Information Freedom of Information published requests

Summary of request

I would like to request information regarding squatter evictions conducted by your council.

Specifically, I am requesting the following information:

- The total number of squatters evicted within the council’s jurisdiction from January 1, 2024, to the present date.

- If possible, a breakdown of these evictions by month and by the type of property (e.g., residential, commercial, or public properties).

- Any available data on the average time taken to resolve each squatting incident (from the report of squatting to the eviction).

Summary of response

You requested information regarding squatter evictions conducted by your council.

- The total number of squatters evicted within the council’s jurisdiction from January 1, 2024, to the present date - Zero

- If possible, a breakdown of these evictions by month and by the type of property (e.g., residential, commercial, or public properties) - N/A

- Any available data on the average time taken to resolve each squatting incident (from the report of squatting to the eviction) - N/A

Date responded: 14 November 2024

Summary of request

The number of reported fly-tipping incidents in the past 12 months (12 months leading up to the most recent date for which data is available), and the number of fly-tipping incidents reported in the previous 12 months before that.

Summary of response

Below are the number of fly tips collected from EDDC land.

April 2024 – September 2024
217 fly tips collected

April 2023 – March 2024
327 fly tips collected

April 2022 – March 2023
399 fly tips collected

Date responded: 6 November 2024

Summary of request

1 – Do you manage Sheltered Housing Schemes (Independent Living Schemes) for older people?
If yes;
2 - Is there a provision of Careline / Emergency Alarms in these schemes?
3 – Does every one living in Sheltered Housing automatically have an emergency alarm, or is it by application for those that require it?
4 – Is this provided by the local authority directly or by a third party?
5 – Is a charge made to residents for this emergency alarm service?

Summary of response

1 – Do you manage Sheltered Housing Schemes (Independent Living Schemes) for older people? - EDDC does manage sheltered housing schemes, and these are managed by the Sheltered Housing team.
If yes;
2 – Is there a provision of Careline / Emergency Alarms in these schemes? - Yes there is. Some properties have hard-wired equipment which works alongside door entry systems and smoke detection & alarm systems and others have ‘dispersed’ (or stand-alone) alarms.
3 – Does every one living in Sheltered Housing automatically have an emergency alarm, or is it by application for those that require it? - Currently everyone in sheltered accommodation has an emergency alarm.
4 – Is this provided by the local authority directly or by a third party? - Provided directly by EDDC.
5 – Is a charge made to residents for this emergency alarm service? - There are a range of charges – please see below:

Current charges for sheltered tenants are as follows –

Please also note: There is a charge for this service which is set out below:

Alarm charge £4.42 per week

Housing management charge* £4.11 per week

Support charge £6.91 per week

*Covered by housing benefit for those in receipt of full housing benefit.

Date responded: 14 November 2024

Summary of request

1. Does the Council currently have a contract for the disposal of IT hardware from corporate offices and schools?
2. If a contract is in place, which organisation(s) manages the contract?
3. When does the contract expire?
4. If no contract, what is done with the redundant IT equipment?
5. Does the organisation have a separate arrangement in place for the onsite shredding of data-bearing assets, such as hard disks, solid state drives, USB devices, CDs and data tapes, or is data-containing equipment erased/destroyed by your contracted IT hardware disposal provider?
6. Who within the organisation has overall responsibility for the disposal of IT hardware?

Summary of response

1. Does the Council currently have a contract for the disposal of IT hardware from corporate offices and schools? - No
2. If a contract is in place, which organisation(s) manages the contract? - N/A
3. When does the contract expire? - N/A
4. If no contract, what is done with the redundant IT equipment? - Arrange with charity organisations
5. Does the organisation have a separate arrangement in place for the onsite shredding of data-bearing assets, such as hard disks, solid state drives, USB devices, CDs and data tapes, or is data-containing equipment erased/destroyed by your contracted IT hardware disposal provider? - Yes
6. Who within the organisation has overall responsibility for the disposal of IT hardware? - Strata Service Solutions Ltd

Date responded: 6 November 2024

Summary of request

1. How many full planning applications have been made in total since 2 April 2024?

2. How many of those applications are subject to mandatory BNG (i.e. not covered by the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 2024), and please could you provide the application reference numbers for those?

Summary of response

You have requested:

1. How many full planning applications have been made in total since 2 April 2024? - This information is published on our planning portal at https://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/online-applications/ You can search for this information yourself and compile the data. As such it is exempt under section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible by other means.

2. How many of those applications are subject to mandatory BNG (i.e. not covered by the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 2024), and please could you provide the application reference numbers for those? - We have investigated whether we can run reports to retrieve this information and this is not possible. It would require an officer to do this manually which would take longer that the permitted time and cost under FOI. Therefore we are refusing your request at this time under section 12 of the FOI Act 2000.

You can view all the planning applications on our website to see if this information is available within the planning applications themselves or supporting evidence. https://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/online-applications/

Date responded: 25 October 2024

Summary of request

1) Details of any schemes or programs operated directly by the local authority under the UKSPF People and Skills priority area. Include the budget and the number of staff allocated to the program or scheme and where appropriate the length of the program or scheme.

2) Details of any organisation which has been awarded contracts by the local authority to deliver services covered by the remit of the UKSPF People and Skills priority area, such as upskilling, employment support, and skills provision. Include the names of the organisations, the amounts awarded, and the length of the contract.

Summary of response

1) Details of any schemes or programs operated directly by the local authority under the UKSPF People and Skills priority area. Include the budget and the number of staff allocated to the program or scheme and where appropriate the length of the program or scheme - There are no schemes operated directly by the local authority under the UKSPF People and Skill priority.

2) Details of any organisation which has been awarded contracts by the local authority to deliver services covered by the remit of the UKSPF People and Skills priority area, such as upskilling, employment support, and skills provision. Include the names of the organisations, the amounts awarded, and the length of the contract - Details regarding third party delivery, amounts, and programme timescales are available publicly here - UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Projects - East Devon. https://eastdevon.gov.uk/business-and-investment/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/projects/#article-content

Date responded: 23 October 2024

Summary of request

1. Total number of desktops in your estate (i.e. PCs, laptops & tablets)
2. Who currently supplies the above (name of the incumbent)?
3. Do they include additional services such as technical support, maintenance, asset registration, imaging and disposal of existing device?
4. Who is your preferred manufacturer?
5. What is your current buying / refresh cycle?
6. Is this supplied under contract? If yes, when does the contract end?
7. How do you procure these devices through a framework? if yes, which one used (ie. SBS / CCS / NDNA)
8. What steps have you taken to tackle security risks in advance of 14th Oct 2025 when updates will no longer be available on Windows 10?
9. How do you access your applications (Citrix, VMWare, Microsoft 365, Cloud or Fat Client environment)?
10. Are you looking to move from On-Premises to Cloud?
11. Name of person responsible for purchasing IT equipment?

Summary of response

1. Total number of desktops in your estate (i.e. PCs, laptops & tablets) - 750
2. Who currently supplies the above (name of the incumbent)? - Dell
3. Do they include additional services such as technical support, maintenance, asset registration, imaging and disposal of existing device? - Yes
4. Who is your preferred manufacturer? - Dell
5. What is your current buying / refresh cycle? - N/A
6. Is this supplied under contract? If yes, when does the contract end? - N/A
7. How do you procure these devices through a framework? if yes, which one used (i.e. SBS / CCS / NDNA) - N/A
8. What steps have you taken to tackle security risks in advance of 14th Oct 2025 when updates will no longer be available on Windows 10? - Windows 11 devices are being rolled-out
9. How do you access your applications (Citrix, VMWare, Microsoft 365, Cloud or Fat Client environment)? - All mentioned
10. Are you looking to move from On-Premises to Cloud? - Yes
11. Name of person responsible for purchasing IT equipment? - Strata Service Solutions Ltd

Date responded: 6 November 2024

Summary of request

• The name of your employee survey provider and/or platform
• The date that your employee survey platform contract ends or renews

Summary of response

• The name of your employee survey provider and/or platform - EDDC does not have an employee survey provider - we use Microsoft Forms
• The date that your employee survey platform contract ends or renews - N/A

Date responded: 24 October 2024

Summary of request

What debt enforcement agencies does your council currently use?

Broken down by each debt enforcement agency, please can you tell me -
1. How many complaints has your council received relating to the behaviour or conduct of the enforcement agencies/bailiffs/debt collectors who have been working on behalf of your council?
2. How many of the complaints has your council upheld?
3. If known, how many complaints were passed to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman?
I would like this information regarding complaints received by the council since 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023.

Summary of response

1. How many complaints has your council received relating to the behaviour or conduct of the enforcement agencies/bailiffs/debt collectors who have been working on behalf of your council? - Zero
2. How many of the complaints has your council upheld? - N/A
3. If known, how many complaints were passed to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman? - N/A

I would like this information regarding complaints received by the council since 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023.

Date responded: 22 October 2024

Summary of request

I am interested in understanding more about the data archiving solutions used for Housing Management Data that your authority may use,

Please can you provide the following information:

1: Have you created a data archive for some or all of your housing management data –( properties, tenancies, tenants, rent transactions, court actions, repairs, servicing data, asset data)

No
Yes (some)
Yes (all)

2: Was this a bespoke solution or an “off-the-shelf” solution

3: If off the shelf, what is the product and vendor

4: How much did the solution cost to implement

5: What is the annual license fee for the solution

6: How long did it take to implement the solution

7: Please describe the technology used and the architecture of the solution.

Summary of response

1: Have you created a data archive for some or all of your housing management data –( properties, tenancies, tenants, rent transactions, court actions, repairs, servicing data, asset data) - Yes

2: Was this a bespoke solution or an “off-the-shelf” solution - Off the Shelf

3: If off the shelf, what is the product and vendor - Civica D360

4: How much did the solution cost to implement - Minimal as system already in place for other document requirements

5: What is the annual license fee for the solution - <£10,000/ per year for the entire DMS solution, of which housing is a small part

6: How long did it take to implement the solution - a few weeks

7: Please describe the technology used and the architecture of the solution. - Civica D360 – it’s broadly in line with supplier recommendations.

