: 17 August 2023

Housing and Asset Management Software

Date submitted: 3 August 2023

Summary of request

1. The Name of the housing management software used by the Local Authority (this software is what is used to manage tenants and rents etc..) - If the LA uses their own in-house software please state.
2. Could you please confirm the start and end date for the contract for this software?
3. The Name of the asset management software used by the Local Authority (this software is that used to manage properties) If the LA uses their own in-house or this is part of the housing management package software please state.
4. Could you please confirm the start and end date for the contract for this software?

Summary of response

1. The Name of the housing management software used by the Local Authority (this software is what is used to manage tenants and rents etc..) - If the LA uses their own in-house software please state – Capita – Open Housing
2. Could you please confirm the start and end date for the contract for this software? – Start date 7/7/2013; Rolling contract, Annual Renewal on contract anniversary.
3. The Name of the asset management software used by the Local Authority (this software is that used to manage properties) If the LA uses their own in-house or this is part of the housing management package software please state – Capita – Open Housing
4. Could you please confirm the start and end date for the contract for this software? – Start date 7/7/2013; Rolling contract, Annual Renewal on contract anniversary.

Date responded: 22 August 2023

Fly tipping incidents

Date submitted: 2 August 2023

Summary of request

1. How many incidents of ‘fly tipping’ (Environmental Protection Act 1990) were reported to you in each of the years 2021-22 and 2022-23?

2. How much did it cost in each year to collect and dispose of fly-tipped material?

3. How many prosecutions (including fixed penalty notices) in respect of ‘fly tipping’ (Environmental Protection Act 1990) were undertaken by you or on your behalf in each of the years 2021-22 and 2022-23?

Summary of response

1. How many incidents of ‘fly tipping’ (Environmental Protection Act 1990) were reported to you in each of the years 2021-22 and 2022-23?

From Apr 2021 – Mar 2022 there were 422 recorded fly tips.
From Apr 2022 – Mar 2023 there were 399 recorded fly tips.
From Apr 2023 to current date there were 112 recorded fly tips.

2. How much did it cost in each year to collect and dispose of fly-tipped material? - Information not available. There is no specific costs associated with the collection and disposal of fly tipped waste as this forms only part of the work carried our by the REACT team. Costs are not apportioned to different types of work.

3. How many prosecutions (including fixed penalty notices) in respect of ‘fly tipping’ (Environmental Protection Act 1990) were undertaken by you or on your behalf in each of the years 2021-22 and 2022-23?

In 2021, there was 1 Fixed Penalty Notice issued for fly tipping; the fine issued was for £400 but £200 was paid for early payment + £112 cost for clearing up.

In 2022, there were 2 Fixed Penalty Notices issued, the first was a £400 FPN, £200 was paid for early payment + £118 cost for clearing. The second FPN was for £400, again £200 paid for early payment + £177 costs for clearing up.

Date responded: 17 August 2023

Tree Planting/felling and Land Ownership

Date submitted: 2 August 2023

Summary of request

I am writing to formally request information regarding the total number of trees planted by your authority, either independently or in collaboration with community groups, charities, and/or businesses, for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and the current year (2023).

Additionally, it would be greatly appreciated if you could provide the approximate number of trees felled by your authority for each of these years.

Furthermore, I kindly seek information on the total land area currently owned by your authority, ideally expressed in hectares.

In particular, I am interested to know what percentage of this land is covered by turf that is presently mown and maintained by your authority.

Summary of response

I am writing to formally request information regarding the total number of trees planted by your authority, either independently or in collaboration with community groups, charities, and/or businesses, for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and the current year (2023) -

No data on previous years. In 2022, the total number of trees planted by Streetscene was 776, which included volunteer activities, schools, replacement trees and memorial trees.

So far in 2023, Streetscene has planted 1152 trees.


Additionally, it would be greatly appreciated if you could provide the approximate number of trees felled by your authority for each of these years.

The number of trees felled according to our records are as follows: (please note, the records for the last 2 years are not currently not up to date).
2018 - Info not held
2019 - Info not held
2020 - 35
2021 - 46
2022 - 4
2023 - 1


Furthermore, I kindly seek information on the total land area currently owned by your authority, ideally expressed in hectares - Information not held in hectares

In particular, I am interested to know what percentage of this land is covered by turf that is presently mown and maintained by your authority - Information not held

Date responded: 30 August 2023

Complaints about grassed areas where children have been unable to play football

Date submitted: 1 August 2023

Summary of request

Please can I have details of the complaints about grassed areas where children have been unable to play football discussed at the review committee as reported in the Sidmouth Herald. Which areas have been identified with reference to children's football in complaints and how many such complaints have been received?

Summary of response

Please can I have details of the complaints about grassed areas where children have been unable to play football discussed at the review committee as reported in the Sidmouth Herald.

Which areas have been identified with reference to children's football in complaints and how many such complaints have been received?

3 complaints; 2 x Gorfin Close Exmouth & 1 x Colleton Way Exmouth

Date responded: 2 August 2023

Lighting Controls Utilisation and Improvement

Date submitted: 27 July 2023

Summary of request

1. Documentation or reports detailing the existing lighting control systems deployed across various council-managed buildings and public areas.

2. Information on the extent to which the current lighting controls are fully utilized and optimized for energy efficiency.

3. Data on energy consumption patterns related to lighting across different council facilities and public spaces.

4. Any evaluations or assessments conducted to gauge the performance and effectiveness of the existing lighting controls.

5. Insights into the challenges or limitations faced with the current lighting controls and any associated maintenance or operational costs.

6. Any plans or strategies your council has in place to improve and enhance lighting controls for better energy efficiency and user experience.

7. Recommendations or proposed improvements to the existing lighting controls, including the incorporation of innovative technologies or best practices.

8. Any initiatives or projects undertaken to promote sustainability through lighting control optimization.

9. Contact information for any relevant personnel or departments involved in managing lighting controls within the council.

Summary of response


1. Documentation or reports detailing the existing lighting control systems deployed across various council-managed buildings and public areas - The Council has over 1000 buildings and does not readily hold this sort of detailed information. The current default position is for indoor spaces to have occupancy or motion sensors as appropriate, older properties will have some basic/manual on and off controls in some areas. External spaces will generally have dusk to dawn and motions sensors and/or timer lighting controls.

2. Information on the extent to which the current lighting controls are fully utilized and optimized for energy efficiency - Timer controls are changed according to the seasons

3. Data on energy consumption patterns related to lighting across different council facilities and public spaces - Information not available

4. Any evaluations or assessments conducted to gauge the performance and effectiveness of the existing lighting controls - None done

5. Insights into the challenges or limitations faced with the current lighting controls and any associated maintenance or operational costs - None

6. Any plans or strategies your council has in place to improve and enhance lighting controls for better energy efficiency and user experience - Decisions on new lighting controls will be primarily based on service requirements with consideration to energy savings

7. Recommendations or proposed improvements to the existing lighting controls, including the incorporation of innovative technologies or best practices - None

8. Any initiatives or projects undertaken to promote sustainability through lighting control optimization - None

9. Contact information for any relevant personnel or departments involved in managing lighting controls within the council - property@eastdevon.gov.uk

Date responded: 31 July 2023

Stamp duty land tax payments

Date submitted: 26 July 2023

Summary of request

Can you tell me how much SDLT has been paid by the council - on property or land - acquired with a public subsidy for the purposes of providing social housing in each of the last five financial years?

Summary of response

Can you tell me how much SDLT has been paid by the council - on property or land - acquired with a public subsidy for the purposes of providing social housing in each of the last five financial years? - Please see data below:

2022/23 £54,250
2021/22 £71,408
2020/21 £111,462
2019/20 £156,106
2018/19 £110,694
(Based on effective date/completion date)

The Council is currently obtaining tax and legal advice on the application of an SDLT relief which may be applicable to some of the amount paid in the last 5 years but we cannot release or comment on any advice the Council has received to date.

Date responded: 2 August 2023

Homes held up due to nutrient neutrality advice

Date submitted: 24 July 2023

Summary of request

- The number of residential homes which the council is currently unable to make a planning decision on as a result of Natural England's nutrient neutrality advice. To be clear, I'd like to know the number of homes awaiting approval, not the number of planning applications. E.g 1 planning application could be related to 200 homes.
- If applicable, how many homes does the council currently have mitigation for e.g via nature-based nutrient mitigation schemes?

Summary of response

- The number of residential homes which the council is currently unable to make a planning decision on as a result of Natural England's nutrient neutrality advice. To be clear, I'd like to know the number of homes awaiting approval, not the number of planning applications. E.g. 1 planning application could be related to 200 homes - Information not recorded

- If applicable, how many homes does the council currently have mitigation for e.g. via nature-based nutrient mitigation schemes? - Information not recorded

Date responded: 15 August 2023

Council owned football pitches

Date submitted: 24 July 2023

Summary of request

How many council owned, public football pitches do you currently operate (latest figures available)

How many council owned, public football pitches were sold, or closed, from the financial year 2017/2018 to the present date?

Summary of response

How many council owned, public football pitches do you currently operate (latest figures available) - 8

How many council owned, public football pitches were sold, or closed, from the financial year 2017/2018 to the present date? - None

Date responded: 15 August 2023

EH visits to asylum seekers housed under AASC or COMPASS

Date submitted: 24 July 2023

Summary of request

- How many times has your environmental health team visited a property that accommodates asylum seekers housed under AASC or COMPASS by Serco, Mears, G4S or Clearspring Ready Homes.
- Details of why the visit was carried out and any reports written about the visit.
- How many times has your environmental health team been contacted about a property that accommodates asylum seekers housed under AASC by Serco, Mears or Clearspring Ready Homes.
- The nature of the call (pests, mould, noise, disrepair, etc).

Summary of response

- How many times has your environmental health team visited a property that accommodates asylum seekers housed under AASC or COMPASS by Serco, Mears, G4S or Clearspring Ready Homes.
- Details of why the visit was carried out and any reports written about the visit.
- How many times has your environmental health team been contacted about a property that accommodates asylum seekers housed under AASC by Serco, Mears or Clearspring Ready Homes.
- The nature of the call (pests, mould, noise, disrepair, etc).

There have been no EH visits to AASC or COMPASS accommodation

Date responded: 31 July 2023

The Inspection of Accounts

Date submitted: 19 July 2023

Summary of request

I am interested in researching the issue of the Inspection of Accounts rights under the Audit Act 2014, to see if or how it is being used across local government in the UK.

I wanted to ask for data, between 2019/20 and 2022/23 for
1. If the accounts were published in those years.
2. Number of people who inspected the accounts in the time periods each year.
3. Number of requests/questions asked, and what they were/what areas they covered.
4. Number of objections raised, and what they were.
5. Any FOI requests relating to the accounts or finances (with the phrase ‘accounts’ of ‘inspection or statement of accounts’)
6. Any changes made to the accounts as a result.

Summary of response

1. If the accounts were published in those years - 2019/20 & 2020/21 accounts are available online. 2021/22 and 2022/23 will be available shortly following national issues/delay. https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/our-finance/
2. Number of people who inspected the accounts in the time periods each year - None.
3. Number of requests/questions asked, and what they were/what areas they covered - None.
4. Number of objections raised, and what they were - None.
5. Any FOI requests relating to the accounts or finances (with the phrase ‘accounts’ of ‘inspection or statement of accounts’) - Information not held in a way where reports could be created to capture this data.
6. Any changes made to the accounts as a result - None.

Date responded: 24 July 2023

Information Governance Technology

Date submitted: 18 July 2023

Summary of request

1. Does your organisation use any applications or software to record Record of Processing Activity (ROPA)?

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

2. Does your organisation use any applications or software to support preparation for, or maintenance of ISO 27001 and/or ISO 27701 compliance?

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

3. Does your organisation use any applications or software associated with data breach management?

4. Does your organisation use any applications or software associated with Freedom of Information management?

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

5. Does your organisation use any applications or software for Policy Management?

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

6. Does your organisation use any eLearning for Data Protection and Security Awareness?

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

7. Has your organisation reviewed / explored the market regarding the provision of technology which supports the delivery of Information Governance functions?

If yes - please specify what actions have been taken?

If no - does your organisation have any plans to review / explore this market in the next 3 years?

8. Has your organisation allocated budget / financial resources regarding the commissioning / procurement of technology which supports the delivery of Information Governance functions?

If yes - please specify what actions have been taken?

If no - does your organisation have any plans to allocate budget / financial resources in the next 3 years?

9. Has your organisation developed a business case (outline or otherwise) regarding the commissioning / procurement of technology which supports the delivery of Information Governance functions?

If yes - please specify what actions have been taken?

If no - does your organisation have any plans to develop a business case in the next 3 years?

10. Will there be any opportunities to engage with your organisation regarding the commissioning / procurement of technology which supports the delivery of Information Governance function in the next three years?

Summary of response

1. Does your organisation use any applications or software to record Record of Processing Activity (ROPA)? - No

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

2. Does your organisation use any applications or software to support preparation for, or maintenance of ISO 27001 and/or ISO 27701 compliance? - No

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

3. Does your organisation use any applications or software associated with data breach management? - Iken

4. Does your organisation use any applications or software associated with Freedom of Information management? - Firmstep

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

5. Does your organisation use any applications or software for Policy Management? - None in use at the present time

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

6. Does your organisation use any eLearning for Data Protection and Security Awareness? - Yes

If so, please state the product name(s) and version numbers(s) (if known)

7. Has your organisation reviewed / explored the market regarding the provision of technology which supports the delivery of Information Governance functions? - Yes we are exploring a number of solutions to assist with Data Governance. Initial research and market exploration. A few discussions with Microsoft and a Microsoft Partner

If yes - please specify what actions have been taken?

If no - does your organisation have any plans to review / explore this market in the next 3 years?

8. Has your organisation allocated budget / financial resources regarding the commissioning / procurement of technology which supports the delivery of Information Governance functions? - Not yet but it will do depending on outcome of Business Case

If yes - please specify what actions have been taken?

If no - does your organisation have any plans to allocate budget / financial resources in the next 3 years?

9. Has your organisation developed a business case (outline or otherwise) regarding the commissioning / procurement of technology which supports the delivery of Information Governance functions? - Business Case is being written to support Data Governance function

If yes - please specify what actions have been taken?

If no - does your organisation have any plans to develop a business case in the next 3 years?

10. Will there be any opportunities to engage with your organisation regarding the commissioning / procurement of technology which supports the delivery of Information Governance function in the next three years? - Yes

Date responded: 18 July 2023

Funding received from central government under the Homes for Ukraine scheme between 1 April 2022 – 3

Date submitted: 18 July 2023

Summary of request

1. Please provide details on the amount of funding received from central government under the Homes for Ukraine scheme between 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023. Please also state how many individuals this funding supported. Please provide this data in .xls or .csv format.

2. Please provide details on the amount of funding received from central government under the Ukraine Family Scheme between 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023. Please also state how many individuals this funding supported. Please provide this data in .xls or .csv format.

Summary of response

East Devon District Council received £2,282,000 from Central Government (via Devon County Council) for Homes for Ukraine in between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023

This money supported 328 guests who arrived in East Devon between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023

Date responded: 31 July 2023

MP comments on planning applications

Date submitted: 17 July 2023

Summary of request

a. Submissions (comments etc) made by MPs in East Devon area to planning applications to develop land for housing developments between 6th April 2022 to 5th April 2023.
b. For each submission how many houses were to be included in the proposed development.

Summary of response

a. Submissions (comments etc) made by MPs in East Devon area to planning applications to develop land for housing developments between 6th April 2022 to 5th April 2023 - Only one from Simon Jupp: 23/0296/MFUL
b. For each submission how many houses were to be included in the proposed development - 40 Dwellings

Date responded: 24 July 2023

Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Service

Date submitted: 14 July 2023

Summary of request

Please provide the following information for your Council for 2022/23 (or
the current position)

1. The net Revenue Cost for the whole Council:

2. The total cost (Staff salaries, on-costs, system costs, supplies costs,
transport costs) of your Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Function:

3. Number of FTE staff in your Internal Audit and Counter Fraud service:

4. The number of Audit days undertaken by the Internal Audit and Counter
Fraud service:

5. The productive days per FTE Internal Audit and Counter Fraud staff
member:

6. Number of FTE Internal Audit and Counter Fraud staff members:

i. Qualified
ii. Part Qualified
iii. % of High/Medium Audit recommendations agreed and management actions
Implemented

7. When was Counter Fraud plan last updated:

8. Number of FTE staff dedicated to Counter Fraud promotion:

9. Number of FTE staff dedicated to Counter Fraud investigations:

10. Number of Fraud incidents reported:

11. Number of Fraud incidents investigated:

12. Number of Fraud prosecutions initiated:

13. Identified value of fraud savings/recovered:

Summary of response

Please provide the following information for your Council for 2022/23 (or the current position)

1. The net Revenue Cost for the whole Council - Please see page 3 of the 2023/24 EDDC budget book: eddc-budget-book-2023-24-final.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk) Net budget expenditure for 2022/23 was £17,240,981 and for 2023/24 was £21,597,234

2. The total cost (Staff salaries, on-costs, system costs, supplies costs, transport costs) of your Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Function - The total net external cost (i.e. before internal recharges to/from other cost centres) for 22-23 was:

• Cost Centre 58213 Internal Audit and Corporate Governance = £126,715.

• Cost Centre 21404 Corporate Fraud and Compliance = £125,028

3. Number of FTE staff in your Internal Audit and Counter Fraud service - 2.5 in Fraud and Compliance; SWAP Internal Audit Services does provide the Head of Audit role and bespoke teams to work with our Partners. In addition, we bring in other members of SWAP staff to help with specialist audit delivery and to supplement team resources, this means that it is not possible to calculate the number of FTE staff for the Internal Audit service. The council therefore does not hold the information requested.

4. The number of Audit days undertaken by the Internal Audit and Counter Fraud service - SWAP Internal Audit Services has moved away from the concept of audit days. Please find a link to a copy of an Information/discussion paper that was presented to the Cheltenham Borough Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 28th November 2022. The Paper was in response to the Committee’s request for a review of the Performance of the Partnership and includes a range of performance metrics and demonstrates the value that we have added over the years.

5. The productive days per FTE Internal Audit and Counter Fraud staff member - Please see the response to question 3 above, the council does not hold the information requested.

6. Number of FTE Internal Audit and Counter Fraud staff members:
i. Qualified
ii. Part Qualified - 1
iii. % of High/Medium Audit recommendations agreed and management actions
Implemented - Recommendations are agreed where changes or improvements to systems/processes are required. Information about the number of recommendations agreed is publicly available as part of the Annual Audit Opinion report. Please see the https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/g2170/Public%20reports%20pack%2027th-Jul-2023%2014.30%20Audit%20and%20Governance%20Committee.pdf?T=10 for further details. All management actions agreed are monitored through to implementation.

7. When was Counter Fraud plan last updated - Anti-Fraud, Theft and corruption policy 27.11.18; Corporate Counter Fraud and compliance strategy 13.07.2017

8. Number of FTE staff dedicated to Counter Fraud promotion - 1

9. Number of FTE staff dedicated to Counter Fraud investigations - 2.5

10. Number of Fraud incidents reported - 58 cases opened 22/23
11. Number of Fraud incidents investigated - 41 Cases closed 22/23
12. Number of Fraud prosecutions initiated - 0

13. Identified value of fraud savings/recovered - £33,613.42

Date responded: 31 July 2023

How many times has EDDC obtained 'communications data'

Date submitted: 14 July 2023

Summary of request

REQUEST:

1. Since 1 January 2018, on how many occasions has your council obtained the 'communications data' (e.g. Call Data Records, or CDRs) of individuals from mobile telecoms providers, either directly or indirectly through another agency (e.g. Met Police, Home Office, etc.)? Please break this down into:

a) number of separate occasions these were requested

b) number of individual phone numbers for which CDRs were requested

c) the legal basis for the requests (please specify the number of requests per legal basis. For example, “total requests: 3, Investigatory Powers Act – 2, Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 -- 1”)

d) the particular legislation used e.g. PACE, RIPA, IP Act (number of instances as a percentage of the total)

e) what percentage of requests for that data that were rejected, and the reasons for the rejection.

For guidance, CDRs are part of 'communications data' from a telecoms company. Please see this document, particularly page 13: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/426248/Acquisition_and_Disclosure_of_Communications_Data_Code_of_Practice_March_2015.pdf

2. Since 1 January 2018, has your council purchased or otherwise received (including free of charge) any anonymised mobile phone communications data sets (otherwise known as anonymised CDRs), be they of individuals or aggregate data. (For your information, an example of commercial 'big data' for mobile phones can be found here: https://thenextweb.com/uk/2012/10/09/telefonica-launches-big-data-analysis-service-for-business-and-local-authorities/)

a) If yes, please state on how many occasions and when

b) From which telecoms providers the communications data originated

c) If purchased via a third-party, please specify which company

d) The intended use of that data

e) The total amount spent, if anything

f) If not purchased but nonetheless shared, please state the name of the body that provided the data

Summary of response

Revenues, Benefits and Fraud team have not requested Communications data since the start of 2018. Therefore the answers to your FOI enquiry is not applicable.

1. Since 1 January 2018, on how many occasions has your council obtained the 'communications data' (e.g. Call Data Records, or CDRs) of individuals from mobile telecoms providers, either directly or indirectly through another agency (e.g. Met Police, Home Office, etc.)? Please break this down into:

a) number of separate occasions these were requested - N/A

b) number of individual phone numbers for which CDRs were requested - N/A

c) the legal basis for the requests (please specify the number of requests per legal basis. For example, “total requests: 3, Investigatory Powers Act – 2, Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 -- 1”) - N/A

d) the particular legislation used e.g. PACE, RIPA, IP Act (number of instances as a percentage of the total) - N/A

e) what percentage of requests for that data that were rejected, and the reasons for the rejection. - N/A

For guidance, CDRs are part of 'communications data' from a telecoms company. Please see this document, particularly page 13: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/426248/Acquisition_and_Disclosure_of_Communications_Data_Code_of_Practice_March_2015.pdf

2. Since 1 January 2018, has your council purchased or otherwise received (including free of charge) any anonymised mobile phone communications data sets (otherwise known as anonymised CDRs), be they of individuals or aggregate data. (For your information, an example of commercial 'big data' for mobile phones can be found here: https://thenextweb.com/uk/2012/10/09/telefonica-launches-big-data-analysis-service-for-business-and-local-authorities/)

a) If yes, please state on how many occasions and when - No

b) From which telecoms providers the communications data originated - N/A

c) If purchased via a third-party, please specify which company - N/A

d) The intended use of that data - N/A

e) The total amount spent, if anything - N/A

f) If not purchased but nonetheless shared, please state the name of the body that provided the data - N/A

Date responded: 18 July 2023

All communications between EDDC and Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club

Date submitted: 14 July 2023

Summary of request

I hereby request you to provide me with any correspondence and/or communication (by letter, email, telephone, or other electronic methods) with East Devon District Council by any persons including those associated with Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club, Clinton Devon Estates, local Councillors or Members of Parliament in relation to Conditions 10 and 11 (premises opening hours, and playing of amplified or other music) of Planning Applications numbered 19/1521/MFUL, 22/0492/VAR.

Summary of response

You requested copies of any correspondence and/or communication (by letter, email, telephone, or other electronic methods) with East Devon District Council by any persons including those associated with Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club, Clinton Devon Estates, local Councillors or Members of Parliament in relation to Conditions 10 and 11 (premises opening hours, and playing of amplified or other music) of Planning Applications numbered 19/1521/MFUL, 22/0492/VAR.

Our response - Planning application 19/1521/MFUL was dealt with by an officer who has now left the authority.

22/0492/VAR sought to vary condition 2 (plans condition) in order to provide for a different design – therefore the condition 10 and 11 of the original were not the focus of this s73 application. If a ‘VAR’ is approved, as in this case, this results in the creation of a brand new planning consent and therefore all other conditions are naturally re-imposed.

There is no specific correspondence focused on these two conditions, as they were not the focus of the ‘VAR’.

All other correspondence to do with this VAR is already in the public realm and scanned on our planning portal https://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/online-applications/

Date responded: 2 August 2023

Telecom - Networks

Date submitted: 10 July 2023

Summary of request

Contract 1 - Telephony/Voice Services (Analogue, ISDN VOIP, SIP etc)

1.Telephony/Voice Services Provider- Please can you provide me with the name of the supplier for each contract.

2.Telephony/Voice Services - Contract Renewal Date- please provide day, month and year (month and year are also acceptable). If this is a rolling contract, please provide me with the rolling date of the contract. If there is more than one supplier, please split the renewal dates up into however many suppliers

3.Telephony/Voice Services - Contract Duration- the number of years the contract is for each provider, please also include any contract extensions.

4.Telephony/Voice Services - Type of Lines - Please can you split the type of lines per each supplier? PSTN, Analogue, SIP, ISDN, VOIP

5.Telephony/Voice Services Number of Lines / Channels / SIP Trunks- Please can you split the number of lines per each supplier? SIP trunks/connections, PSTN, Analogue, ISDN

Contract 2 - Incoming and Outgoing of call services.

6.Minutes/Landline Provider- Supplier’s name (NOT Mobiles) if there is no information available, please can you provide further insight into why?

7.Minutes/Landline Contract Renewal Date- please provide day, month and year (month and year is also acceptable). If this is a rolling contract, please provide me with the rolling date of the contract.

8.Minutes Landline Monthly Spend- Monthly average spend on calls for each provider. An estimate or average is acceptable. If SIP services, please provide me with the cost of services per month.

9.Minute’s Landlines Contract Duration- the number of years the contract is for each provider, please also include any contract extensions.

10.Number of Extensions- Please state the number of telephone extensions the organisation currently has. An estimate or average is acceptable.

Contract 3 - The organisation's broadband provider.

11.Broadband Provider- Supplier’s name if there is not information available, please can you provide further insight into why?

12.Broadband expiry l Date- please provide day, month, and year (month and year is also acceptable). If this is a rolling contract, please provide me with the rolling date of the contract. If there is more than one supplier, please split the expiry dates up into however many suppliers

13.Broadband Annual Average Spend- Annual average spend for each broadband provider. An estimate or average is acceptable.


Contract 4 - Contracts relating to Wide Area Network [WAN] services, this could also include HSCN network services.

14. WAN Provider- please provide me with the main supplier(s) if there is no information available, please can you provide further insight into why?

15.WAN Contract expiry Date- please provide day, month, and year (month and year are also acceptable). If this is a rolling contract, please provide me with the rolling date of the contract. If there is more than one supplier, please split the expiry dates up into however many suppliers

16.Contract Description: Please can you provide me with a brief description for each contract

17.The number of sites: Please state the number of sites the WAN covers. Approx. will do.

18. WAN Annual Average Spend- Annual average spend for each WAN provider. An estimate or average is acceptable.

19.For each WAN contract can you please provide me with information on how this was procured, especially around those procurement that used frameworks, please provide me with the framework reference.

20.Internal Contact: please can you send me their full contact details including contact number and email and job title for all the contracts above.

Summary of response

Contract 1
1. Current Lines (Analogue, ISDN VOIP, SIP etc.) Provider- Please can you provide me with the name of the supplier for the contract.
Virgin Media
BT
KCOM
Daisy
Gamma

2. Fixed Line- Contract Renewal Date- please provide day, month and year (month and year are also acceptable). If this is a rolling contract please provide me with the rolling date of the contract. If there is more than one supplier please split the renewal dates up into however many suppliers
Virgin Media – ISDN – Rolling contract
MOVED TO GAMMA
Analogue – Rolling contract
Centrex – Rolling contract
BT – Rolling
KCOM (now called Nasstar) – Rolling
Daisy Corporate – Rolling
Gamma – Rolling / SIP July 2024

3. Fixed Line- Contract Duration- the number of years the contract is for each provider As above

4. Type of Lines- Please can you split the type of lines per each supplier? PTSN, Analogue, SIP
Virgin Media – Analogue, Centrex, ISDN
BT - Analogue
KCOM (now called Nasstar) - Analogue
Daisy - Analogue
Gamma – Analogue & SIP

5. Number of Lines- Please can you split the number of lines per each supplier? SIP trunks, PSN Lines, Analogue Lines
Analogue - 52
Centrex - 49
BT – 92
KCOM (now called Nasstar) – 10
Daisy – 49
Gamma – 123 / SIP 201
Contract 2

6. Minutes/Landline Provider- Supplier's name (NOT Mobiles) if there is no information available please can you provide further insight into why? - As above

7. Minutes/Landline Contract Renewal Date- please provide day, month and year (month and year is also acceptable). If this is a rolling contract please provide me with the rolling date of the contract. - As above

8. Minutes Landline Monthly Spend- Monthly average spend for each provider. An estimate or average is acceptable. - All outbound traffic with Gamma via the SIP trunks. Information not currently available

9. Minute's Landlines Contract Duration: the number of years the contract is with the supplier. - This information is not available.

10. Number of Extensions- Please state the number of telephone extensions the organisation currently has. An estimate or average is acceptable. - 1500

11. Broadband Provider- Supplier’s name if there is not information available, please can you provide further insight into why? - KCOM (now called Nasstar) , BT , Virgin Media

12. Fixed Broadband Renewal Date- please provide day, month and year (month and year is also
acceptable). If this is a rolling contract please provide me with the rolling date of the contract. If there is
more than one supplier please split the renewal dates up into however many suppliers

Nasstar – 12 months – October 2024

15. WAN Contract Renewal Date- please provide day, month and year (month and year are also acceptable). If this is a rolling contract please provide me with the rolling date of the contract. If there is more than one supplier please split the renewal dates up into however many suppliers. - Jan 2024


19.For each WAN contract can you please provide me with information on how this was procured, especially around those procurement that used frameworks, please provide me with the framework reference. - Contract extended through a procurement extension with existing provider - Virgin Media


20. Internal Contact: please can you send me there full contact details including contact number and email and job title for all the contract above. - The persons involved will change over time so our policy is to provide a contact route to our procurement team in our in-house IT company, Strata Service Solutions - Strata | Supporting government which includes the latest email address.

Nasstar – 12 months – October 2024


15. WAN Contract Renewal Date- please provide day, month and year (month and year are also acceptable). If this is a rolling contract please provide me with the rolling date of the contract. If there is more than one supplier please split the renewal dates up into however many suppliers. Jan 2024


19.For each WAN contract can you please provide me with information on how this was procured, especially around those procurement that used frameworks, please provide me with the framework reference. Contract extended through a procurement extension with existing provider - Virgin Media


20. Internal Contact: please can you send me there full contact details including contact number and email and job title for all the contract above. The persons involved will change over time so our policy is to provide a contact route to our procurement team in our in-house IT company, Strata Service Solutions - Strata | Supporting government which includes the latest email address.

Date responded: 4 August 2023

Affordable units s.106

Date submitted: 10 July 2023

Summary of request

1. What was your target for the number of affordable housing units fulfilled through section 106 planning obligations in the financial year April 2022 - April 2023?
2. How many housing units (all types of housing) were fulfilled in the financial year April 2022 - April 2023 from planning applications where a s106 obligation was in place?
3. How many affordable housing units were fulfilled through Section 106 planning obligations in the financial year from April 2022 - April 2023?
4. What were your targets for the number of affordable housing units fulfilled through section 106 planning obligations for each financial year from April 2017 - April 2022?
5. How many housing units (all types of housing) were fulfilled each financial year from April 2017 - April 2022 in planning applications where a s106 obligation was in place?
6. How many affordable housing units were fulfilled through Section 106 planning obligations each financial year from April 2017 - April 2022?
7. How many planning applications, that had Section 106 obligations to provide affordable housing, were fulfilled in the financial year from April 2022 - April 2023?
8. How many planning applications with Section 106 obligations to provide affordable housing, fulfilled in the financial year from April 2022 - April 2023, were impacted by viability assessments?
9. Of those Section 106 obliged planning applications that were impacted by viability assessments in the financial year from April 2022 - April 2023 (Answer to Question 8), how many affordable housing units were removed?
10. How many affordable housing units that were fulfilled through Section 106 planning obligations in the financial year April 2022 - April 2023 were fulfilled on-site?
11. How many affordable housing units that were fulfilled through Section 106 planning obligations in the financial year April 2022 - April 2023 were fulfilled off-site?
12. How many planning applications that included affordable housing and were fulfilled in the financial year between April 22 - April 23 under section 106 obligations resulted in a fine by the council?