Date responded: 22 October 2024

Summary of request

1. A copy of your authority’s response to the Government consultation on the “proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system”, which closed on September 24th 2024. Please include copies of all consultation response documents submitted by your authority.
2. Any statistical analysis carried out that informed this response

Summary of response

1. A copy of your authority’s response to the Government consultation on the “proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system”, which closed on September 24th 2024. Please include copies of all consultation response documents submitted by your authority - Our response was agreed by our Strategic Planning Committee and is available at: 3. New NPPF Consultation Response Report 2024.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk) https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/s24658/3.%20New%20NPPF%20Consultation%20Response%20Report%202024.pdf

2. Any statistical analysis carried out that informed this response - None carried out.

Date responded: 22 October 2024

Summary of request

- The number of households on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2024
- The number of households on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2023

Summary of response

You requested the following information on Housing waiting lists:

- The number of households on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2024

Active applications on the East Devon register as at 02.09.2024 - 6059

- The number of households on the local authority's housing waiting list as of September 2023

Active applications on the East Devon register as at 01.09.2023 - 5666

Date responded: 5 November 2024

Summary of request

In light of the discovery of a mass grave containing stillborn babies in Royton Cemetery, Oldham, and the discovery of mass graves containing stillborn babies in Landican, Wirral, please could you provide localised details for the following:

*Number of mass (unmarked) graves containing still born babies

*Number of still born babies buried in mass (unmarked) graves

*Date of earliest mass (unmarked) grave

*Date of last mass (unmarked) grave

In addition, please can you state whether or not burial records for these mass graves are available online.

Summary of response

*Number of mass (unmarked) graves containing still born babies - 0

*Number of still born babies buried in mass (unmarked) graves - 0

*Date of earliest mass (unmarked) grave - 0

*Date of last mass (unmarked) grave - 0

In addition, please can you state whether or not burial records for these mass graves are available online. - N/A

Date responded: 16 October 2024

Summary of request

a) Whether your leisure centres are held by a charitable trust and
b) Whether you receive charitable or other business rate reliefs on your leisure assets?

Summary of response

a. Whether your leisure centres are held by a charitable trust - EDDC is not liable for Leisure centres. LED runs the leisure centres in East Devon.
b. Whether you receive charitable or other business rate reliefs on your leisure assets? - The information regarding any relief applicable is already published on our website at https://eastdevon.gov.uk/access-to-information/transparency-code/transparency-code-information/

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: 22 October 2024

Summary of request

I am requesting the following information related to biodiversity net gain:
• Any policies or papers published since 1 November 2023 which state 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.
• How many hectares of land has been improved for biodiversity on-site as part of a development for the purposes of biodiversity net gain since 12 February 2024
• How many hectares of land has been improved for biodiversity off-site for the purposes of biodiversity net gain related to developments in your authority area since 12 February 2024

Summary of response

• Any policies or papers published since 1 November 2023 which state 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. - Draft Policy 87 of the Draft Local Plan (Reg 18 stage) has a requirement for 20% BNG. commonplace-reg-18-final-071122.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk) https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/3724891/commonplace-reg-18-final-071122.pdf

• How many hectares of land has been improved for biodiversity on-site as part of a development for the purposes of biodiversity net gain since 12 February 2024 - N/A – no Biodiversity Gain Plans discharged.

• How many hectares of land has been improved for biodiversity off-site for the purposes of biodiversity net gain related to developments in your authority area since 12 February 2024 - N/A – no Biodiversity Gain Plans discharged.

Date responded: 16 October 2024

Summary of request

1. Please provide information on whether an animal activities licence is required when providing animal assisted interventions to promote wellbeing to adults and children using horses/ponies. Please note that there is no riding involved.

2. Does East Devon District Council hold a register of equine assisted intervention providers who hold an animal activities licence?

3. Does East Devon District Council display the register of licenced providers on their website?

Summary of response

1. Please provide information on whether an animal activities licence is required when providing animal assisted interventions to promote wellbeing to adults and children using horses/ponies. Please note that there is no riding involve - Yes , you need a licence for keeping or training animals for exhibition.

2. Does East Devon District Council hold a register of equine assisted intervention providers who hold an animal activities licence? - Yes, https://eastdevon.gov.uk/environmental-health-and-wellbeing/licensing-and-registrations/animal-licensing/current-licensed-establishments/

3. Does East Devon District Council display the register of licenced providers on their website? - Yes, phttps://eastdevon.gov.uk/environmental-health-and-wellbeing/licensing-and-registrations/animal-licensing/current-licensed-establishments/

Date responded: 5 November 2024

Summary of request

1. The details of any office accommodation your organisation provides to staff to carry out trade union business. Please include details of:
• space measured in square feet
• how much of this space is contained within entirely separate buildings (i.e. occupied solely by staff carrying out trade union business)
• whether a professional valuation of the market rental value of the space has been sought either in-house or externally, and if so, what the valuation of the space was
• any charges the council levy for office space given to trade unions.

2. Do you deduct trade union subscriptions for any of your employees via payroll (sometimes known as the "check off" system)? If so, do you charge a fee to the trade unions concerned for providing this service?

3. With regard to trade union facility time, please provide the total cost of facility time from your pay bill for the financial year 2023/24 and the budget for the current financial year. Please also advise the current number of employees that you fund to be union officials, measured as full time equivalents? (For guidance on definitions please refer to the Government's Transparency Code for local government: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-transparency-code-2015/local-government-transparency-code-2015)

4. Please advise any estimates for other costs met for those staff on trade union facility time apart from salaries - including travel expenses, office supplies, telephone expenses and energy bills.

Summary of response

1. The details of any office accommodation your organisation provides to staff to carry out trade union business - None

2. Do you deduct trade union subscriptions for any of your employees via payroll (sometimes known as the "check off" system)? If so, do you charge a fee to the trade unions concerned for providing this service? - Yes, we deduct via check off. No, we do not charge a fee for this.

3. With regard to trade union facility time, please provide the total cost of facility time from your pay bill for the financial year 2023/24 and the budget for the current financial year. Please also advise the current number of employees that you fund to be union officials, measured as full time equivalents? (For guidance on definitions please refer to the Government's Transparency Code for local government: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-transparency-code-2015/local-government-transparency-code-2015) - This information is already published on our website at https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/workforce/trade-union-information/

4. Please advise any estimates for other costs met for those staff on trade union facility time apart from salaries - including travel expenses, office supplies, telephone expenses and energy bills - Zero

Date responded: 24 October 2024

Summary of request

1. Has your local authority adopted a design code? if so please provide a copy.

2. If you have adopted a Design Code, what measures (if any) you undertook to test its popular support locally? Specifically, was any market research conducted? Was the relative support of alternative types of architecture measured using illustrated examples?

3. If you have not adopted a Design Code, what plans (if any) do you have to do so?

Summary of response

1. Has your local authority adopted a design code? if so please provide a copy - No

2. If you have adopted a Design Code, what measures (if any) you undertook to test its popular support locally? Specifically, was any market research conducted? Was the relative support of alternative types of architecture measured using illustrated examples? - N/A

3. If you have not adopted a Design Code, what plans (if any) do you have to do so?

Some of our major applications (expansion area for Cranbrook) have planning conditions requiring Design Codes to be submitted and agreed, none have yet been submitted.

Resource and expertise are the main reasons for not creating Design Codes for the district as a whole.

Date responded: 23 October 2024

Summary of request

• A record of your first considerations of what action to take for biodiversity, which was due to be completed by 1 January 2024.
• Any policies and objectives for biodiversity which were agreed as soon as possible after this
• How many hectares of priority habitat you have identified for restoration or creation in the next five years

Summary of response

• A record of your first considerations of what action to take for biodiversity, which was due to be completed by 1 January 2024.
• Any policies and objectives for biodiversity which were agreed as soon as possible after this
• How many hectares of priority habitat you have identified for restoration or creation in the next five years


In terms of the Environment Act Biodiversity Duty, in October 2023 the local planning authority adopted a Nature Recovery Declaration for East Devon (see links below).

12 October 2023 - Caring for nature is a priority for East Devon - East Devon https://eastdevon.gov.uk/news/2023/10/caring-for-nature-is-a-priority-for-east-devon/

Printed minutes 06th-Sep-2023 18.00 Cabinet.pdf (eastdevon.gov.uk) https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/g2194/Printed%20minutes%2006th-Sep-2023%2018.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=1

The Nature Recovery Declaration provides an overarching framework of how the LPA will meet its enhanced biodiversity duties required under the Environment Act. This includes several high-level aspirations that will drill down into polices and decisions. For example, creating an East Devon’s Local Nature Recovery Plan, implementing Biodiversity Net Gain, developing a tree strategy and influencing local plan policy.

Some of this work is underway including the tree strategy and local plan review with other elements a work in progress, e.g., setting up/registering habitat banks. Any policies etc. would be open consultation as/when they were ready for this.

https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/s23240/Overview_Tree%20Strategy%20report%20210324.pdf
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/

In terms of Q3 we have not had the resources to undertake this exercise.

Date responded: 4 October 2024

Summary of request

In regards to the pay as you go usage I have a few follow up questions:
1. What supplier does the council use when needing interpreting services?
2. Do you have any statistics regarding the councils spend and booking volumes for interpreting services (last 2 years)?
3. The case by case basis, does the council preplan bookings or are all the bookings urgent?

Summary of response

In regards to the pay as you go usage I have a few follow up questions:
1. What supplier does the council use when needing interpreting services? - Language Line
2. Do you have any statistics regarding the councils spend and booking volumes for interpreting services (last 2 years)? - £3,643.20. This is the total for the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24
3. The case by case basis, does the council preplan bookings or are all the bookings urgent? - As they are all over the phone, we do not prebook.

Date responded: 4 October 2024

Summary of request

1. Exterior building cleaning – service contract focussed around external cleaning of council owned/run commercial buildings and external spaces. To include gutter clearing, UPVC, fascia’s, soffits, windows, roofs, solar panels, playparks, building walls, paved public spaces.
2. Exterior building cleaning – service contract focussed around external cleaning of council housing. To include gutter clearing, UPVC, fascia’s, soffits, windows, roofs, solar panels, building walls, patio and driveways.

Is there a contract in place for each sector?
If you have contracts in place, when are they to be re tendered?
Do you advertise procurement opportunities through a portal e.g. Advantage Southwest?

Summary of response

1. Exterior building cleaning – service contract focussed around external cleaning of council owned/run commercial buildings and external spaces. To include gutter clearing, UPVC, fascia’s, soffits, windows, roofs, solar panels, playparks, building walls, paved public spaces - We do not have any contracts in place for exterior building cleaning and are not planning to have one either, therefore will not be tendering anything. If we were to tender a contract, we will try a direct appointment from a Public Sector Framework and if none is available, we will tender it via ProContract.
Is there a contract in place for each sector? - No
If you have contracts in place, when are they to be re tendered? - N/A
Do you advertise procurement opportunities through a portal e.g. Advantage Southwest? - Yes

2. Exterior building cleaning – service contract focussed around external cleaning of council housing. To include gutter clearing, UPVC, fascia’s, soffits, windows, roofs, solar panels, building walls, patio and driveways - Gutter clearing currently is carried out as and when it is reported to us by the resident by our contractor. Cleaning of UPVC, Fascia’s, Soffits, Windows, Solar Panels, and roofs will be via our contractor as and when required.
Is there a contract in place for each sector? - Ian Williams is our current contractor.
If you have contracts in place, when are they to be re tendered? - N/A
Do you advertise procurement opportunities through a portal e.g. Advantage Southwest? - Yes

Date responded: 24 October 2024

Summary of request

Please find below some questions about how the council is implementing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG):

1. Please can you indicate what, if any, software the council has obtained specifically to help with implementing the following aspects of BNG?
a. Validation of applications, including checking that the correct version of the Biodiversity Metric has been submitted.
b. Determination of applications subject to BNG, including assessment of ecological considerations.
c. Determining if the biodiversity gain objective (biodiversity gain condition) is met.
d. Monitoring of planning obligations set out under S106 agreements or Conservation Covenants, analogous to other planning obligations.
e. Ecological monitoring of BNG habitats, a new statutory duty required by legislation, including ensuring that individual habitats on a given site are progressing in line with expectations set out in the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan.
f. Statutory reporting of BNG habitat progress under the NERC Act Biodiversity Duty.

2. Is the council generating income, or planning to generate income, by charging BNG monitoring fees? If so, how are you calculating this fee?

3. Please answer the questions below to indicate if the council has made use of the government’s new burdens funding for BNG in the financial year 23/24:
a. How much of the funding was spent by the council in this year?
b. What was the funding spent on?

4. Please answer the questions below to indicate if the council has made use of the government’s new burdens funding for BNG in the financial year 24/25:
a. How much of the funding was spent by the council in this year?
b. What was the funding spent on?

Summary of response

1. Please can you indicate what, if any, software the council has obtained specifically to help with implementing the following aspects of BNG? - Exacom
a. Validation of applications, including checking that the correct version of the Biodiversity Metric has been submitted
b. Determination of applications subject to BNG, including assessment of ecological considerations
c. Determining if the biodiversity gain objective (biodiversity gain condition) is met.
d. Monitoring of planning obligations set out under S106 agreements or Conservation Covenants, analogous to other planning obligations - Exacom
e. Ecological monitoring of BNG habitats, a new statutory duty required by legislation, including ensuring that individual habitats on a given site are progressing in line with expectations set out in the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan.
f. Statutory reporting of BNG habitat progress under the NERC Act Biodiversity Duty - Exacom

2. Is the council generating income, or planning to generate income, by charging BNG monitoring fees? If so, how are you calculating this fee? - EDDC is planning to apply monitoring fees and are currently assessing how to calculate this.

3. Please answer the questions below to indicate if the council has made use of the government’s new burdens funding for BNG in the financial year 23/24:
a. How much of the funding was spent by the council in this year? - The last burden payment received was £43,467.00 as we are a band 2 authority
b. What was the funding spent on? - this was allocated against staff costs.

4. Please answer the questions below to indicate if the council has made use of the government’s new burdens funding for BNG in the financial year 24/25: The last burden payment received was £43,467.00 as we are a band 2 authority.
a. How much of the funding was spent by the council in this year? - N/A
b. What was the funding spent on? - N/A

Date responded: 1 October 2024

Summary of request

Please could we have information on the number of people placed into County Durham from East Devon district council in the last five years while fulfilling their housing duties.

Summary of response

You requested to know the number of people placed into County Durham from East Devon district council in the last five years while fulfilling their housing duties - This information is not recorded

Date responded: 1 October 2024

Summary of request

1. Please state the number of Civil Penalties your Local Authority has served under Section 249a of the Housing Act 2004

2. Please state the number of Civil Penalties your Local Authority has served specifically in relation to breaches of the HMO Management Regulations (Section 249a (2)(e)

3. Please state the number of Prosecutions pursued in relation to breaches of the HMO Management Regulations in the last 5 years

4. Please state the amount of money gained from all Civil Penalties served since their introduction

5. Please state the amount of money gained from all Civil Penalties served in relation to breaches of the HMO Management Regulations

6. Please state the number of Civil Penalties formally appealed by the recipient

7. Please state the number of fully qualified EHOs within your department

8. Please state the number of Technical Officers within your department

9. Please state the number of licensed HMOs within your district

10. Please state whether you have additional/selective licensing schemes within your district and the number of properties that fall under these schemes

Summary of response

1. Please state the number of Civil Penalties your Local Authority has served under Section 249a of the Housing Act 2004 - 0

2. Please state the number of Civil Penalties your Local Authority has served specifically in relation to breaches of the HMO Management Regulations (Section 249a (2)(e) - 0

3. Please state the number of Prosecutions pursued in relation to breaches of the HMO Management Regulations in the last 5 years - 0

4. Please state the amount of money gained from all Civil Penalties served since their introduction - £0

5. Please state the amount of money gained from all Civil Penalties served in relation to breaches of the HMO Management Regulations - £0

6. Please state the number of Civil Penalties formally appealed by the recipient - 0

7. Please state the number of fully qualified EHOs within your department - 2

8. Please state the number of Technical Officers within your department - 1.8

9. Please state the number of licensed HMOs within your district - 47

10. Please state whether you have additional/selective licensing schemes within your district and the number of properties that fall under these schemes – No/zero

Date responded: 1 October 2024

Summary of request

I am writing to request the following information regarding Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) within your jurisdiction:

1. The number of trees currently registered with Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).

2. The number of applications received from insurance companies to fell trees with TPOs, within the following timescales:
- 2024 to date
- Jan 2019 – Dec 2023
- Jan 2014 - Dec 2018

3. The number of successful applications from insurance companies to fell trees with TPOs, within the following timescales:
- 2024 to date
- Jan 2019 – Dec 2023
- Jan 2014 - Dec 2018

Summary of response

1. The number of trees currently registered with Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) - There are currently 474 Area TPOs, 539 Group TPOs, 5061 Individual TPOs and 129 Woodland TPOs.

2. The number of applications received from insurance companies to fell trees with TPOs, within the following timescales - Information not held. We don’t hold data that can be interrogated to be able identify tree applications that relate to subsidence cases since 2014.
- 2024 to date
- Jan 2019 – Dec 2023
- Jan 2014 - Dec 2018

3. The number of successful applications from insurance companies to fell trees with TPOs, within the following timescales - Information not held. We don’t hold data that can be interrogated to be able identify tree applications that relate to subsidence cases since 2014.
- 2024 to date
- Jan 2019 – Dec 2023
- Jan 2014 - Dec 2018

Date responded: 22 October 2024

Summary of request

Please could you clarify the amount of empty properties that are owned by EDDC that are 2 bedroom houses or bungalows in the areas below;
-Exmouth
-Lympstone
-Budleigh Salterton
-East Budleigh
-Woodbury
-Woodbury Salterton

Summary of response

As at the end of August we had 3 empty dwellings and one dwelling which is out of management which are from the areas listed and are 2 bed.


Please could you clarify the amount of empty properties that are owned by EDDC that are 2 bedroom houses or bungalows in the areas below;
-Exmouth
-Lympstone
-Budleigh Salterton
-East Budleigh
-Woodbury
-Woodbury Salterton

Date responded: 1 October 2024

Summary of request

Can you please tell me who pays the company who owns the Big Wheel and those operate it? If the company have submitted tender then some department of the EDDC or Devon County have made a payment!

Summary of response

You requested to know who pays the company who owns the Big Wheel and those operate it? If the company have submitted tender then some department of the EDDC or Devon County have made a payment! - There’s been no payment made to the company who owns the Big Wheel and those operate it.

Date responded: 1 October 2024

Summary of request

1. How many employees are part of your legal team?
2. Do you use external sources for legal advice and if so, what is the average monthly spend on external resources?
3. Do you use a legal research platform and if so, how much do you spend per month on this platform?
4. Who is responsible for the legal costs associated with the above questions?

Summary of response

1. How many employees are part of your legal team? - 8 plus 1 locum
2. Do you use external sources for legal advice and if so, what is the average monthly spend on external resources? - £10,500
3. Do you use a legal research platform and if so, how much do you spend per month on this platform? - Yes – £1,865
4. Who is responsible for the legal costs associated with the above questions? - Most legal spend on external resources is the responsibility of the instructing department. Research platform costs are met from Legal Services budget.

Date responded: 1 October 2024

Summary of request

Subject: Mobile Telephony Services
Please provide complete answers to the following questions:

Organisation details

1. What is your organisation's name?

2. How many full-time employees are at your organisation?

3. Who is your mobile phone network provider?

Renewal

4. Did you switch on last renewal?

5. When did you renew the last time?

6. What is the contract length?

7. Did you use a Framework, if so which one?

Contract and usage details

8. How many total connections do you currently have?

9. How many connections are Voice only?

10. How many connections are Voice and Data?

11. Do you use a shared data bundle, if so, what is the data allowance?

12. What is your average data usage of the last 3 months?

13. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for July 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets):

14. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for August 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets):

15. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for September 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets):

16. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for October 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets):

17. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for November 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets):

18. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for December 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets):

19. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for January 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets):

20. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for February 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets):

21. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for March 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets):

22. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for April 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets):

23. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for May 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets):

24. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for June 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets):

25. Is VAT included in the above figures?

26. Do you have a hardware fund, if so, how much and is it included in the monthly spend?

27. Do you host any mobile phone masts on your premises, if so, how many and who provides them?

28. Who is the primary contact for this contract?

Summary of response

Organisation details

1. What is your organisation's name? - STRATA Service Solutions Ltd, for East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council and Teignbridge District Council.

2. How many full-time employees are at your organisation? - 75

3. Who is your mobile phone network provider? - o2,EE and Vodafone

Renewal

4. Did you switch on last renewal? - NO

5. When did you renew the last time? - EE (BT) – 31/08/2023, O2 – 27/02/2023, Vodafone 22/04/2024
6. What is the contract length? - 2 years (some have 1 year extension option)

7. Did you use a Framework, if so which one? - Yes, the Crown Commercial Service RM6261

Contract and usage details

8. How many total connections do you currently have? - In total strata accommodate 1586 mobile connections

9. How many connections are Voice only? - 199

10. How many connections are Voice and Data? - 959

11. Do you use a shared data bundle, if so, what is the data allowance? - Yes, EE- 750Gb O2- 500Gb Vodafone – 500Gb

12. What is your average data usage of the last 3 months? - EE- 513Gb O2- 716Gb Vodafone – 151Gb

13. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for July 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £6141.13

14. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for August 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £8099.27

15. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for September 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £9307.41

16. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for October 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £12818.16

17. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for November 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £17998.85

18. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for December 2023 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £13939.18

19. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for January 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £4586.05

20. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for February 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £4180.21

21. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for March 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £3785.36

22. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for April 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £3757.06

23. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for May 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £6156.86

24. Please provide your total mobile phone contract costs for June 2024 (excluding purchase of handsets): - £2999.43

25. Is VAT included in the above figures? Yes

26. Do you have a hardware fund, if so, how much and is it included in the monthly spend? - NO

27. Do you host any mobile phone masts on your premises, if so, how many and who provides them? - NO

28. Who is the primary contact for this contract? - Andrew Woodhouse, Supplier Manager – andrew.woodhouse@strata.solutions

Date responded: 27 September 2024

Summary of request

I request the council’s expenditure on interim temporary accommodation and related costs, as well as the measures being taken to reduce such expenditures.