Summary of response

1. What was your target for the number of affordable housing units fulfilled through section 106 planning obligations in the financial year April 2022 - April 2023? - We do not set targets for this.

2. How many housing units (all types of housing) were fulfilled in the financial year April 2022 - April 2023 from planning applications where a s106 obligation was in place? - A Housing Monitoring report for this period which will contain this information is currently being prepared and will be published in the Autumn. As this information is due for future publication it is exempt under Section 22 of the FOI Act 2000.

3. How many affordable housing units were fulfilled through Section 106 planning obligations in the financial year from April 2022 - April 2023? - A Housing Monitoring report for this period which will contain this information is currently being prepared and will be published in the Autumn. As this information is due for future publication it is exempt under Section 22 of the FOI Act 2000.

4. What were your targets for the number of affordable housing units fulfilled through section 106 planning obligations for each financial year from April 2017 - April 2022? - We do not set targets for this.

5. How many housing units (all types of housing) were fulfilled each financial year from April 2017 - April 2022 in planning applications where a s106 obligation was in place? - This information is available in the published Housing Monitoring Reports for these periods available at: Monitoring - East Devon https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/monitoring/ You will be able to obtain the information you have requested by filtering/sorting the data on the excel spreadsheets, which can be downloaded directly from the website. As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

6. How many affordable housing units were fulfilled through Section 106 planning obligations each financial year from April 2017 - April 2022? - This information is available in the published Housing Monitoring Reports for these periods available at: Monitoring - East Devon https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/monitoring/ You will be able to obtain the information you have requested by filtering/sorting the data on the excel spreadsheets, which can be downloaded directly from the website. As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

7. How many planning applications, that had Section 106 obligations to provide affordable housing, were fulfilled in the financial year from April 2022 - April 2023? - A Housing Monitoring report for this period which will contain this information is currently being prepared and will be published in the Autumn. As this information is due for future publication it is exempt under Section 22 of the FOI Act 2000.

8. How many planning applications with Section 106 obligations to provide affordable housing, fulfilled in the financial year from April 2022 - April 2023, were impacted by viability assessments? - We do not hold specific information on the numbers of applications affected by viability issues. All applications are available through our website at Simple Search (eastdevon.gov.uk) https://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/online-applications/ and details of any viability issues can be found by reviewing the relevant applications. Any viability appraisals that relate to them and the officers report will be available under the “documents” tab. You will be able to obtain the information you have requested by filtering/sorting the data on the excel spreadsheets, which can be downloaded directly from the website. As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

9. Of those Section 106 obliged planning applications that were impacted by viability assessments in the financial year from April 2022 - April 2023 (Answer to Question 8), how many affordable housing units were removed? - We do not record the number of affordable homes “removed” as a result of viability appraisals but this information will be noted in the relevant application documents which can be accessed through our website at Simple Search (eastdevon.gov.uk) https://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/online-applications/ Any viability appraisals that relate to them and the officers report where this information will be noted will be available under the “documents” tab. You will be able to obtain the information you have requested by filtering/sorting the data on the excel spreadsheets, which can be downloaded directly from the website. As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

10. How many affordable housing units that were fulfilled through Section 106 planning obligations in the financial year April 2022 - April 2023 were fulfilled on-site? - A Housing Monitoring report for this period which will contain this information is currently being prepared and will be published in the Autumn. As this information is due for future publication it is exempt under Section 22 of the FOI Act 2000.

11 How many affordable housing units that were fulfilled through Section 106 planning obligations in the financial year April 2022 - April 2023 were fulfilled off-site? - A Housing Monitoring report for this period which will contain this information is currently being prepared and will be published in the Autumn. As this information is due for future publication it is exempt under Section 22 of the FOI Act 2000.

12 How many planning applications that included affordable housing and were fulfilled in the financial year between April 22 - April 23 under section 106 obligations resulted in a fine by the council? - None

Date responded: 1 August 2023

Home internet expenses

Date submitted: 30 June 2023

Summary of request

Please include the following information, broken down by the 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years:
• The number of expense claims submitted, per year, for home internet costs
• The number of expense claims approved, per year, for home internet costs
• The total cost to the council of expenses for home internet costs
• The highest expense claim for internet costs approved, per year

Summary of response

This is an information request relating to expense claims for home internet approved - EDDC does not reimburse expenses related to home internet costs for it employees.

Date responded: 3 July 2023

Homes inspected by enforcement officers

Date submitted: 28 June 2023

Summary of request

The total number of housing enforcement officers or similarly titled officers employed by the council who are able to take enforcement action when a private or social landlord has breached housing law.

The number of homes inspected or visited in 2022 by the authority's housing enforcement team or equivalent officers

Summary of response

You requested to know the total number of housing enforcement officers or similarly titled officers employed by the council who are able to take enforcement action when a private or social landlord has breached housing law - 3

The number of homes inspected or visited in 2022 by the authority's housing enforcement team or equivalent officers - The number of homes inspected or visited in 2022 by the authority's housing enforcement team or equivalent officers - 275

Disrepair and Damp - 147
Disabled Facilities Grants - 128

Date responded: 24 July 2023

EV charge points

Date submitted: 27 June 2023

Summary of request

1. The total number of EV charging stations installed each year, from 2015-2022
2. The current number of installed EV charging stations in your authority area
3. The proposed number of EV charging stations to be installed in 2023
4. The average cost of installing an EV charging station
5. The total number of planning applications for private EV charging stations that have been approved for each year, from 2015-2022
6. The total number of planning applications that are in progress (to date) for private EV charging stations

Summary of response

1. The total number of EV charging stations installed each year, from 2015-2022
2015 - 2021 = 0
2022 = 42
2023 = 16
2. The current number of installed EV charging stations in your authority area - 50
3. The proposed number of EV charging stations to be installed in 2023 - 10
4. The average cost of installing an EV charging station – Funded by the relevant provider through long term lease agreements. East Devon have contributed £16,000 to date.
5. The total number of planning applications for private EV charging stations that have been approved for each year, from 2015-2022 – 0; not required under permitted development
6. The total number of planning applications that are in progress (to date) for private EV charging stations – 0; not required under permitted development.

Date responded: 24 July 2023

5-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS) target

Date submitted: 26 June 2023

Summary of request

Please provide details of:

1. The 5-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS) target for EDDC, expressed as numbers of dwellings required to be built out during the 5-year period, as at 31st March 2023 and covering the period April 1st 2023 through to March 31st 2028;

2. The actual number of dwellings expected to be built out during the 5-Year period, as at 31st March 2023 in the EDDC area for the period defined under Question 1;

3. The actual shortfall, or surplus, expressed as dwellings, that EDDC had versus the 5YHLS target referred to when answering question 1 above;

4. When supplying the data in answer to Questions 1 to 3 above, please express this as dwellings for each year of the 5-year period e.g. "x" dwellings in Year 1 (April 1st 2023 to March 31st 2024), "y" dwellings in Year 2 (April 1st 2024 to March 31st 2025), and so on through to Year 5 (April 1st 2027 to March 31st 2028).

Summary of response

You have requested data for the base year starting 1 April 2023. This information is still being processed so is currently not available. You can view the previous year assessment work at the following location:
hmu-to-year-end-31-march-2022-aug-2022.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk)

The data for the base year starting 1 April 2023 should be available in the coming months, but we do not have a definitive date to advise on. You may want to resubmit your request in 3 months time.


1. The 5-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS) target for EDDC, expressed as numbers of dwellings required to be built out during the 5-year period, as at 31st March 2023 and covering the period April 1st 2023 through to March 31st 2028;

2. The actual number of dwellings expected to be built out during the 5-Year period, as at 31st March 2023 in the EDDC area for the period defined under Question 1;

3. The actual shortfall, or surplus, expressed as dwellings, that EDDC had versus the 5YHLS target referred to when answering question 1 above;

4. When supplying the data in answer to Questions 1 to 3 above, please express this as dwellings for each year of the 5-year period e.g. "x" dwellings in Year 1 (April 1st 2023 to March 31st 2024), "y" dwellings in Year 2 (April 1st 2024 to March 31st 2025), and so on through to Year 5 (April 1st 2027 to March 31st 2028).

Date responded: 29 June 2023

Online payment systems

Date submitted: 26 June 2023

Summary of request

Please could you advice me of:

1. What system do you use to take online payments from service users, and who supplies it?
2. When did you start using this system?
3. When does the contract end for this system?
4. What is the annual cost of the system?
5. Where is the system hosted? Please specify if it is hosted by the council in its own data centre, hosted by the council in its own cloud environment (such as AWS or Azure), hosted by the supplier as a discrete instance, or hosted by the supplier as a true software as a service
6. How does the system integrate with the other elements of your online service delivery platform?

If you use more than one solution for online payments, please could you answer the above questions for each of them.

Summary of response

1. What system do you use to take online payments from service users, and who supplies it? - Capita Pay360
2. When did you start using this system? - May 2022
3. When does the contract end for this system? - May 2027
4. What is the annual cost of the system? - £27k pa
5. Where is the system hosted? Please specify if it is hosted by the council in its own data centre, hosted by the council in its own cloud environment (such as AWS or Azure), hosted by the supplier as a discrete instance, or hosted by the supplier as a true software as a service - sCloud
6. How does the system integrate with the other elements of your online service delivery platform? - API

Date responded: 29 June 2023

Allotments

Date submitted: 23 June 2023

Summary of request

Section A
1. How many allotment sites are there in your area and what are the total number of plots?
2. How many of those allotment sites do you have access to waiting list data for and what is the total number of plots on these sites?
3. What is the total number of people on waiting lists for the sites you have data for?
4. Are any of these waiting lists closed to further applications? And if so, how long have they been closed and what was the total number of people on the list at the point of closure.
5. When applying for an allotment what information is required (ie. name, email, address etc) and how are applicants selected?

Section B
1. What is the total number of new tenancies signed for each full year (January to January) since 2012.
2. In addition, for each of the 10 individuals most recently awarded a plot (at the time of this FoI), please state the date at which there was first contact with the council (i.e. submitting an application) and the date at which they received their plot.

Section C
1. In the last ten full years (since 2012 - January to January) if possible, have any groups of residents made a representation in writing under Section 23(2) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 concerning the duty of Councils to provide allotments?

o If so, how many requests have you received?
o and how many have been successful?

Summary of response

Section A
1. How many allotment sites are there in your area and what are the total number of plots? - 5 Sites 89 plots in total.
2. How many of those allotment sites do you have access to waiting list data for and what is the total number of plots on these sites? - Lawn Vista 21 plots, Lymebourne 19 plots, Peaslands 37 plots, Manstone 6 plots and Moorview Close 6 plots.
3. What is the total number of people on waiting lists for the sites you have data for? - 100 on waiting lists.
4. Are any of these waiting lists closed to further applications? And if so, how long have they been closed and what was the total number of people on the list at the point of closure - None are closed.
5. When applying for an allotment what information is required (i.e. name, email, address etc) and how are applicants selected? - Full contact details required on joining waiting list. When a plot is vacant it is offered to the person at the top of the relevant list, and working down in order of application date until someone takes the vacant plot.

Section B
1. What is the total number of new tenancies signed for each full year (January to January) since 2012 - See below:

Year New Tenancies
2012 3
2013 6
2014 1
2015 1
2016 6
2017 3
2018 6
2019 7
2020 7
2021 11
2022 10
2023 3 so far this year

2. In addition, for each of the 10 individuals most recently awarded a plot (at the time of this FOI), please state the date at which there was first contact with the council (i.e. submitting an application) and the date at which they received their plot. - Please see below the 10 most recent where we have relevant information available:

Date on WL Date Allocated
16.4.18 1.10.21
1.10.18 14.1.22
25.9.18 18.1.22
18.8.16 3.8.22
21.2.19 14.9.22
17.8.18 16.9.22
19.5.14 20.10.22
11.4.19 1.12.22
28.5.19 21.12.22
9.7.19 8.3.23


Section C
1. In the last ten full years (since 2012 - January to January) if possible, have any groups of residents made a representation in writing under Section 23(2) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 concerning the duty of Councils to provide allotments?

o If so, how many requests have you received? - None
o and how many have been successful? - N/A

Date responded: 26 June 2023

Service & Maintenance of East Devon Council Warden Call System

Date submitted: 22 June 2023

Summary of request

I would be most grateful if you would provide me details in respect to the questions below surrounding delivery of warden call maintenance services for this authority.

The details we require are:
• What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract?
• Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful & not successful at the PQQ & ITT stages
• Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date
• Start date & 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?

Summary of response

• What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract? - 4 Hour response for all critical faults – scheme down, permanent call from scheme & permanent sounding smoke alarm; 24 hour response to any other fault, with effort made to repair the fault on first visit

• Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful & not successful at the PQQ & ITT stages - We used the Northern Housing Consortium Framework

• Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date - Current annual contract £39,138, this has varied during the 5 years of the contract as schemes have been removed. Removed hardwired and installed dispersed where no maintenance contract is required.

• Start date & duration of framework/contract? - Contract commenced on October 2018, expiring on the 30th October 2023

• Could you please provide a copy of the service/product specification given to all bidders for when this contract was last advertised? – This part of your request has been refused under section 41 of the FOI Act 2000 – as the information was received from someone else and complying with the request would be a breach of confidence that is actionable.

• Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension? - Yes, currently in the extension period which expired as above 30th October 2023.

• Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s) are being either extended or renewed? - This is currently being reviewed.

• Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract? - Sue Hodges – Home safeguard Manager (Careline)

Date responded: 3 August 2023

BACS software product & the renewal date of the contract

Date submitted: 22 June 2023

Summary of request

East Devon District Council' current BACS software incumbent product & the renewal date of the contract. This is to identify tender opportunities.

Summary of response

You requested to know EDDC's current BACS software incumbent product & the renewal date of the contract.

EDDC's current BACS software incumbent product – SmarterPay

Renewal date of the contract – March 2023; Annual Rolling

Date responded: 29 June 2023

Licensed taxis & private hire vehicles

Date submitted: 20 June 2023

Summary of request


1. How many licensed taxis & private hire vehicles are there within your council district?
2. How many spot checks by licensing officers have been carried out on licensed vehicles in the past 12 months?
3. Out of the checked licensed vehicles, how many passed and failed

Summary of response

1. How many licensed taxis & private hire vehicles are there within your council district? - 129 Hackney carriage, 39 Private Hire Vehicles correct as of today (26th June 2023)

2. How many spot checks by licensing officers have been carried out on licensed vehicles in the past 12 months? - We estimate this to be between 10 and 15 vehicles checked, all by prior appointment (for example new vehicles checked when they attend to collect a Plate, or vehicles that have been called in in relation to complaints). We previously regularly undertook unannounced taxi rank inspections and inspected all ‘new’ vehicles applying for a Hackney/ private hire, but this was largely suspended during Covid, and we are shortly looking to restart this.

3. Out of the checked licensed vehicles, how many passed and failed? - All vehicles inspected passed the inspection.

Date responded: 29 June 2023

Planning appeals and cost of legal advice

Date submitted: 19 June 2023

Summary of request

1. How many appeals against decisions relating to residential-led planning applications were lodged in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23 and how many residential units were involved in these appeals?
2. How much was spent by the authority on legal advice and action relating to planning appeals in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23
3. How many planning applications were granted permission after appeal in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23
4. How many new residential units were granted permission following an appeal in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23
5. How much was spent by the authority on legal advice and action relating to planning appeals that were then granted permission in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23

Summary of response


Q1 How many appeals against decisions relating to residential-led planning applications were lodged in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23 and how many residential units were involved in these appeals? – 25 appeals, 32 units; (b) 18 appeals 139 units; (c) 18 appeals 38 units
Q2 How much was spent by the authority on legal advice and action relating to planning appeals in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23 – (a) 2020/2021 = £5,043; (b) 2021/22 = £86,256; (c) 2022/23 = zero
Q3 How many planning applications were granted permission after appeal in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23 – (a) 14; (b) 19; (c) 9
Q4 How many new residential units were granted permission following an appeal in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23 – (a) 7; (b) 120; (c) 20
Q5 How much was spent by the authority on legal advice and action relating to planning appeals that were then granted permission in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) 2022/23 – (a) 2020/2021 = £5,043; (b) 2021/22 = £86,256; (c) 2022/23 = zero

Date responded: 11 July 2023

Unauthorised encampments

Date submitted: 19 June 2023

Summary of request

For the avoidance of doubt ‘the Authority’ means the local authority to whom this request is addressed. Where you are responsible for dealing with FOI requests for more than one authority, please provide the information from each of those authorities. If the Authority did not exist at any time for which information is requested, ‘the Authority’ should be read as ‘all predecessor authorities’. Where the information requested is for numbers of claims, orders, notices and etc. this should include claims and etc. against both named defendants and persons unknown/all occupants. Where a single claim or etc. is against multiple defendants it should be counted as one.

Please provide:

1. The number of directions to leave under section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 given by the Authority to persons residing on land belonging to the Authority
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

2. The number of directions to leave under section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 given by the Authority to persons residing on land not belonging to the Authority
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

3. The number of complaints made by the Authority to any magistrates’ court seeking orders under section 78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 regarding persons residing on land belonging to the Authority
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

4. The number of complaints made by the Authority to any magistrates’ court seeking orders under section 78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 regarding persons residing on land not belonging to the Authority
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

5. The number of orders under section 78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 made by any magistrates’ court on complaint of the Authority regarding persons residing on land belonging to the Authority
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

6. The number of orders under section 78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 made by any magistrates’ court on complaint of the Authority regarding persons residing on land not belonging to the Authority
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

7. The number of claims for possession brought by the Authority against occupants of unauthorised encampments on land owned by the Authority issued by the County Court or High Court
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

8. The number of interim orders for possession granted by County Court or High Court in favour of the Authority against occupants of unauthorised encampments on land owned by the Authority
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

9. The number of final orders for possession granted by County Court or High Court in favour of the Authority against occupants of unauthorised encampments on land owned by the Authority
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

10. The number of occasions on which the Authority used (or purported to use) common law rights to recover possession of land from occupants of unauthorised encampments
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

11. Copies of any policy or guidance adopted by the Authority regarding the management of unauthorised encampments in use
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

Summary of response

You have requested information on the number of directions to leave under section 77/78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 given by the Authority to persons residing on land belonging to the Authority - Zero - EDDC use our common law rights to remove encampments from our car parks. This is encampments as opposed to single trespassers.

1. The number of directions to leave under section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 given by the Authority to persons residing on land belonging to the Authority - Zero
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

2. The number of directions to leave under section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 given by the Authority to persons residing on land not belonging to the Authority - Zero
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

3. The number of complaints made by the Authority to any magistrates’ court seeking orders under section 78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 regarding persons residing on land belonging to the Authority - Zero
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

4. The number of complaints made by the Authority to any magistrates’ court seeking orders under section 78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 regarding persons residing on land not belonging to the Authority - Zero
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

5. The number of orders under section 78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 made by any magistrates’ court on complaint of the Authority regarding persons residing on land belonging to the Authority - Zero
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

6. The number of orders under section 78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 made by any magistrates’ court on complaint of the Authority regarding persons residing on land not belonging to the Authority - Zero
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

7. The number of claims for possession brought by the Authority against occupants of unauthorised encampments on land owned by the Authority issued by the County Court or High Court - Zero
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

8. The number of interim orders for possession granted by County Court or High Court in favour of the Authority against occupants of unauthorised encampments on land owned by the Authority - Zero
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

9. The number of final orders for possession granted by County Court or High Court in favour of the Authority against occupants of unauthorised encampments on land owned by the Authority - Zero
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.

10. The number of occasions on which the Authority used (or purported to use) common law rights to recover possession of land from occupants of unauthorised encampments -
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018 - 10
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019 - 5
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 - 10
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 - 14
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 - 6
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023 - 2


11. Copies of any policy or guidance adopted by the Authority regarding the management of unauthorised encampments in use - No working policy/guidance at the present time. There is a draft policy/guidance but this has not been adopted.
a) between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018,
b) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019,
c) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020,
d) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021,
e) between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022,
f) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023.




Date responded: 17 July 2023

Temporary accommodation

Date submitted: 15 June 2023

Summary of request

This request is about the use of temporary accommodation and referrals to PRS accommodation which is in a local authority area other than your own for households which have been accepted as homeless both under prevention and relief duties.

Unless otherwise specified the requests relate to the financial year 2022/2023.

Please provide a list of the locations (local authorities) where you have placed households for temporary accommodation.

Please confirm how many households were placed in temporary accommodation outside of your local authority area.

Please provide data on the ethnicity of those who were placed in temporary accommodation outside of your local authority area.

Please provide a list of the locations (local authorities) where you have assisted households into PRS accommodation.

Please confirm how many households were assisted into PRS accommodation outside of your local authority area.

Please provide data on the ethnicity of those who were assisted into PRS accommodation outside of your local authority area.

Please provide confirmation as to whether you hold stock of temporary accommodation within another local authority district. If yes, please confirm how many units and which local authority these are in.

Please provide confirmation as to whether you have specified PRS landlord contacts within another local authority district. If yes, please confirm how many landlords and which local authority these are in.

Summary of response

Unless otherwise specified the requests relate to the financial year 2022/2023.
Please provide a list of the locations (local authorities) where you have placed households for temporary accommodation. - East Devon/Mid Devon/
Please confirm how many households were placed in temporary accommodation outside of your local authority area. - 7
Please provide data on the ethnicity of those who were placed in temporary accommodation outside of your local authority area.- 6 x white british, 1 x white other
Please provide a list of the locations (local authorities) where you have assisted households into PRS accommodation. - East Devon/Barnsley/Plymouth/West Devon/Essex/Teignbridge/Exeter
Please confirm how many households were assisted into PRS accommodation outside of your local authority area. - 9
Please provide data on the ethnicity of those who were assisted into PRS accommodation outside of your local authority area. - All White - British
Please provide confirmation as to whether you hold stock of temporary accommodation within another local authority district. If yes, please confirm how many units and which local authority these are in. - None
Please provide confirmation as to whether you have specified PRS landlord contacts within another local authority district. If yes, please confirm how many landlords and which local authority these are in. - No

Date responded: 3 July 2023

Voter Registration Certificate

Date submitted: 14 June 2023

Summary of request

Under the terms of the Elections Act 2022 and the Amendments of RPA 1983, voters in your local authority were entitled to apply for a Voter Registration Certificate either online, by post or in person, in advance of the local elections held on May 4th, 2023.

My request is for the number of people in your local authority who applied for a Voter Registration Certificate before the election on May 4th 2023, and/or the number of Voter Registration Certificates which were issued ahead of May 4th 2023.

Summary of response

The number of people in your local authority who applied for a Voter Registration Certificate before the election on May 4th 2023 - 219 residents, which is 0.18% of East Devon’s electorate, applied for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) before the deadline for the local elections of 5pm on 24 April.

And/or the number of Voter Registration Certificates which were issued ahead of May 4th 2023 - 219. 26 of the applications for a VAC were received on the deadline day.

Date responded: 28 June 2023

Energy Efficiency - MEES- Non-Domestic Property - Compliance Notices and Penalties

Date submitted: 14 June 2023

Summary of request

I have updated the original request below with the time period corrected and please provide information for non-domestic properties only.

1. In respect of non-domestic properties only, how many tenant-reported breaches of the MEES Regulations did the LA receive in the following periods:
a. 01.04.2018 (when the MEES Regulations came into effect) to 31.03.2022
b. 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2023
c. Since 01.04.2023

2. In respect of non-domestic properties only, how many compliance notices in total have the LA issued during the following periods:
a. 01.04.2018 (when the MEES Regulations came into effect) to 31.03.2022
b. 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2023
c. Since 01.04.2023

3. In respect of non-domestic properties only, how many penalty notices in total have the LA issued during the following periods:
a. 01.04.2018 (when the MEES Regulations came into effect) to 31.03.2022
b. 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2023
c. Since 01.04.2023

4. In respect of non-domestic properties only, what is the total monetary value of the MEES-related penalty notices issued during the following periods:
a. 01.04.2018 (when the MEES Regulations came into effect) to 31.03.2022
b. 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2023
c. Since 01.04.2023

5. In respect of non-domestic properties only, how many publication penalties have been issued by the LA during the following periods:
a. 01.04.2018 (when the MEES Regulations came into effect) to 31.03.2022
b. 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2023
c. Since 01.04.2023

6. In respect of non-domestic properties only, how does the LA identify properties that are not compliant with the MEES Regulation?

7. Does the LA have one or more individuals with specific responsibility for the compliance of non-domestic properties with the MEES Regulations? If so, which team, function or department are they part of?

Summary of response

The enforcing authority is Trading Standards. Trading standards - Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay (devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk).
https://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/

EDDC are not the enforcing authority and we have no information on MEES non-domestic properties.

This is the Guidance
Non-domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard - landlord guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/non-domestic-private-rented-property-minimum-energy-efficiency-standard-landlord-guidance

Enforcement
These minimum energy efficiency standard regulations are enforced by Local Weights and Measures Authorities, who have a range of powers to check and ensure compliance.

If the enforcement authority believes a landlord has failed to fulfil their obligations under the Regulations, they can serve the landlord with a compliance notice. If a breach is confirmed, the landlord may receive a financial penalty.

Non-compliance with the Regulations
The enforcement authority may check for different forms of non-compliance, including one or more of the following:
• from 1 April 2018, you let your property in breach of the Regulations
• from 1 April 2023, you continue to let your property in breach of the Regulations
• you have registered any false or misleading information on the PRS Exemptions Register


Date responded: 19 June 2023

Disabled Facilities Grants

Date submitted: 12 June 2023

Summary of request

Please may you provide data on:
• The number of applications the council has received for Disabled Facilities Grants in the last five years
• The number of applications that have been accepted resulting in a Disabled Facilities Grant being awarded in this timeframe
• The average time, from the date an application is received, it takes the council to make a decision on the application
• The total amount the council has awarded on Disabled Facilities Grants in the last five years, split by year.

Summary of response

Please may you provide data on:
• The number of applications the council has received for Disabled Facilities Grants in the last five years
• The number of applications that have been accepted resulting in a Disabled Facilities Grant being awarded in this timeframe
• The average time, from the date an application is received, it takes the council to make a decision on the application
• The total amount the council has awarded on Disabled Facilities Grants in the last five years, split by year.

EDDC publishes the data you have requested at the following address:

https://eastdevon.gov.uk/housing-and-homelessness/housing-in-the-private-sector/private-sector-housing/grants-and-loans/housing-assistance-data/#article-content

As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

Date responded: 5 July 2023

Glyphosate-based herbicides

Date submitted: 12 June 2023

Summary of request

I would like to know which glyphosate-based herbicides are currently used by or on behalf of the council on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) that are owned by, managed by, or under the control of the council.

Please can you provide the data for the most recent 12-month period for which the information is available.

Please can you also specify the amount and brand of each glyphosate-based herbicide in question, as well as the size of the area over which they are used.

Summary of response

I would like to know which glyphosate-based herbicides are currently used by or on behalf of the council on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) that are owned by, managed by, or under the control of the council - EDDC Streetscene banned the use of glyphosate in the public realm from 1st September 2022 but the teams were instructed to stop using from April 2022.

Please can you provide the data for the most recent 12-month period for which the information is available - Please refer to link for previous usage 300322bpcabinetreportchemicalauditandreview.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk)

Please can you also specify the amount and brand of each glyphosate-based herbicide in question, as well as the size of the area over which they are used - Please refer to link for brands used 300322bpcabinetreportchemicalauditandreview.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk)

Date responded: 19 June 2023

Minimum energy efficiency standard

Date submitted: 12 June 2023

Summary of request

Questions for Private Sector Housing / Environmental Health

1) How many properties have had their EPC improved to an E or above as a direct result of the council engaging either formally or informally with landlords?
2) How many proactive enforcement investigations has the council undertaken into suspected breaches of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, Regulation 23 from April 2018 to April 2023? Please note a proactive investigation means one whereby the council has proactively identified a suspected breach of the regulations prior to contact with the tenant or landlord.
3) How many reactive investigations has the council undertaken into suspected breaches of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, Section 23 from April 2018 to April 2023? Please note reactive investigations includes investigations initiated in response to a complaint by a tenant or member of the public relating to any housing matter whereby the EPC is checked as part of the investigation and a suspected offense identified.
4) How many breeches of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, Section 23 has the council identified between April 2018 to April 2023
5) How many penalty notices has the council served for breaches of Regulation 23 of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 from April 2018 to April 2023?
6) When did the council last undertake a stock condition survey (private sector housing stock)?
7) Do you have access to Parity Projects data? (please note your council may have access to this for net zero or fuel poverty projects, the responsibility for which may sit outside the private sector housing service area)
8) Do you have access to any other datasets (excluding EPC and council tax data) currently utilised for MEES enforcement? If so what data is used
9) Does the council have access to any other data sets that detail the EPC rating and tenure of properties, currently utilised for net zero or fuel poverty projects? If so please give details
10) Has the council received any funding from BEIS for the purpose of improving landlord compliance with the regulations? If so please include the total monetary allocation
11) Has the council offered any financial incentives to landlords to assist them to comply with the regulations? If so please include the total amount paid by the council either directly to landlords or to 3rd party contractors between 2018 and 2023 and the number of properties directly improved as a result of the councils payments.
12) How many properties within the councils area are suspected to be let (or continued to be let) in breach of Regulation 23 of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015?
13) Does the council have a dedicated MEES penalty matrix to determine penalty amounts?
14) How many private rented properties within the Council's area have EPC ratings of D or below?
15) How many officers have a delegated authority to investigate offenses committed under The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 and issue penalty notices?
16) How many new posts have been created within the department since 2016 to support enforcement of Private Sector Housing Standards?
17) Does your department have written procedures for officers to follow when investigating breaches of MEEs? If yes, Please include a copy of the procedure in your reply

Summary of response

1) How many properties have had their EPC improved to an E or above as a direct result of the council engaging either formally or informally with landlords? - No information held
2) How many proactive enforcement investigations has the council undertaken into suspected breaches of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, Regulation 23 from April 2018 to April 2023? Please note a proactive investigation means one whereby the council has proactively identified a suspected breach of the regulations prior to contact with the tenant or landlord - No information held
3) How many reactive investigations has the council undertaken into suspected breaches of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, Section 23 from April 2018 to April 2023? Please note reactive investigations includes investigations initiated in response to a complaint by a tenant or member of the public relating to any housing matter whereby the EPC is checked as part of the investigation and a suspected offense identified - No information held
4) How many breeches of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, Section 23 has the council identified between April 2018 to April 2023 - No information held
5) How many penalty notices has the council served for breaches of Regulation 23 of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 from April 2018 to April 2023? - None
6) When did the council last undertake a stock condition survey (private sector housing stock)? - 2015
7) Do you have access to Parity Projects data? (please note your council may have access to this for net zero or fuel poverty projects, the responsibility for which may sit outside the private sector housing service area) - Yes
8) Do you have access to any other datasets (excluding EPC and council tax data) currently utilised for MEES enforcement? - No
9) Does the council have access to any other data sets that detail the EPC rating and tenure of properties, currently utilised for net zero or fuel poverty projects? - No
10) Has the council received any funding from BEIS for the purpose of improving landlord compliance with the regulations? - No
11) Has the council offered any financial incentives to landlords to assist them to comply with the regulations? - No
12) How many properties within the councils area are suspected to be let (or continued to be let) in breach of Regulation 23 of The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015? - No information held
13) Does the council have a dedicated MEES penalty matrix to determine penalty amounts? - No
14) How many private rented properties within the Council's area have EPC ratings of D or below? - No information held
15) How many officers have a delegated authority to investigate offenses committed under The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 and issue penalty notices? - 2
16) How many new posts have been created within the department since 2016 to support enforcement of Private Sector Housing Standards? - None
17) Does your department have written procedures for officers to follow when investigating breaches of MEEs? - No

Date responded: 5 July 2023

All communications between EDDC and CBRE - 2022

Date submitted: 2 June 2023

Summary of request

To ensure commercial integrity and fairness in EDDCs development of the new local plan and proposals for a New Town, I would like to obtain copies of all correspondence between EDDC and CBRE (https://www.cbre.co.uk/) for 2022.