Please provide the following information:

1. Homeless Applications and Interim Accommodation:

- Over the past twelve months, how many people have made a homeless application to the Council?
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with interim accommodation pursuant to Section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996?
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with interim accommodation pursuant to Section 189(b) of the Housing Act 1996?
- Over the past twelve months, what was the total cost of providing interim accommodation?
a) What proportion of this cost was paid to Travelodge and/or any of its parent companies/subsidiaries?
b) What was the total amount paid to Travelodge and/or its related entities over the past twelve months?

2. Temporary Accommodation Expenditure and Associated Costs:

- What has been the total expenditure on interim temporary accommodation (e.g., Travelodge, B&Bs) for homeless individuals over the past three financial years?
- Please provide a breakdown of these costs by location, including the number of placements made outside the borough.
- What has been the total expenditure on affiliated costs such as storage, taxis, and other related services for individuals placed in temporary accommodation outside the borough over the past three financial years?
- Please provide details of these costs by category (e.g., storage, transportation, etc.) and location.

3. Protection of Personal Property for Homeless Applicants:

- Over the past twelve months, how many homeless applicants have had their personal property protected by the local authority?
- What is the average length of time that a homeless applicant’s personal property is stored by the local authority?
- What is the average cost of storing a homeless applicant’s personal property while they are in interim accommodation?
- Under what circumstances does the local authority protect the personal property of homeless applicants?
- As part of the homeless application process, does the local authority expressly ask the homeless applicant whether they need their personal property protected?
- If not, please state the reasons why this question is not asked.
- Please provide copies of the local authority’s policies regarding homeless applications.
- Please provide a copy of the local authority’s policy regarding the protection of the personal property of homeless applicants.
- Please disclose a copy of the council's homeless procedures manual or policy document followed by housing solutions officers at its homeless service centres/homeless persons offices.
- Over the past three years, how many complaints have been made by homeless applicants regarding the council’s failure to protect their personal property?

4. Proactive Measures to Reduce Temporary Accommodation Costs:

- What specific measures has the council taken to reduce the reliance on temporary accommodation outside the borough, such as Travelodge and B&Bs?
- Has the council developed or initiated any programs to increase the availability of local temporary accommodation, particularly through the use of empty properties or land within the borough? If so, please provide details.

5. Utilisation of Empty Properties and Land:

- How many empty properties and parcels of land are currently owned by the council that could potentially be used for temporary accommodation?
- Has the council considered or initiated any compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to acquire vacant properties for conversion into temporary accommodation? If so, please provide details, including the number of properties targeted, the outcome, and associated costs.
- What steps has the council taken to encourage community/ non-profit groups or social enterprises to make use of disused land or buildings via adverse possession for temporary accommodation or support services? Please provide examples, if any.

6. Comparative Models and Best Practices:

- Is the council aware of successful models such as Calderwood House in Cumbria, where an empty property (a former police station) was transformed into temporary accommodation and support services? If so, has the council explored similar initiatives within the borough? Please provide details of any discussions, plans, or actions taken.
- Has the council considered offering similar arrangements, such as a peppercorn rent, to community groups or social enterprises willing to repurpose empty properties for temporary accommodation or support services? If not, what are the reasons for not pursuing this option?

7. Support Services for Individuals in Temporary Accommodation:

What support services does the council currently provide for individuals placed in temporary accommodation outside the borough, particularly in terms of maintaining their connection to local support networks, healthcare providers, and other essential services?
Are there any programs in place to assist individuals in transitioning from temporary accommodation outside the borough to permanent housing within the borough? If so, please provide details on the nature of the support provided, outcomes, and costs.

8. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Complaints:

How does the council monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of its temporary accommodation placements, particularly those made outside the borough? Please provide any available data on the impact of these placements on residents, including any assessments of detriment or distress caused.
Has the council conducted any cost-benefit analysis comparing the current expenditure on temporary accommodation outside the borough with potential savings from investing in local solutions (e.g., repurposing empty properties)? If so, please provide the findings.

Summary of response

1. Homeless Applications and Interim Accommodation:

- Over the past twelve months, how many people have made a homeless application to the Council? - 1190
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with interim accommodation pursuant to Section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996? - 395
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with interim accommodation pursuant to Section 189(b) of the Housing Act 1996? - s188 is the duty when provided interim accommodation under s189b Relief Duty.
- Over the past twelve months, what was the total cost of providing interim accommodation? - £610,337 – Period 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 (last financial year)
a) What proportion of this cost was paid to Travelodge and/or any of its parent companies/subsidiaries? - £0 under purchase orders, there is £50k of the above where payment has been made via credit card which we are unable to breakdown
b) What was the total amount paid to Travelodge and/or its related entities over the past twelve months? - £0 under purchase orders, there is £50k of the above where payment has been made via credit card which we are unable to breakdown

2. Temporary Accommodation Expenditure and Associated Costs:

- What has been the total expenditure on interim temporary accommodation (e.g., Travelodge, B&Bs) for homeless individuals over the past three financial years? - 2023, see above, 2022: £629,595, 2021: 391,281
- Please provide a breakdown of these costs by location, including the number of placements made outside the borough. - Unable to breakdown by location
- What has been the total expenditure on affiliated costs such as storage, taxis, and other related services for individuals placed in temporary accommodation outside the borough over the past three financial years? - Unable to breakdown
- Please provide details of these costs by category (e.g., storage, transportation, etc.) and location. - Unable to breakdown

3. Protection of Personal Property for Homeless Applicants:

- Over the past twelve months, how many homeless applicants have had their personal property protected by the local authority? - 0
- What is the average length of time that a homeless applicant’s personal property is stored by the local authority? - N/A
- What is the average cost of storing a homeless applicant’s personal property while they are in interim accommodation? - N/A
- Under what circumstances does the local authority protect the personal property of homeless applicants? - If circumstances require protection of personal property as outlined in Code of Guidance
- As part of the homeless application process, does the local authority expressly ask the homeless applicant whether they need their personal property protected? - Yes
- If not, please state the reasons why this question is not asked.
- Please provide copies of the local authority’s policies regarding homeless applications. - No specific policy re this
- Please provide a copy of the local authority’s policy regarding the protection of the personal property of homeless applicants. - No policy
- Please disclose a copy of the council's homeless procedures manual or policy document followed by housing solutions officers at its homeless service centres/homeless persons offices. - No Policy document.
- Over the past three years, how many complaints have been made by homeless applicants regarding the council’s failure to protect their personal property? - 0

4. Proactive Measures to Reduce Temporary Accommodation Costs:

- What specific measures has the council taken to reduce the reliance on temporary accommodation outside the borough, such as Travelodge and B&Bs? - Use own stock more.
- Has the council developed or initiated any programs to increase the availability of local temporary accommodation, particularly through the use of empty properties or land within the borough? If so, please provide details. - Yes, purchased two HMOs. And two LAHF properties.

5. Utilisation of Empty Properties and Land:

- How many empty properties and parcels of land are currently owned by the council that could potentially be used for temporary accommodation? - As a stock holding authority with over 4,000 homes, a number of these become vacant each year. When a property becomes vacant, works are undertaken to as quickly as possible to return the property into use. This sometimes includes using the property for temporary accommodation.

The Council owns a number sites which have the potential for development. These are typically garage sites. We are currently developing a 5 year plan to invest in and develop these sites to provide additional affordable homes. This may include temporary accommodation. This plan will be published next year and will outline how many homes will be provided.

- Has the council considered or initiated any compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to acquire vacant properties for conversion into temporary accommodation? If so, please provide details, including the number of properties targeted, the outcome, and associated costs. - No
- What steps has the council taken to encourage community/ non-profit groups or social enterprises to make use of disused land or buildings via adverse possession for temporary accommodation or support services? Please provide examples, if any - None. We do however provide practical and financial support to community groups to deliver affordable housing across the district through Community Land Trusts.

6. Comparative Models and Best Practices:

- Is the council aware of successful models such as Calderwood House in Cumbria, where an empty property (a former police station) was transformed into temporary accommodation and support services? If so, has the council explored similar initiatives within the borough? Please provide details of any discussions, plans, or actions taken. - No
- Has the council considered offering similar arrangements, such as a peppercorn rent, to community groups or social enterprises willing to repurpose empty properties for temporary accommodation or support services? If not, what are the reasons for not pursuing this option? - Not required.

7. Support Services for Individuals in Temporary Accommodation:

What support services does the council currently provide for individuals placed in temporary accommodation outside the borough, particularly in terms of maintaining their connection to local support networks, healthcare providers, and other essential services? - Temporary Accommodation Officer
Are there any programs in place to assist individuals in transitioning from temporary accommodation outside the borough to permanent housing within the borough? If so, please provide details on the nature of the support provided, outcomes, and costs. - No

8. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Complaints:

How does the council monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of its temporary accommodation placements, particularly those made outside the borough? Please provide any available data on the impact of these placements on residents, including any assessments of detriment or distress caused - We don’t monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the temporary accommodation placements
Has the council conducted any cost-benefit analysis comparing the current expenditure on temporary accommodation outside the borough with potential savings from investing in local solutions (e.g., repurposing empty properties)? If so, please provide the findings. - No.

Date responded: 1 October 2024

Summary of request

I would like details of all land owned by EDDC in exmouth only
1. Land that is currently unoccupied and/or not being used.
2. The address of the land.
3. The approximate size of the land
4.reasons why the land is not being used.
Thank you

Summary of response

I would like details of all land owned by EDDC in Exmouth only
1. Land that is currently unoccupied and/or not being used
2. The address of the land.
3. The approximate size of the land
4. Reasons why the land is not being used.


EDDC does not have any land assets in Exmouth that are unoccupied or unused that do not have a designated use and that are without planning constraints and/or subject to the outcome of the place making plan for Exmouth.

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

1. Please can you provide me with the name, job title, contact number and email address of the person responsible for the management of Taxi Licensing.

2. Details of your current taxi licensing platform including expiry date, contract cost and duration of the contract. The licensing platform is the software that you use to manage customers applications, e.g., Idox, Civica, Jadu. Unless of course you use Word, Excel, PDF or Gov.uk.