Summary of response

You have requested to obtain copies of all correspondence between EDDC and CBRE for 2022 with regard to the development of the new local plan and proposals for a New Town.

The initial search has revealed 229 emails that could potentially fall within the scope of your request, some of which will have attachments and further email chains embedded within. We have taken a sample of emails and calculated that the time it will take to read through each email to determine what is disclosable and falls within the scope of the request as well as seeking third party views will take approximately 5 minutes per email.

We estimate that based on the above calculation to read all the emails will take an officer beyond the reasonable time and cost limits and would be manifestly unreasonable under exception 12(4)(b) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) - Requests may be manifestly unreasonable if dealing with a request would create unreasonable costs or an unreasonable diversion of resources. Therefore your request has been refused at this time.

Date responded: 29 June 2023

Existing and upcoming procurement projects

Date submitted: 1 June 2023

Summary of request

• Beyond those tenders currently in the public domain, what existing and forthcoming opportunities are currently in your procurement pipeline in relation to debt collection, recovery, and enforcement services, specifically in the following areas:
o Penalty Charge Notices issued for parking infringements
o Council tax arrears
o Non-domestic rates paid by local businesses
o Sundry debt arrears
o Low Emission Zone/Clean Air Zone/Congestion Zone non-compliance
o Bus lane violations
o Moving traffic offences
o Speed enforcement
o Free flow tolling
o Road pricing (including charges to enter bridges and tunnels)
• For those opportunities which are currently in the pipeline, what is the estimated contract value for each individual pipeline opportunity (given in £1000s of pounds)?
• For those opportunities currently in the pipeline, can you provide an expected timetable for the future tendering of those opportunities (please provide the timeline on a month-by-month basis or describe, in months, the estimated tender process length)?
• Regarding each opportunity please could you include:
o The current supplier/suppliers
o Key individuals/team involved in the procurement process.

Summary of response

• Beyond those tenders currently in the public domain, what existing and forthcoming opportunities are currently in your procurement pipeline in relation to debt collection, recovery, and enforcement services, specifically in the following areas:
Penalty Charge Notices issued for parking infringements
Council tax arrears
Non-domestic rates paid by local businesses
Sundry debt arrears
Low Emission Zone/Clean Air Zone/Congestion Zone non-compliance

Our Enforcement Agent contract is up for renewal and so we will be going out to tender this Autumn.
This covers the debt recovery and enforcement of:
Council Tax
Business Rates
Rent arrears
Sundry Debts
Parking Enforcement.

• For those opportunities which are currently in the pipeline, what is the estimated contract value for each individual pipeline opportunity (given in £1000s of pounds)? - It is not possible to work out a value as not all enforcement cases will be referred for action by an agent and then some will pay at first stage with one set of fees while others will progress to enforcement with other fees some of which are linked to the amount of debt owed. Agents also work for us in the collection of Sundry debts, car park fees and housing rental accounts but no fees are payable in these cases by either the resident or ourselves.

• For those opportunities currently in the pipeline, can you provide an expected timetable for the future tendering of those opportunities (please provide the timeline on a month-by-month basis or describe, in months, the estimated tender process length)? - Tendering will happen this Autumn and will be joint with other councils. Estimated tender process length is not known.

• Regarding each opportunity please could you include:
The current supplier/suppliers - Current suppliers are Dukes, Bristow and Sutor and Jacobs.
Key individuals/team involved in the procurement process - The officers involved from EDDC will be Andrew Driver and Andrew Staines.

Date responded: 26 June 2023

Equality impact assessment requirements for removal of public toilets

Date submitted: 30 May 2023

Summary of request

Please can you clearly tell me if every public toilet removal scheme or initiative in the past 5 years has had an equalities impact assessment completed for it?

Please do also tell me, what ratio of toilets per head you are working towards, and how you accommodate for the needs set out I'm the Equality Act??

Summary of response

Please can you clearly tell me if every public toilet removal scheme or initiative in the past 5 years has had an equalities impact assessment completed for it? - Yes. EQI was incorporated with the Cabinet report - https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/g1703/Public%20reports%20pack%2001st-Dec-2021%2018.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=10 Equalities Impact Assessment under background info, also Equalities response summary. The cabinet report also provides the rational for reducing toilet provision.

Please do also tell me, what ratio of toilets per head you are working towards, and how you accommodate for the needs set out in the Equality Act? - There is no set number with regards to ratio per head of toilets that we have in a policy or which is required through legislation.

Date responded: 16 June 2023

Council house building

Date submitted: 30 May 2023

Summary of request

These questions relate to new homes built by the council.
• 1) In the 2022/23 financial year (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023) how many new homes of any tenure did the council complete?
• 1) a) Please can you provide a breakdown of those new build completions, by tenure (for example, how many were social rent, shared ownership, market sale, temporary accommodation, etc).
• 2) If the council has a council-owned housing company, in the 2022/23 financial year (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023) how many new homes of any tenure did the company complete?
• 2) a) Please can you provide a breakdown of those completions, by tenure (for example, how many were social rent, shared ownership, market sale, temporary accommodation, etc).
• 3) How many homes does the council expect to build in the next five years (ie, from April 2023-March 2028)
• 4) If the council has a council-owned housing company, how many homes does it expect to build in the next five years (April 2023-March 2028)

Summary of response

These questions relate to new homes built by the council.
• 1) In the 2022/23 financial year (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023) how many new homes of any tenure did the council complete? - Zero
• 1) a) Please can you provide a breakdown of those new build completions, by tenure (for example, how many were social rent, shared ownership, market sale, temporary accommodation, etc) - N/A
• 2) If the council has a council-owned housing company, in the 2022/23 financial year (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023) how many new homes of any tenure did the company complete? - The Housing Task Force was set up in February 2022 and is developing a pipeline of schemes to be delivered over the coming years. None have been built yet.
• 2) a) Please can you provide a breakdown of those completions, by tenure (for example, how many were social rent, shared ownership, market sale, temporary accommodation, etc) - N/A
• 3) How many homes does the council expect to build in the next five years (i.e. from April 2023-March 2028) – This is dependant on many factors such as, planning , land availability, budgetary constraints etc but we hope to build 15-30 homes per year.
• 4) If the council has a council-owned housing company, how many homes does it expect to build in the next five years (April 2023-March 2028) – We do not have a council owned housing company.

Date responded: 30 May 2023

Alcohol licences ABV

Date submitted: 30 May 2023

Summary of request

We submit our request for the following information in respect of businesses and/or individuals licensed to sell or supply alcohol within your local authority:
1. The total number of licensed outlets within your local authority area.
2. The total number of outlets with a restriction applied to them for ABV on any alcohol product other than beer and cider.
3. The total number of outlets with a restriction applied to them for ABV on beer and cider products.
4. The names of the outlets with a restriction applied to them for ABV on beer and cider products.
5. The reasons for applying a restriction to these outlets.
6. The process for selection of products to apply a restriction to for ABV, on beer and cider ranges.
7. The strategy to review a license renewal application for incorporating future restrictions for ABV on beer and cider.
8. Any specific brands which have a restriction for ABV on beer and cider placed on them.
9. Any specific conditions placed on restricting sale of products of beer and cider:
- ABV %
- Number of cans/bottles in a pack for retail
- Packaging restrictions i.e. glass bottle / can

Summary of response

1. The total number of licensed outlets within your local authority area - 778 as of 30th May 2023
2. The total number of outlets with a restriction applied to them for ABV on any alcohol product other than beer and cider - Our licensing software does not allow us to search or filter for this information.
3. The total number of outlets with a restriction applied to them for ABV on beer and cider products - As above for question 2.
4. The names of the outlets with a restriction applied to them for ABV on beer and cider products.
- Moores Newsagent, 28 The Strand, Exmouth;
- Orcombe Point Pop-up Bar
5. The reasons for applying a restriction to these outlets - In both cases these conditions were volunteered by the licence applicant as part of a Licensing Hearing.
6. The process for selection of products to apply a restriction to for ABV, on beer and cider ranges - Our current Statement of Licensing Policy does not mention this specifically, but does state at point 6.6 “Following relevant representations the licensing authority may impose conditions where existing legislation does not provide adequately for the promotion of the four licensing objectives”
7. The strategy to review a license renewal application for incorporating future restrictions for ABV on beer and cider - This would be on a case by case basis via licence review usually only where voluntary measures such as a “reduce the strength” type campaign has failed.
8. Any specific brands which have a restriction for ABV on beer and cider placed on them - Nil
9. Any specific conditions placed on restricting sale of products of beer and cider:
- ABV %
- Number of cans/bottles in a pack for retail
- Packaging restrictions i.e. glass bottle / can
No super-strength beer, lagers, ciders or spirit mixtures of 6.0% ABV (alcohol by volume) or above shall be sold at the premises, except for premium beers and ciders supplied in glass bottles.

Our Published Pool of Licensing Conditions also contains the following relevant conditions:
Nature of Alcohol Sales
• No super-strength beer, lagers, ciders or spirit mixtures of 5.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) or above shall be sold at the premises, except for premium beers and ciders supplied in glass bottles.
• There shall be no self service of alcohol on the premises.
• There shall be no self service of spirits on the premises, save for spirit mixtures less than 5.5% ABV (alcohol by volume).
• No single cans or bottles of beer or cider or spirit mixtures shall be sold at the premises.
• No miniature bottles of spirits of 20cl or less shall be sold from the premises.

Date responded: 31 May 2023

Trees cut down/replaced

Date submitted: 30 May 2023

Summary of request

1. How many trees does the council currently plan to fell (recommended for removal) over the next 12 months so far and why does it plan to fell them?
2. Has the council carried out any public consultation on the removal of these trees or does it have plans to do so. If so, could you please provide any detail on the number of objections/votes of support this decision has had? Please provide examples of objections and support in document form if this is possible.
3. Does the council plan to replace any of the trees, if so how many?
4. If the cost limit has not yet been reached for this request, please provide the number of trees felled over the previous two financial years (2022/3) and (2021/2). If this will breach the cost limit, please ignore this question.

Summary of response

1. How many trees does the council currently plan to fell (recommended for removal) over the next 12 months so far and why does it plan to fell them? - There has been a recent pause in tree inspections and this information is not up to date.

2. Has the council carried out any public consultation on the removal of these trees or does it have plans to do so. If so, could you please provide any detail on the number of objections/votes of support this decision has had? Please provide examples of objections and support in document form if this is possible - We would only notify residents on removal / works to significant trees, not day to day general maintenance.

3. Does the council plan to replace any of the trees, if so how many? - Replacement planting takes place where significant trees have been removed and replanting is considered appropriate.

4. If the cost limit has not yet been reached for this request, please provide the number of trees felled over the previous two financial years (2022/3) and (2021/2). If this will breach the cost limit, please ignore this question.

The number of trees felled according to our records are as follows: (please note, the records for the last 2 years are not currently not up to date).

2020 - 35
2021 - 46
2022 - 4
2023 - 1

Date responded: 20 June 2023

Council's Funding Shortfall

Date submitted: 25 May 2023

Summary of request

We are carrying out a Freedom of Information request to try and ascertain the scale of the funding challenge that local councils are facing in the medium-term future. Please can you answer the following questions:

1. What is your current predicted funding gap by the end of the financial year 2024/25?
2. What is your current predicted cumulative funding gap by the end of the financial year 2025/26?

Summary of response

You requested information about the council's funding shortfall - This information is available as part of the 2023/24 budget reports, the first of which was January 2023 Cabinet here:

https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=136&MId=1957&Ver=4

As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

1. What is your current predicted funding gap by the end of the financial year 2024/25?
2. What is your current predicted cumulative funding gap by the end of the financial year 2025/26?

Date responded: 30 May 2023

Landlord warrants

Date submitted: 25 May 2023

Summary of request

Can you tell how many times, in each of the last five calendar years up to the date of this request, has the local authority sought a warrant to enter a tenant’s home after they have been unable to contact them?

For each of those cases, how long had passed without contact with the tenant before the warrant was sought?

For warrants that were served, how many resulted in the discovery of a deceased tenant or tenants inside the property?

Summary of response

Can you tell how many times, in each of the last five calendar years up to the date of this request, has the local authority sought a warrant to enter a tenant’s home after they have been unable to contact them? - None

For each of those cases, how long had passed without contact with the tenant before the warrant was sought? - N/A

For warrants that were served, how many resulted in the discovery of a deceased tenant or tenants inside the property? - N/A

Date responded: 14 June 2023

Waste reduction and climate crisis

Date submitted: 22 May 2023

Summary of request

1) Bio-diversity - Are all public grass areas being mowed less often ? With larger patches left to re-wild ? Are trees being planted there ?

Are all students, households encouraged to do the same ? Are all farmers leaving wider hedgerows / field edges

2) The WRAP soft / flexible plastic recycling scheme, with collection bins now appearing in supermarkets, means almost all plastic packaging can now be recycled. How quickly will kerb-side collections start ?

Does your own website have a page covering all this ? with locations of all collecting stores ?

Have you asked all supermarkets about this ? Are their collection bins clearly labelled with what they accept, and what they don't ?

What is happening about collecting the things not in the WRAP scheme but recycled by Terracycle ?

3) Have you ensured that zero plastic is entering your rivers, drains etc ?

4) Have you asked all supermarkets about getting all products clearly labelled with how to recycle the various components ?

5) Do all schools, hospitals, offices, cafes, restaurants etc now have meat-free mondays and thursdays ? and zero beef all week ? and zero soya ( or ? )-fed meat all week ? and a reduction in rice ? and a reduction in lamb ?

+ meat-free weeks ? and all cow's milk replaced with oat etc ?

6) This year's drought - Ban all non-essential uses of water - car washing, garden hoses etc. Issue advice on water-saving eg a displacement object in the toilet cistern, Turn off the tap when brushing teeth, Use bath-water for plant watering.

7) Lack of dentists - a) Raise the pay b) Promote the best advice - Clean teeth fully after every meal with gentle rotating strokes. Do not rinse after brushing. Avoid brushing for 1/2 hour after acidic food eg limes, blueberries, blackberries, pineapples, peaches, oranges, plums, apples, tomatoes, purple grapes, green grapes, citrus fruits, apricots + juices of all these. Floss regularly. Use a small amount of mouthwash before brushing.

8) Health + Climate crisis -

Are all students taught the following ? -

The expression global warming, GW, is now superceded by global over-heating, GOH. It must be reversed, now, not @ 1.5C.

Economic "growth" = Destruction. "growth" = Greed. Over-population = Poverty

"carbon neutral" must become "carbon and methane neutral" or better "CO2e neutral" - the crisis is now, not in 2050, 2040, 2030 ...

The burning Amazon - eat less meat ( eat less beef ) - E < M ( E < B ) - Switch the land to crops and therefore produce ten times more food. + biofuel to replace russian fuels. + use less fertiliser.

Eat 10% less meat per month. Eat 10% less beef per week - E.10 < M ( E.10 < B )

Eat less soya etc-fed meat ( E < SFM )

Eat less rice ( E < R ) - rice production releases large quantities of methane. Eat alternative grains eg lentils, peas, quinoa, buckwheat.

Consume less dairy - ( C < D )

Use less soya - ( U < S )

Eat less lamb - ( E < L )


Energy crisis -

Cook in the microwave. Never cook from frozen. Rethink all cooking "instructions". Car-sharing. Minimise all waste. Minimise all energy use - is the EU still requiring airlines to operate "ghost" flights ?

Stop all non-essential travel, Turn down the thermostat 1 degree, Wash clothes only when they need it, Wash up less often and with half a bowl of water, Wash car, vacuum home etc less often

9) Does your website, and all schools' ( and ? ) websites have an easy to find -

"top 20 ways to reduce global-warming / global-overheating" ? eg by lobbying your MP etc

"top 20 ways to reduce food waste" ? eg buy only what you actually need, how to use left-overs

"top 20 ways to reduce energy waste" ? eg don't drive when you can walk, always defrost in the fridge, never cook from frozen, always cook in the microwave, even when the product ( falsely ) claims "not suitable for microwave cooking", consider that many eg fruit, veg, pre-cooked products need no cooking at all and the times quoted on the packaging are often wildly excessive eg porridge, baked beans, tofu

"top 20 ways to reduce plastic pollution" ? eg use the new soft plastic collection points at supermarkets

"top 20 ways to reduce the risk of of fire" ? eg check your smoke alarms

"top 20 ways to increase road safety" ? eg avoid all distractions, drive more slowly, remove all road-side advertising

Summary of response

1) Bio-diversity - Are all public grass areas being mowed less often ? With larger patches left to re-wild ? Are trees being planted there ? – Our approach is set out in detail here https://eastdevon.gov.uk/parks-gardens-and-recreation/parks-and-gardens/nature-recovery/

Green Space Design and Management Proposals - Emergency Tree Fund Proposal - East Devon
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/parks-gardens-and-recreation/parks-and-gardens/green-space-design-and-management-proposals/emergency-tree-fund-proposal/

Are all students, households encouraged to do the same ? Are all farmers leaving wider hedgerows / field edges – Information not held

2) The WRAP soft / flexible plastic recycling scheme, with collection bins now appearing in supermarkets, means almost all plastic packaging can now be recycled. How quickly will kerb-side collections start ? – Many retailers have front of store take-back facilities including flexible plastics. The UK does not yet have the processing capacity and end user markets to handle the larger quantities of flexible plastics that would be captured by kerb-side collections from households. DEFRAs Consistency in Collections regulations, still to be published, will include the collection of flexible plastics from households. We anticipate the deadline for these collections to be set at 2027 by DEFRA. DEFRA are working with the recycling sector to stimulate the investment required in processing capacity and end user markets to make this viable.

Does your own website have a page covering all this ? with locations of all collecting stores ? – No

Have you asked all supermarkets about this ? – No Are their collection bins clearly labelled with what they accept, and what they don't ? – This is a matter for individual retailers to answer

What is happening about collecting the things not in the WRAP scheme but recycled by Terracycle ? – This should be addressed to Terracycle

3) Have you ensured that zero plastic is entering your rivers, drains etc ? – The source of plastics that enter water courses is so broad we are unable to answer this as a waste collection authority. Please refer this part of your request to South West Water

4) Have you asked all supermarkets about getting all products clearly labelled with how to recycle the various components ? – Not for EDDC to respond to; Trading standards

5) Do all schools, hospitals, offices, cafes, restaurants etc now have meat-free mondays and thursdays ? and zero beef all week ? and zero soya ( or ? )-fed meat all week ? and a reduction in rice ? and a reduction in lamb ?

+ meat-free weeks ? and all cow's milk replaced with oat etc ? – Not for EDDC to respond to; you need to forward this part of your request to Trading standards & Devon County Council


6) This year's drought - Ban all non-essential uses of water - car washing, garden hoses etc. Issue advice on water-saving eg a displacement object in the toilet cistern, Turn off the tap when brushing teeth, Use bath-water for plant watering – Not for EDDC to respond to; South West Water is the water company in this area


7) Lack of dentists - a) Raise the pay b) Promote the best advice - Clean teeth fully after every meal with gentle rotating strokes. Do not rinse after brushing. Avoid brushing for 1/2 hour after acidic food eg limes, blueberries, blackberries, pineapples, peaches, oranges, plums, apples, tomatoes, purple grapes, green grapes, citrus fruits, apricots + juices of all these. Floss regularly. Use a small amount of mouthwash before brushing – Not for EDDC to respond to; NHS is responsible for dentistry


8) Health + Climate crisis -


Are all students taught the following ? – Not for EDDC to respond to. Devon County Council is responsible for Education in this area


The expression global warming, GW, is now superceded by global over-heating, GOH. It must be reversed, now, not @ 1.5C.

Economic "growth" = Destruction. "growth" = Greed. Over-population = Poverty

"carbon neutral" must become "carbon and methane neutral" or better "CO2e neutral" - the crisis is now, not in 2050, 2040, 2030 ...

The burning Amazon - eat less meat ( eat less beef ) - E < M ( E < B ) - Switch the land to crops and therefore produce ten times more food. + biofuel to replace russian fuels. + use less fertiliser.

Eat 10% less meat per month. Eat 10% less beef per week - E.10 < M ( E.10 < B )

Eat less soya etc-fed meat ( E < SFM )

Eat less rice ( E < R ) - rice production releases large quantities of methane. Eat alternative grains eg lentils, peas, quinoa, buckwheat.

Consume less dairy - ( C < D )

Use less soya - ( U < S )

Eat less lamb - ( E < L )


Energy crisis -

Cook in the microwave. Never cook from frozen. Rethink all cooking "instructions". Car-sharing. Minimise all waste. Minimise all energy use - is the EU still requiring airlines to operate "ghost" flights ?

Stop all non-essential travel, Turn down the thermostat 1 degree, Wash clothes only when they need it, Wash up less often and with half a bowl of water, Wash car, vacuum home etc less often



9) Does your website, and all schools' ( and ? ) websites have an easy to find:


"top 20 ways to reduce global-warming / global-overheating" ? eg by lobbying your MP etc – No

"top 20 ways to reduce food waste" ? eg buy only what you actually need, how to use left-overs – No, but we do provide information on how to reduce, reuse and recycle. Reduce, reuse, recycle - East Devon Recycling, the environment and our responsibilities - East Devon
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/reduce-reuse-recycle/
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/recycling-the-environment-and-our-responsibilities/

"top 20 ways to reduce energy waste" ? eg don't drive when you can walk, always defrost in the fridge, never cook from frozen, always cook in the microwave, even when the product ( falsely ) claims "not suitable for microwave cooking", consider that many eg fruit, veg, pre-cooked products need no cooking at all and the times quoted on the packaging are often wildly excessive eg porridge, baked beans, tofu – No, but advice is provided Advice for energy savings - East Devon
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/housing-and-homelessness/housing-in-the-private-sector/advice-and-information/advice-for-energy-savings/

"top 20 ways to reduce plastic pollution" ? eg use the new soft plastic collection points at supermarkets – No, but we do provide information on how to reduce, reuse and recycle. Reduce, reuse, recycle - East Devon Recycling, the environment and our responsibilities - East Devon
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/reduce-reuse-recycle/
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/recycling-the-environment-and-our-responsibilities/

"top 20 ways to reduce the risk of of fire" ? eg check your smoke alarms – No, but advice is provided Information about the housing service - East Devon Fire safety - a matter of life or death - East Devon Safety in your home - East Devon
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/housing-and-homelessness/information-about-the-housing-service/
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/housing-and-homelessness/information-about-the-housing-service/fire-safety-a-matter-of-life-or-death/

"top 20 ways to increase road safety" ? eg avoid all distractions, drive more slowly, remove all road-side advertising – Not for EDDC to respond to; This is Devon County Council responsibility

Date responded: 16 June 2023

Homes For Ukraine scheme

Date submitted: 22 May 2023

Summary of request

Please note, the following requests pertain to the Homes For Ukraine scheme - requesting data dating back to the schemes' commencement in February 2022 to present.

With that in mind, please could you provide me with the following information:
• how many sponsors have contacted the council requesting to end their placements early?
• how many Ukrainian refugees have contacted the council requesting to end their placements early?
• How many times has the council been contacted about accommodation or arrangement having broken down, by either sponsors or Ukrainian refugees?
• what number of Homes for Ukraine sponsorships in the area for which you are responsible have ended before their intended finish date?
• what is the total number of sponsorships undertaken so far in the area for which the council is responsible?
• Please provide the number of refugees whose placement ended early who were then housed in hotel accommodation.
• Please provide the number of refugees whose placement ended early who were matched with another sponsor.
• Please provide the number of refugees whose placement ended early who were rendered homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Summary of response

Homes For Ukraine scheme - requesting data dating back to the schemes' commencement in February 2022 to present.

With that in mind, please could you provide me with the following information:

• how many sponsors have contacted the council requesting to end their placements early? – Information not held
• how many Ukrainian refugees have contacted the council requesting to end their placements early? – Information not held
• How many times has the council been contacted about accommodation or arrangement having broken down, by either sponsors or Ukrainian refugees? – Information not held
• what number of Homes for Ukraine sponsorships in the area for which you are responsible have ended before their intended finish date? – Information not held
• what is the total number of sponsorships undertaken so far in the area for which the council is responsible? - 321
• Please provide the number of refugees whose placement ended early who were then housed in hotel accommodation. – Information not held
• Please provide the number of refugees whose placement ended early who were matched with another sponsor. – Information not held
• Please provide the number of refugees whose placement ended early who were rendered homeless or at risk of homelessness. – Information not held

Date responded: 30 May 2023

Voter ID

Date submitted: 22 May 2023

Summary of request

-Can you tell me how many people in East Devon were initially denied the right to vote because they did not have ID or the right ID in May’s 2023 local elections?
-Can you tell me how many people initially refused the right to vote then returned to vote in the elections?
-Can you tell me how many people initially refused the right to vote because they did not have the right ID then did not return to vote?

Summary of response

You requested to know information concerning Voter ID.

Can you tell me how many people in East Devon were initially denied the right to vote because they did not have ID or the right ID in May’s 2023 local elections? - 95
Can you tell me how many people initially refused the right to vote then returned to vote in the elections? - 45
Can you tell me how many people initially refused the right to vote because they did not have the right ID then did not return to vote? - 50

Date responded: 22 May 2023

Undiscovered deaths in council properties

Date submitted: 22 May 2023

Summary of request

How many cases have there been in the last five years where people have been found dead in housing provided by the council where it is believed they have been undiscovered for more than two days? Please include the statistics for each year separately.

How many cases have there been in the last five years where people have been found dead in housing provided by the council where it is believed they have been undiscovered for more than five days? Please include the statistics for each year separately.

How many cases have there been in the last five years where people have been found dead in housing provided by the council where it is believed they have been undiscovered for more than ten days? Please include the statistics for each year separately.

Summary of response

How many cases have there been in the last five years where people have been found dead in housing provided by the council where it is believed they have been undiscovered for more than two days? Please include the statistics for each year separately - The council does not capture this information

How many cases have there been in the last five years where people have been found dead in housing provided by the council where it is believed they have been undiscovered for more than five days? Please include the statistics for each year separately - The council does not capture this information

How many cases have there been in the last five years where people have been found dead in housing provided by the council where it is believed they have been undiscovered for more than ten days? Please include the statistics for each year separately - The council does not capture this information

Date responded: 30 May 2023

PPE and workwear contract

Date submitted: 12 May 2023

Summary of request

Enquiring to see if the council is in contract with any supplier for its PPE and workwear ,and/if there is a plan to tender?

Summary of response

You requested to know if the council is in contract with any supplier for its PPE and workwear and/if there is a plan to tender? - We currently do not have a contract in place for PPE and Workwear supplies. We use a number of different suppliers based on best price and quality.

Date responded: 22 May 2023

Recycling of waste paper and cardboard contracts

Date submitted: 12 May 2023

Summary of request

I would be most grateful if you would provide me, under the Freedom of Information Act, details in respect to the recycling contract, namely card and paper.

• What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract?
• Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful & not successful at the PQQ & 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 & 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?

Summary of response

Paper
This a county wide contract procured and managed by Devo County Council (DCC). You will need to refer this FOI enquiry to DCC as our Waste Disposal Authority.

Cardboard
We do not have a term contract in place as this is one of the materials that we spot trade load by load by using the SUEZ trading team.


I would be most grateful if you would provide me, under the Freedom of Information Act, details in respect to the recycling contract, namely card and paper.

• What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract? - N/A
• Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful & not successful at the PQQ & ITT stages - N/A
• 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)? - N/A
• Where is the end destination of the fibre? - N/A
• What is your current collection method (dual stream, single source, kerbside sort or comingled) - Paper and cardboard are kerb-side sorted
• What tonnage per year do you produce by fibre grade? - 2022 figures – Hard Mixed Paper Grade - 5728 tonne; Paper – 145 tonnes
• Start date & 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

Date responded: 12 May 2023

Housing stock repainting

Date submitted: 3 May 2023

Summary of request

1. The average frequency with which you repaint the exterior of the homes that you own.

2. The number of homes that you own that you repainted the exterior of in the financial year 2022/23.

3. The number of homes that you own that you repainted the exterior of in the financial year 2022/23 using graphene paint.

4. The number of homes that you own that you repainted the exterior of in the financial year 2022/23 with fungicidal anti-damp paints other than graphene.

5. The number of homes that you own that you repainted the exterior of in the financial year 2022/23 using conventional paint.

6. The expenditure on repainting the exterior of the homes that you own in the financial year 2022/23 including (if recorded) a breakdown of the cost of paint, labour and scaffolding.

7. The expenditure on remedying or treating damp and/or mould in the homes that you own in the financial year 2022/23.

Summary of response

1. The average frequency with which you repaint the exterior of the homes that you own - No distinguishable frequency

2. The number of homes that you own that you repainted the exterior of in the financial year 2022/23 - 114

3. The number of homes that you own that you repainted the exterior of in the financial year 2022/23 using graphene paint - Zero

4. The number of homes that you own that you repainted the exterior of in the financial year 2022/23 with fungicidal anti-damp paints other than graphene - 114

5. The number of homes that you own that you repainted the exterior of in the financial year 2022/23 using conventional paint - 114

6. The expenditure on repainting the exterior of the homes that you own in the financial year 2022/23 including (if recorded) a breakdown of the cost of paint, labour and scaffolding - Information not available

7. The expenditure on remedying or treating damp and/or mould in the homes that you own in the financial year 2022/23 - Information not available

Date responded: 1 June 2023

Tree felling

Date submitted: 3 May 2023

Summary of request

Please can I have the raw data set of how many trees have been chopped down by the council since the start of 2017, broken down by year.

And after the council has received a request from an insurance company, how many trees have they chopped down because of this?

Summary of response

Please can I have the raw data set of how many trees have been chopped down by the council since the start of 2017, broken down by year.

The number of trees felled according to our records are as follows: (please note, the records for the last 2 years are not currently not up to date).

2016 – no data
2017 – 2
2018 – 39
2019 – 56
2020 – 35
2021 – 46
2022 – 4
2023 – 1

And after the council has received a request from an insurance company, how many trees have they chopped down because of this? - Zero

Date responded: 24 May 2023

ERP system is a software system

Date submitted: 2 May 2023

Summary of request

Please could you answer the following questions under the Freedom of Information act
The name of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system used to support the following areas to include the date of purchase

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a software system that is designed to integrate and automate a wide range of business processes and operations across different functional areas of an organization.

Area Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) - Name
Date of purchase
Core financials (GL, AP, AR, FA)
Reporting and BI
Planning, Budgeting and
Forecasting, Financial Planning
and Analysis

Procurement
Operational Asset
Management/Enterprise Asset
Management

Strategic Asset Management
Payroll and timesheets
Human Resource
Management/Human Capital
Management/Talent Management

Rating, Revenue, Regulatory, and
Request Management,
Affordable/Social/Community
Housing, Social/Community
Services

Summary of response

You have requested to know the name of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system EDDC uses. EDDC has no ERP in place.

Date responded: 10 May 2023

Telephone waiting times

Date submitted: 26 April 2023

Summary of request

How many council office staff are given the option to work from their
own homes rather than work from the council building?

How do you record the time lengths that East Devon residents wait for a
telephone to be answered?

How do you monitor the work arrangements of any staff choosing to work
from home?

How much do you rely on the ability of your East Devon residents to cope
with always being expected to cope with doing everything on line?

What proportion of your customers are not internet savvy nor have access
to the internet?

What methods do you use to help such people and ensure that they are not
kept waiting for long periods on line.

Summary of response

How many council office staff are given the option to work from their own homes rather than work from the council building? - The Council does not engage employees on homeworker contracts, all contracts have a place of work as the Council’s designated offices. The Council operates a flexible working policy of allowing employees to work from home in agreement with their manager and their service needs with the offices always available.

How do you record the time lengths that East Devon residents wait for a telephone to be answered? - Anywhere 365 summary report, received every week with call stats and it also measures the average wait time.

How do you monitor the work arrangements of any staff choosing to work from home? - Monitored by managers

How much do you rely on the ability of your East Devon residents to cope with always being expected to cope with doing everything on line? - Information not held

What proportion of your customers are not internet savvy nor have access to the internet? - Information not held

What methods do you use to help such people and ensure that they are not kept waiting for long periods on line - All staff focus and prioritise calls to ensure calls are answered as quickly as possible. All other admin work is put on hold until all calls are picked up. On Skype/ Anywhere 365 Snapper it shows how long someone has been waiting and the call queue number, so all staff are aware of call wait times.