Summary of response

1. Please can you provide me with the name, job title, contact number and email address of the person responsible for the management of Taxi Licensing. - Phillippa Norsworthy, Licensing Manager, licensing@eastdevon.gov.uk

2. Details of your current taxi licensing platform including expiry date, contract cost and duration of the contract. The licensing platform is the software that you use to manage customers applications, e.g., Idox, Civica, Jadu. Unless of course you use Word, Excel, PDF or Gov.uk. - IDOX (LALPAC). Expiry Date – 30 October 2027. 5-year contract. The cost is £886,000.

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

1. The number of complaints received for dog fouling in the last year (September 2023 - August 2024)
2. The number of fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling / dog littering during the same period
3. The value in £ of those fines outlined in point 2
4. Specific locations of those FPNs outlined in point 2 [if possible] - by postcode or similar

Summary of response

1. The number of complaints received for dog fouling in the last year (September 2023 - August 2024) - 48 complaints
2. The number of fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling / dog littering during the same period - None
3. The value in £ of those fines outlined in point 2 - £0
4. Specific locations of those FPNs outlined in point 2 [if possible] - by postcode or similar - NA

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

Could you please provide me with information on how many trees will be planted each year on application no 22/0886/AGE as you have said that the building is reasonable necessary to store machinery for this operation.

And why have the council refused to put time scales on the forestry operations for the planting of trees.

Summary of response

You requested to know how many trees will be planted each year on application no 22/0886/AGE as you have said that the building is reasonable necessary to store machinery for this operation - This information is not held

And why have the council refused to put time scales on the forestry operations for the planting of trees - We do not have to provide reasoning under FOI only information that is held. This part of your request falls outside the parameters of FOI and is therefore refused.

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

Can the appropriate department please give information about the Big Wheel situated on Queen's Drive Exmouth.
Does the EDDC pay for this or give any subsidy for its operation during the summer season?
Has the company who owns the Big Wheel been invited by the EDDC?
To what extent is any of the Council Tax precept and Business Rates used for its installation and running?

Summary of response

1) Does the EDDC pay for this or give any subsidy for its operation during the summer season? - The owners of the Observation wheel pay land hire fees for the days they operate.
2) Has the company who owns the Big Wheel been invited by the EDDC? - They tendered in 2023.
3) To what extent is any of the Council Tax precept and Business Rates used for its installation and running? - The Observation wheel was rated for business rates for the period 22.06.2024 – 03.09.2024. No business rates discounts or reliefs have been awarded. Council tax is for residential properties so is not relevant.

Date responded: 22 August 2024

Summary of request

I would like information about your council’s climate awareness training in relation to climate action for the Council Climate Action Scorecards. This information may be held by the HR department or other departments that organise staff training.

In particular, please supply me with information relating to the following questions:
a. Have all senior management received climate awareness training, including Carbon Literacy or equivalent, before 15th August 2024? Please state the type of training.

We are seeking information for senior managers who have had climate awareness training that has taken place since 1st January 2015 and up until 15th August 2024. We define senior management as including all Chief Executives, deputy Chief Executives and Directors or Heads of Departments, or equivalents, depending on what each council calls them.

b. Have all current councillors in the cabinet or committee chairs received climate awareness training, including Carbon Literacy or equivalent, since being elected from May 2023 or before? Please state the type of training.

We don’t expect councillors who were elected in May 2024, or since, to have already been trained. We are only seeking information for cabinet or committee chairs who have taken climate awareness training that has taken place since 1st January 2015 and up until 15th August 2024.

This could be training certified by the Carbon Literacy Project or another organisation, university or in-house. We want to know the number of people who have attended the training. We don’t need to know the number of staff that have received a certificate of completion or attendance.

Summary of response

a. Have all senior management received climate awareness training, including Carbon Literacy or equivalent, before 15th August 2024? Please state the type of training. - Carbon literacy training has been offered to all senior managers and has been taken up by the majority ( we have had some new starters and will be running more training this autumn) ; we have a new leadership team who have been signed up to external CL training in October. Our previous CEO and Strategic leaders all had CL training.

We are seeking information for senior managers who have had climate awareness training that has taken place since 1st January 2015 and up until 15th August 2024. We define senior management as including all Chief Executives, deputy Chief Executives and Directors or Heads of Departments, or equivalents, depending on what each council calls them. - All have had or will have CL training ( by end of October 2024)

b. Have all current councillors in the cabinet or committee chairs received climate awareness training, including Carbon Literacy or equivalent, since being elected from May 2023 or before? Please state the type of training. - We have run a variety of sessions for new and existing Cllrs from short 45 minute awareness sessions to longer 90 minute sessions to 8 hrs of CL literacy training. The majority of Cllrs have undertaken some form of training since they joined the council and Cllrs who were from the existing cohort had previously undergone CL training in Nov 2022

We don’t expect councillors who were elected in May 2024, or since, to have already been trained. We are only seeking information for cabinet or committee chairs who have taken climate awareness training that has taken place since 1st January 2015 and up until 15th August 2024. - We have already trained some of our new Cllrs and the majority of our previously elected Cllrs have undergone some training – 85% This year we set up an internal training team led by the climate emergency team who will offer a variety of training at various levels to all staff, they are certified to deliver the CL training.

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

I am requesting information about employee representative bodies’ ability to inform and influence the development and delivery of the council’s Climate Action Plan.

By employee representative bodies we include the council’s recognised trade unions as well as other forms of non-union employee representation (ex. staff associations and employee forums).

In particular, please supply me with information relating to the following questions:

a. Does the council have any policies, procedures or agreements in place that enable employee representative bodies to influence the development and delivery of the council’s Climate Action Plan? If so, please share details of these policies, procedures or agreements.

b. Have employee representative bodies contributed to any recent consultations related to the delivery of the council’s Climate Action Plan?

If so, could you please share any relevant document, dated from 1 January 2023, including:
a) Meeting minutes; b) Reports; c) Invitations to events; d) Other relevant documents

Summary of response

a. Does the council have any policies, procedures or agreements in place that enable employee representative bodies to influence the development and delivery of the council’s Climate Action Plan? If so, please share details of these policies, procedures or agreements - We have a green team made up of representatives and senior leadership from each department, this is our internal delivery mechanism for carbon reduction work. We do not have as yet an employee representative board.


b. Have employee representative bodies contributed to any recent consultations related to the delivery of the council’s Climate Action Plan? - No
If so, could you please share any relevant document, dated from 1 January 2023, including:
a) Meeting minutes; b) Reports; c) Invitations to events; d) Other relevant documents

Date responded: 12 September 2024

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 this/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 energy generation.

Summary of response

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? - Yes, the energy supplier is Total Energies and it is a 100% 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 this/these energy from waste electricity sources? - Our waste does go to an Energy from Waste Plant located on Marsh Barton, Exeter. However we do not benefit from the energy generated. Any further questions on this need to be referred to Devon County Council as the waste disposal authority.

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? - No.

This includes council owned renewable electricity sources that are located outside of the council area, such as solar farms located further south to maximise energy generation.

Date responded: 22 August 2024

Summary of request

Has the council approved any new or expanded airport runways, terminals, measures to increase passenger numbers or other planning proposals that expand airport capacity in its area since the 1st January 2020 until 15th August 2024? Please list which ones were accepted.

Summary of response

Has the council approved any new or expanded airport runways, terminals, measures to increase passenger numbers or other planning proposals that expand airport capacity in its area since the 1st January 2020 until 15th August 2024? - No
Please list which ones were accepted - N/A

Date responded: 22 August 2024

Summary of request

1. How many members of staff are in your planning department if at full capacity?
2. On average, during the year from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, what was the staff headcount of your planning department team? If not able to express as an average, perhaps you could confirm the headcount at a specific date or at year-end.
3. How many employees were directly employed by the authority during this period?
4. How many employees were employed through agencies during this period?
5. On average, during 2023/24, how many days were agency workers employed for to work in the planning department
6. How much was spent on employing agency workers in the planning department between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024?
7. What was your average department headcount in the financial years (a) 2017/18 (b) 2019/20 and (c) 2021/23?
8. How many members of the planning department left their role between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024?

Summary of response

1. How many members of staff are in your planning department if at full capacity? - 64
2. On average, during the year from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, what was the staff headcount of your planning department team? If not able to express as an average, perhaps you could confirm the headcount at a specific date or at year-end - 55.5
3. How many employees were directly employed by the authority during this period? - 543.5
4. How many employees were employed through agencies during this period? - 12
5. On average, during 2023/24, how many days were agency workers employed for to work in the planning department - information not available as not through our preferred supplier framework
6. How much was spent on employing agency workers in the planning department between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024? - £269,334.
7. What was your average department headcount in the financial years (a) 2017/18 - 47 (b) 2019/20 - 54.75 and (c) 2021/23? - 57.5
8. How many members of the planning department left their role between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024? - 3

Date responded: 12 September 2024

Summary of request

Can you please provide details of any equality impact assessment you have completed in respect of your "re-wilding" policy, particularly in respect of Exmouth and the embankment in Marine Way/Halsdon Rd. I am specifically interested in any consideration you have given to people with breathing problems/asthma and grass pollen.

If you have not completed an equality impact assessment or if you do not have a formal re-wilding policy, can you please explain why not?

Thank you

Summary of response

You requested to know details of any equality impact assessment you have completed in respect of our "re-wilding" policy, particularly in respect of Exmouth and the embankment in Marine Way/Halsdon Rd.

We do not have a formal re-wilding policy.
We are in the process of writing a policy for those areas maintained by EDDC.
As part of this process, we will be completing an Equalities Impact Assessment.