Date responded: 23 May 2023

Temporary Labour Usage within your Council

Date submitted: 25 April 2023

Summary of request

request information regarding temporary labour usage in your organisation, including contractors, temporary workers, and freelancers.

Please can you provide me with the following information for the most recent complete fiscal year:

• Total number of temporary workers engaged by your organisation, broken down by department or function, if possible.
• Total annual expenditure on temporary workers, including a breakdown of costs by department or function, if possible.
• Total number of agency suppliers (Preferred Suppliers/non-Preferred Suppliers) in your organisation’s labour supply chain

Details of any existing Managed Service Programme or Provider (MSP) and/or Vendor Management System (VMS) used to manage temporary workers:

• Name of the MSP and VMS.
• Date the contract was awarded.
• Date of contract expiration.
• Name of the government procurement framework through which the MSP and VMS were procured.

Details of any upcoming retendering or renewal processes related to your MSP and VMS contracts:

• Anticipated date for the retendering or renewal process to commence.
• Name and contact information of the person responsible for overseeing the retendering or renewal process.

Summary of response

Please can you provide me with the following information for the most recent complete fiscal year:


· Total number of temporary workers engaged by your organisation, broken down by department or function, if possible – We are unable to advise on numbers from other suppliers but through Commensura it was 8 and spend with Comensura was £199,664.04

Department areas agency spend has included: Housing, Estate management, Legal, Building Control, Environmental Protection, Mobile support officers, Planning, Streetscene Services, (Grounds and Cleansing) Growth Point Delivery Team & Exmouth Regeneration Project

· Total annual expenditure on temporary workers, including a breakdown of costs by department or function, if possible - £678,645.64

Building Control - £16,020
Streetscene - £152,039
Environment Protection - £4,408.
Estate Management - £84,468.
Growth Point Delivery Team and Exmouth Regeneration Team - £65,628
Housing - £236,841
Mobile Support Officers - £40,106.
Legal Services - £57,500
Development Management - £21,633.

· Total number of agency suppliers (Preferred Suppliers/non-Preferred Suppliers) in your organisation’s labour supply chain - 11


Details of any existing Managed Service Programme or Provider (MSP) and/or Vendor Management System (VMS) used to manage temporary workers:

· Name of the MSP and VMS - Neutral Vendor – Commensura if unable to supply we move out of the chain.
· Date the contract was awarded - January 2021
· Date of contract expiration - January 2024 +1 year option to extend
· Name of the government procurement framework through which the MSP and VMS were procured - MSTAR Framework

Details of any upcoming retendering or renewal processes related to your MSP and VMS contracts:

· Anticipated date for the retendering or renewal process to commence - 2024
· Name and contact information of the person responsible for overseeing the retendering or renewal process - Joanna Fellows; Corporate HR Manager; HR@eastdevon.gov.uk

Date responded: 22 May 2023

Liability orders

Date submitted: 25 April 2023

Summary of request

- How many liability orders has the council sought over council tax arrears between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2023?

- How many of these liability orders has resulted in bailiffs being sent to collect the debt?

Summary of response


How many liability orders has the council sought over council tax arrears between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2023?

2021-2022: 2546
2022-2023: 2467

How many of these liability orders has resulted in bailiffs being sent to collect the debt? - We are unable to provide this information as we do not record specific liability order years that are sent to Enforcement Agents.

Date responded: 22 May 2023

Companies that have breached their regulated emission limits

Date submitted: 25 April 2023

Summary of request

A list of all companies (Industrial/Processing/Manufacturing) within your borough, who have breached their regulated emission limits over the past three years and the first quarter of 2023.

Summary of response

A list of all companies (Industrial/Processing/Manufacturing) within your borough, who have breached their regulated emission limits over the past three years and the first quarter of 2023.

According to our records there have been no breaches of emission limits in processes with environmental permits in the last 3 years and there has been no enforcement action taken.

Date responded: 4 May 2023

Public Health Funerals

Date submitted: 24 April 2023

Summary of request

1. The number of Public Health funerals provided by the council in:

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2. Does the council organise a ceremony or service prior to burial/cremation for Public Health funerals?

3. If so, how many ceremonies/services has the council arranged in each of these years:

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

4. Where a ceremony or service is arranged, does the council permit next of kin/family to attend?

5. What is the cost (actual or average) paid by the council for a Public Health funeral

6. Where the council owns a cemetery/cemeteries - does it insist on a Public Health burial rather than a cremation

7. For Public Health burials, does the council provide a headstone or other marker for the grave?

Summary of response


1. The number of Public Health funerals provided by the council in: Please go to our website where information can be located as to the number of National Assistance Burials/ Public Health Funerals that have taken place since 2020. As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

https://eastdevon.gov.uk/bereavement-services/public-health-funerals-2020-2023/public-health-funerals-2021/

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2. Does the council organise a ceremony or service prior to burial/cremation for Public Health funerals? - A 20 minute funeral service is provided at the Crematorium (no separate service is organized)

3. If so, how many ceremonies/services has the council arranged in each of these years: (Information available on website)

2019/20 – In 2019 - 11 Funerals were conducted

2020/21 – In 2020 - 5 Funerals were conducted

2021/22 – In 2021 - 6 Funerals were conducted

2022/23 – In 2022 - 11 Funerals were conducted

4. Where a ceremony or service is arranged, does the council permit next of kin/family to attend? - Yes

5. What is the cost (actual or average) paid by the council for a Public Health funeral - Information is available on our website. In 2022 – the cost of funerals were an average of £1323.00 per funeral.

6. Where the council owns a cemetery/cemeteries - does it insist on a Public Health burial rather than a cremation - Cremations are the preference, burials do not take place.

7. For Public Health burials, does the council provide a headstone or other marker for the grave? - No burials take place

Date responded: 12 May 2023

CARF Relief

Date submitted: 24 April 2023

Summary of request

List of commercial properties with CARF Relief (Covid 19 additional relief fund)

Summary of response

Please see attached our response to your FOI enquiry re a list of commercial properties with CARF Relief (Covid 19 additional relief fund).

Date responded: 24 April 2023

Council debt and asset sales

Date submitted: 20 April 2023

Summary of request

1. The current total of your General Fund debt.

2. The total interest payments on your General Fund debt paid in the financial year 2022/23.

3. The total revenue you obtained from the sale of General Fund assets, including buildings and land, in the financial year 2022/23.

4. The estimate (if any) you have on the number of new homes that have been built or are due to be built on the land and buildings that you sold from your General Fund assets in the financial year 2022/23.

Summary of response

1. The current total of your General Fund debt - £1,848,151

2. The total interest payments on your General Fund debt paid in the financial year 2022/23 - £54,059

3. The total revenue you obtained from the sale of General Fund assets, including buildings and land, in the financial year 2022/23 - Sales receipts of £199,000

4. The estimate (if any) you have on the number of new homes that have been built or are due to be built on the land and buildings that you sold from your General Fund assets in the financial year 2022/23 - Nil

Date responded: 10 May 2023

Personal Injury Claims against the Council

Date submitted: 20 April 2023

Summary of request

1. How many personal injury claims were made against the council during 17 April 2022 to 17 April 2023?

2. What were the causes of these claims, for example, potholes and slips, trips and falls?

3. How much did the council pay out in compensation in personal injury claims during this time?

Summary of response


1. How many personal injury claims were made against the council during 17 April 2022 to 17 April 2023? - 4 Public liability claims opened in between these dates.

2. What were the causes of these claims, for example, potholes and slips, trips and falls? - All were slips and trips.

3. How much did the council pay out in compensation in personal injury claims during this time? - No compensation paid out on claims opened between these dates.

Date responded: 4 May 2023

Complaints about uncut verges

Date submitted: 18 April 2023

Summary of request

Please can you tell me how many complaints about uncut grass verges the council received in 2022? I am not asking for any details of the complaints, just the number. If possible, the number that came from Sidmouth would be useful extra information.

Summary of response

You requested to know how many complaints we have received about uncut verges. The information you have requested is not held. The only information we have is requests for uncut grass. The data for these types of request shows that over a period of 6 months from July 2022 we had 65 requests to cut grass.

Devon County Council are responsible for most of the roadside verges and cut these for safety reasons (visibility splays).

Date responded: 18 April 2023

Reconnections & rough sleepers

Date submitted: 18 April 2023

Summary of request

Please can you send me Information on accommodating rough sleepers, and your policy of ‘reconnecting’ EU Nationals. For the purposes of this request ‘reconnection’ is defined as the process of supporting EU Citizens to return, in a planned way, to an area where they have family and social networks and/or where they can access accommodation if someone does not have access to benefits/public funds, has no or very limited employment prospects, cannot access private rented accommodation and is homeless/ in unsuitable accommodation.

Can you send me information on:

1. How many rough sleepers in your local authority area were accommodated in total between (a) 01 October 2020-30 June 2021 and then (b) 01 July 2021-01 April 2023?
2. How many of the rough sleepers accommodated at any time during these periods (a) 01 October 2020-30 June 2021 and (b) 01 July 2021-01 April 2023?) are/were considered to be No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)?
3. How many of the rough sleepers accommodated at any time during these periods (a) 01 October 2020-30 June 2021 and then (b) 01 July 2021-01 April 2023 are/were EU nationals?
4. Have any rough sleepers placed in accommodation during this time ((a) 01 October 2020-30 June 2021 and then (b) 01 July 2021-01 April 2023) been supported through a reconnection service to another part of the UK or to return to country of origin as well as information on the age, gender, nationality and marital status of those who have subsequently accessed a reconnection service.
5. Information (if any) more broadly on the number of people (excluding rough sleepers- as asked above) who have been supported through a reconnection service to another part of the UK or to return to country of origin as well as information on the age, gender, nationality and marital status of those who have accessed a reconnection service.
6. Information on the source of funding for reconnecting/ supporting people to another part of the UK/ return to their country of origin?

Summary of response

1. How many rough sleepers in your local authority area were accommodated in total between (a) 01 October 2020-30 June 2021 and then (b) 01 July 2021-01 April 2023? = A - 45; B - 70
2. How many of the rough sleepers accommodated at any time during these periods (a) 01 October 2020-30 June 2021 and (b) 01 July 2021-01 April 2023?) are/were considered to be No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)? = A - 0; B - 0
3. How many of the rough sleepers accommodated at any time during these periods (a) 01 October 2020-30 June 2021 and then (b) 01 July 2021-01 April 2023 are/were EU nationals? = A - 0; B - 1
4. Have any rough sleepers placed in accommodation during this time ((a) 01 October 2020-30 June 2021 and then (b) 01 July 2021-01 April 2023) been supported through a reconnection service to another part of the UK or to return to country of origin as well as information on the age, gender, nationality and marital status of those who have subsequently accessed a reconnection service = A - 0; B - O
5. Information (if any) more broadly on the number of people (excluding rough sleepers- as asked above) who have been supported through a reconnection service to another part of the UK or to return to country of origin as well as information on the age, gender, nationality and marital status of those who have accessed a reconnection service = A - 0; B - 0
6. Information on the source of funding for reconnecting/ supporting people to another part of the UK/ return to their country of origin? = None

Date responded: 3 May 2023

Active transport for staff

Date submitted: 17 April 2023

Summary of request

In consideration of the climate crisis, I would like to request the following information about how the organisation is enabling staff to reduce their emissions through sustainable transport, and more specifically, cycling.

1) over the past five years, broken down by year -
a) how many staff members used the Cycle to Work scheme?
b) what percentage of staff was this?
c) what was the average value of the vouchers claimed on the scheme?
d) what was the number of those who took up the scheme, who then failed to complete, leaving the organisation with costs?

2) what tools does the organisation use to encourage cycling for their staff -
a) on a work basis
b) on a leisure/health basis

3) with regards to staff, does the organisation -
a) have any monitoring for what modes of transport staff use -
i) for their journey to work
ii) for journeys during work time
b) and if this data is recorded, I request a copy of such data as detailed as it can be reasonably given, while still protecting personal data rights

4) how many of the following does the organisation have available for staff use
a) pedal cycles
b) electric bikes
c) motorbikes
d) internal combustion cars
e) electric or hybrid cars
f) internal combustion vans
g) electric or hybrid vans
h) heavy trucks

5) does the organisation mileage scheme clearly state the claim rate for cycling

6) how many cycling miles have been claimed by the organisation's staff in the past five years

7) Regarding your current cycle to work scheme -
a) what scheme is currently in place
b) what is the maximum limit on the cost of a bike, if a limit is currently in place

Summary of response


1) over the past five years, broken down by year -
a) how many staff members used the Cycle to Work scheme?

2018-19 – 13 (2.6%)
2019-20 – 14 (2.8%)
2020-21 – 14 (2.8%)
2021-22 – 17 (3.4%)
2022-23 – 17 (3.4%)

b) what percentage of staff was this? - Figure above - Based on an average headcount of 500 employees.
c) what was the average value of the vouchers claimed on the scheme? - Information not available
d) what was the number of those who took up the scheme, who then failed to complete, leaving the organisation with costs? - None

2) what tools does the organisation use to encourage cycling for their staff -
a) on a work basis
b) on a leisure/health basis - We promote the 2 cycle schemes we offer through our internal intranet and also via the portal with our partner organisations who offer the cycle scheme
3) with regards to staff, does the organisation -
a) have any monitoring for what modes of transport staff use - We do not monitor the transport staff use only mileage claims reimbursed for business mileage in employees private vehicle.
i) for their journey to work
ii) for journeys during work time
b) and if this data is recorded, I request a copy of such data as detailed as it can be reasonably given, while still protecting personal data rights

Total amount of business miles reimbursed for last 5 years, per year is as follows:
2018/19 = 375,316 miles
2019/20 = 559,711 miles
2020/21 = 240,177 miles
2021/22 = 325,464 miles
2022/23 = 313,186 miles

4) how many of the following does the organisation have available for staff use - Some services provide electric and combustion engine company vehicles, including vans as part of their service needs. We do not offer staff other types of transport other than the cycle schemes as a salary sacrifice scheme.

a) pedal cycles
b) electric bikes
c) motorbikes
d) internal combustion cars
e) electric or hybrid cars
f) internal combustion vans
g) electric or hybrid vans
h) heavy trucks

5) does the organisation mileage scheme clearly state the claim rate for cycling - Yes
6) how many cycling miles have been claimed by the organisation's staff in the past five years - None that have been claimed by employees.
7) Regarding your current cycle to work scheme -
a) what scheme is currently in place - We offer 2 cycle schemes as they provide different access and scheme limits for employees.
b) what is the maximum limit on the cost of a bike, if a limit is currently in place - One is Cyclescheme Ltd (limit of £2K) and one via Vivup (limit of £1500). Both scheme providers also offer electric bikes as an option.

Date responded: 4 May 2023

Recyclate & Residual Collection Contract

Date submitted: 17 April 2023

Summary of request

We understand that the following contracts has expired:
• Service ~ Recyclate collection
• Contractor ~ SUEZ
• Expiry date ~ 31/03/2023
• Service ~ Residual Collection -Three-weekly collections commenced February 2017 in Exmouth area
• Contractor ~ SUEZ
• Expiry date ~ 31/03/2023
Can you advise if a new contract has been/will be awarded for this service and if so what the new contract details are (in the same format as below): -
• Service description
• Contractor
• Contract reference number
• Start data
• End date
• Duration and possible extension periods
• Annual or total (please specify)contract value
• Main waste facility/facilities used
• Tonnes collected
• Number of households collected from
• Frequency of collection

Summary of response

We understand that the following contracts has expired:
• Service ~ Recyclate collection
• Contractor ~ SUEZ
• Expiry date ~ 31/03/2023
• Service ~ Residual Collection -Three-weekly collections commenced February 2017 in Exmouth area
• Contractor ~ SUEZ
• Expiry date ~ 31/03/2023

Can you advise if a new contract has been/will be awarded for this service and if so what the new contract details are (in the same format as below): - The initial contract term expires on 1st July 2023. EDDC have committed to an extension period and intend to grant the full three years that are available which will take us up to 1st July 2026. SUEZ have submitted a contract extension proposal which proposes some changes to the initial contract for the extension period. We are about to enter into negotiations on the proposal so we are unable to say under what terms the extension will be granted at this stage as it is very likely there will be some changes once we agree the final version.

• Service description - Recycling & waste collection and associated services
• Contractor - SUEZ Recycling & Recovery Ltd
• Contract reference number
• Start data - 1st July 2023
• End date - Proposed as 1st July 2026
• Duration and possible extension periods - 3 years in any format. EDDC intention is to award the full 3 years
• Annual or total (please specify)contract value - Annual value c. £ 6million
• Main waste facility/facilities used - Unit 42 Greendale Barton Business Park for recycling, Exeter EfW for waste disposal, Hill Barton Business Park for green waste composting,
• Tonnes collected - Total waste flow (all materials) estimated at 50,000 tonnes/year
• Number of households collected from - 73.600 at March 2023
• Frequency of collection - Recycling & food – weekly, General waste – three weekly, Green waste – two weekly

Date responded: 18 April 2023

ASB Community Trigger

Date submitted: 17 April 2023

Summary of request

IR1: HOW MANY COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATIONS HAVE YOU RECEIVED FROM APRIL 2018 – APRIL 2022?

IR2: OUT OF THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATIONS THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED DURING THE PROPOSED TIME FRAME:
A. HOW MANY APPLICATIONS DID NOT MEET THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER THRESHOLD?
B. HOW MANY MET THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER THRESHOLD?
B1. DID ALL OF THOSE THAT MET THE THRESHOLD RESULT IN A PANEL HEARING/REVIEW MEETING? IF NOT, ARE YOU ABLE TO EXPAND ON THE REASONS WHY A REVIEW HEARING DID NOT OCCUR?

IR3: DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER ON YOUR WEBSITE? (SUCH AS, WHAT THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER IS AND HOW TO APPLY FOR THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER)? YES/NO

IR4: DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIED POINT OF CONTACT FOR THOSE SUBMITTING A COMMUNITY TRIGGER? YES/NO

IR5: WHAT IS YOUR THRESHOLD CRITERIA FOR A COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATION TO BE MET? (PLEASE INCLUDE ANY CAVEATS, FOR EXAMPLE- THE CASE MUST BE CLOSED, ONE OF THE INCIDENTS NEEDS TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE MONTH PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION BEING MADE, ETC.)

IR6: PLEASE SELECT HOW THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER CAN BE APPLIED FOR AT YOUR ORGANISATION:
Online form Via telephone In writing Downloadable form
Other (please specify ______________________________________________)

IR7: DO YOU SHARE ALL OF THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATIONS YOU RECEIVE WITH ALL THE RELEVANT BODIES? YES/NO

IR8(1): DO YOU PROVIDE AN INDEPENDENT CHAIR TO HOLD YOUR COMMUNITY TRIGGER PANEL HEARINGS? YES/NO

IR8(2): HOW DO YOU DEFINE INDEPENDENT?
The chair is from a different organisation/agency that is
NOT involved with the case, OR
The chair is from within your organisation but is not involved with
Or has had any previous involvement with the case.

IR9: ARE THE VICTIMS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
Attend the initial part of the Community Trigger Panel hearing/case review?
Have a representative attend on their behalf?
Provide a statement to be read aloud at the Community Trigger Panel hearing/case review?

IR10(1): ON WHAT GROUNDS ARE APPLICANTS ABLE TO APPEAL?

IR10(2): WHO CHAIRS YOUR APPEAL MEETINGS?

IR11: HOW MANY APPEALS HAVE YOU RECEIVED IN RELATION TO THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATION NOT MEETING THE THRESHOLD? AND HOW MANY OF THESE APPEALS WERE UPHELD?

IR12: HOW MANY APPEALS HAVE BEEN MADE FOLLOWING THE OUTCOME OF A COMMUNITY TRIGGER PANEL HEARING/CASE REVIEW

Summary of response

IR1: HOW MANY COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATIONS HAVE YOU RECEIVED FROM APRIL 2018 – APRIL 2022? - 9
IR2: OUT OF THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATIONS THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED DURING THE PROPOSED TIME FRAME:

A. HOW MANY APPLICATIONS DID NOT MEET THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER THRESHOLD? - 1
B. HOW MANY MET THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER THRESHOLD? - 8

B1. DID ALL OF THOSE THAT MET THE THRESHOLD RESULT IN A PANEL HEARING/REVIEW MEETING? IF NOT, ARE YOU ABLE TO EXPAND ON THE REASONS WHY A REVIEW HEARING DID NOT OCCUR? - YES

IR3: DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER ON YOUR WEBSITE? (SUCH AS, WHAT THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER IS AND HOW TO APPLY FOR THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER)? - YES

IR4: DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIED POINT OF CONTACT FOR THOSE SUBMITTING A COMMUNITY TRIGGER? - YES

IR5: WHAT IS YOUR THRESHOLD CRITERIA FOR A COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATION TO BE MET? (PLEASE INCLUDE ANY CAVEATS, FOR EXAMPLE- THE CASE MUST BE CLOSED, ONE OF THE INCIDENTS NEEDS TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE MONTH PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION BEING MADE, ETC.)

• The investigation into the anti-social behaviour has been completed.
• The first report of anti-social behaviour was made within one month of the alleged behaviour taking place.
• There have been 3 or more reports of anti-social behaviour to an agency in the last 6 months.
• The anti-social behaviour has caused Harassment, Alarm or Distress.
• The alleged incidents have all been reported to an agency, e.g.: Devon & Cornwall Police, East Devon District Council, Mid Devon District Council or a local Registered Social Landlord.
• The behaviour is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress (rather than nuisance and annoyance) to members or any members of the public.

IR6: PLEASE SELECT HOW THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER CAN BE APPLIED FOR AT YOUR ORGANISATION:
- Via telephone; In writing.

IR7: DO YOU SHARE ALL OF THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATIONS YOU RECEIVE WITH ALL THE RELEVANT BODIES? - NO
IR8(1): DO YOU PROVIDE AN INDEPENDENT CHAIR TO HOLD YOUR COMMUNITY TRIGGER PANEL HEARINGS? - NO

IR8(2): HOW DO YOU DEFINE INDEPENDENT?

The chair is from within your organisation but is not involved with Or has had any previous involvement with the case.

IR9: ARE THE VICTIMS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

Attend the initial part of the Community Trigger Panel hearing/case review? - YES
Have a representative attend on their behalf? - YES
Provide a statement to be read aloud at the Community Trigger Panel hearing/case review? - YES

IR10(1): ON WHAT GROUNDS ARE APPLICANTS ABLE TO APPEAL?

Appeals of the Community Trigger can be made to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. Please refer to The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly website
• the relevant bodies have rejected an application to conduct an ASB Case Review on the basis that the threshold has not been met but the applicant considers that the threshold has been met
• the applicant believes that the ASB case review has failed to consider a relevant process, policy or protocol
• the applicant believes that the ASB case review has failed to consider relevant factual evidenced information

If an applicant wishes to escalate their case to the OPCC, they must do so within four weeks of notification of the outcome by contacting the Community Safety partnership to raise this appeal on their behalf. Individuals cannot self-refer their case directly to the OPCC

IR10(2): WHO CHAIRS YOUR APPEAL MEETINGS? - OPCC Officer

IR11: HOW MANY APPEALS HAVE YOU RECEIVED IN RELATION TO THE COMMUNITY TRIGGER APPLICATION NOT MEETING THE THRESHOLD? AND HOW MANY OF THESE APPEALS WERE UPHELD? - NONE

IR12: HOW MANY APPEALS HAVE BEEN MADE FOLLOWING THE OUTCOME OF A COMMUNITY TRIGGER PANEL HEARING/CASE REVIEW? - NONE

Date responded: 3 May 2023

Fines for energy performance certificates breaches

Date submitted: 17 April 2023

Summary of request

How many fines have you issued for breaches of duty to provide energy performance certificate (EPC) since 2018 and how much do these fines amount to?

Summary of response

You requested to know how many fines EDDC has issued for breaches of duty to provide energy performance certificate (EPC) since 2018 and how much these fines amount to?

There have been no fines issued for EPC breaches since 2018

Date responded: 18 April 2023

Public litter clean up costs

Date submitted: 17 April 2023

Summary of request

How much your council is currently spending on the cleaning up of public litter each month? Also, how much of that litter is a result of domestic recycle bins being interfered with by the wind on collection day?

Summary of response

You have asked how much the council is currently spending on the cleaning up of public litter each month? - Information not held. This cost is absorbed into general Streetscene costs.

Also, how much of that litter is a result of domestic recycle bins being interfered with by the wind on collection day? - Information not held.

Date responded: 3 May 2023

Systems/platforms for appointment bookings

Date submitted: 6 April 2023

Summary of request

1. What systems/platforms do you use for appointment bookings - this could be for taxi and private mot bookings, room bookings for corporate council rooms, desk/workspace bookings for internal staff, course bookings, sports and facility bookings, venue and facility bookings, open spaces and physical item resources
2. Who is responsible for the system/platform and their contact details - name, job title, email address, phone number?
3. What is the current contract value/expiry and renewal date of the system/platform?

Summary of response

1. What systems/platforms do you use for appointment bookings - this could be room bookings for corporate council rooms, desk/workspace bookings for internal staff, course bookings, venue and facility bookings - Microsoft Exchange - Office 365 - Outlook calendars
2. Who is responsible for the system/platform and their contact details - name, job title, email address, phone number? - Strata Service Solutions; sales enquiries via website
3. What is the current contract value/expiry and renewal date of the system/platform? - March/2024: £287,914 (2022-23)

Date responded: 2 May 2023

Number of 240ltrs wheelie bins in circulation

Date submitted: 6 April 2023

Summary of request

I’m currently undertaking some research related to domestic waste disposal within the UK and I’m looking to understand how many domestic wheelie bins are currently in use across the country. Would you be able to provide me with this information?

Specifically, I’m looking to understand how many 240 litre recycling and landfill wheelie bins are currently in circulation within your jurisdiction.

Summary of response

How many 240 litre recycling and landfill wheelie bins are currently in circulation within your jurisdiction - We do not hold data on how many 240 litre waste bins we have deployed.

We do use 240 litre bins for green waste and as of close of business yesterday we have 18,827 of them subscribed.

Date responded: 3 May 2023

Council housing service charges

Date submitted: 31 March 2023

Summary of request

1. What is the average percentage increase in service charges being imposed on council housing tenants in general needs housing (excluding those in temporary accommodation) in 2023/24 compared to 2022/23?
2. If different percentage increases are being implemented in different housing estates, please provide any details the council holds
3. What is the average service charge that the council charged for one-bedroom general needs council homes in 2022/23 and 2023/24 respectively (preferably excluding temporary accommodation units)?
4. What is the average service charge that the council charged for two-bedroom general needs council homes in 2022/23 and 2023/24 respectively (preferably excluding temporary accommodation units)?
5. What is the average service charge that the council charged for three-bedroom general needs council homes in 2022/23 and 2023/24 respectively (preferably excluding temporary accommodation units)?

Summary of response

1. What is the average percentage increase in service charges being imposed on council housing tenants in general needs housing (excluding those in temporary accommodation) in 2023/24 compared to 2022/23? - 3.4%
2. If different percentage increases are being implemented in different housing estates, please provide any details the council holds - No difference
3. What is the average service charge that the council charged for one-bedroom general needs council homes in 2022/23 and 2023/24 respectively (preferably excluding temporary accommodation units)?
4. What is the average service charge that the council charged for two-bedroom general needs council homes in 2022/23 and 2023/24 respectively (preferably excluding temporary accommodation units)?
5. What is the average service charge that the council charged for three-bedroom general needs council homes in 2022/23 and 2023/24 respectively (preferably excluding temporary accommodation units)?

The only properties we have which incur service charges are those in flats with communal areas, so are all charged the same no matter how many bedrooms they have. The charges were £16.26 per week in 2022/23 and £16.82 for 2023/24.

Date responded: 18 April 2023

Dogs seized and reunited/rehomed

Date submitted: 29 March 2023

Summary of request

For each of the calendar years (1) 2020, (2) 2021 and (3) 2022, please state:-


a. How many dogs were seized by the Council as strays

b. Of the number of dogs in (a), how many were (i) reunited with their owner (ii) rehomed iii) destroyed

Summary of response

For each of the calendar years

(1) 2020 – 6 strays seized; 4 reunited; 2 went to kennels

(2) 2021 – 7 strays seized; 2 reunited; 4 rehomed; 1 went to kennels

(3) 2022 – 6 strays seized; 3 reunited; 2 rehomed; 1 went to kennels

Date responded: 29 March 2023

FPNS & PSPOs

Date submitted: 29 March 2023

Summary of request

1. How many FPNS have been issued against homeless people in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023? If available, please break this down by year and restriction.

2. Do you record data about how warnings and breaches of the PSPO are broken down into the protected characteristics covered by the Equality Impact Assessments (EIA)? If so, please supply this data.

3. Please either attach copies of your current PSPOs or confirm that those on the PSPO section of your council website are up to date.

4. Were the street homeless community involved in consultations for PSPOs that might affect them – for example, those that restrict begging, obstruction of premises, public urination and defecation?

5. Do you have any specific guidelines or training for officers enforcing PSPOs that impact the homeless community - such as on mental health or signposting to services?

6. Are any measures in place to prevent PSPOs from having a disproportionate impact on the homeless community?

7. What steps does the council take to monitor PSPOs to ensure that the recommendations of the EIA are being followed? Please send over any documentation outlining this process.

8. Is there a process in place for handling complaints following warnings and breaches of the PSPO? If so, please send over any documentation outlining this process.

9. Do any of your PSPOs include dispersal powers?

10. Please provide the number of warnings issued for Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. If this data is available, please provide a breakdown of these warnings by restriction.

Summary of response

1. How many FPNS have been issued against homeless people in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023? If available, please break this down by year and restriction - None

2. Do you record data about how warnings and breaches of the PSPO are broken down into the protected characteristics covered by the Equality Impact Assessments (EIA)? If so, please supply this data - No

3. Please either attach copies of your current PSPOs or confirm that those on the PSPO section of your council website are up to date - Public Spaces Protection Orders - Public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) - East Devon https://eastdevon.gov.uk/environmental-health-and-wellbeing/environmental-health-information/public-spaces-protection-orders/public-spaces-protection-orders-pspos/

4. Were the street homeless community involved in consultations for PSPOs that might affect them – for example, those that restrict begging, obstruction of premises, public urination and defecation? - No

5. Do you have any specific guidelines or training for officers enforcing PSPOs that impact the homeless community - such as on mental health or signposting to services? - No but the Police have signposting guidance of local services including housing/homeless/links to local services. Devon & Cornwall Police App. Training will be developed for the local neighbourhood Police.

6. Are any measures in place to prevent PSPOs from having a disproportionate impact on the homeless community? - Yes localised training for Police neighbourhood teams will be developed and delivered and involvement of local Supervisors and the Community Safety Partnership.

7. What steps does the council take to monitor PSPOs to ensure that the recommendations of the EIA are being followed? Please send over any documentation outlining this process - Liaison between the Community Safety Officer and the Local Police Neighbourhood team. No documentation this is part of the localised intelligence and tasking process.

8. Is there a process in place for handling complaints following warnings and breaches of the PSPO? If so, please send over any documentation outlining this process - Complaints procedure on EEDC website https://eastdevon.gov.uk/customer-services/feedback-and-complaints/complaints/

9. Do any of your PSPOs include dispersal powers? - Yes

10. Please provide the number of warnings issued for Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. If this data is available, please provide a breakdown of these warnings by restriction - 2020 = Zero, 2021 = Zero 2022 = total 4, 2 Urination in public, 1 failure to surrender alcohol and 1 failure to keep a dog on a lead., 2023 = zero

Date responded: 25 April 2023

PCNs issued

Date submitted: 27 March 2023

Summary of request

How many Penalty Charge Notices did the council issue between:
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022

What was the total combined value of all Penalty Charge Notices issued by the council between:
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022

What was the average value of Penalty Charge Notices issued by the council between the following time periods:
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022

Of the Penalty Charge Notices issued between the following time periods that were appealed, how many of these appeals were accepted by the council?
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022

Of the Penalty Charge Notices issued between the following time periods, how many were appealed, and these appeals denied by the council?
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022

How much income did the council make between the following time periods from Penalty Charge Notices for the following years:
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022

Summary of response


How many Penalty Charge Notices did the council issue between:
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 - 2152
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 - 1561
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 - 1832

What was the total combined value of all Penalty Charge Notices issued by the council between:
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 - £107,600
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 - £78,050
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 - £91,600

What was the average value of Penalty Charge Notices issued by the council between the following time periods:
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 - £50
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 - £50
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 - £50

Of the Penalty Charge Notices issued between the following time periods that were appealed, how many of these appeals were accepted by the council?
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 - 401
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 - 307
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 - 469

Of the Penalty Charge Notices issued between the following time periods, how many were appealed, and these appeals denied by the council?
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 - 226
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 - 101
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 - 342

How much income did the council make between the following time periods from Penalty Charge Notices for the following years:
• 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020 - £84,750
• 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 - £60,190
• 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 - £72,505


Date responded: 25 April 2023

NDR Recovery Action

Date submitted: 27 March 2023

Summary of request

In relation to NDR debt recovery and the enforcement options available once a liability order has been obtain:
1. Do you ever use alternative method of recovery through a court of competent jurisdiction (Regulations 10(2) and 20(1) Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) Regulations 1989 S.I.1989/1058)? Between 2018/19 and 2023/24
a. If yes how many/% per year?
b. How many/% were successful?

2. Liability Orders
a. How many NDR debt Liability Orders have been applied for in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. How many Liability Orders have been granted per year for NDR debt in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?

3. Enforcement Agents
a. How many NDR debts have been sent to Enforcement Agents in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. How much NDR debt was collected via Enforcement Agents in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?

4. Security for Unpaid Rates Non-Domestic Rating -
a. If used how many per year in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. What are the average costs to pursue this method?
c. How many of the debts subject to this method of recovery have been collected in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?

4. Insolvency
a. If used how many in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. If used do you use an external company to undertake this work?
c. What was the average cost for undertaking each insolvency action?

5. Commitment to Prison Inquiry into Means and Conduct
a. How many in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. What % of these resulted in debt successfully recovered?

6. S49 Powers to reduce or remit liability
a. How many times has this been implemented in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. What was total sum/% of this ‘relief’ in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?

Summary of response

In relation to NDR debt recovery and the enforcement options available once a liability order has been obtain:

1. Do you ever use alternative method of recovery through a court of competent jurisdiction (Regulations 10(2) and 20(1) Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) Regulations 1989 S.I.1989/1058)? Between 2018/19 and 2023/24
a. If yes how many/% per year?
b. How many/% were successful? - Unsure what is being asked here. At the moment we only take action via the Magistrates Court for a Liability Order.

2. Liability Orders
a. How many NDR debt Liability Orders have been applied for in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23? - 2018/19 122, 2019/20 147, 2020/21 114, 2021/22 157, 2022/23 206
b. How many Liability Orders have been granted per year for NDR debt in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23? - As above

3. Enforcement Agents
a. How many NDR debts have been sent to Enforcement Agents in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23? - 2018/19 no data kept; 2019/20 no data kept; 2020/21 no data kept; 2021/22 no data kept; 2022/23 = 67
b. How much NDR debt was collected via Enforcement Agents in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23? - Information not recorded

4. Security for Unpaid Rates Non-Domestic Rating - Not used
a. If used how many per year in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. What are the average costs to pursue this method?
c. How many of the debts subject to this method of recovery have been collected in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?

4. Insolvency - Not used
a. If used how many in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. If used do you use an external company to undertake this work?
c. What was the average cost for undertaking each insolvency action?

5. Commitment to Prison Inquiry into Means and Conduct - Not used
a. How many in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. What % of these resulted in debt successfully recovered?

6. S49 Powers to reduce or remit liability - Information not known
a. How many times has this been implemented in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?
b. What was total sum/% of this ‘relief’ in each year 2018/19 – 2022/23?

Date responded: 30 March 2023

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) safety standards in the mobile catering sector

Date submitted: 27 March 2023

Summary of request

Please confirm the following: -
1. Has the Environmental Health service undertaken specific training on gas safety in the last 5 years? If so, please include some brief details of the training that has been undertaken.

2. How many officers were required to attend this training?

3. Who was this training provided by and what was their relevant qualification/competency?

4. Did this training include mobile LPG safety? If so, please include some brief details.

5. In the last 5 years has the Environmental Health service requested technical support from the Gas Safe Register to support with a gas safety enforcement matter. If so, approximately how many times has assistance been requested?

6. Did any of these requests for support specifically relate to mobile LPG? If so, please include some brief details and the outcomes of this.

7. In the last 5 years has the Environmental Health service undertaken any enforcement action specifically in relation to LPG in mobile catering in the last 5 years? If so, please include some brief details of this.

8. Does your authority employ anyone with a formal gas safety qualification, for example, a Gas Safe Registered Engineer, who they consult on in relation to gas safety matters including mobile LPG? Please include details of their qualification.

Summary of response

Please confirm the following: -
1. Has the Environmental Health service undertaken specific training on gas safety in the last 5 years? If so, please include some brief details of the training that has been undertaken.
Yes 6th July 2022 (commercial) and 18th July 2022 (mobile).

2. How many officers were required to attend this training?
5

3. Who was this training provided by and what was their relevant qualification/competency?
Gas Safe

4. Did this training include mobile LPG safety? If so, please include some brief details.
Yes half a day training

5. In the last 5 years has the Environmental Health service requested technical support from the Gas Safe Register to support with a gas safety enforcement matter. If so, approximately how many times has assistance been requested?
Yes - once

6. Did any of these requests for support specifically relate to mobile LPG? If so, please include some brief details and the outcomes of this.
No

7. In the last 5 years has the Environmental Health service undertaken any enforcement action specifically in relation to LPG in mobile catering in the last 5 years? If so, please include some brief details of this.
Only commercial action and not LPG in mobile catering. We often advise gas safe certification to event organiser’s but in an advisory capacity

8. Does your authority employ anyone with a formal gas safety qualification, for example, a Gas Safe Registered Engineer, who they consult on in relation to gas safety matters including mobile LPG? Please include details of their qualification.
No – no need, we have working relationships with HSE and Gas Safe, if needed

Date responded: 30 March 2023

What proportion of council tax is spent on staff wages & benefits

Date submitted: 24 March 2023

Summary of request

What proportion of council tax is spent on staff wages and benefits.

Summary of response

You requested to know what proportion of council tax is spent on staff wages and benefits. East Devon District Council (EDDC), and local authorities generally, do not allocate or hypothecate council tax for specific purposes and therefore EDDC does not hold this information.

Date responded: 18 April 2023

Relocation Costs

Date submitted: 24 March 2023

Summary of request

This is an information request relating to relocation payments made to employees hired by the council

Please include the following information, for council staff only (i.e. not school staff) for the 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years:
• How many relocation payments have been made, per financial year, to employees hired by the council
• What was the value of each payment
• What was the total amount paid per financial year
By “relocation payment” I mean a payment made above and beyond a salary for the purpose of paying for the expenses of moving, in cases where the employee did not, at the time of hiring, live within commuting distance of their place of work

Summary of response

Please include the following information, for council staff only (i.e. not school staff) for the 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years:
• How many relocation payments have been made, per financial year, to employees hired by the council
• What was the value of each payment
• What was the total amount paid per financial year

2018/19 = NIL
2019/20 = £2,372.25 (1 Employee)
2020/21 = NIL
2022/23 = NIL

Date responded: 30 March 2023

Secure Communication

Date submitted: 22 March 2023

Summary of request

Please provide me with the following information:
1. What is your current email provider (e.g. Outlook or G-suite)?
2. Do you have a solution for secure email in place (Y/N)?
3. Who is your current email security provider (e.g. Egress)?
4. When is the contract up for renewal?
5. Typically what is the chosen duration of these contracts 12, 24, or 36 Months?
6. Name and contact details of the person responsible?
7. Current annual spend for this contract?
8. Current number of licences for this contract?
9. Did you purchase via a reseller (if yes, please specify who)?
Budget & procurement
10. Are you planning on assigning specific budgets for securing email communication
in 2021?
11. Do you procure through the G-Cloud framework (if not, how do you procure &
plan to procure secure email in the future)?

Summary of response

1. What is your current email provider (e.g. Outlook or G-suite)? - Microsoft Exchange
2. Do you have a solution for secure email in place (Y/N)? - Yes
3. Who is your current email security provider (e.g. Egress)? - Egress
4. When is the contract up for renewal? - March 2024
5. Typically what is the chosen duration of these contracts 12, 24, or 36 Months? - 12
6. Name and contact details of the person responsible? - Strata Service Solutions; sales enquiries via website
7. Current annual spend for this contract? - £2k
8. Current number of licences for this contract? - 30, but only 1 used by East Devon
9. Did you purchase via a reseller (if yes, please specify who)? - Budget & procurement Nexus
10. Are you planning on assigning specific budgets for securing email communication in 2021? - N/A
11. Do you procure through the G-Cloud framework (if not, how do you procure & plan to procure secure email in the future)? - Tender / 3 Quotes / Renewal

Date responded: 24 March 2023

Heating swimming pools

Date submitted: 20 March 2023

Summary of request

This FOI request arises out of a report that a washing-machine-sized data centre is being used to heat a Devon public swimming pool. I understand the Exmouth pool uses ~222,000 kWh of gas to heat the pool a year. Deep Green provides ~139,284kWh a year of heat for free from
its data centre. This equates to 62% of the heating needs of the pool. This translates to a cost saving of £20,391 a year for the pool and a carbon saving of 25.8 tonnes

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64939558
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/news/2023/03/exmouth-swimming-pool-is-heated-by-a-uk-first-in-technology-heating-solutions/

Please advise:

1. Whether you use similar technology in any swimming pools you own, fund or manage and if so any estimates you have of annual financial and carbon savings as a result.

2. Whether you have any plans to use similar technology in any swimming pools you own, fund or manage and if so any estimates you have of annual financial and carbon savings you expect to achieve as a result.

Summary of response

1. Whether you use similar technology in any swimming pools you own, fund or manage and if so any estimates you have of annual financial and carbon savings as a result.

The technology in question is installed at Exmouth Leisure Centre, which is a pool owned and funded by East Devon District Council. The carbon savings estimated are as stated in your FOI request but we have yet to see sufficient data to establish whether this is an accurate estimate.

2. Whether you have any plans to use similar technology in any swimming pools you own, fund or manage and if so any estimates you have of annual financial and carbon savings you expect to achieve as a result.

We have no plans to install the Deep Green technology in our other 2 pools, but we are exploring installing air source heat pumps and solar panels. An initial report has been presented to the Council and we are in the process of appointing consultants to assess their viability and potential carbon savings so have no estimates yet.

Date responded: 18 April 2023

Council Tax Arrears

Date submitted: 16 March 2023

Summary of request

• For the last financial year for which data is available, how much is owed overall in council tax arrears, broken down by year?

• For the last financial year for which data is available, how many households are in council tax arrears, broken down by year?

• For the last financial year for which data is available, how many applications for a special repayment plan to pay council tax have the council received, broken down by year?

• For the last financial year for which data is available, how many referrals have the council made to bailiffs in order to collect unpaid council tax, broken down by year?

Summary of response

• For the last financial year for which data is available, how much is owed overall in council tax arrears, broken down by year?

1993-2008: £4,864.24
2009/10: £1,381.67
2010/11: £3,678.80
2011/12: £5,324.37
2012/13: £14,823.74
2013/14: £20,037.82
2014/15: £34,711.54
2015/16: £53,092.34
2016/17: £82,936.73
2017/18: £165,299.65
2018/19: £280,767.99
2019/20: £430,884.83
2020/21: £486,205.67
2021/22: £737,814.81
2022/23: £1,660,565.01


Data extracted and correct as at 31.03.23
• For the last financial year for which data is available, how many households are in council tax arrears, broken down by year?
Information not held

• For the last financial year for which data is available, how many applications for a special repayment plan to pay council tax have the council received, broken down by year?
Information not held

• For the last financial year for which data is available, how many referrals have the council made to bailiffs in order to collect unpaid council tax, broken down by year?
In the 2022/2023 year we referred a total of 350 cases to Enforcement Agent for collection.

We are not able to split this by year as the liability orders sent may cover a number of different years and we do not hold this data.

Date responded: 11 April 2023

Empty council properties

Date submitted: 13 March 2023

Summary of request

Under the freedom of information act I'd like to know how many social properties owned by EDDC are currently empty and have been for over 6 months please.

Summary of response

You have requested to know how many social properties owned by EDDC are currently empty and have been for over 6 months - There are 62

Date responded: 16 March 2023

Print in Councils

Date submitted: 9 March 2023

Summary of request

1. How many employees do you have?
2. How many printers (A4, A3 single function or multi-function) do you have?
3. How many print servers do you have?
4. Do you use any print management software (Equitrac, SafeQ, PaperCut, PrinterLogic etc)?
5. Who supplies your printers, software and servers?
6. If so, which do you use?
7. What is the job title of the person responsible for printers within your organization?

Summary of response

1. How many employees do you have? - 499
2. How many printers (A4, A3 single function or multi-function) do you have? - MFD’s 83 across all 3 councils
3. How many print servers do you have? - 1
4. Do you use any print management software (Equitrac, SafeQ, PaperCut, PrinterLogic etc)? - Equitrac
5. Who supplies your printers, software and servers? - Ricoh / varies / varies
6. If so, which do you use? - See above
7. What is the job title of the person responsible for printers within your organization? - None, Managed by Strata. All sales enquiries
via the Strata website.

Date responded: 16 March 2023

Careline Monitoring

Date submitted: 9 March 2023

Summary of request

Telecare / Careline Monitoring
Freedom of Information request – March 2023

1. Does your Council provide a Careline/Warden Call service to residents?

Yes / No

If your answer is No, then please return FOI but disregard questions 2-10


2. How many connections (approximately) do you have?
Please detail…
Dispersed
Hardwired (independent living)
Hardwired (extra care)

3. Do you use an external provider for Careline monitoring? If so, can you please detail: -

• Name of monitoring centre/ provider with contract start/end date
• Not applicable as council run (disregard questions 5-9 and answer questions 4 & 10 only)

4. Do you have any intention to outsource your Careline monitoring in the next 3 years?

5. What is the annual value of your monitoring contract?
6. What is the ‘per connection’ charge of your monitoring contract (per week/month/annual as preferred)?
7. Are happy with the performance of your careline monitoring provider?
Yes / No
Feel free to add a comment…
8. What tender framework/ portal does the council use for the procurement of careline monitoring?

9. For your future monitoring services tender, will you include equipment maintenance/upgrades or keep separate?

Separate
Combined


10. Who is the main person(s)/ decision maker (s) or team – who would be responsible for your Telecare monitoring centre - name/title/direct dial number/email?

Summary of response

1. Does your Council provide a Careline/Warden Call service to residents? - Yes
2. How many connections (approximately) do you have?

Dispersed – 1,900
Hardwired (independent living) – Sheltered housing = 1,400
Hardwired (extra care)

3. Do you use an external provider for Careline monitoring? If so, can you please detail: - No
4. Do you have any intention to outsource your Careline monitoring in the next 3 years? - No
5. What is the annual value of your monitoring contract? - N/A in house service
6. What is the ‘per connection’ charge of your monitoring contract (per week/month/annual as preferred)? - N/A
7. Are happy with the performance of your careline monitoring provider? - N/A
8. What tender framework/ portal does the council use for the procurement of careline monitoring? - N/A
9. For your future monitoring services tender, will you include equipment maintenance/upgrades or keep separate? - N/A
10. Who is the main person(s)/ decision maker (s) or team – who would be responsible for your Telecare monitoring centre - name/title/direct dial number/email? - Control Centre Manager - Sue Hodges - shodges@eastdevon.gov.

Date responded: 13 March 2023

Housing Officer turnover

Date submitted: 7 March 2023

Summary of request

Using the definition of the proportion of housing officers who leave your organisation as a percentage of total housing officers at your organisation, please provide the turnover of housing officers for the following years:


January 1 2017 to January 1 2018
January 1 2018 to January 1 2019
January 1 2019 to January 21 020
January 1 2020 to January 1 2021
January 1 2021 to January 1 2022
January 1 2022 to January 1 2023

By 'housing officer', I mean someone who is a front line worker, assigned to a certain number of tenants and with whom tenants raise any issues/concerns they have.

If the council doesn't use a patch based approach, someone who deals with housing related complaints or queries from tenants and updates tenants on housing applications (for example).

Please can the information be based only on housing officers who leave by the reason of resignation.

How many housing officers have resigned from your organisation before serving six months in the role between January 1 2017 and January 1 2023.

How many housing officers have resigned from your organisation before serving 12 months in the role between January 1 2017 and January 1 2023.

Could you please provide a breakdown of the two above figures per year.

Summary of response

Using the definition of the proportion of housing officers who leave your organisation as a percentage of total housing officers at your organisation, please provide the turnover of housing officers for the following years:

The below information has been extracted as of 31st December each year

January 1 2017 to January 1 2018
Leavers = 0
% of total housing officers = N/A

January 1 2018 to January 1 2019
Leavers = 7
% of total housing officers = 20%

January 1 2019 to January 1 2020
Leavers = 1
% of total housing officers = 2.9%

January 1 2020 to January 1 2021
Leavers = 2
% of total housing officers = 5.1%

January 1 2021 to January 1 2022
Leavers = 3
% of total housing officers = 7.6%

January 1 2022 to January 1 2023
Leavers = 4
% of total Housing officers = 11%

By 'housing officer', I mean someone who is a front line worker, assigned to a certain number of tenants and with whom tenants raise any issues/concerns they have.

If the council doesn't use a patch based approach, someone who deals with housing related complaints or queries from tenants and updates tenants on housing applications (for example).

Please can the information be based only on housing officers who leave by the reason of resignation.

How many housing officers have resigned from your organisation before serving six months in the role between January 1 2017 and January 1 2023.
NIL
How many housing officers have resigned from your organisation before serving 12 months in the role between January 1 2017 and January 1 2023.
NIL
Could you please provide a breakdown of the two above figures per year.
N/A

Date responded: 29 March 2023

Damp and mould task forces

Date submitted: 7 March 2023

Summary of request

In the past year up to February 1, 2023, have you set up a damp and mould task force/ team?

If so, when did you set it up?

How much money have you set aside/do you anticipate the task force/team will cost in the first year from its launch?

Summary of response

In the past year up to February 1, 2023, have you set up a damp and mould task force/ team? - Yes

If so, when did you set it up? - Since February 2022 we have been using our Main Contractor and their sub contract pool to manage the damp and mould cases. We have since (January 2023) created a damp and mould process alongside our contractor, meaning there will be a team managing these cases.

How much money have you set aside/do you anticipate the task force/team will cost in the first year from its launch? - It is set within the reactive budget. Until we are aware of a full year of the process being embedded, we are unable to forecast/ advise.

Date responded: 23 March 2023

Homeless rents & land for sale

Date submitted: 7 March 2023

Summary of request

Q1. We are looking to find out if the council has done either of the models below for housing.

• Sale and Leaseback – Leaseback, short for "sale-and-leaseback", is a financial transaction in which one sells an asset and leases it back for the long term; therefore, one continues to be able to use the asset but no longer owns it.

• Income Strip – At its simplest, an income strip investment combines a strong tenant covenant, with a long-term lease and a forward funding arrangement to give an investor a stable and secure income stream. The strong tenant covenant frequently comes from the public sector such as local councils, and the long-term lease often runs between 30 and 50 years.

Q2. Can you advise of weekly rents paid for the following?
1. Temporary accommodation for homeless relief
2. Extra care housing (not including any service charge elements, just the core rent)
3. Housing or beds for adults with complex care needs

Q3. Does the council own any land or disused buildings that they would be prepared to sell and or re purpose?

Summary of response

Q1. We are looking to find out if the council has done either of the models below for housing.

• Sale and Leaseback – Leaseback, short for "sale-and-leaseback", is a financial transaction in which one sells an asset and leases it back for the long term; therefore, one continues to be able to use the asset but no longer owns it - EDDC has not been involved in any Leaseback schemes.

• Income Strip – At its simplest, an income strip investment combines a strong tenant covenant, with a long-term lease and a forward funding arrangement to give an investor a stable and secure income stream. The strong tenant covenant frequently comes from the public sector such as local councils, and the long-term lease often runs between 30 and 50 years - EDDC has not been involved in any income strip investment schemes.

Q2. Can you advise of weekly rents paid for the following?
1. Temporary accommodation for homeless relief - Anything from £70p/w (own stock) up to an indefinite amount, depending on what is available/unavailable. B&Bs start at £420 per week. We use many different types of accommodation, B&B, holiday lets, own stock, PSL, supported.

2. Extra care housing (not including any service charge elements, just the core rent) - Not EDDC
3. Housing or beds for adults with complex care needs - Not EDDC

Q3. Does the council own any land or disused buildings that they would be prepared to sell and or re purpose? - Land and Property we have available can be found here Property for sale or to let - East Devon
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/property-estates/property-for-sale-or-to-let/

Date responded: 22 March 2023

Empty council houses in Harepath R

Date submitted: 7 March 2023

Summary of request

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Why has the flat at 46 Harepath Road been empty for over two years?

What has been the total loss of rent income due to this flat being empty for that period?

Why has the flat at 78 Harepath Road been empty for over five months?

What has been the total loss of rent income due to this flat being empty for that period?

Summary of response

Why has the flat at 46 Harepath Road been empty for over two years? - The information you have requested does not fall within the scope of FOI. We do not have to provide explanation or reasoning.

What has been the total loss of rent income due to this flat being empty for that period? 46 Harepath Road was occupied until 9th January 2022, the rent loss at this property is currently £4,456.78.

Why has the flat at 78 Harepath Road been empty for over five months? - The information you have requested does not fall within the scope of FOI. We do not have to provide explanation or reasoning.

What has been the total loss of rent income due to this flat being empty for that period? - 78 Harepath Road was occupied until 9th October 2022, the rent loss at this property is currently £1,625.80.

Date responded: 13 March 2023

Correspondence between EDDC and CBRE re New Town local plan

Date submitted: 2 March 2023

Summary of request

To ensure commercial integrity and fairness in EDDCs development of the new local plan and proposals for a New Town, I would like to obtain copies of all correspondence between EDDC and CBRE (https://www.cbre.co.uk/) from 2017 to date

Summary of response

You have requested to obtain copies of all correspondence between EDDC and CBRE (https://www.cbre.co.uk/) from 2017 to date with regard to the development of the new local plan and proposals for a New Town.

The initial search has revealed 244 emails that could potentially fall within the scope of your request, some of which will have attachments and further emails chains embedded within. We have taken a sample of emails and calculated that the time it will take to read through each email to determine what is disclosable and falls within the scope of the request as well as seeking third party views will take approximately 5 minutes per email.

We estimate that based on the above calculation to read all the emails will take an officer beyond the reasonable time and cost limits and would be manifestly unreasonable under exception 12(4)(b) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) - Requests may be manifestly unreasonable if dealing with a request would create unreasonable costs or an unreasonable diversion of resources. Therefore your request has been refused at this time.

We have considered whether we can narrow down the scope of your enquiry such as only requesting the last full calendar year, however the majority of the emails in question (229) fall into this time frame with 15 that fall outside if it.

I hope this information is helpful but, if you feel dissatisfied with the way we have responded to your request, please contact our Interim Monitoring Officer, Ms Anita Williams, to request an internal review monitoringofficer@eastdevon.gov.uk

You may also approach the Information Commissioner for advice at www.ico.org.uk

Kind regards,

Information and Complaints Officer
East Devon District Council

Date responded: 29 March 2023

Coronation party hosted by Cllrs

Date submitted: 2 March 2023

Summary of request

Following on from a letter dated the 2 February by Baroness Scott encouraging councils to apply for funding of up to £10,000 from the National Lottery to host Coronation parties, I would like to ask:
1. Has your council applied for funding from the National Lottery to host a Coronation party? If yes, please give details on how much was awarded and for what.
2. Will your council be having a Coronation party which is organised by the council; meaning paid for, hosted, and attended by a council representative, for example a mayor or council leader?

Summary of response

Following on from a letter dated the 2 February by Baroness Scott encouraging councils to apply for funding of up to £10,000 from the National Lottery to host Coronation parties, I would like to ask:
1. Has your council applied for funding from the National Lottery to host a Coronation party? - No

2. Will your council be having a Coronation party which is organised by the council; meaning paid for, hosted, and attended by a council representative, for example a mayor or council leader? - No plans at present

Date responded: 13 March 2023

Breaches of planning control that involve listed buildings

Date submitted: 2 March 2023

Summary of request

I would like to request the following information, please, for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 -

1. The number of reports made to East Devon District Council of breaches of planning control that involve listed buildings
2. The number of those reports in 1 above where a breach of planning control was found to have occurred
3. The number of those reports in 1 above that are still being investigated
4. The number of those reports in 2 above where the property owner and the council have reached agreement on the remedial work required
5. The number of those reports in 2 above where enforcement action has been taken by the council
6. The number of those reports in 4 above where the work required has been agreed and the building has been repaired to the satisfaction of the local authority
7. The number of those reports in 5 above where enforcement action has been taken and the building has been repaired to the satisfaction of the local authority

Summary of response

2020
1. The number of reports made to East Devon District Council of breaches of planning control that involve listed buildings - 16
2. The number of those reports in 1 above where a breach of planning control was found to have occurred - Nil
3. The number of those reports in 1 above that are still being investigated
4. The number of those reports in 2 above where the property owner and the council have reached agreement on the remedial work required
5. The number of those reports in 2 above where enforcement action has been taken by the council
6. The number of those reports in 4 above where the work required has been agreed and the building has been repaired to the satisfaction of the local authority
7. The number of those reports in 5 above where enforcement action has been taken and the building has been repaired to the satisfaction of the local authority

2021
1. The number of reports made to East Devon District Council of breaches of planning control that involve listed buildings - 18
2. The number of those reports in 1 above where a breach of planning control was found to have occurred - 1
3. The number of those reports in 1 above that are still being investigated - Nil
4. The number of those reports in 2 above where the property owner and the council have reached agreement on the remedial work required - 1
5. The number of those reports in 2 above where enforcement action has been taken by the council - 1
6. The number of those reports in 4 above where the work required has been agreed and the building has been repaired to the satisfaction of the local authority - 0
7. The number of those reports in 5 above where enforcement action has been taken and the building has been repaired to the satisfaction of the local authority - 0

2022
1. The number of reports made to East Devon District Council of breaches of planning control that involve listed buildings - 21
2. The number of those reports in 1 above where a breach of planning control was found to have occurred - 4
3. The number of those reports in 1 above that are still being investigated - 4
4. The number of those reports in 2 above where the property owner and the council have reached agreement on the remedial work required - 2
5. The number of those reports in 2 above where enforcement action has been taken by the council - 4
6. The number of those reports in 4 above where the work required has been agreed and the building has been repaired to the satisfaction of the local authority - 0
7. The number of those reports in 5 above where enforcement action has been taken and the building has been repaired to the satisfaction of the local authority – 2 cases being monitored and 2 cases have submitted planning applications

Date responded: 16 March 2023

Formal Complaints

Date submitted: 2 March 2023

Summary of request


1. How many formal complaints have you received from citizens from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022 (inclusive)?

Here complaints are defined as any expression of dissatisfaction with the council’s services whether justified or not.

2. How many of the above formal complaints have been escalated to another stage?


3. If possible, how many formal complaints have you received from citizens from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 (inclusive)?

4. How many of the above formal complaints have been escalated to another stage?

Summary of response

1. How many formal complaints have you received from citizens from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022 (inclusive)? - 203

Here complaints are defined as any expression of dissatisfaction with the council’s services whether justified or not.

2. How many of the above formal complaints have been escalated to another stage? - 50

3. If possible, how many formal complaints have you received from citizens from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 (inclusive)? - 233

4. How many of the above formal complaints have been escalated to another stage? - 65

Date responded: 13 March 2023

Voter ID FOI requests

Date submitted: 27 February 2023

Summary of request

Hello,


I hope you can help with the following FOI request:


1. How many Voter Authority Certificates (VACs) has the council issued, how many applications has it rejected, and what is the demographic profile of those applications, both accepted and rejected?


2. Can you confirm that the Chief Executive, acting in their role as the Returning Officer, and/or the Elections Department of your council, has received guidance from the Electoral Commission and/or the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities about implementing the new voter ID legislation for the May 4th elections?


3. Can you confirm a) all polling station staff have been trained on implementing the new processes and if so, b) what that training has entailed.


4. Can you confirm whether the Chief Executive, in their role as Returning Officer, has presented a report on preparedness for the Voter ID requirements to the full council or any other appropriate committee of the council? Has this included a risk assessment and mitigation plan? (If yes, please can you supply a copy of that report?)


5. Can you confirm whether an audit has been undertaken of all proposed polling stations to identify a private room for those people who, for whatever reason, cover their face in public? What was the outcome of this audit if it has happened? (For example, have any polling stations been found to be unsuitable, and if so, how many?)


6. Has the council undertaken a public information campaign to inform voters about the new Voter ID requirements?

Many thanks.

Summary of response

You have requested information regarding Voter Authority Certificates specifically questions 1 – 5 in your FOI enquiry. While a local authority, assessor or valuation joint board is required to comply with FOI requests, there is no requirement for an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Returning Officer (RO) to do so. This is because EROs and ROs work independently of the local authority, assessor or valuation joint board. They are therefore not subject to the FOIA.

With regards to question 6 however you asked –

Has the council undertaken a public information campaign to inform voters about the new Voter ID requirements? – Yes

Date responded: 16 March 2023

Numbers awaiting asylum

Date submitted: 27 February 2023

Summary of request

QUESTION 1: How many people, currently (Feb 2023) awaiting asylum, are being housed in contingency accommodation in your district?
QUESTION 2: How many people awaiting asylum were housed in contingency accommodation in your district in March 2020?

Summary of response

You have requested information regarding how many people, currently (Feb 2023) awaiting asylum, are being housed in contingency accommodation in this district and how many people awaiting asylum were housed in contingency accommodation in this district in March 2020?

You will need to refer your request to Devon County Council who will hold the data you have asked for - refugeeresettlement@devon.gov.uk

Date responded: 27 February 2023

Cybersecurity

Date submitted: 23 February 2023

Summary of request

Please could you provide answers to the following questions:

1. Which standards does your council currently adhere to (ie. ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials etc.)
2. Which team/department/individual is responsible for managing compliance?
3. If compliance is managed by an internal staff member, what role(s) is this
4. Has cybersecurity been set as a priority for 2023?
5. What software / systems does your council currently use to manage your compliance, and any related documentation?
6. If software / a system is currently in place, when does the current contract with that supplier expire?
7. If software / a system is currently in place, when did it last go out for procurement?
8. What is your current budget for compliance & compliance solutions?

Summary of response

1. Which standards does your council currently adhere to (ie. ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials etc.) - None at present
2. Which team/department/individual is responsible for managing compliance? - Not a role within Council; IT Service is managed by Strata Service Solutions (owned by Exeter, Teignbridge & East Devon Councils)
3. If compliance is managed by an internal staff member, what role(s) is this - N/A
4. Has cybersecurity been set as a priority for 2023? - It’s always a priority
5. What software / systems does your council currently use to manage your compliance, and any related documentation? - None for Strata
6. If software / a system is currently in place, when does the current contract with that supplier expire? - N/A
7. If software / a system is currently in place, when did it last go out for procurement? - N/A
8. What is your current budget for compliance & compliance solutions? - Strata doesn’t have a specific budget for Compliance

Date responded: 7 March 2023

Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24

Date submitted: 23 February 2023

Summary of request

On 19th December 2022 the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities released details of the provisional local government finance settlement for 2023/24.
I would therefore like to request

• The change to your Core Spending Power (CSP) for 2023/4 over 2022/3 as a result of the local government finance settlement.
• The impact of inflation on the council’s 2022/3 budget, as measured against the original 2022/3 budget.
• The estimated impact of inflation on the council’s budget for 2023/24
• How much you had originally forecast the inflationary increase in costs to be for a) 2022-3 and b) 2023-4 in percentage and actual terms.
• Details of any loans (PWLB or money market) taken out by the council after 30/9/22 and the loan provider, terms and time period for these loans.