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

1. Number of licensed dog breeders between 1 Jan 2022 -  31 December 2022
2. Number of licensed dog breeders between 1 Jan 2023 -  31 December 2023
3. Please provide the postcode for each dog breeder holding a licence in the calendar year 2023.
4. The number of dog breeding licenses issued between 1 Jan 2023 -  31 December 2023, to those who have bred up to 2 litters in the calendar year (licensed  under the business test).
5. The number of dog breeding licenses issued between 1 Jan 2023 – 31 December 23 to those who have bred 3 or 4 litters in the calendar year
6. The number of dog breeding licenses issued between 1 Jan 2023 – 31 December 23 to those who have bred 5 ore more litters in the calendar year
7. Number of licenses issued to those selling kittens in the course of a business between 1 Jan 2023 -  31 December 2023
8. Number of times licensing officers have taken action, in relation to dog breeding licensing condition ‘6.5’ – “No dog may be kept for breeding if it can reasonably be expected, on the basis of its genotype, phenotype or state of health that breeding from it could have a detrimental effect on its health or welfare or the health or welfare of its offspring.”
a. If practical, please provide a summary of action taken under clause 6.5

Summary of response

1. Number of licensed dog breeders between 1 Jan 2022 - 31 December 2022 - 7 licensed breeders

2. Number of licensed dog breeders between 1 Jan 2023 - 31 December 2023 - 13 licensed breeders

3. Please provide the postcode for each dog breeder holding a licence in the calendar year 2023.
This information can be found on the Councils webpage Current licensed establishments - East Devon

https://eastdevon.gov.uk/environmental-health-and-wellbeing/licensing-and-registrations/animal-licensing/current-licensed-establishments/

EX14 3NU
EX10 0QD
EX11 1PJ
EX14 1HW
EX8 3PT
EX13 8TB
EX13 7HR
EX14 3NU
EX14 4RH
EX10 0QD
EX14 9QP
EX11 1PJ
EX8 3PT


4. The number of dog breeding licenses issued between 1 Jan 2023 - 31 December 2023, to those who have bred up to 2 litters in the calendar year (licensed under the business test). - We do not hold this information

5. The number of dog breeding licenses issued between 1 Jan 2023 – 31 December 23 to those who have bred 3 or 4 litters in the calendar year - We do not hold this information

6. The number of dog breeding licenses issued between 1 Jan 2023 – 31 December 23 to those who have bred 5 ore more litters in the calendar year - We do not hold this information

7. Number of licenses issued to those selling kittens in the course of a business between 1 Jan 2023 - 31 December 2023 - One
8. Number of times licensing officers have taken action, in relation to dog breeding licensing condition ‘6.5’ – “No dog may be kept for breeding if it can reasonably be expected, on the basis of its genotype, phenotype or state of health that breeding from it could have a detrimental effect on its health or welfare or the health or welfare of its offspring.” - None
a. If practical, please provide a summary of action taken under clause 6.5

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

Specifically, I would like to request the following information:
1. When the last tender was issued by your council related to interpretation services
2. The names of the companies or service providers who were awarded these tenders.
3. The contract values or spend details associated with each awarded tender (this includes booking volumes and price per booking type).
4. When the contract ends and if there is any option to extend (and when the council is planning for the next tender)
5. Any available documentation or reports that outline the evaluation criteria and decision-making process for these tenders.

Summary of response

1. When the last tender was issued by your council related to interpretation services - Purchases are on a pay-as-you-go basis. Services have never been tendered.
2. The names of the companies or service providers who were awarded these tenders - See reply in 1 above.
3. The contract values or spend details associated with each awarded tender (this includes booking volumes and price per booking type) - See reply in 1. above.
4. When the contract ends and if there is any option to extend (and when the council is planning for the next tender) - Not applicable.
5. Any available documentation or reports that outline the evaluation criteria and decision-making process for these tenders - Not applicable.

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

1)How many stray dogs entered pounds for each year between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2023, including by breed.

2) Broken down by year 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023 (calendar years)
2a)How many of these were reclaimed by their owners?
2b) How many were adopted from the pound?
2c)How many went to an animal rescue? Please provide a breakdown in numbers per year for each rescue used
2d)How many were euthanized?
2e)What happened to any remaining dogs that did not fall into above categories?
2f)How many dogs were chipped?
2g)How many were chipped with owners details up to date?

3a) For each year (2019-2023)could you please tell me the total number of w.t.e (whole time equivalent) dog wardens you employ?
3b) if the role of the dog warden has been dispersed to other staff could you please let me know how many staff undertake dog warden duties and what proportion of their time in whole time equivalents (w.t.e.) that they roughly spend on the dog warden's role.
3c)If you do not directly employ any dog wardens and manage this function via a contract with an external provider could you please confirm the provider.

4) Please provide the first part of the postcode of the pound holding kennels ( the details are for geographical spatial mapping and so exact address is not required)

Summary of response

1) How many stray dogs entered pounds for each year between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2023, including by breed.
2019 - total 12 dogs: Chihuahua – 1 dog; Staffie – 2 dogs; Whippet – 1 dog; Lurcher – 2 dogs; Bichon Frise – 1 dog; Labrador – 1 dog; Jack Russel – 1 dog; Sprocker – 1 dog; Unknown breed – 1 dog
2020 - total 6 dogs, Unknown breed – 3 dogs; Akitax – 1 dog; Jack Russel – 1 dog; Shih Tzu – 1 dog
2021 - total 7 dogs, Collie – 1 dog; Pointer – 1 dog; Chihuahua – 1 dog; Staffie – 3 dogs; Greyhound – 1 dog
2022 - total 8 dogs – Collie – 2 dogs; Pug – 1 dog; Spaniel – 2 dogs; Patterdale Terrier – 1 dog; Cockapoo – 1 dog; Cross breed – 1 dog
2023 - total 19 dogs – Collie – 1 dog; Cross Breed – 1 dog; Staffie – 3 dogs; American Bulldog – 2 dogs; French Bulldog – 1 dog; Yorkshire Terrier – 1 dog; Shih Tzu – 1 dog; XL Bully – 2 dogs; Boxer – 3 dogs; Patterdale Terrier – 1 dog; Shar-Pei – 2 dogs; Spaniel – 1 dog

2) Broken down by year 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023 (calendar years)
2a) How many of these were reclaimed by their owners? - 2019 - 5 dogs; 2020 – 2 dogs; 2021 – 2 dogs; 2022 - 4 dogs; 2023 – 4 dogs
2b) How many were adopted from the pound? - 2019 – 6 dogs; 2020 – 2 dogs; 2021 – 4 dogs; 2022 - 3 dogs; 2023 – 11 dogs
2c) How many went to an animal rescue? Please provide a breakdown in numbers per year for each rescue used - 2019 - 1 dog; 2020 - 0 dogs; 2021 - 1 dog; 2022 - 1 dog; 2023 – 2 dogs
2d) How many were euthanized? - 2019 - 0 dogs; 2020 - 0 dogs; 2021 - 0 dogs; 2022 - 0 dogs; 2023 – 2 dogs
2e) What happened to any remaining dogs that did not fall into above categories? - Not Applicable – all dogs not reunited are rehomed by kennel
2f) How many dogs were chipped? - 2019 – 3 dogs; 2020 – 3 dogs; 2021 – 3 dogs; 2022 – 1 dog; 2023 – 4 dogs
2g) How many were chipped with owners details up to date? - 2019 – 2 dogs; 2020 – 2 dogs; 2021 - 3 dogs; 2022 – 1 dog; 2023 – 4 dogs

3a) For each year (2019-2023)could you please tell me the total number of w.t.e (whole time equivalent) dog wardens you employ? - 2019 – 0; 2020 – 0; 2021 – 0; 2022 – 0; 2023 - 0
3b) if the role of the dog warden has been dispersed to other staff could you please let me know how many staff undertake dog warden duties and what proportion of their time in whole time equivalents (w.t.e.) that they roughly spend on the dog warden's role - Not Applicable
3c) If you do not directly employ any dog wardens and manage this function via a contract with an external provider could you please confirm the provider. - Not Applicable

4) Please provide the first part of the postcode of the pound holding kennels ( the details are for geographical spatial mapping and so exact address is not required) - T12

Date responded: 20 August 2024

Summary of request

1. Over the course of financial year 2023-2024 how much did your authority spend on attending conferences?
2. Which conferences did you fund for people to attend?
3. What are the job titles of people who attended conferences?

Summary of response

1. Over the course of financial year 2023-2024 how much did your authority spend on attending conferences? - Information not recorded
2. Which conferences did you fund for people to attend? - Information not recorded
3. What are the job titles of people who attended conferences? - Information not recorded

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

1. Total number of employees
2. Number of HR Staff
3. What is your current HR case management (HRCM) Solution?
4. Is the solution cloud-based or on-premise?
5. If on-premise, do you have a cloud migration strategy?
6. If yes, please share more details, including budget allocation.
7. Number of licenses
8. Length of contract
9. Contract expiry date
10. Contract review date
11. Annual cost of contract
12. Total cost of contract
13. Person responsible for the HRCM software and their contact details
14. Person responsible for any future projects on reviewing or replacing the HRCM software and their contact details

Summary of response

1. Total number of employees - 598
2. Number of HR Staff - 12
3. What is your current HR case management (HRCM) Solution? - iTrent
4. Is the solution cloud-based or on-premise? - Managed in-house.
5. If on-premise, do you have a cloud migration strategy? - No
6. If yes, please share more details, including budget allocation.
7. Number of licenses
8. Length of contract
9. Contract expiry date
10. Contract review date
11. Annual cost of contract
12. Total cost of contract
13. Person responsible for the HRCM software and their contact details
14. Person responsible for any future projects on reviewing or replacing the HRCM software and their contact details - Jo Fellows, jfellows@eastdevon.gov.uk

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

• Since 01 January 2019, how much money in total has your council spent on facing homelessness judicial reviews in the High Court?

Summary of response

Since 01 January 2019, how much money in total has your council spent on facing homelessness judicial reviews in the High Court? - Zero

Date responded: 15 August 2024

Summary of request

Please provide any and all information related to the provision of disabled parking bays in public car parks operated by or on behalf of the Council.

In particular, I would like any information contained in Equality Impact Assessments that show that the provision of only 4 disabled parking bays in the Lime Kiln Long Stay Car Park meets the obligations of the council under the Equalities Act

Summary of response

The number of disabled bays contained within our car parks have not been subject to a specific EQI assessment and instead our approach to determining the number of disabled bays in each of our car parks is guided by the EDDC's Parking Strategy.

The relevant text is as follows;

4.1 Offer sufficient dedicated disabled spaces where they are needed most
There are currently 147 disabled bays in East Devon District Council car parks and these provide blue badge motorists with the convenience of larger spaces, and these are often located close to car park entry points to allow easy access out of the car park. In some locations these spaces are well used and are invaluable for blue badge holders, however Devon County Council also offer a blue badge scheme, allowing motorists to park in limited waiting bays without the time constraint, on single and double yellow lines for up to 3 hours (unless loading/waiting is prohibited) and also in resident permit scheme zones. As East Devon charge for use of disabled bays, the Devon County Council regulations ordinarily present the better option for blue badge holders, leaving some disabled bays within certain car parks underutilised. As part of this strategy, East Devon commit to providing the right number of disabled bays where they are most needed, as opposed to a rudimentary number in each car park, where the space may be better utilised for an alternative parking provision. This is a primary example where Devon County and East Devon parking restrictions can complement each other to the benefit of the entire parking ecosystem.

We are always happy to specifically review the number of disabled bays in any car park should user experience suggest that more are required.