Summary of response

Answers below relate to the Council’s General Fund position which it is assumed the question relates, details of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account has been excluded.

• The change to your Core Spending Power (CSP) for 2023/4 over 2022/3 as a result of the local government finance settlement - 4.9%
• The impact of inflation on the council’s 2022/3 budget, as measured against the original 2022/3 budget - The main impact will flow through to 2023/24 budget as contract payments catch up. Specific impact measured in year £817k (additional payment to Leisure contract & pay award).
• The estimated impact of inflation on the council’s budget for 2023/24 - Specific areas include: Implications of pay award in 2022/23 now reflected in 2023/24 plus 2023/24 assumed pay award £800k, direct additional energy costs £200k, £341k to Leisure contractor, £450k recycling & refuse contract.
• How much you had originally forecast the inflationary increase in costs to be for a) 2022-3 and b) 2023-4 in percentage and actual terms - (a) 2% (b) 3.4%
• Details of any loans (PWLB or money market) taken out by the council after 30/9/22 and the loan provider, terms and time period for these loans - EDDC hasn’t taken out any new PWLB loans after 30.9.2022 Neither have we borrowed from the Money Markets after 30.9.2022

Date responded: 21 March 2023

Penalties for dogs on Exmouth beach

Date submitted: 21 February 2023

Summary of request

Please provide the total by year for each of 2018, 19, 20, 21, 22 of penalty fines imposed for breaches of the ban on dogs (dogs within the exclusion zone) on the beach at Exmouth (just for Exmouth beach) during the restricted period of 1st May and 30th September each year. Also how many of those issued were paid for the same years?

Summary of response

Please provide the total by year for each of 2018, 19, 20, 21, 22 of penalty fines imposed for breaches of the ban on dogs (dogs within the exclusion zone) on the beach at Exmouth (just for Exmouth beach) during the restricted period of 1st May and 30th September each year.

Also how many of those issued were paid for the same years?


No fixed penalties were issued for breaches of the ban on Exmouth beach during the specified date range.

During 2020 and 2021 we were in the pandemic and normal Council services were reduced in line with Government guidance.

In 2022 we were in the process of recruiting a post to tackle dog related issues and undertook a public awareness campaign to inform and educate dog owners during the summer months.

Date responded: 16 March 2023

Exempt Housing Benefit

Date submitted: 21 February 2023

Summary of request

In the Council’s capacity as a Housing Benefit administrator, can you provide the twenty highest weekly Housing Benefit claims in payment in respect of exempt accommodation particularly specialist supported housing i.e. supported living in East Devon.

If available, can you provide the following additional information:
• confirmation of the split between lease or core rent & service charges
• confirmation whether the payments relate to self-contained or shared accommodation
• confirmation whether the payments relate to an apartment, bungalow or house

Summary of response

In the Council’s capacity as a Housing Benefit administrator, can you provide the twenty highest weekly Housing Benefit claims in payment in respect of exempt accommodation particularly specialist supported housing i.e. supported living in East Devon.

Below are the 20 highest weekly HB awards currently held for our Supported Accommodation caseload:

1 £450.95
2 £450.95
3 £440.72
4 £440.72
5 £440.72
6 £425.15
7 £425.15
8 £425.15
9 £425.15
10 £397.65
11 £397.65
12 £397.65
13 £397.65
14 £397.65
15 £397.65
16 £397.65
17 £375.28
18 £307.25
19 £297.39
20 £297.39

If available, can you provide the following additional information:
• confirmation of the split between lease or core rent & service charges
• confirmation whether the payments relate to self-contained or shared accommodation
• confirmation whether the payments relate to an apartment, bungalow or house

We do not hold this information on our system.

Date responded: 13 March 2023

Nationally Described Space Standards

Date submitted: 20 February 2023

Summary of request

1. Have you adopted the Nationally Described Space Standard in your local plans or planning guidance?
• If so, please provide the date it was adopted.
• If not, do you have any plans to adopt it, and if so, by when are you planning to adopt it?
2. Do you use any alternative space standards in your local plans or planning guidance?
• Please provide details of the space standard in use, including the origin such as HQI.
3. If you are using space standards, do you have data on the rate of compliance for new dwellings for up to the last 10 years?

Summary of response

1. Have you adopted the Nationally Described Space Standard in your local plans or planning guidance? - The Cranbrook Plan (part of the Development Plan) includes policy on standards, see: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/3724766/cranbrook-plan-dpd-adopted.pdf - it was adopted 19 October 2022. We have a draft local plan, at Regulation 18 stage of plan making, that references standards in draft policy, see: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/3724891/commonplace-reg-18-final-071122.pdf

If so, please provide the date it was adopted - It was adopted 19 October 2022

If not, do you have any plans to adopt it, and if so, by when are you planning to adopt it? - N/A

2. Do you use any alternative space standards in your local plans or planning guidance? - We do not use alternative standards.
Please provide details of the space standard in use, including the origin such as HQI.

If you are using space standards, do you have data on the rate of compliance for new dwellings for up to the last 10 years? - We do not have data on compliance, noting the Cranbrook Plan was only recently adopted.

Date responded: 27 February 2023

ERP (Enterprise Resource Management) or Finance system

Date submitted: 17 February 2023

Summary of request

1.What ERP (Enterprise Resource Management) or Finance system is currently used at East Devon District Council?
2. What was the total value of the contract?
3.When does your contract expire?
4.Do you have any planned upgrades of the software? If so, when?
5.Are you planning to go to market for a different ERP/ Finance system? If so, when?
6. Who is the person responsible for your ERP / Finance system? Please provide full name, title and contact information if possible.

Summary of response

1.What ERP (Enterprise Resource Management) or Finance system is currently used at East Devon District Council? - No ERP. ABS, eFinancials
2.What was the total value of the contract? - Currently £33k approx. (ex VAT) per annum
3.When does your contract expire? - 31/08/22 – currently rolling
4.Do you have any planned upgrades of the software? If so, when? - Moving to cloud in 2023
5.Are you planning to go to market for a different ERP/ Finance system? If so, when? - No
6.Who is the person responsible for your ERP / Finance system? Please provide full name, title and contact information if possible - Simon Davey; S151 Officer; sdavey@eastdevon.gov.uk

Date responded: 27 February 2023

Cost to EDDC of the Greater Exeter Economic Development Needs Assessment

Date submitted: 14 February 2023

Summary of request

Cost to EDDC of Greater Exeter Economic Development Needs Assessment

Summary of response

The total cost of the Economic Development Needs Assessment was £52,049, apportioned equally between the following local authorities:
Teignbridge District Council
Mid-Devon District Council
East Devon District Council
Devon County Council
Exeter City Council

Date responded: 20 February 2023

Connectivity and Network Services

Date submitted: 14 February 2023

Summary of request

Connectivity and Network Services
a. Who provides your WAN and internet connectivity and the annual spend on each
b. Who provides your SIP trunks and what is the annual spend
c. Who provides your WAN services, is this MPLS, SD WAN or Internet, and what is the annual spend
d. Who provides your LAN infrastructure and what is your annual spend
e. Who provides your WIFI infrastructure and what is your annual spend
f. Please confirm the manufacturer(s) of your wired network core and edge switching?
g. When was your core network installed?
h. Has it been updated subsequently?
i. Who maintains your core network?
j. When is the contract renewal date?
k. Please confirm value of the initial project?
l. Please confirm the value of annual support/maintenance services (in £)?

Summary of response

Connectivity and Network Services
a. Who provides your WAN and internet connectivity and the annual spend on each - Virgin £120k approx.
b. Who provides your SIP trunks and what is the annual spend - Virgin, see above
c. Who provides your WAN services, is this MPLS, SD WAN or Internet, and what is the annual spend - Virgin, MPLS/Internet £12k approx.
d. Who provides your LAN infrastructure and what is your annual spend - In house
e. Who provides your WIFI infrastructure and what is your annual spend - In house
f. Please confirm the manufacturer(s) of your wired network core and edge switching? - This information is exempt under section 31(1)(a) of the FOI Act 2000 – prevention or detection of crime, as disclosure could represent a security risk to Strata and the councils it supports.
g. When was your core network installed? - Information not available
h. Has it been updated subsequently? - Yes
i. Who maintains your core network? - In house
j. When is the contract renewal date? - N/A
k. Please confirm value of the initial project? - N/A
l. Please confirm the value of annual support/maintenance services (in £)? - In house

Date responded: 6 March 2023

Local Authority Electricity Generation Assets

Date submitted: 13 February 2023

Summary of request

1) Do you own or operate electricity generation assets which export to the grid?
2) If so, what technologies? And are they ‘co-located’? E.g., a solar farm with a battery.
3) How much electricity (in kWh) would you expect to be exported, per asset, per year?
4) When were the assets commissioned?
5) What is the current contractual arrangement to sell the power, to whom is it sold and what is the contract end date?
6) Does your local authority have any plans in place to acquire, build or invest in electricity generation assets in the future?

Summary of response

EDDC does not export electricity to the national grid, we use the energy we generate in our own building.

In order to assist my research into Local Authorities who generate and export electricity from their own energy assets I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions. I am particularly looking at grid connected assets for example solar farms, wind turbines and waste to energy plants, rather than rooftop solar installations which mostly supply electricity to the building they occupy. I’d be grateful if you could answer the following questions: -

1) Do you own or operate electricity generation assets which export to the grid? - No
2) If so, what technologies? And are they ‘co-located’? E.g., a solar farm with a battery - N/A
3) How much electricity (in kWh) would you expect to be exported, per asset, per year? - N/A
4) When were the assets commissioned? - N/A
5) What is the current contractual arrangement to sell the power, to whom is it sold and what is the contract end date? - N/A
6) Does your local authority have any plans in place to acquire, build or invest in electricity generation assets in the future? - No not at the present time

Date responded: 15 February 2023

Telephony & Storage

Date submitted: 13 February 2023

Summary of request

1. Telephony and UC/ Collaboration
a. Please confirm the manufacturer of your telephony system(s) that are currently in place
b. When is your contract renewal date?
c. Who maintains your telephony system(s)?
d. Do you use Unified Communications or Collaboration tools , if so which ones?
2. Microsoft
a) What Microsoft 365 licence do you have across the business e.g. E3, E5
b) Which partner looks after your Microsoft tenant?
c) Where do you host your applications? Do you have on-premise infrastructure or do you host your applications in public or private cloud? Which?
3. Storage
a. Does your organisation use on-premise or cloud storage or both?
b. Please confirm the on-premise hardware manufacturer
c. Please confirm your cloud storage provider
d. What is your annual spend on cloud storage?
e. How do you back up your data and with who e.g. Backup as a Service

Summary of response

1. Telephony and UC/ Collaboration
a. Please confirm the manufacturer of your telephony system(s) that are currently in place - Skype for Business
b. When is your contract renewal date? - Exp. 2024
c. Who maintains your telephony system(s)? - Strata
d. Do you use Unified Communications or Collaboration tools , if so which ones? - Anywhere 365

2. Microsoft
a) What Microsoft 365 licence do you have across the business e.g. E3, E5 - E3
b) Which partner looks after your Microsoft tenant? - Softcat
c) Where do you host your applications? Do you have on-premise infrastructure or do you host your applications in public or private cloud? Which? - On Premises

3. Storage
a. Does your organisation use on-premise or cloud storage or both? - On premises
b. Please confirm the on-premise hardware manufacturer - Dell
c. Please confirm your cloud storage provider - None
d. What is your annual spend on cloud storage? - None
e. How do you back up your data and with who e.g. Backup as a Service - In house

Date responded: 6 March 2023

Recycling rates

Date submitted: 9 February 2023

Summary of request

1. What is the recycling rate (as a percentage of the total weight of waste) for all waste produced in the council area for the financial year 2021-22, and from the start of financial year 2022 to 31 December 2022?
2. If the figures for 2022/23 are not yet available, please provide an estimated amount, or the amount recycled thus far.
3. How often in a single four-week period does the council collect recycling bins for the following from domestic households:
a. Paper/Carboard
b. Glass
c. Plastic
d. Cans

Summary of response

1. What is the recycling rate (as a percentage of the total weight of waste) for all waste produced in the council area for the financial year 2021-22 - 61%: and from the start of financial year 2022 to 31 December 2022 61% (for April to December).

2. If the figures for 2022/23 are not yet available, please provide an estimated amount, or the amount recycled thus far.

3. How often in a single four-week period does the council collect recycling bins for the following from domestic households:
a. Paper/Carboard - weekly
b. Glass - weekly
c. Plastic - weekly
d. Cans - weekly

Date responded: 13 February 2023

Contact Centre, CRM, and AI & Automation

Date submitted: 9 February 2023

Summary of request

1. Contact Centre – target to organisations we know have a CC
a. Do you have a customer/ citizen facing contact centre? If not please skip these questions.
b. Do you employ and manage your own agents, or do you outsource to a third party? If you outsource who to?
c. How many contact centre agents do you have?
d. Do agents work from home? Or just your offices?
e. Please confirm the manufacturer of your contact centre system(s) that are currently in place?
f. When is your contract renewal date?
g. Who maintains your contact centre system(s)?
2. CRM
a. Do you use a CRM in the contact centre? What platform is used?
b. Do you use the same CRM for the rest of the organisation? What platform is used?
c. Do you use a knowledge base / knowledge management platform? What platform is used?
3. AI & Automation
a. Does your organisation have a customer or citizen facing chatbot? If so, who provides this chatbot technology?
b. Does your organisation utilise RPA technology? If so which RPA technology provider do you use?

Summary of response


1. Contact Centre – target to organisations we know have a CC
a. Do you have a customer/ citizen facing contact centre? If not please skip these questions - Yes
b. Do you employ and manage your own agents, or do you outsource to a third party? If you outsource who to? - In-house
c. How many contact centre agents do you have? - 12
d. Do agents work from home? Or just your offices? - Office based & home
e. Please confirm the manufacturer of your contact centre system(s) that are currently in place? - Skype for Business & Anywhere 365
f. When is your contract renewal date? - For Skype for Business & Anywhere 365 Rolling
g. Who maintains your contact centre system(s)? - Strata

2. CRM
a. Do you use a CRM in the contact centre? What platform is used? - Firmstep
b. Do you use the same CRM for the rest of the organisation? What platform is used? - Yes
c. Do you use a knowledge base / knowledge management platform? What platform is used? - No
3. AI & Automation - No
a. Does your organisation have a customer or citizen facing chatbot? If so, who provides this chatbot technology? - Yes, Who’s on Chat
b. Does your organisation utilise RPA technology? If so which RPA technology provider do you use? - No

Date responded: 17 February 2023

Public toilets

Date submitted: 8 February 2023

Summary of request

• How many public toilets are operated or owned by the council?
• How many public toilets were open to the public for use in the last five calendar years - 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018?
• How many public toilets are currently open to the public (as of February 2023)?
• What is the average length of time public toilets are open each day?
• What is the shortest length of time any public toilet is open for?
• What reasons are cited for closing down public toilets?

Summary of response

• How many public toilets are operated or owned by the council? - 27
• How many public toilets were open to the public for use in the last five calendar years –
2022 - 27
2021 & 2020 – at the height of the pandemic we had just 14 toilets open but this incrementally increased throughout 2020/2021 but no actual number is recorded for either year.
2019 - 27
2018 - 27
• How many public toilets are currently open to the public (as of February 2023) - An up to date list of open toilets is listed here Public toilets information - East Devon
• What is the average length of time public toilets are open each day? - Open 8am – 7pm from 1st October to 31st March. Open 8am-10pm 1 April - 30 September
• What is the shortest length of time any public toilet is open for? - 11 hours
• What reasons are cited for closing down public toilets? - Plumbing or electrical issues. Safety concerns, building maintenance, reactive repairs, during Covid-19 it was based on social distancing requirements and safety of building layout.

Date responded: 27 February 2023

Cost of replacing Street names

Date submitted: 6 February 2023

Summary of request

1. How much have you:

a) spent on changing street names in the financial year 2021/22

b) spent on changing street names in the financial year 2022/23 so far?

2. Since April 2021, how many streets have you renamed?

3. Since April 2021, please can you provide a list of what you have renamed streets from and to?

Summary of response

1. How much have you:
a) spent on changing street names in the financial year 2021/22 - zero
b) spent on changing street names in the financial year 2022/23 so far? - zero
2. Since April 2021, how many streets have you renamed? - zero
3. Since April 2021, please can you provide a list of what you have renamed streets from and to? - N/A

Date responded: 17 February 2023

Money spent on external contractors for public relations

Date submitted: 6 February 2023

Summary of request

How much money have you spent on external contractors for public relations (including marketing and communications),

a) In the financial year 2021/22

b) So far in the financial year 2022/23?

Summary of response

How much money have you spent on external contractors for public relations (including marketing and communications),

a) In the financial year 2021/22 - £135,250
b) So far in the financial year 2022/23? - £85,233

Date responded: 6 March 2023

Cllr expenses

Date submitted: 6 February 2023

Summary of request

I am writing to request the below information. Please consider this email as a Freedom of Information Request.

Please can you provide all information for the financial year 2020-21, 2021-2 and from the start of financial year 2022 to 31 December 2022, for the following:

Cars/Taxis/Chauffeur Council Response
List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for Taxis?
List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for chauffeur driven car journeys?
List all expenses incurred by director-level officials at the council for Taxis?
Flights
List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for flights?
List all expenses incurred by director-level officials at the council for flights?
First class rail tickets
List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for first class rail tickets?
List all expenses incurred by director-level officials at the council for first class rail tickets?

Summary of response

Please can you provide all information for the financial year 2020-21, 2021-2 and from the start of financial year 2022 to 31 December 2022, for the following:

Cars/Taxis/Chauffeur
List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for Taxis? - Nil
List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for chauffeur driven car journeys? - Nil
List all expenses incurred by director-level officials at the council for Taxis? - Nil

Flights
List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for flights? - Nil
List all expenses incurred by director-level officials at the council for flights? - Nil

First class rail tickets
List all expenses incurred by the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet for first class rail tickets? - Nil
List all expenses incurred by director-level officials at the council for first class rail tickets? - Nil

Date responded: 15 February 2023

Council spending on equality, diversity

Date submitted: 6 February 2023

Summary of request

For the financial years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, please provide a breakdown of all council spending on equality, diversity, and unconscious bias training for council staff.

This is to include, for instance, travel and accommodation costs where staff have been sent on such courses.

Please provide this information in the below table:

Amount spent in financial year 2021-2022 (£)
Amount spent in financial year 2022-23 (£)

Summary of response

For the financial years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, please provide a breakdown of all council spending on equality, diversity, and unconscious bias training for council staff.

2021/22 Spend = £7920
2022/23 Spend to 31 December 2022 = £8480

The above spend relates to licences for our online e-learning software to access courses available and therefore covers a wide range of different training courses available, not just related to Equality, Diversity and Unconscious Bias training. It is not possible to define a specific cost just for this type of training.

There are no additional expenses incurred e.g. Travel and accommodation as it is all provided online.

This is to include, for instance, travel and accommodation costs where staff have been sent on such courses.
Please provide this information in the below table:
Amount spent in financial year 2021-2022 (£)
Amount spent in financial year 2022-23 (£)


Date responded: 15 February 2023

Disabled Bay Parking Fines

Date submitted: 30 January 2023

Summary of request

I would like to know how many parking fines have been issued to drivers who have illegally parked in a disabled bay over the past five years (between December 2017- December 2022).

If possible, I would also like to find out how many of the parking fines issued have been paid and how many have been appealed.

Summary of response

I would like to know how many parking fines have been issued to drivers who have illegally parked in a disabled bay over the past five years (between December 2017- December 2022) - Since April 2019 (this is as far back as our contravention data goes) 139 motorists have received a PCN for Parking in a Disabled bay without displaying a Blue Badge.

If possible, I would also like to find out how many of the parking fines issued have been paid and how many have been appealed - We will not be able to establish how many were successfully appealed or paid.

Date responded: 23 February 2023

Security / Cyber Security Insurance

Date submitted: 30 January 2023

Summary of request

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 may I kindly request the following information about your Cyber Insurance Spending The information needed is as follows:

SECURITY / CYBER SECURITY Insurance
Does your organisation currently have cyber insurance or plan to invest in cyber insurance in the next 12 months?
If you have cyber insurance who is the policy with?
If you have cyber insurance when does the policy come up for renewal?
If you have cyber insurance what is the cost of your current policy or renewal?

Summary of response

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 may I kindly request the following information about your Cyber Insurance Spending The information needed is as follows:

SECURITY / CYBER SECURITY Insurance
Does your organisation currently have cyber insurance or plan to invest in cyber insurance in the next 12 months? - No
If you have cyber insurance who is the policy with? - N/A
If you have cyber insurance when does the policy come up for renewal? - N/A
If you have cyber insurance what is the cost of your current policy or renewal? - N/A

Date responded: 31 January 2023

Zero Hours Contracts

Date submitted: 30 January 2023

Summary of request

I write to request information about your use of zero hours contracts in the tax year 2022/2023 under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

We are aware that we sent you a similar request for the data on zero hours contract in 2020/2021. We are now interested to know whether this data has changed and some of the questions are different.

For clarification:
• By zero hours contract, I refer to the definition provided by section 27A of the Employment Rights Act 1996: "a contract for employment or other worker's contract under which
- the undertaking to or perform work or services is an undertaking to do so conditionally on the employer making work available or services available to the worker, and
- there is no certainty that any such work or services will be made available to the worker."
• By minimum hours contract, I mean a contract where the employer guarantees a small number of hours work, say 1 to 10 hours a week, which can be topped up by more hours if available.

1. What other terminology to do you use for contracts or arrangements meeting the above legal definition of zero hours contract?

2. How many workers/employees do you currently directly employ on zero hours contracts? What is the breakdown of these figures according to:
(a) sex: Male, Female, Other, Prefer not to say
(b) age: 16-17, 18-20, 21-22, 23-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65+
(c) race:
White - English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British Irish
White - Gypsy or Irish Traveller
White - any other background
Asian or Asian British - Indian
Asian or Asian British - Pakistani
Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi
Asian or Asian British - Chinese
Asian or Asian British - Any other background
Black or Black British - Caribbean
Black or Black British - African
Black or Black British - Any other background
Mixed - White and Black Caribbean
Mixed - White and Black African
Mixed - White and Asian
Mixed - Any other mixed background
Other ethnic group
Prefer not to say

3. What is the minimum, maximum and average number of hours per week carried out by zero hours staff?

4. Do you have a policy to offer zero hours shifts with notice, pay for zero hours shifts cancelled at short notice and to offer a fixed hours contracts to zero hours staff based on actual hours worked?

5. How many workers/employees do you currently indirectly employ on zero hours contracts via agencies, contractors or sub-contractors? If this data is not available, please provide the names of the agencies, contractors or sub-contractors that you use to employ workers indirectly.

6. How many workers/employees do you currently directly employ on minimum hours contracts or via agencies, contractors or sub-contractors?

7. How many workers/employees in total do you currently employ? What is the breakdown of these figure according to same breakdown as Question 2? - please note this question concerns your entire workforce, not just zero hours staff.

Summary of response

1. What other terminology to do you use for contracts or arrangements meeting the above legal definition of zero hours contract? - The Council does not have a zero hours contract policy but but we do offer casual work where there is no obligation to provide work or hours and the individual has no obligation to accept the work.

2. How many workers/employees do you currently directly employ on zero hours contracts? - Zero see 1 above

What is the breakdown of these figures according to:
(a) sex: Male, Female, Other, Prefer not to say
(b) age: 16-17, 18-20, 21-22, 23-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65+
(c) race:
White - English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British Irish
White - Gypsy or Irish Traveller
White - any other background
Asian or Asian British - Indian
Asian or Asian British - Pakistani
Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi
Asian or Asian British - Chinese
Asian or Asian British - Any other background
Black or Black British - Caribbean
Black or Black British - African
Black or Black British - Any other background
Mixed - White and Black Caribbean
Mixed - White and Black African
Mixed - White and Asian
Mixed - Any other mixed background
Other ethnic group
Prefer not to say

3. What is the minimum, maximum and average number of hours per week carried out by zero hours staff? - See 1 above
4. Do you have a policy to offer zero hours shifts with notice, pay for zero hours shifts cancelled at short notice and to offer a fixed hours? - See 1 above, all work is offered with no obligation for the employee to accept the work. This is in line with our casual contracts.
5. How many workers/employees do you currently indirectly employ on zero hours contracts via agencies, contractors or sub-contractors? If this data is not available, please provide the names of the agencies, contractors or sub-contractors that you use to employ workers indirectly - Agency staff are employed by the agency, they are not zero hour contracts.
6. How many workers/employees do you currently directly employ on minimum hours contracts or via agencies, contractors or sub-contractors? - All employees are engaged on either agreed weekly set contracted hours or under a casual contract (see 1 above).
7. How many workers/employees in total do you currently employ? What is the breakdown of these figure according to same breakdown as Question 2? - please note this question concerns your entire workforce, not just zero hours staff - The council’s current headcount is 553 (which includes 23 employees on casual contracts)

Date responded: 15 February 2023

Evictions from local authority housing

Date submitted: 26 January 2023

Summary of request

Can you please tell me:
• How many people are living in local authority homes (council housing) in your local authority?
• How many evictions have there been for rent arrears in:
1. 2020
2. 2021
3. 2022
4. So far in 2023

Summary of response

• How many people are living in local authority homes (council housing) in your local authority? – 4199 council properties. Unable to provide number of people.
• How many evictions have there been for rent arrears in:

1. 2020 2
2. 2021 2
3. 2022 1
4. So far in 2023 1

Date responded: 31 January 2023

Levelling-up bids

Date submitted: 26 January 2023

Summary of request

Could you please provide a list of all bids made by your local authority to the levelling up fund.
For each bid could you please provide:
• The date the bid was submitted
• The bid title and a brief description of what the bid was for, if available
• The amount of money being requested from the fund
• The name of any external contractors used in the bid
• The amount paid to each of the external contractors used in the bid
• The total estimated cost to the local authority of putting the bid together

Summary of response

Request:
Could you please provide a list of all bids made by your local authority to the levelling up fund.
For each bid could you please provide:
• The date the bid was submitted
• The bid title and a brief description of what the bid was for, if available
• The amount of money being requested from the fund
• The name of any external contractors used in the bid
• The amount paid to each of the external contractors used in the bid
• The total estimated cost to the local authority of putting the bid together

EDDC response:

The date the bid was submitted:
An application was made to the Levelling Up Fund Round 2, via the application portal before the deadline of 2nd August 2022

The bid title and a brief description of what the bid was for, if available:
Title: East Devon Axe Valley Regeneration Package

Description: A Package programme to provide post pandemic economic support and stimulate economic growth in the Axe Valley in East Devon and its main towns of Axminster and Seaton which will improve the image and functionality of the towns and create a more sustainable economy. The Package comprises a public realm project on Seaton seafront, and new flexible workspace and industrial workspace in both towns targeted at start-ups and small businesses. The Package will open up spaces for pedestrianisation on the seafront and prioritise active travel, increase visitor numbers and length of visits, and create new homes and leisure developments. The Employment Space Project will provide much needed workspace to support start-ups and SMEs The Package will create 190 jobs.

The amount of money being requested from the fund:
The total LUF grant requested was £11.18m

The name of any external contractors used in the bid:
Avison Young, Commercial Real Estate Advisers (lead consultant) – business case, property and economics advice

Nash Partnership – architects masterplanners project concept designs and plans
Coreus Cost Consultants – cost , programme and cashflow advice

The amount paid to each of the external contractors used in the bid:
£65,000 paid via the lead consultant Avison Young. (this was split into 2 parts Stage 1- £35,000 and Stage 2 - £30,000)
The breakdown of consultants’ costs in the tender submissions were as follows:

Avison Young Nash Coreus Total
Stage 1 £24,725 £8,500 £2,100 £35,325
Stage 2 £18,875 £8,500 £2,888 £30,263
Total £43,600 £17,000 £4,988 £65,588


The total estimated cost to the local authority of putting the bid together:
Approximately £23,700.

Date responded: 17 February 2023

Non Domestic Rates NDR (Business Rates) Special rate code 998

Date submitted: 25 January 2023

Summary of request

Within your council area, how many non domestic properties are classed by Special Rate Code 998. which may also be known special category code (SCat) 998 and may have a letter(s) after the code 998 for example 998c.

Please could you provide a list of properties and addresses classified by special rate code or (Scat) 998 in your area?

Summary of response

You requested to know how many non domestic properties are classed by Special Rate Code 998. Which may also be known as special category code (SCat) 998 and may have a letter(s) after the code 998 for example 998c.

Please could you provide a list of properties and addresses classified by special rate code or (Scat) 998 in your area? - We do not have any properties with the scat code 998 or any variants of it.

Date responded: 15 February 2023

Women fleeling DA on housing waiting

Date submitted: 25 January 2023

Summary of request

- The total number of women currently (as of 24/01/23) on your waiting list for council housing who are living in a refuge/ supported living facility for women fleeing domestic abuse.

- Of this number, please can you provide the total number of women who have been on the list for i) up to six months ii) up to one year iii) up to two years iii) more than two years.

Summary of response

- The total number of women currently (as of 24/01/23) on your waiting list for council housing who are living in a refuge / supported living facility for women fleeing domestic abuse - 18

- Of this number, please can you provide the total number of women who have been on the list for
i) up to six months - 5
ii) up to one year - 2
iii) up to two years - 3
iv) more than two years - 8

Date responded: 14 February 2023

Equine welfare

Date submitted: 24 January 2023

Summary of request

We specifically request information you have on the following aspects in your area each year for the last 10 years, and welcome associated information you have:
1. Number of licensed equine establishments (both riding schools and those hiring out horses, ponies and donkeys)
2. Number of livery yards
3. Number of licenced equine slaughtermen (knackermen) and abattoirs
4. Number of equines slaughtered in the abattoirs and killed by knackermen in your area
5. Number of complaints/ calls relating to equine welfare, and the outcome of those calls
6. Number of calls received about fly grazing or equine abandonment with number of horses, ponies and donkeys involved.
7. Number of horses, ponies and donkeys detained after being reported as fly grazing or abandoned
8. Number of equine welfare related prosecutions
9. Number of equine passport fixed penalty notices

Summary of response

1. Number of licensed equine establishments (both riding schools and those hiring out horses, ponies and donkeys) - x5
2. Number of livery yards - x2 Livery Yards aren’t licensed by EDDC
3. Number of licenced equine slaughtermen (knackermen) and abattoirs - We don’t licence abattoirs. Trading Standards / Food Standards Agency
4. Number of equines slaughtered in the abattoirs and killed by knackermen in your area - Not known
5. Number of complaints/ calls relating to equine welfare, and the outcome of those calls - None
6. Number of calls received about fly grazing or equine abandonment with number of horses, ponies and donkeys involved - None
7. Number of horses, ponies and donkeys detained after being reported as fly grazing or abandoned - None
8. Number of equine welfare related prosecutions - None
9. Number of equine passport fixed penalty notices - None

Date responded: 17 February 2023

Affordable Housing DHC waiting list

Date submitted: 24 January 2023

Summary of request

I would value the following information:-
• The total number of families registered on the EDDC housing waiting list.
• The number of families registered on the EDDC Housing waiting list that reside in the following parishes:- Broadhembury, Payhembury, Plymtree, Awliscombe, Talaton and Dunkeswell.
Mid Devon District Council has an annual target for creating affordable housing.
• Does EDDC have an annual target for affordable housing?
• If such a target exists, what is the annual target?
Please can you supply the numbers of affordable houses that have been created in East Devon over the last three years?