Date responded: 20 August 2024

Summary of request

Please may you provide me with the following information about PCNs issued for parking violations in the area which is enforced by your council.

As a time frame, I would like to know answers for questions 2-7 for the last three years as a priority [2021, 2022, 2023]. I do not have a preference whether these are sorted by calendar or financial year but please may you specify which is used in your response.

Please could you tell me:
1. Please name the organisation which provides your parking enforcement services? (eg. NSL Ltd / APCOA) Has this organisation changed in the last ten years? If so, when and what was(/were) the previous organisation(s)?
2. What was the total number of parking violation PCNs issued in your region during each of the years specified above? [2021, 2022, 2023]
3. What was the total number of challenges/ representations* submitted against these PCNs during each of these years?
4. How many of these challenges/ representations were successful each year?
5. What was the total number of appeals submitted against these PCNs during each of these years?
6. How many of these appeals were successful each year?
7. What was the total amount of fines (in £) paid to the council for PCNs during each of these years? Please count the total amount paid and received by the council, not just the value of fines issued.

Summary of response

1. Please name the organisation which provides your parking enforcement services? (eg. NSL Ltd / APCOA) Has this organisation changed in the last ten years? If so, when and what was(/were) the previous organisation(s)? - In house, operated by East Devon District Council

2. What was the total number of parking violation PCNs issued in your region during each of the years specified above? [2021, 2022, 2023]

2021 - 1561
2022 - 1832
2023 - 2738

3. What was the total number of challenges/ representations* submitted against these PCNs during each of these years?

2021 - 408
2022 - 811
2023 - 724

4. How many of these challenges/ representations were successful each year?

2021 - 307
2022 - 469
2023 - 336

5. What was the total number of appeals submitted against these PCNs during each of these years? - Same Q as 3

6. How many of these appeals were successful each year? - N/A

7. What was the total amount of fines (in £) paid to the council for PCNs during each of these years? Please count the total amount paid and received by the council, not just the value of fines issued.

1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 - £30,427
1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 - £34,436
1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023 - £54,137

Date responded: 9 September 2024

Summary of request

1. The average length of time households spent in temporary accommodation (including b&bs and hotels) after making a homelessness application to the council :

a). between April 1st 2023 and March 31st 2024
b). between April 1st 2024 and July 31st 2024

2. The average length of time households with children spent in temporary accommodation (including b&bs and hotels) after making a homelessness application to the council:

a). between April 1st 2023 and March 31st 2024
b). between April 1st 2024 and July 31st 2024

3. Whether the figures you provide take into account households being moved from one temporary accommodation – to another. Or whether it is reflective of the amount of time the same households are spending in temporary accommodation (even if it is 4 hotels etc, over time)

Summary of response

1.The average length of time households spent in temporary accommodation (including b&bs and hotels) after making a homelessness application to the council :
a). between April 1st 2023 and March 31st 2024 – 43.03 days
b). between April 1st 2024 and July 31st 2024 – 30.03 days

2.The average length of time households with children spent in temporary accommodation (including b&bs and hotels) after making a homelessness application to the council:
a). between April 1st 2023 and March 31st 2024 – 55.0 days
b). between April 1st 2024 and July 31st 2024 – 35.4 days.

3. Whether the figures you provide take into account households being moved from one temporary accommodation – to another. Or whether it is reflective of the amount of time the same households are spending in temporary accommodation (even if it is 4 hotels etc, over time) – the data counts all placements individually.

Date responded: 22 August 2024

Summary of request

Since the 1st of august 2022:
1. The number of new and renewed taxi (Hackney Carriage) driver licenses you have granted.
2. The number of new and renewed Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) driver licenses you have granted.
3. The number of taxi licences granted to drivers with criminal convictions.
4. The number of PHV licenses granted to drivers with criminal convictions.
5. In the cases of those with convictions in relation to Question 3 and Question 4:
i. The nature and date of conviction.
ii. Whether said driver’s conviction was known at the time of the licence being approved.
iii. In each case, the current licence status of the driver.
6. The criteria/policy that is applied when deciding on an application from a driver with a current/spent conviction.
7. How many times have you checked the national database on driver revocations/refusals?
8. How many have had licenses removed due to that?

Summary of response

1. The number of new and renewed taxi (Hackney Carriage) driver licenses you have granted. - 8 new licences and 92 renewals.
2. The number of new and renewed Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) driver licenses you have granted. - 8 new licences and 31 renewals.
3. The number of taxi licences granted to drivers with criminal convictions. - From 01 August 2022 there were no new hackney carriage driver licences, issued to applicants with criminal convictions or renewals issued with new information of criminal convictions.
4. The number of PHV licenses granted to drivers with criminal convictions. - From 01 August 2022 there were no new private hire driver licences, issued to applicants with criminal convictions or renewals issued with new information of criminal convictions.
5. In the cases of those with convictions in relation to Question 3 and Question 4:
i. The nature and date of conviction.
ii. Whether said driver’s conviction was known at the time of the licence being approved.
iii. In each case, the current licence status of the driver.
6. The criteria/policy that is applied when deciding on an application from a driver with a current/spent conviction. - We updated our policy with regard to the relevance of criminal convictions in 2023, to be aligned to the DfT Statutory Standards. https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/tjvjpau3/east-devon-taxi-policy-1st-nov-2023.pdf
7. How many times have you checked the national database on driver revocations/refusals? - All existing drivers are checked at every renewal and all new applicants are checked.
8. How many have had licenses removed due to that? - None as a result of checking the national database.

Date responded: 13 August 2024

Summary of request

We aware of a 'Water Cycle Study' which East Devon have commissioned in respect of foul water capacity in the local authority area. This report is likely to affect housing delivery in the area, including applications which we have under consideration now, and in the future.

This report is critical to delivery of our business plan being an SME, and the details of the report (whether this is draft or not) should be available to view so business' don't continue to waste money on sites which are potentially going to become undevelopable. The delivery of homes is in the public interest and issue which affect the delivery should be available to view and understand.

Summary of response

We are aware of a 'Water Cycle Study' which East Devon have commissioned in respect of foul water capacity in the local authority area. This report is likely to affect housing delivery in the area, including applications which we have under consideration now, and in the future.

This report is critical to delivery of our business plan being an SME, and the details of the report (whether this is draft or not) should be available to view so business' don't continue to waste money on sites which are potentially going to become undevelopable. The delivery of homes is in the public interest and issue which affect the delivery should be available to view and understand.

This is a piece of work commissioned for the Local Plan by our Planning Policy Team. The work is only draft at this stage and will be published once it is finalised but not before. As such this would be classed as material in the course of completion and is therefore exempt under Reg 12(4)(d) of EIR.

Draft documents, by definition, are “incomplete” and in this case the disclosure of information at this point in time, might serve as a distraction from meaningful public debate by focusing debate on secondary issues such as any deficiencies in the information in the draft versions. This could potentially harm, rather than inform, public debate on the important issues.

Date responded: 20 August 2024

Summary of request

Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 please could I request a list of Non-Domestic Completion Notices served by the authority from 01/06/2024 to the present date. I would be grateful if the list could include;
• The property reference number (otherwise known as billing authority reference number).
• The address of the property to which the notice relates.
• The date the notice was served .
• The completion date recorded.
• The business or person to whom the notice was served.
• Address to where the Notice was sent.
• Whether the notice was issued by the billing authority or a third party.

Many Thanks

Summary of response

You requested a list of Non-Domestic Completion Notices served by the authority from 01/06/2024 to the present date - EDDC has served Zero Non-Domestic Completion Notices in the timeframes specified.

Date responded: 6 August 2024

Summary of request

• How many incidents of fly tipping have been reported each year for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (to date). Please breakdown the number of incidents by month where possible to highlight which months are most common for fly tipping / have the highest number of fly tipping incidents?
• In total, how much has been paid to remove/clean up following fly tipping each year in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (to date)
• How many fly tipping fines have been given out in the years of: 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (to date)
• How much money has been paid in fly tipping fines in the years of: 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (to date)
• Have you recently increased fly tipping fines? If yes, please can you tell us how much you fine for fly tipping now (current date) versus previously?

Summary of response

How many incidents of fly tipping have been reported each year for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (to date). Please breakdown the number of incidents by month where possible to highlight which months are most common for fly tipping / have the highest number of fly tipping incidents?

July – September 2021 123 fly tips collected
October – December 2021 138 fly tips collected
January – March 2022 161 fly tips collected
April – June 2022 73 fly tips collected
July – September 2022 123 fly tips collected
October – December 2022 74 fly tips collected
January – March 2023 129 fly tips collected
April – June 2023 71 fly tips collected
July – September 2023 71 fly tips collected
October – December 2023 102 fly tips collected
January – March 2024 83 fly tips collected
April – June 2024 129 fly tips collected

Up to now we have recorded the fly tips collected on a quarterly basis. Moving forward it will be done monthly. There does not appear to be any trend to a month that we have more fly tips.


In total, how much has been paid to remove/clean up following fly tipping each year in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (to date)

2021 - £286.00
2022 - £313.00
2023 - £0
2024 - £116.00


How many fly tipping fines have been given out in the years of: 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (to date)

2021 - 3
2022 - 4
2023 - 1
2024 - 9


How much money has been paid in fly tipping fines in the years of: 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 (to date)

2021 - £600
2022 - £600
2023 - £300
2024 - £800


Have you recently increased fly tipping fines? - There haven’t been any recent changes to fly tipping fines.

Date responded: 7 August 2024

Summary of request

- the number of library closures in your local authority in the last 12 months
- the number of community centre closures in your local authority in the last 12 months
- the number of football club closures in your local authority in the last 12 months

In addition, could you please provide the number of Assets of Community Value (ACVs) that were a) nominated in the local authority area and b) acquired in the local authority area, both in the last 12 months.

Summary of response

-The number of library closures in your local authority in the last 12 months – Devon County Council Assets. You will need to refer this part of your request to DCC
-The number of community centre closures in your local authority in the last 12 months – Nil
-The number of football club closures in your local authority in the last 12 months – No information held

Date responded: 6 August 2024

Summary of request

1. Are you bringing forward your own habitat bank for the purposes of offering offsite biodiversity units?
2. If so, at what stage of development is it?
3. Have you decided methodology for pricing units yet?
4. If the answer to Q3 is yes, what is it and is it expected to cover the long-term cost of habitat delivery?
5. Please supply a full, redacted or template version of any s106 agreement for such an LPA habitat bank, if it is exists.
6. Please supply copies of all completed section 106 agreements for other habitat banks in your LPA area.
7. What is the total value of biodiversity offsetting contributions paid to the authority over the previous two years?
8. Of the total value given in Q7, how much has been deployed into habitat creation, enhancement and management and how much remains unspent?