Summary of response

I would value the following information:-

• The total number of families registered on the EDDC housing waiting list.- 5109
• The number of families registered on the EDDC Housing waiting list that reside in the following parishes:-
• Broadhembury - 9
• Payhembury - 3
• Plymtree - 3
• Awliscombe - 3
• Talaton - 3
• Dunkeswell - 38



Mid Devon District Council has an annual target for creating affordable housing.
• Does EDDC have an annual target for affordable housing? - We have an aspirational target of reaching 300 Affordable Homes per year delivered in partnership with Registered Providers, Volume Builders via Section 106 Agreements, Community Led Development and EDDC self-delivery
• If such a target exists, what is the annual target? - As above
Please can you supply the numbers of affordable houses that have been created in East Devon over the last three years? - 555 affordable homes delivered in the last 3 years across the district

Date responded: 14 February 2023

CPNs and PSPOs

Date submitted: 24 January 2023

Summary of request

1. Please state the number of Community Protection Notices (CPNs) issued by your authority in the period November 2020-October 2021; and also the period November 2021-October 2022. Please also state the number of Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) issued within these periods.

2. If possible, please state the subject of these CPNs - for example, by providing the texts, or stating the subject matter of the orders (e.g. Litter, waste, ASB).

3. Please state whether you have a procedure for considering written representations requesting the varying or discharging of CPNs (outside of Magistrate Court appeal).

4. Please state the total number of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) issued by your authority. Where possible, please provide a web link for the texts of these PSPOs.

5. Please state the number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued for the offence of violating a PSPO in the calendar years 2021 and 2022. Where possible, please state the offences for which these FPNs were issued (eg begging, alcohol, dog control, dispersal).

6. Please state if you contract a private enforcement company for issuing penalties for environmental or anti-social behaviour offences (e.g. Littering or PSPOs).

Summary of response

1. Please state the number of Community Protection Notices (CPNs) issued by your authority in the period November 2020-October 2021; (x1)
and also the period November 2021-October 2022 - ZERO

Please also state the number of Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) issued within these periods; x3 Nov 2020 – Oct 2021 and x11 NOV 2021 – OCT 2022

2. If possible, please state the subject of these CPNs - for example, by providing the texts, or stating the subject matter of the orders (e.g. Litter, waste, ASB) - ASB, DRUNKEN BEHAVIOUR, DRUGS

3. Please state whether you have a procedure for considering written representations requesting the varying or discharging of CPNs (outside of Magistrate Court appeal) - NO

4. Please state the total number of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) issued by your authority. Where possible, please provide a web link for the texts of these PSPOs -

Public Spaces Protection Orders - Public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) - East Devon
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/environmental-health-and-wellbeing/environmental-health-information/public-spaces-protection-orders/public-spaces-protection-orders-pspos/

Total issued from 2017 – 2022 x15

5. Please state the number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued for the offence of violating a PSPO in the calendar years 2021 and 2022 - x2

Where possible, please state the offences for which these FPNs were issued (eg begging, alcohol, dog control, dispersal) - x1 ASB, Leaving items outside on landing area and x1 PSPO Breach - Failure to keep dog on lead in specified area.

The Police issued 3 PSPO’s on the Council’s behalf

PSPO Breach - Urination in public
PSPO Breach - Fail to surrender alcohol
PSPO Breach - Urination in public

6. Please state if you contract a private enforcement company for issuing penalties for environmental or anti-social behaviour offences (e.g. Littering or PSPOs) - NO

Date responded: 17 February 2023

Ukraine homelessness in UK

Date submitted: 24 January 2023

Summary of request

How many individuals who came to the UK as part of the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine scheme) or the Ukraine Family Scheme are now statutory homeless, as registered with your council?

To be clear, I am referring to Ukrainians who arrived in your council's constituency under either scheme and have now been recorded as statutory homeless.

If a parent has made the homelessness application/registration on behalf of a family, please include the total number of family members affected (not just the one member making the application).

Summary of response

How many individuals who came to the UK as part of the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine scheme) or the Ukraine Family Scheme are now statutory homeless, as registered with your council? - 1 household so far- 1 adult, 1 child – for who we have accepted a main duty.

Date responded: 31 January 2023

Household Support Fund

Date submitted: 24 January 2023

Summary of request

1. The number of applications to the Household Support Fund during the 12 months to 31st December 2022.
2. The monetary amount of support provided to applicants to the Household Support Fund during the 12 months to 31st December 2022.
3. The number of successful applicants to the Household Support Fund during the 12 months to 31st December 2022.
4. If possible, I would also like to know the outstanding monetary amount from the Household Support Fund that is available before the scheme ends on 31st March 2023.

Summary of response

1. The number of applications to the Household Support Fund during the 12 months to 31st December 2022 - 2336
2. The monetary amount of support provided to applicants to the Household Support Fund during the 12 months to 31st December 2022 - £289,851.53
3. The number of successful applicants to the Household Support Fund during the 12 months to 31st December 2022 - 1094

Please note that the above figures take into account some of our own hardship funds that we were using between October to December whilst we were setting up the new household support fund scheme.

4. If possible, I would also like to know the outstanding monetary amount from the Household Support Fund that is available before the scheme ends on 31st March 2023.

Our HSF scheme from December is in two parts.

1st part - allocated awards to those on low incomes - £230,668 allocated to these households. Up to 23.01.2023 £153,346 of allocated awards have been claimed, £77,322 left for households who still need to apply for their funds.
2nd part – open applications. £86,365 was allocated to this part of the scheme. Up to 23.01.2023 £25,398.99 spent £60,966.01 left. Please note we were not ready to go live with the scheme until December 2022.

Date responded: 31 January 2023

Public bin removal

Date submitted: 20 January 2023

Summary of request

Please can you tell me the number of public bins the council has provided in your area for the past five years (1 January 2018 - 19 January 2023). Please could this be broken down by month, the type of bin, the location (e.g. park or street).

Please can you tell me the number of public bins removed from your area over the past five years (1 January 2018 - 19 January 2023). Please could this be broken down by month, the type of bin, the location (e.g. park or street) and the reason for removal.

Please can you tell the savings made from the removal of the bins, broken down annually from 1 January 2018-19 January 2023.

Summary of response

Please can you tell me the number of public bins the council has provided in your area for the past five years (1 January 2018 - 19 January 2023). Please could this be broken down by month, the type of bin, the location (e.g. park or street) - Information not held. We are unable to collate this data.

Please can you tell me the number of public bins removed from your area over the past five years (1 January 2018 - 19 January 2023). Please could this be broken down by month, the type of bin, the location (e.g. park or street) and the reason for removal - Information not held. We are unable to collate this data.

Please can you tell the savings made from the removal of the bins, broken down annually from 1 January 2018-19 January 2023 - Information not known.

EDDC is carrying out a district wide bin and dog bin review in the new financial year which will set out the total number of bins we have across the district, locations and types of provision. This review will not be completed until the end of the year.

Date responded: 8 February 2023

Council house EPC ratings & MEES

Date submitted: 17 January 2023

Summary of request

I would like information about your council’s homes and MEES enforcements in relation to climate action for the Council Climate Action Scorecards. This information may be held by a housing department or similar.

In particular, please supply me with information relating to the following questions:

1. What is the energy efficiency of the council's homes (managed or owned by the council)? Please provide either a distribution table with the number of buildings for each EPC rating or the percentage of the council’s homes that have received an EPC rating of C or above.

2. What is the number of investigations, enforcement notices and enforcement actions that the council did, related to MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) in the 2021/22 financial year.

Where data is available separately for each statistic please provide separately. If only some information is available, please give me that information.

Summary of response

1. What is the energy efficiency of the council's homes (managed or owned by the council)? Please provide either a distribution table with the number of buildings for each EPC rating or the percentage of the council’s homes that have received an EPC rating of C or above - Information currently incomplete and inaccurate. EDDC is in the process of carrying out a 100% Stock Condition survey, this is due to complete September 2023; it will include an Energy Assessment and new EPC for all of our properties.


2. What is the number of investigations, enforcement notices and enforcement actions that the council did, related to MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) in the 2021/22 financial year - None

Where data is available separately for each statistic please provide separately. If only some information is available, please give me that information.

Date responded: 8 February 2023

Council electricity tariffs and renewable electricity generation

Date submitted: 17 January 2023

Summary of request

I would like information about your council’s electricity sources in relation to climate action for the Council Climate Action Scorecards. This information may be held by an estates department or similar.

In particular, please supply me with information relating to the following questions:

a. Does the council have a 100% renewable green electricity tariff for all of the electricity that the council is directly responsible for, and is this tariff with Green Energy UK plc, Good Energy Limited or Ecotricity?

This includes all electricity that the council is directly responsible for, in council offices and any other buildings leased and managed by the council where the council pays the electricity tariff. This does not include homes owned or managed by the council. If unsure, please state your provider and tariff.

b. Does the council generate and use energy from waste? And if so, what percentage of the council’s total electricity use is powered by these energy from waste electricity sources?

c. Does the council buy directly from a local renewable electricity source or have its own renewable electricity sources? And if so, what percentage of the council's total electricity use is powered by this/these renewable electricity sources?

This includes council owned renewable electricity sources that are located outside of the council area, such as solar farms located further south to maximise electricity generation.

Summary of response


a. Does the council have a 100% renewable green electricity tariff for all of the electricity that the council is directly responsible for, and is this tariff with Green Energy UK plc, Good Energy Limited or Ecotricity? - YES, we have opted for all our electricity to be from green sources. Other, Total Energies Pure Green Tariff.

This includes all electricity that the council is directly responsible for, in council offices and any other buildings leased and managed by the council where the council pays the electricity tariff. This does not include homes owned or managed by the council. If unsure, please state your provider and tariff.

b. Does the council generate and use energy from waste? And if so, what percentage of the council’s total electricity use is powered by these energy from waste electricity sources? - NO

c. Does the council buy directly from a local renewable electricity source or have its own renewable electricity sources? And if so, what percentage of the council's total electricity use is powered by this/these renewable electricity sources? - The council does not buy energy from local renewable electricity sources. The council has one array of solar panels in one of its buildings, it is estimated that it accounts for less than 1% of the council’s electricity use.

This includes council owned renewable electricity sources that are located outside of the council area, such as solar farms located further south to maximise electricity generation.


Date responded: 8 February 2023

Household Support Fund

Date submitted: 17 January 2023

Summary of request

I would be grateful if you could please provide the following information, with regards to the Household Support Fund (Tranche: 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023)

1. The total spend of the Household Support Fund as of 31st December 2022, as per the interim Management Information report
2. The total spend of the Household Support Fund on households with a disabled person as of 31st December 2022 as per the interim Management Information report
3. The total spend of the Household Support Fund on households with a disabled person that has gone directly to these households in the form of vouchers, item purchases or bank transfer (i.e. not provided to third parties to deliver services to support this group)
4. For Tranche 1: Has the local authority set an allocated expenditure for households with a disabled person and if so, what is the total figure for the expenditure?
5. What data is being used to identify households with disabled people who may benefit from the scheme (e.g. in receipt of disability benefits, being provided with a care package by your local authority)
6. What is the eligibility criteria for households with disabled people to be able to avail of support through the Household Support Fund?
7. What formats and communication channels (e.g. easy-read, audio) are being provided to ensure information about the Household Support Fund and the application process is accessible for disabled people?

Summary of response

I would be grateful if you could please provide the following information, with regards to the Household Support Fund (Tranche: 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023)

Please note scheme went live mid December 22.

1. The total spend of the Household Support Fund as of 31st December 2022, as per the interim Management Information report - £36,414.00
2. The total spend of the Household Support Fund on households with a disabled person as of 31st December 2022 as per the interim Management Information report - £7,245.00. Please note we are only able to enter the spend into one category e.g. If someone has a disabled person in their household but also has a child they will be added as a household with children not disability.
3. The total spend of the Household Support Fund on - Households with a disabled person that has gone directly to these households in the form of vouchers, item purchases or bank transfer (i.e. not provided to third parties to deliver services to support this group) - Cannot provide this breakdown
4. For Tranche 1: Has the local authority set an allocated expenditure for households with a disabled person and if so, what is the total figure for the expenditure? - Not specifically, targeted support is being made to low income households who meet criteria and therefore disabled residents will be included within this group.
5. What data is being used to identify households with disabled people who may benefit from the scheme (e.g. in receipt of disability benefits, being provided with a care package by your local authority) - Those who either receive a disability benefit or who advise us that they have a resident in their household who is disabled. This information is captured on the application form as a monitoring question.
6. What is the eligibility criteria for households with disabled people to be able to avail of support through the Household Support Fund? - There is no criteria specifically for disabled resident although our targeted scheme has criteria for example; All residents in receipt of Housing Benefit who have been targeted for support will receive a payment up to £650. Any payments that were already made from one of the governments other cost of living payments are deducted. i.e. If a disabled person already received £150 from the government COL support they will receive a further £500 payment.
A further amount of £200 has been offered to those residents not on mains supply for heating and a further £100 paid for any resident living in an EPC rated property of Band E or below. These amounts are added to the payment of up to £650. The highest award paid out can therefore be £950.
Any resident who has not received a letter inviting them to claim their payment can still apply via the open application process.
7. What formats and communication channels (e.g. easy-read, audio) are being provided to ensure information about the Household Support Fund and the application process is accessible for disabled people - Applications are made on-line. Process to help those who cannot complete directly in place with an officer being able to complete the form on their behalf. Alternatively 3rd party can complete the form on their behalf if they are unable to do so.

For Qs 1-4 I would be grateful if the responses could be filled in and provided in the attached spreadsheet. If there are any difficulties with accessing and completing the spreadsheet, please let me know and I would be happy to consider another format as convenient for you - No spreadsheet attached

Date responded: 31 January 2023

Parking permits

Date submitted: 17 January 2023

Summary of request

• How many parking permit zones/areas do you have in your council area for 2023?
• How many parking permit zones/areas did you have in your council area in 2013?
• How much do your parking permits costs annually in 2023?
• How much did you your parking permits costs annually in 2013?

Summary of response

• How many parking permit zones/areas do you have in your council area for 2023? - 11 primary towns/zones in operation now
• How many parking permit zones/areas did you have in your council area in 2013? - In 2013 our permit offering was administered differently to how it is now. 4 x Town parking permit zones/areas plus the following:

Economy permit - gave the benefit of a Town / Area permit but with the addition of 3 hrs max stay in Long and Short stay car parks in every other town in East Devon.
East Devon permit - covered all 11 towns and allowed 3 hrs max, 1 stay per day in short stay and as long as required in the long stay.
Residents permit - had to live in close proximity to one of three car parks. These were Camperdown Terrace, Exmouth; Underhill, Lympstone and Dolphin Street, Colyton
Commercial permits - for Public Service and Heavy Goods Vehicles
Weekly - for Light Goods Vehicles and generally used by holiday makers
Weekly Coach - for Public Service Vehicles
Guest House - for use by guests temporarily staying at a guest house / holiday let.

• How much do your parking permits costs annually in 2023? - This information can be found on our website at https://eastdevon.gov.uk/parking/car-park-permits/car-park-permits-we-offer/cost-of-parking-permits/#article-content As this information is published already it is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

• How much did you your parking permits costs annually in 2013? - see below

Annual Town / Area - £120
6 month Town / Area - £73
Annual Economy - £154
6 month Economy - £91
Annual East Devon - £185
6 month East Devon - £106
Residents (annual) - £35
Commercial (annual) - £254
Weekly - £23
Weekly Coach - £57
Guest House (6 month) - £89


Date responded: 13 February 2023

Enforcement Activities

Date submitted: 16 January 2023

Summary of request

1. Does the Council deliver on-the-ground enforcement functions such as issuing fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour, littering and flytipping, and if so, how (directly, contracted out, etc.)?
2. Does the Council deal with abandoned and/or untaxed vehicles, if so, how?
3. Does the Council deal with unlawful encampments and traveller incursions, if so, how?
4. If yes to either 1, 2 or 3, does an enforcement strategy exist, and can this be provided?
5. In the last 5 financial years, how much has your authority recovered through Fixed Penalty Notices, fines and other actions as a result of enforcement action for these activities?
6. In the last 5 financial years, how much has been spent on delivering these enforcement activities (for ease, if these form the substantive part of a department or team’s responsibilities, please provide its combined net revenue budget)?
7. Please provide any internal email correspondence and documents (including service reviews and committee reports) which relate to any consideration of reviewing expenditure on the aforementioned enforcement functions within the last 2 years.

Summary of response

1. Does the Council deliver on-the-ground enforcement functions such as issuing fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour, littering and flytipping, and if so, how (directly, contracted out, etc.)? – Yes, direct in-house provision
2. Does the Council deal with abandoned and/or untaxed vehicles, if so, how? – Yes for abandoned vehicles, in-house provision. Untaxed vehicles are dealt with by DVLA not Councils.
3. Does the Council deal with unlawful encampments and traveller incursions, if so, how? – We use a third party provider- Devon Investigations.
4. If yes to either 1, 2 or 3, does an enforcement strategy exist, and can this be provided? – http://eddcintranet/media/1262/regulatory-enforcement-and-prosecution-policy.doc
5. In the last 5 financial years, how much has your authority recovered through Fixed Penalty Notices, fines and other actions as a result of enforcement action for these activities? – £5760
In the last 5 financial years, how much has been spent on delivering these enforcement activities (for ease, if these form the substantive part of a department or team’s responsibilities, please provide its combined net revenue budget)? -
Net Revenue Budget
2017/18 - £1,451,571
2018/19 - £1,676,647
2019/20 - £1,610,137
2020/21 - £1,321, 611
2021/22 - £1,619,385
6. Please provide any internal email correspondence and documents (including service reviews and committee reports) which relate to any consideration of reviewing expenditure on the aforementioned enforcement functions within the last 2 years – Information not held

Date responded: 26 January 2023

Full costs to install electric vehicle charging bays in Imperial Road, Exmouth car park

Date submitted: 13 January 2023

Summary of request

I would like to know the full costs of the newly installed electric vehicle charging bays in the Imperial Road, Exmouth car park; that is their installation costs and the loss of income from the repurposed parking bays along with the projected income which EDDC will gain from these bays.
Thank you.

Summary of response

I would like to know the full costs of the newly installed electric vehicle charging bays in the Imperial Road, Exmouth car park; that is their installation costs and the loss of income from the repurposed parking bays along with the projected income which EDDC will gain from these bays.

There are 2 separate EV installations in Imperial Road Car Park, the first is owned and operated by Scottish Power, the second by an energy company named Wenea.

The terms of the agreement with both companies gives East Devon a proportion of the income from the use of the bays, which are leased on a 15 year term. This varies from 5-6% of income after operator costs.

There are a number of variables which will make it very difficult to predict future income, these include EV bay utilisation as well as the unit cost of electricity, both of these factors will be outside of our direct control.

The EV bay installations do mean there are less spaces available for non-EV vehicles, however this would only amount to a loss of income if this car park and all of the other EDDC car parks were completely full, meaning that a motorist seeking a space was unable to park in any of our locations. The other circumstance being that motorists found it too difficult to park, so decided not to return to the area in the future. However we are unable to provide a cost as to the predicted loss of income.

The costs of the installations were funded by the relevant EV providers as part of our agreement to lease the spaces, the cost of these will vary by provider and location and is not information held by EDDC.

Date responded: 26 January 2023

Dangerous Wild Animals

Date submitted: 6 January 2023

Summary of request

1. The current number of DWA licences within your jurisdiction.

2. For each DWA licence, list all the species and the number of individuals covered.
(In each case, please provide the taxonomic and common name, if possible, to enable the species to be identified.)

3. The number of DWA applications which were made and subsequently refused, and the reasons for refusal, if possible.

We do not require personal information such as names of licensees, addresses etc.

Summary of response

1. The current number of DWA licences within your jurisdiction - 1

2. For each DWA licence, list all the species and the number of individuals covered.
(In each case, please provide the taxonomic and common name, if possible, to enable the species to be identified.) - 1 African Serval Cat

3. The number of DWA applications which were made and subsequently refused, and the reasons for refusal, if possible.- 0

Date responded: 31 January 2023

Planning department staffing levels

Date submitted: 6 January 2023

Summary of request

This is a Freedom of Information Request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding staffing levels at East Devon District Council’s planning department.

Please provide me with the following:

- How many roles are there at East Devon District Council’s planning department?
- How many current vacancies at East Devon District Council’s planning department?
- What staffing capacity is East Devon District Council’s planning department currently working at?
- What has the staff turnover rate been in the past 12 months in at East Devon District Council’s planning department?

Summary of response

- How many roles are there at East Devon District Council’s planning department? - 58 (exc. Assistant Director and 1 further Manager who have wider responsibilities than just Planning)
- How many current vacancies at East Devon District Council’s planning department? - 7
- What staffing capacity is East Devon District Council’s planning department currently working at? - 51 (assuming this means the total staff currently employed in planning).
- What has the staff turnover rate been in the past 12 months in at East Devon District Council’s planning department?

Turnover rate for 2021/22 = 6 employees (7.14%)
Turnover rate April to Dec 2022 = 11 employees (16.67%)

Date responded: 26 January 2023

PSH and social housing complaints

Date submitted: 3 January 2023

Summary of request

I would like to request the following information housing policy enforcement.
Please would you send me the following details?
a) The total number of complaints received by tenants about private landlords or letting agents
i) So far this year
ii) 2021/22
iii) 2020/21
iv) 2019/20
v) 2018/19
b) The total number of a) which were focused on problems with
i) Damp in properties
ii) Rodents, bed bugs or other pests
iii) Rent rises deemed by the tenant to be excessive
iv) Eviction notices deemed by the tenant to be unfair
c) The total number of complaints received by tenants about housing association properties and/or council housing
i) So far this year
ii) 2021/22
iii) 2020/21
iv) 2019/20
v) 2018/19
d) The total number of c) which were focused on problems with
i) Damp in properties
ii) Rodents, bed bugs or other pests
iii) Rent rises deemed by the tenant to be excessive
iv) Eviction notices deemed by the tenant to be unfair
e) The total number of Housing Enforcement Officers, or equivalent, employed by the Council
i) Currently
ii) 2021/22
iii) 2020/21
iv) 2019/20
v) 2018/19
f) The total number of Housing Enforcement Officer posts, or equivalent, which the Council has (including vacant jobs)
I) Currently
II) 2021/22
III) 2020/21
IV) 2019/20
V) 2018/19
g) The total number of landlords which have been prosecuted by the Council for failing to meet their legal obligations to tenants
i) So far this year
ii) 2021/22
iii) 2020/21
iv) 2019/20
v) 2018/19
h) The total number of landlords which have been banned from renting out properties within the Council area
i) So far this year
ii) 2021/22
iii) 2020/21
iv) 2019/20
v) 2018/19

Summary of response

I would like to request the following information housing policy enforcement.
Please would you send me the following details?
a) The total number of complaints received by tenants about private landlords or letting agents
i) So far this year - 315
ii) 2021/22 - 501
iii) 2020/21 - 337
iv) 2019/20 - 228
v) 2018/19 - 374

b) The total number of a) which were focused on problems with
i) Damp in properties - 38
ii) Rodents, bed bugs or other pests - Unable to provide breakdown
iii) Rent rises deemed by the tenant to be excessive - No information held
iv) Eviction notices deemed by the tenant to be unfair - No information held

c) The total number of complaints received by tenants about housing association properties and/or council housing
i) So far this year - 63
ii) 2021/22 - 119
iii) 2020/21 - 96
iv) 2019/20 - 52
v) 2018/19 - 37

d) The total number of c) which were focused on problems with
i) Damp in properties - Unable to provide breakdown
ii) Rodents, bed bugs or other pests - Unable to provide breakdown
iii) Rent rises deemed by the tenant to be excessive - Unable to provide breakdown
iv) Eviction notices deemed by the tenant to be unfair - Unable to provide breakdown

e) The total number of Housing Enforcement Officers, or equivalent, employed by the Council
i) Currently
ii) 2021/22
iii) 2020/21
iv) 2019/20
v) 2018/19

EDDC does not have or has had a specific Housing Enforcement role within the Council structure. Housing enforcement sits within a number of departments within the Council and will form one part of the generic Technical Officers roles in Environmental Protection, Private Sector Housing and Estate Management.

f) The total number of Housing Enforcement Officer posts, or equivalent, which the Council has (including vacant jobs)
I) Currently
II) 2021/22
III) 2020/21
IV) 2019/20
V) 2018/19

EDDC does not have or has had a specific Housing Enforcement role within the Council structure. Housing enforcement sits within a number of departments within the Council and will form one part of the generic Technical Officers roles in Environmental Protection, Private Sector Housing and Estate Management.

g) The total number of landlords which have been prosecuted by the Council for failing to meet their legal obligations to tenants -
i) So far this year - 0
ii) 2021/22 - 0
iii) 2020/21 - 0
iv) 2019/20 - 0
v) 2018/19 - 0

h) The total number of landlords which have been banned from renting out properties within the Council area
i) So far this year - 0
ii) 2021/22 - 0
iii) 2020/21 - 0
iv) 2019/20 - 0
v) 2018/19 - 0

Date responded: 25 January 2023

Bonuses and Redundancy Payments

Date submitted: 3 January 2023

Summary of request

This is an information request relating to bonuses and redundancy payments.

Please provide the following information:
• How many bonuses were given out to staff during the 2022 calendar year? Please include the monetary value of the bonus and also the format of the bonus (i.e. was it a gift card, voucher, cash bonus)
• Any redundancy payments made to employees leaving in 2022. If any were made, please provide information on the total amount of each payment

Summary of response

• How many bonuses were given out to staff during the 2022 calendar year? Please include the monetary value of the bonus and also the format of the bonus (i.e. was it a gift card, voucher, cash bonus)
The council does not operate a bonus scheme.
• Any redundancy payments made to employees leaving in 2022. If any were made, please provide information on the total amount of each payment
There were no redundancy payments in 2022.

Date responded: 25 January 2023

Smart energy meters installed in public buildings

Date submitted: 3 January 2023

Summary of request

Could you provide the data for the below points, as of the 20th December 2022 (or the closest available date available in data):



1. How many public buildings in your council had working smart energy meters installed on the premises?



- Please provide the data split by property type

- If available, please provide the date/year the smart energy meters were installed

- If available, please provide any available data on when smart energy meters are planned to be installed on the premises which don't already have them

Summary of response

1. How many public buildings in your council had working smart energy meters installed on the premises?
All our public buildings have smart meters.
Our 2 main corporate offices have HH meters and have specific HH compliant meters installed.

- Please provide the data split by property type
3 corporate buildings/offices - 1 AMR installed in 2015, HH compliant meters installed in 2017 and 2018
1 theatre – AMR installed in 2017
1 arts gallery - AMR installed in 2018
25 public toilets - 22 of the AMRs were installed in 2017, 1 in 2019, 1 in 2020, 1 in 2021.
- If available, please provide the date/year the smart energy meters were installed
Answered above.

- If available, please provide any available data on when smart energy meters are planned to be installed on the premises which don't already have them
All our public buildings have smart meters installed.

Date responded: 20 January 2023

Comms staff

Date submitted: 21 December 2022

Summary of request

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 2021/22 and what is the budget for the current communications spending in the current financial year?

Summary of response

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 - 4 FTE (Communications Manager, Communications Officer, Digital Communications Business Graduate Partner and Digital Services Officer)

2. What was your communication spending for the financial year 2021/22 and what is the budget for the current communications spending in the current financial year? - The cost of the Communications Team is as follows:
2021-22 actual = £163,184.00
2022-23 budget = £180,226.00

Date responded: 19 January 2023

Home workers at the council

Date submitted: 19 December 2022

Summary of request

Please include the following information:
• The number of staff that currently work employed by the council that are contractual home workers
Please also include the following information:
• The number of contractual home workers employed by the department in each of the last three financial years: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22
By “contractual home workers” I mean employees who have it written into their contracts that their normal working arrangements are to work from home.
Finally, please also include the following information:
• The daily occupancy rate of the council offices during the following months: September, October, November (2022)
The occupancy rate could be either the number of desks or workspaces booked per day through a hot-desking system as a percentage of the total number of desks, or it could be the percentage of eligible card-holders who have access to the council offices who have access it during this period

Summary of response

You requested information relating to home workers at the council

Please include the following information:
The number of staff that currently work employed by the council that are contractual home workers - The Council does not engage employees on homeworker contracts, all contracts have a place of work as the Council’s designated offices. The Council operates a flexible working policy of allowing employees to work from home in agreement with their manager and their service needs with the offices always available.

Please also include the following information:
The number of contractual home workers employed by the department in each of the last three financial years: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 - The Council does not engage employees on homeworker contracts, all contracts have a place of work as the Council’s designated offices. The Council operates a flexible working policy of allowing employees to work from home in agreement with their manager and their service needs with the offices always available.

By “contractual home workers” I mean employees who have it written into their contracts that their normal working arrangements are to work from home.
Finally, please also include the following information:
• The daily occupancy rate of the council offices during the following months: September, October, November (2022) - EDDC do not record occupancy data any more

Date responded: 20 December 2022

Classes of vehicles - car park restrictions

Date submitted: 5 September 2022

Summary of request

1. Please confirm the councils definition of each of the following:
Car
SUV
Motorhome
Van
Motor caravan
Campervan
Caravan
4x4

2. how these definitions. Determined, DVLA definition, common household names, industry definitions etc ?

3. which definitions are used at council council responsibility parking areas?

4. on Sunday 28th how many parking fines were issued for each vehicle type listed in question (1) and reasons.

Summary of response

1. We only distinguish between classes of vehicles where the terms and conditions of the car park restrict use to/or by a certain category of vehicle. Therefore our definitions are more broad than those provided. The 2 definitions below cover the list of vehicles provided with the exception of “caravan”, which means “a trailer which is designed for road use and provides mobile living accommodation”.

“Motor Caravan” means a motor Vehicle which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which contains as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the Vehicle to provide living accommodation for its users”

“Passenger Vehicle” means a motor car within the provisions of Section 136(2)(a) of the 1984 Act, and does not include any form of trailer or caravan;

2. Our vehicle classification definitions are set in our Off Street Parking Places Order 2008 (amended) using the legal definition of vehicle classification.

3. Our vehicle classification definitions are set in our Off Street Parking Places Order 2008 (amended) using the legal definition of vehicle classification

4. 9 PCN’s were issued on Sunday 28th August. 3 of these PCN’s were issued to vehicles for the following contravention “parked in an area not designated for that class of vehicle”

Date responded: 7 September 2022

Car Park data

Date submitted: 17 August 2022

Summary of request

I am conducting some market research and would like to request the following information.

 Total number of car parks
 Num. of car parks classed as off-street (not spaces)
 Num. of car parks classed on-street (not spaces)
 Num. of Multi Storey car parks
 Total Num. parking machines
 Type of machines: Pay & Display – Pay on Exit – Pay on Foot – Barrier etc.
 Age of machines
 Current parking machine supplier
 Payment capabilities–Coin –Card –Google/Apple–Pay by Phone–App
 Date machines likely to be reviewed.

Summary of response

 Total number of car parks - 48
 Num. of car parks classed as off-street (not spaces) - 48
 Num. of car parks classed on-street (not spaces) - 0
 Num. of Multi Storey car parks - 0
 Total Num. parking machines - 65
 Type of machines: Pay & Display; Pay on Exit; Pay on Foot; Barrier etc. and Pay & Display
 Age of machines - Ranging from 7 years old to one year old
 Current parking machine supplier - Flowbird
 Payment capabilities –Coin; Card; Google/Apple; Pay by Phone; App - All
 Date machines likely to be reviewed - 2024

Date responded: 9 September 2022

Mobile phone and mobile broadband (data only) connections

Date submitted: 12 August 2022

Summary of request

To Whom It May Concern,


Please provide complete answers to the following questions:


What is the name of your organisation?


How many employees are at your organisation?


How many mobile phone and mobile broadband (data only) connections do you currently have in total?


How many of these are data only (for laptops and tablets)?


How many of these are voice and data (for mobile phones)?


Who is your mobile phone network provider?


Do you have a shared data bundle or individual allowances?


What is your organisations average total data usage across all connections?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in April 2021?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in May 2021?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in June 2021?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in July 2021?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in August 2021?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in September 2021?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in October 2021?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in November 2021?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in December 2021?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in January 2022?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in February 2022?


What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in March 2022?


Do these numbers include VAT?


When did you renew your mobile phone contract?


How long does your contract run for?


What is the renewal date of your contract?


How did you source your contract?


What is the value of your hardware/technology/transformation fund provided with the contract (if none provided please mark as n/a)


Who is the shareholder/primary contact for this contract?


We would prefer if you could fill out these questions on our google form if possible - https://forms.gle/WB7nZA62gRfuRhzC7


If you have any questions, or need me to clarify any questions please do not hesitate to contact me by responding to this email.

Summary of response

What is the name of your organisation? - East Devon District Council
How many employees are at your organisation? - 497
How many mobile phone and mobile broadband (data only) connections do you currently have in total?

EE- 524 (166 data, 24 voice only, 334 voice and data)
O2- 67 (10 data, 40 voice only, 17 voice and data)
Vodafone- 2 (2 voice and data)
Gamma- 37 (24 data, 13 voice and data)

How many of these are data only (for laptops and tablets)? - See above
How many of these are voice and data (for mobile phones)? - See above
Who is your mobile phone network provider? - EE, Vodafone, 02, Gamma
Do you have a shared data bundle or individual allowances? - Shared
What is your organisations average total data usage across all connections? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in April 2021? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in May 2021? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in June 2021? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in July 2021? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in August 2021? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in September 2021? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in October 2021? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in November 2021? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in December 2021? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in January 2022? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in February 2022? - Breakdown not available
What was your total spend on mobile phone contract and overage costs in March 2022? - Breakdown not available
Do these numbers include VAT? - N/A
When did you renew your mobile phone contract? - See below
How long does your contract run for?

EE 36 Months
Vodafone 24 Months
02 36 Months
Gamma Monthly Rolling

What is the renewal date of your contract?

EE Q1 2023
Vodafone - Q3 2022
02 Q3 2022
Gamma Rolling

How did you source your contract? - In place already
What is the value of your hardware/technology/transformation fund provided with the contract (if none provided please mark as n/a) - N/A

Who is the shareholder/primary contact for this contract?
NOTE: All sales enquiries must be submitted via the Strata website.
Robin Barlow
Acting Head of Infrastructure & Support
Strata | Solutions for government
Robin.barlow@strata.solutions

Date responded: 15 August 2022

Public Liability Insurance claims

Date submitted: 21 July 2022

Summary of request

Since 1st January 2018, how many Public Liability Insurance claims have EDDC received in respect to the following areas of Beer
1) Starr Bank
2) Beach Court Car Park
3) Charlies Yard
4)Beer Head Carpark, Including the Memorial WalkWay

Summary of response

Original Request: Since 1st January 2018, how many Public Liability Insurance claims have EDDC received in respect to the following areas of Beer
1) Starr Bank – None
2) Beach Court Car Park – None
3) Charlies Yard – None
4) Beer Head Carpark, Including the Memorial Walk Way – Two (incidents dated 17/04/2018 & 29/12/2020)

Date responded: 3 August 2022

Public Liability Insurance claims

Date submitted: 21 July 2022

Summary of request

Since 1st January 2018, how many Public Liability Insurance claims have EDDC received in relation to the following areas of The Jubilee area of Beer
1) The Public Toilets
2) The Memorial Play Area
3) The Grassed Area
4) The Hard Surface Area including the shelters and the S106 funded gym equipment

Summary of response

Since 1st January 2018, how many Public Liability Insurance claims have EDDC received in relation to the following areas of The Jubilee area of Beer: - I can confirm there have been no claims since 01/01/2018.

1) The Public Toilets
2) The Memorial Play Area
3) The Grassed Area
4) The Hard Surface Area including the shelters and the S106 funded gym equipment

Date responded: 3 August 2022

Licensed dog breeders

Date submitted: 20 July 2022

Summary of request

Please may you provide me with:
1) The number of licensed dog breeders between 1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2021.

2) Additionally can you provide a breakdown as follows -
a. The number of dog breeding licences issued in 2021 to licence holders who have bred one or two litters?
b. The number of dog breeding licences issued in 2021 to holders who have bred three or more litters?

3) The total number of breeding bitches present at licensed premises in your local authority between 1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2021.

4) How many licences have been issued to those selling kittens as pets in the course of a business 1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2021.

Summary of response

1) The number of licensed dog breeders between 1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2021 - 5

2) Additionally can you provide a breakdown as follows - Information not recorded
a. The number of dog breeding licences issued in 2021 to licence holders who have bred one or two litters? - Information not recorded
b. The number of dog breeding licences issued in 2021 to holders who have bred three or more litters? - Information not recorded

3) The total number of breeding bitches present at licensed premises in your local authority between 1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2021 - 31

4) How many licences have been issued to those selling kittens as pets in the course of a business 1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2021 - 1

Date responded: 11 August 2022

Insurance claims for damages to council property/buildings

Date submitted: 19 July 2022

Summary of request

1. How many vehicles collided with property owned by your local authority – such as buildings, railings, lampposts, street furniture etc. – in each of the calendar years 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017? Please provide the data broken down by year.

2. How much money did your local authority spend in each of the calendar years 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 repairing council-owned property that was damaged by vehicles? Please also state how much, if any, of each annual amount, in £s, was recovered through insurance policies. Please also state how much, if any, of each annual amount, in £s, was recovered through uninsured loss recovery (ULR) programmes. Please provide the data broken down by year.

Summary of response


Year No. of Insurance claims Annual recovered values with insurers
2017 4 £8,946.36
2018 3 £21,629.71
2019 1 £1,246.00
2020 3 £9,970.77
2021 0 £0
2022 0 £0

1. How many vehicles collided with property owned by your local authority – such as buildings, railings, lampposts, street furniture etc. – in each of the calendar years 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017? Please provide the data broken down by year.

Please see above table

2. How much money did your local authority spend in each of the calendar years 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 repairing council-owned property that was damaged by vehicles? Please also state how much, if any, of each annual amount, in £s, was recovered through insurance policies. Please also state how much, if any, of each annual amount, in £s, was recovered through uninsured loss recovery (ULR) programmes. Please provide the data broken down by year.

Please see above table.
Full amount of claims were recovered, some excesses were deducted initially for these but were reclaimed by insurers and paid to us at a later date.
Nothing recovered through ULR for East Devon.

Date responded: 3 August 2022

Salary range for a Principal Planning Officer

Date submitted: 28 June 2022

Summary of request

Does the Council pay the professional fees for its employees who are Members of the Royal Town Planning Institute?
What is the salary range for a Principal Planning Officer in your authority?

Summary of response

Original Request: Does the Council pay the professional fees for its employees who are Members of the Royal Town Planning Institute? - Yes
What is the salary range for a Principal Planning Officer in your authority? - £38,553 - £42,614

Date responded: 18 July 2022

Cost of emptying dog bins

Date submitted: 23 June 2022

Summary of request

I read that there are about 350 dog bins in East Devon, most emptied 3 times a week. Please could you tell me the cost of the emptying of the bins and the disposal of the contents. Secondly, does it go to a land fill site?

Summary of response

I read that there are about 350 dog bins in East Devon, most emptied 3 times a week. Please could you tell me the cost of the emptying of the bins and the disposal of the contents. Secondly, does it go to a land fill site?

We are unable to give an answer to the cost question for the reason below:
EDDC has approximately 500 dog waste only bins across the district. However, most of the litter bins in the district are able to be used for combined litter and dog waste.

Dog bin emptying is one small part of our overall recycling and waste costs. To give EDDC cost surety and control our contract is structured in a way that costs are covered by an overall fee which covers all of our recycling and waste activities. As such we are unable to breakdown this one small element of that total cost.

The cost of disposal of dog bin waste is met by the Waste Disposal Authority, Devon County Council. EDDC does not hold this cost information as it does not meet this cost.

Dog bin waste is disposed of at the Energy from Waste plant in Exeter. EDDC does not use landfill as a means of waste disposal.


Date responded: 28 June 2022

Recruitment and temporary hires

Date submitted: 21 June 2022

Summary of request

To whom it may concern,

Under the Freedom of information Act please could you supply the following information:

1. How many permanent/FTC hires in a calendar year do you make?
2. How do you manage permanent recruitment? E.g. internal team, outsourced etc.
3. If outsourced, what service do they provide and who is your service provider, when does the contract end?
4. How much did you spend in a year on permanent agency/outsourced recruitment to the nearest £100k for 2019/20, 2020/21 & 2021/22?
5. How many temporary hires in a year do you make?
6. How do you manage the recruitment of temporary staff? E.g. a neutral vend provider, recruitment agencies direct, managed service?
7. If the answer to the above involves a 3rd party, when does this arrangement expire? When will you decide on the future method & procurement?
8. On average how many temporary staff do you have on site?
9. How much did you spend in a year on temporary recruitment per annum to the nearest £100k for 2019/20, 2020/21 & 2021/22?

Thank you


Summary of response

1. How many permanent/FTC hires in a calendar year do you make? - On average 50-60
2. How do you manage permanent recruitment? E.g. internal team, outsourced etc. - External or internal advertising, or through an agency if a difficult to fill post.
3. If outsourced, what service do they provide and who is your service provider, when does the contract end? - A preferred supplier Comensura
4. How much did you spend in a year on permanent agency/outsourced recruitment to the nearest £100k for 2019/20, 2020/21 & 2021/22? - Unavailable as our accounts team do not split this down to this level of detail, this will be included within the figures provided at point 9.
5. How many temporary hires in a year do you make? - Variable currently we have 22 agency workers
6. How do you manage the recruitment of temporary staff? E.g. a neutral vend provider, recruitment agencies direct, managed service? - Neutral Vendor
7. If the answer to the above involves a 3rd party, when does this arrangement expire? When will you decide on the future method & procurement? - Expiry in 2024, procurement
8. On average how many temporary staff do you have on site? - 22
9. How much did you spend in a year on temporary recruitment per annum to the nearest £100k for 2019/20, 2020/21 & 2021/22?

2021/22 – £587,796
2020/21 -£377,380
2019/20 – £516,391

Date responded: 28 June 2022

Fall and Lightening protection added to EDDC buildings

Date submitted: 21 June 2022

Summary of request

Good afternoon,

I am hoping somebody can help me please,

We have recently purchased a competitors database with a few East Devon District Council sites. Within this portfolio, to ensure that my sales team do not make excessive contact to the council directly, I wondered whether you had a list of sites that had fall protection and lightning protection assets installed?

This way, I can ensure that their time and your staff’s time is maximised by not dealing with endless enquiries regarding the inspection services we provide.

Would this be something that you can provide to me please?”

Kind Regards

Summary of response

Fall Protection is fitted to:-

Ottery Leisure Centre
Broadclyst Leisure Centre
East Devon Tennis Centre
Exmouth Town Hall



Lightning protection fitted to :-

Exmouth Town Hall
East Devon Tennis Centre
Broadclyst Leisure Centre
Sidmouth Pool
Sidmouth Chapel and Store
Ottery St Mary Leisure Centre
East Devon Business Centre
Blackdown House
Colyton Leisure Centre

Date responded: 28 June 2022

Assaults against refuse collectors

Date submitted: 13 June 2022

Summary of request

1. In the last financial year 2021/22 how many incidents did your authority record where refuse collectors were physically assaulted by members of the public while carrying out council duties? Please give a brief description of the circumstances of the incident.

Summary of response

1. In the last financial year 2021/22 how many incidents did your authority record where refuse collectors were physically assaulted by members of the public while carrying out council duties? – None

Date responded: 16 June 2022

Homeless Ukrainian nationals

Date submitted: 7 June 2022

Summary of request

I would like to know how many Ukrainian nationals have registered as homeless with your council broken down by month during March, April, May and June 2022. If the information is available, I would like to know what visa they came to Britain on (ie whether they were on the Ukraine Family scheme, Homes for Ukraine or another visa).

Summary of response

I would like to know how many Ukrainian nationals have registered as homeless with your council broken down by month during March, April, May and June 2022 - We have received one homeless approach from a Ukrainian household – in June and from the Ukrainia

Date responded: 8 June 2022

Liability Orders for council tax

Date submitted: 6 June 2022

Summary of request

I am writing to request information related to the collection of council tax debts via the use of Liability Orders (or Summary Warrants if in Scotland) and related enforcement action. Under the above-mentioned Act I would like you to provide me with the following information please: For each of the financial years; 2020/2021 2021/2022 Question 1) How many Court Summons (or Summary Warrants if in Scotland) did your organisation issue for debts relating to Council Tax payments? Question 2*) *Not applicable to Scotland How many Liability Orders did your organisation successfully obtain for debts relating to Council Tax payments? Question 3) How much total revenue did your organization collect as a result of Bailiffs (or Sheriffs if in Scotland) enforcement action for debts relating to Council Tax payments?

Summary of response

Question 1) How many Court Summons (or Summary Warrants if in Scotland) did your organisation issue for debts relating to Council Tax payments? 2020/2021 - 2256 2021/2022 - 3758 Question 2*) *Not applicable to Scotland How many Liability Orders d

Date responded: 14 June 2022

Council housing waiting list

Date submitted: 6 June 2022

Summary of request

This request relates to the authority's Housing Waiting List 1. How many households were removed from the Housing Waiting List in 2021 (or the last full calendar year where figures are available)? 2. Please provide a list of the reasons given for the removal from the list? 3. How many households were removed from the list because of death? 4. How many households have been on the list for: (a) between five years and ten years (b) ten years or more 5. With regards to households that have been on the list the longest, how long have they been on the list?

Summary of response

1. How many households were removed from the Housing Waiting List in 2021 (or the last full calendar year where figures are available)? - 1,115 2. Please provide a list of the reasons given for the removal from the list? - Blank, Cancelled – Renewal not

Date responded: 8 June 2022

Japanese Knotweed compensation

Date submitted: 31 May 2022

Summary of request

Amount (£) paid in compensation in relation to Japanese Knotweed growth during each of these calendar years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Number of complaints brought against the council in relation to Japanese Knotweed growth during each of the above-mentioned calendar years.

Summary of response

Amount (£) paid in compensation in relation to Japanese Knotweed growth during each of these calendar years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 - No compensation claims. Number of complaints brought against the council in relation to Japanese Knotwe

Date responded: 14 June 2022

Council's Planning policy in relation to climate action.

Date submitted: 30 May 2022

Summary of request

In particular, please supply me with: 1a. What is the Councils’ policy on accepting planning applications on fossil fuel extraction projects? By fossil fuel extraction projects we mean: any oil wells and fields (on or offshore), coal mines, fracking, gas, natural (including liquified) gas (on or off shore) plants, as well as related infrastructure such as pipelines and terminals for the fossil fuels. b. Has the Council had any fossil fuel extraction project proposals submitted to them since 1st January 2019 until 1st June 2022? c. Has the Council rejected or accepted any fossil fuel extraction projects proposed in its area since 1st January 2019 until today 1st June 2022? Please list which ones were accepted and rejected.

Summary of response

1a. What is the Councils’ policy on accepting planning applications on fossil fuel extraction projects? By fossil fuel extraction projects we mean: any oil wells and fields (on or offshore), coal mines, fracking, gas, natural (including liquified) gas

Date responded: 8 June 2022

Measures taken to tackle digital poverty

Date submitted: 23 May 2022

Summary of request

I would like to know what budget/policies your council have put in place to combat digital poverty/digital exclusion (such as lack of access to devices/internet or digital skills training) over the last 3 years. Please break down by financial year, and include the following: • Amount of money/budget spent (£) on devices, digital skills training or anything else across each of the last three financial years (or as far back as you can provide) • Amount of devices donated to families, schools, or charities in need o Please also include a breakdown of each device type (i.e. laptop, mobile phone, tablet, etc.) and associated costs • A list of any specific policies, activities or consultations introduced to tackle digital poverty

Summary of response

EDDC does not have a budget or polices in place regarding digital poverty/digital exclusion. All of the IT we dispose of is end of life and is recycled accordingly; our virtual environment means we do not have to regularly replace IT, therefore we have

Date responded: 8 June 2022

Home-working

Date submitted: 18 May 2022

Summary of request

Q1. During the month of April 2022, how many council employees were working from home, and what percentage of the office based workforce does this represent? Q2. Between 1st and 30th April 2022, how many desk bookings were made across the council's office buildings and, on average, how many desk bookings were there a day during this month? Q3. How many desks were available for use in the month April 2022 across the council's office buildings? Q4. What was the maximum number of office staff who could theoretically work in the office on any given day in April 2022? Q5. What was the total number of office staff who worked in your council's offices each day prior to the pandemic?

Summary of response

Q1. During the month of April 2022, how many council employees were working from home, and what percentage of the office based workforce does this represent? - Information not held. Previous high level analysis earlier in the year (February 2022) indicate

Date responded: 7 June 2022

The number of properties within your billing authority that were re-banded from band D to band E in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

Date submitted: 18 May 2022

Summary of request

The number of properties within your billing authority that were re-banded from band D to band E in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (to date) (or in the relevant financial years if that is the format in which you record this data).

Summary of response

Data correct as at 14/06/2022: 01/04/2019 – 31/03/2020: 29 01/04/2020 – 01/04/2021: 27 01/04/2021 – 31/03/2022: 39 01/04/2022 – 14/06/2022: 12

Date responded: 14 June 2022

The number of households within your billing authority that are liable for council tax and aren’t currently registered for direct debit

Date submitted: 18 May 2022

Summary of request

The number of households within your billing authority that are liable for council tax and aren’t currently registered for direct debit. The number of eligible non-direct-debit households that haven’t submitted a claim / application for the £150 Council Tax rebate, to date.

Summary of response

The number of households within your billing authority that are liable for council tax and aren’t currently registered for direct debit - As at 14/06/2022, 11,105 are not on direct debit, this figure excludes those on 100% benefit or exempt. The number

Date responded: 14 June 2022

£150 Council Tax Rebate

Date submitted: 17 May 2022

Summary of request

a) How many households in your area are eligible for the £150 Council Tax Rebate b) How many £150 Council Tax Rebates have you distributed in your area c) How many eligible households have received the £150 Council Tax Rebate d) How many eligible households have not yet received the £150 Council Tax Rebate I would prefer to receive this information electronically.

Summary of response

a) How many households in your area are eligible for the £150 Council Tax Rebate - 46908 b) How many £150 Council Tax Rebates have you distributed in your area - 41059 c) How many eligible households have received the £150 Council Tax Rebate - 40993 d

Date responded: 14 June 2022

Fleet Management

Date submitted: 12 May 2022

Summary of request

Fleet Management 1. What is the size of your fleet? 2. Does your authority operate a fleet management software product? If so, which provider? 3. What is the annual spend for this contract? 4. When does the contract expire? 5. If you go through the tender process, which framework or platform do you use? 6. Is your fleet maintenance conducted in house? Externally outsourced? Or both? EV 1. Is your authority planning on moving towards an alternative fuel fleet? Or have you already implemented an alternative fuel fleet and charging provider? 2. If you already have charging ports installed for fleet vehicles, how many are installed and what charging network (i.e., PodPoint, Engie) do you use? 3. What is planned next? Telematics 1. Who is your current telematics supplier? 2. What is the annual spend for this contract? 3. When does the contract expire?

Summary of response

Fleet Management 1. What is the size of your fleet? 93 vehicles 2. Does your authority operate a fleet management software product? If so, which provider? No 3. What is the annual spend for this contract? N/A 4. When does the contract expire? N/A 5.

Date responded: 10 June 2022

PCNs

Date submitted: 12 May 2022

Summary of request

Please may you provide me with the answers to the following questions: 1. How many Penalty Charge Notices were issued and posted by your organisation last financial year? 2. How many Charge Certificates (related to Penalty Charge Notices) were issued and posted by your organisation last financial year? 3. How many Order for Recovery's (related to Penalty Charge Notices) were issued and posted by your organisation last financial year? 4. What was the total postage cost related to posting Penalty Charge Notices, Charge Certificates and Order for Recovery's last financial year? (If this is not feasible to calculate, what was the total postage cost associated with your organisation's parking and traffic enforcement department last financial year?) 5. How many Penalty Charge Notices issued by your organisation last financial year were related to parking offences? 6. How many Penalty Charge Notices that were issued by your organisation, were paid in full last financial year? 7. What is the average number of days it takes for a Penalty Charge Notice issued by your organisation, to be paid in full? 8a. Does your organisation print and fulfil Penalty Charge Notices in-house (i.e by a mailroom owned and managed by your organisation), or is this outsourced to a third party supplier? 8b. If the answer to 8a is that your organisation outsources to a third party supplier, was the supplier sourced via the Crown Commercial Service purchasing framework?

Summary of response

1. How many Penalty Charge Notices were issued and posted by your organisation last financial year? – We do not post Penalty Charge Notices 2. How many Charge Certificates (related to Penalty Charge Notices) were issued and posted by your organisation la

Date responded: 7 June 2022

Weed Killer Usage

Date submitted: 11 May 2022

Summary of request

Please could you elaborate on what is specifically classed as "integrated methods " and will there be any exceptions when you would revert to using Glyphosate or woody herbicides such the treatment of Japanese Knotweed either on East Devon owned land or if Knotweed ingressed from East Devon land onto privately owned property?

Summary of response

Integrated methods will include • Hand Weeding • Hot Foam machines (2023 investment) • RHS vinegar based solution Japanese Knot weed is controlled by an external contractor for any located on EDDC land and they currently still use a chemical method

Date responded: 19 May 2022

Household Support Fund

Date submitted: 9 May 2022

Summary of request

1. How much did your local authority spend, or commit, of its Household Support Fund allocation in the period 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022? £162,286.00 2. As of 1 April 2022, how much of your HSF allocation intended for the period 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 remained unspent or uncommitted? - The funding ran out on 25.03.2022 3. What happened to any unspent or uncommitted funding on 1 April 2022? – N/A 4. How much of the HSF allocation intended for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022 have you already spent or committed? 5. How much of the HSF allocation intended for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022 have you yet to spend or commit?

Summary of response

1. How much did your local authority spend, or commit, of its Household Support Fund allocation in the period 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022? – £162,286.00 2. As of 1 April 2022, how much of your HSF allocation intended for the period 6 October 2021 to

Date responded: 10 May 2022

Mobile contracts

Date submitted: 6 May 2022

Summary of request

1. Network Provider(s) - Please provide me with the network provider, if the contract is managed for example by Daisy, please state the network provider for e.g., Vodafone, O2, EE. 2. Annual Average Spend for each contract if there is more than one contract Network 3 Contract Start Date 4. Contract Expiry Date, If the contract as expired or is rolling please state 5. Duration of the contract- please state if the contract also includes contract extensions for each provider. 6. Contract Review Date- Please can you provide me with a date when the organisation plans to review this contract 7. Number of Connections - number of voices only devices, voice and data devices, data only devices) 8. The person in the organisation responsible for this particular contract. Can you send me contact name, Job title, contact number and email add?

Summary of response

1.Network Provider(s) - Please provide me with the network provider name e.g. EE, Telefonica, Vodafone, Three - EE, Vodafone, 02, Gamma 2.Annual Average Spend for each Network Provider - Can you please provide me with the average annual spend over t

Date responded: 19 May 2022

Pest control

Date submitted: 6 May 2022

Summary of request

1. Can you please advise if your Council provides a pest control treatment service for rats, either in-house, contracted out or if you no longer provide a service. 2. Can you please advise on the number of reports received regarding rats per year from April 2018- April 2022.

Summary of response

1. Can you please advise if your Council provides a pest control treatment service for rats, either in-house, contracted out or if you no longer provide a service - We have an in-house pest control service. 2. Can you please advise on the number of rep

Date responded: 19 May 2022

Website digital accessibility

Date submitted: 5 May 2022

Summary of request

Intranet Questions 1. How many people are employed by your organisation, including full time and part time? 2. What is your current intranet solution? (Sharepoint, Wordpress, Interact, Invotra, Oak etc) 3. How long have you been using this intranet solution? 4. When is your intranet contract up for renewal? 5. What is your annual intranet budget? 6. What is your procurement process? Please can you include any portals used to list tenders and/or any suppliers/consultants used to procure. 7. Do you share intranet/IT services with other organisations, if so who? 8. Which team and/or individual(s) are responsible for managing your intranet internally? 9. Are you using the Office 365 suite? If so, which applications from the suite are in use? 10. Which team and/or individual(s) are responsible for your intranet’s procurement within the organisation? 11. Is your Active Directory hosted on-premise, or in the cloud? 12. Could you provide us with a link to your Digital Workplace Strategy? Website / Accessibility Questions 1. What software are you currently using for your website? 2. What team/individual is responsible for maintaining your website? 3. Do you work with an external supplier to maintain your website, if so when does your contract expire? 4. When did you last conduct an accessibility audit against your public website? 5. What team/individual is responsible for digital accessibility across your public facing services? 6. What is your budget for digital accessibility? 7. What is your annual marketing/communications budget for creating content for residents? 8. Do you work with external marketing/communications suppliers to create content for your public facing services? 9. When was the last time you conducted a content audit on your website to remove outdated content?

Summary of response

Intranet Questions: 1. How many employees are working for your organisation, including full-time, part-time, and contracted staff? - This information can be found on our website at https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/strategies-policies-an

Date responded: 19 May 2022

Fixed Penalty Notices

Date submitted: 4 May 2022

Summary of request

How many fixed penalty notices (dogs) have been issued over the last three years, and how many fines have been paid, and a breakdown of the total sum collected

Summary of response

Dog related offences: 2019 – x5 FPN @ £80 each. All paid 2020 – x2 FPN @ £80 each. Paid 2021 – None issued 2022 to date – x1 FPN @ £80 Paid Total FPN - £640 Court award £620 (one FPN included additional costs. EDDC awarded £620 at Cour

Date responded: 23 May 2022

Empty and second homes

Date submitted: 3 May 2022

Summary of request

Please can you let me have the latest data on how many residential properties are empty in East Devon in total and, specifically, the areas under Exmouth Town Council and Lympstone Parish Council. Please can you also have the latest data on how many second and/or holiday homes there are in East Devon in total and, specifically, in the areas under Exmouth Town Council and Lympstone Parish Council.

Summary of response

Please can you let me have the latest data on how many residential properties are empty in East Devon in total and, specifically, the areas under Exmouth Town Council and Lympstone Parish Council. As at 20.05.22 there are 1909 Empty properties in East

Date responded: 26 May 2022

Council Place Narrative and Branding

Date submitted: 28 April 2022

Summary of request

1. Does the council have a Marketing Strategy? If so, please provide either a copy of the strategy or a link to the published version of the strategy. 2. Please confirm the population of the area covered by the council, to the nearest and latest estimate. 3. Does the council have an approved place brand and / or narrative*(see definition below) for a space, town or city within your local authority area? 3a. If the council have an approved place based narrative what were the key drivers behind the decision to develop a place brand and / or narrative? (Eg – inward investment, tourism, community building) 3b. Which geographical area does the place brand and / or narrative cover? 3c. When was the place brand and / or narrative developed and approved? 4. How did the council develop the place brand and / or narrative? 4a. When developing the place brand and / or narrative, did the council organise any participatory exercises? 4b. If so, please provide details of the engagement undertaken, including the names of any local groups who were involved. 4c. Was the place brand and / or narrative endorsed by the council’s Cabinet / Policy and Resource Committee / other political group? 4d. Following approval of the place brand and / or narrative, which organisation is currently the custodian of the place brand and / or narrative? 5. Prior to commencing work to develop a place brand and / or narrative, did the council identify specific benefits that it was believed the place brand and / or narrative would deliver? 5a. If benefits were identified, were these benefits quantifiable (ie – could they be measured)? 5b. Please provide the benefits identified and any quantifiable measurables. These should be broken down by individual benefit lines as listed in your Project Initiation Document, Benefits Realisation Plan or other project documentation. 5c. Was a baseline of the identified benefits taken prior to the implementation of the place brand and / or narrative and, if so, please provide these metrics? These should be broken down by individual benefits lines as listed as the response for question 5b. 5d. Please provide the current metrics for the benefits identified. These should be broken down by individual benefits lines as listed as the response for question 5b. 5e. Is the council monitoring the realisation of the benefits / have the benefits been realised? 5d. What is the methodology for monitoring the realisation of these benefits? 6. How did the council go about implementing the place brand and / or narrative? 6a. Was the place brand and / narrative fully implemented? 6b. If not, what difficulties did the council run into in implementing the place brand and / narrative? 6c. How long did it take the council to implement the place brand and / or narrative? 7. What was the estimated cost to the council in developing and implementing the place brand and / or narrative? This should include the estimated cost of officer and member time and any actual costs such as consultants’ fees. The total number should be broken down into categorised lines of expenditure. 8. If you have a place brand and or narrative document, please provide either a copy of the document or a link to the published version of the document.

Summary of response

1. Does the council have a Marketing Strategy? - No 2. Please confirm the population of the area covered by the council, to the nearest and latest estimate - 144,317 (2018) 3. Does the council have an approved place brand and / or narrative*(see defini

Date responded: 19 May 2022

Sports facilities

Date submitted: 27 April 2022

Summary of request

What is the council's set budget for expenditure on sport and leisure facilities for the following two years: - 2012 (so the 2012/2013 budget) - 2022 (so the 2022/2023 budget) 2. How many of the following facilities (see the list below) were owned by the council in the below two years: - 2012 - 2022 List of facilities: - Public leisure centres (so in 2012 and 2022) - Public swimming pools (so in 2012 and 2022). - Public athletics tracks (so in 2012 and 2022) - Public cycling tracks/velodromes (so in 2012 and 2022)

Summary of response

What is the council's set budget for expenditure on sport and leisure facilities for the following two years: - 2012 (so the 2012/2013 budget) - £1,039,500 - 2022 (so the 2022/2023 budget) - £1,036,820 2. How many of the following facilities (see t

Date responded: 19 May 2022

Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG6)

Date submitted: 19 April 2022

Summary of request

How much money central government provided you with? How many applications you received? How much of the funding you were actually able to give out ?

Summary of response

How much money central government provided: the Additional Restrictions Grant for the period 30th December 2021 onwards paid to EDDC by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (‘BEIS’) was £277,681.38. These funds were used to launch a

Date responded: 21 April 2022

PC Hardware

Date submitted: 12 April 2022

Summary of request

We would be grateful if you could help in answering our request for information, answering for A to C on questions 1-8. A) Desktops B) Laptops C) Displays 1. Please name all of the IT resellers that you have contacts with and buy from 2. What is the length of the contracts, more specifically their end date, with the named IT resellers in question 1? 3. What year and month is the next hardware refresh due? 4. Please name the number of devices deployed 5. Please name the brand of the devices mentioned 6. Details on how these were procured. i.e. By Framework i. Procurement method ii. If Framework, please state which one. 7. What is your annual print/copy volume and spend? 8. Who is the person(s) within your organization responsible for these contract(s)? Please provide their title and their contact details.

Summary of response

1. Please name all of the IT resellers that you have contacts with and buy from. This information is exempt under Section 43(2) of the FOI Act 2000, where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (an indivi

Date responded: 13 May 2022

Council Tax Bandings

Date submitted: 7 April 2022

Summary of request

Number of East Devon households at Band E and above and Band D and below

Summary of response

The number of East Devon households in Band E and above 21,908 The number of East Devon households in Band D and below 50,732 Correct as at 01.04.22

Date responded: 25 April 2022

Data protection impact assessments

Date submitted: 30 March 2022

Summary of request

I’d like a list of all data protection impact assessments conducted by your authority between 25 May 2018 and 25 March 2022.

Summary of response

DPIA list May 2018 – March 2022 2018 Mobile homes Body-worn cameras 2019 e-ticketing Housing repairs contract Cemetery Management 2020 Covid19 Data Sharing Enforcement Agents Green Homes PINS Virtual Hearings CAB Enforcement Agency Con

Date responded: 6 April 2022

Ukrainian Refugees

Date submitted: 30 March 2022

Summary of request

1. The number of Ukrainian refugees settled under the Ukrainian Family Scheme in East Devon since 24/02/2022. 2. The number of Ukrainian refugees that have been settled under the Homes for Ukraine scheme in East Devon since 24/02/2022. 3. The number of Ukrainian refugees that have registered as homeless in East Devon since 24/02/2022. 4. The number of Ukrainian refugees East Devon is planning to take in.

Summary of response

1. The number of Ukrainian refugees settled under the Ukrainian Family Scheme in East Devon since 24/02/2022 - None 2. The number of Ukrainian refugees that have been settled under the Homes for Ukraine scheme in East Devon since 24/02/2022 - None 3. Th

Date responded: 31 March 2022