Summary of response

1. Are you bringing forward your own habitat bank for the purposes of offering offsite biodiversity units? - Not currently but we are considering all options, including setting up an LPA habitat bank to offer offsite units.
2. If so, at what stage of development is it? - No suitable land or options have come forward or been found.
3. Have you decided methodology for pricing units yet? - No – this is dependent on several factors, such as how the land is legally secured, e.g., section 106 with a two-tier authority, Conservation Covenant with a responsible body, or whether a special purpose vehicle (SPV) is setup.
4. If the answer to Q3 is yes, what is it and is it expected to cover the long-term cost of habitat delivery? - N/A
5. Please supply a full, redacted or template version of any s106 agreement for such an LPA habitat bank, if it is exists. - No EDDC template in place yet but PAS has provided some templates – PAS Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Legal Agreement and Planning Condition Templates | Local Government Association
6. Please supply copies of all completed section 106 agreements for other habitat banks in your LPA area. - N/A
7. What is the total value of biodiversity offsetting contributions paid to the authority over the previous two years? - N/A – no mechanism in place for this.
8. Of the total value given in Q7, how much has been deployed into habitat creation, enhancement and management and how much remains unspent? - N/A

Date responded: 13 August 2024

Summary of request

1. The number of applications to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2024 – 31 July 2024.
2. The monetary amount of support provided to applicants to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2024 – 31 July 2024.
3. The number of successful applicants to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2024– 31 July 2024.
4. What is the outstanding monetary amount from the Household Support Fund that is available before the scheme ends on the 30 September 2024.

Summary of response

1. The number of applications to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2024 – 31 July 2024. - This data is currently not available due to access issues with the data holder.
2. The monetary amount of support provided to applicants to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2024 – 31 July 2024. - £195,363.71
3. The number of successful applicants to the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2024– 31 July 2024. - 1936
4. What is the outstanding monetary amount from the Household Support Fund that is available before the scheme ends on the 30 September 2024. - £89,579.83

Please note the above figures include households where we have allocated a payment of £100 as per our policy.

Date responded: 13 August 2024

Summary of request

1) How many properties have been diagnosed with rising damp.
2) How many properties has the council instructed a contractor to install an injected chemical damp proof course.
3) Of these properties, how many have had a re-occurrence of damp, whereby the council has made an application under the installers guarantee.
4) How many claims under the guarantee were successful and how many were unsuccessful.

Summary of response

You requested information regarding all council-owned properties, both commercial and residential, over the last ten years:

1) How many properties have been diagnosed with rising damp - Information not held
2) How many properties has the council instructed a contractor to install an injected chemical damp proof course - Information not held
3) Of these properties, how many have had a re-occurrence of damp, whereby the council has made an application under the installers guarantee - Information not held
4) How many claims under the guarantee were successful and how many were unsuccessful - Information not held

Date responded: 6 August 2024

Summary of request

Name of tenant participation groups and Chairs of those groups. numbers in each group

5 years of annual reports

Current number of void properties.

How much rent is being lost from the empty properties.

Structure chart of housing with names of those in post

Summary of response

Name of tenant participation groups and Chairs of those groups. numbers in each group –

Resident involvement monitoring group – 5 members (currently no chair- awaiting election in August)
Tenant Conference working group – 8
Repairs and maintenance group – 17 members – Richard Jell is the chair.
Housing Complaint Support Panel – 6 members – Ron Taylor
Scrutiny Panel – 6 members – Lesley Mcaneny-Turner
Editorial Group – 6 members – No chair
Members of residents voice – 70

5 years of annual reports - https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/our-performance-reporting/
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/our-finance/

Current number of void properties - The current number of void properties (discounting garages) is 95 which are costing us £9,507.00 per week and the total rent loss for those properties to date is £226,154.49.
Including the Voids deemed “Out of Management” which are the properties that require extensive works to be considered habitable, the number rises to 105 properties, costing £10,511.79 per week with a total rent loss of £301,778.58.


How much rent is being lost from the empty properties - Please see the response to the above question

Structure chart of housing with names of those in post - https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/workforce/senior-leadership-team/housing-and-health-directorate/#article-content

Date responded: 20 August 2024

Summary of request

1. Has your local authority stated an opinion on street votes? Specifically, did you respond to the official consultation on Street Vote Development Orders?https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/street-vote-development-orders-consultation/street-vote-development-orders
If so please send me a copy of your response.

2. I understand that regardless of Street Vote Development Orders legislation being implemented, individual local authorities could choose to introduce a similar arrangement of their own volition. This could be done by allowing a local poll under Section 116 of the Local Government Act 2003 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/26/section/116?timeline=false&view=plain and then issuing Local Development Orders to reflect what the residents voted for.
https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/topics/local-development-orders/local-development-orders. Have you held any such street votes? Do you have any plans to allow street votes in future?

Summary of response

1. No – we did not respond to this consultation
2. No – we have no plans to hold any street votes.

Date responded: 6 August 2024

Summary of request

1. What software you are currently using to facilitate BACS payments & what is the date of the renewal for this contract?
2. How much you are paying annually for this contract, and where do you advertise for this tender?

Summary of response

1. What software you are currently using to facilitate BACS payments & what is the date of the renewal for this contract?
Answer - Smarterpay – Runs annually from the start of August.

2. How much you are paying annually for this contract, and where do you advertise for this tender?
Answer - Around £2,000 per Council, Annually. Due to the value we would work on a three quotes basis. If we went to the open market it would be via Proactis or a suitable framework

Date responded: 6 August 2024

Summary of request

1. Please tell me what types of housing tenancy frauds do you investigate?

2. Please tell me how many full-time equivalent staff worked on counter housing fraud in each of the following three financial years?
a) 2021/22
b) 2022/23
c) 2023/24

3. Please tell me how much have you spent on counter housing fraud measures in each of the following three financial years, including staff and professional fees.

a) 2021/22
b) 2022/23
c) 2023/24

4. Please tell me how many housing frauds cases have you investigated in each of the following three financial years:

a) 2021/22
b) 2022/23
c) 2023/24

5. Please tell me how many of these investigated cases did you classified as ‘detected frauds’ in each of these three financial years?

a) 2021/22
b) 2022/23
c) 2023/24


6. Please tell me how many of these detected frauds resulted in some form of action being taken?

d) 2021/22
e) 2022/23
f) 2023/24

7. Please tell me how many social homes have you recovered as a result of your counter fraud work in each of the following three financial years:

a) 2021/22
b) 2022/23
c) 2023/24

8. What do you estimate to be the financial saving from your counter housing-fraud measures in each of the following three financial years
a) 2021/22
b) 2022//23
c) 2023/24

9. Please tell me how many homes cases have you investigated of suspected illegal sub-letting using on-line websites, such as AirBnB, Booking.Com, or Vrbo.

Summary of response

1. Please tell me what types of housing tenancy frauds do you investigate? - We investigate all allegations received through the various reporting channels directed to the Fraud, Error, and Compliance team. These channels include the Fraud Hotline, direct emails to fec@eastdevon.gov.uk, and internal referrals from staff or teams.

2. Please tell me how many full-time equivalent staff worked on counter housing fraud in each of the following three financial years?

a) 2021/22 - 1.5
b) 2022/23 - 1.5
c) 2023/24 - 1.5

We have a staff of 1.5 full-time equivalents: 1 full-time investigator and 1 part-time (0.5) administrative staff member. These employees do not solely focus on housing fraud; they are part of the Corporate Fraud team and handle all fraud investigations related to the Council.
Our internal audit team also provide support on fraud cases across multiple areas.

3. Please tell me how much have you spent on counter housing fraud measures in each of the following three financial years, including staff and professional fees.

a) 2021/22
b) 2022/23
c) 2023/24

As mentioned above, we have a staff of 1.5 full-time equivalents: 1 full-time investigator and 1 part-time (0.5) administrative staff member. These employees do not solely focus on housing fraud; they are part of the Corporate Fraud team and handle all fraud investigations related to the Council.
We do not disclose individual staff wages, as this information is confidential. Additionally, these figures would not accurately reflect the resources dedicated solely to countering housing fraud.

4. Please tell me how many housing frauds cases have you investigated in each of the following three financial years:

a) 2021/22 - 4
b) 2022/23 - 4
c) 2023/24 - 11

These are tenancy fraud and does not include Right to Buy, allocations and applications. Please note, these cases have been risk-assessed and forwarded for further investigation. They meet our established investigation thresholds and are therefore subject to thorough review.

5. Please tell me how many of these investigated cases did you classified as ‘detected frauds’ in each of these three financial years?

a) 2021/22
b) 2022/23
c) 2023/24

N/A as unsure what is meant by detected fraud.

6. Please tell me how many of these detected frauds resulted in some form of action being taken?

d) 2021/22
e) 2022/23
f) 2023/24

All cases undergo actions as part of the investigation process, this will result in different routes being taken depending on if the prevent, pursue or protect.

7. Please tell me how many social homes have you recovered as a result of your counter fraud work in each of the following three financial years:

a) 2021/22
b) 2022/23
c) 2023/24

While we have not yet recovered any council houses, we have been proactive in our preventative efforts to combat fraud within the system. Through this work, we have successfully stopped individuals from obtaining homes they were not entitled to and prevented ineligible applicants from taking advantage of the Right to Buy scheme.

8. What do you estimate to be the financial saving from your counter housing-fraud measures in each of the following three financial years

a) 2021/22 - £0
b) 2022//23 - £0
c) 2023/24 - See below

Counter housing fraud measures recorded show that in 2023/24 financial year we:
• Suggested 3 right to buy applications to be rejected and 3 cases returned for further information.
• 1 housing allocation suggested to not be approved (saves £43,000 from misallocation of Council House) and 7 cases returned for further information.
These measures mitigate the risk of Fraud from entering the system.

9. Please tell me how many homes cases have you investigated of suspected illegal sub-letting using on-line websites, such as AirBnB, Booking.Com, or Vrbo.

We use opensource desktop reviews for all investigations, this includes identifying discrepancies and information from websites such as AirBnB, Booking.com and Vrbo.

Date responded: 22 August 2024

Summary of request

• How many miles/km of public rights of way do you cover?
• What is your annual budget for public rights of way maintenance?
• Please provide a breakdown of issues reported e.g. Way finding, Obstructions, Path Condition, Safety, Stiles/Fences, Other
• What percentage of reported issues are remedied within 6 weeks of receiving the report?
• What percentage of reported issues go unresolved/unattended in a 12month period?
• What is the average cost per resolution of reported issue? If no average available, please provide low/high range.
• Where you have a vegetation clearance programme in place, what is the criteria for selection of footpaths to be cleared in any given year?
• What software/tooling are you using to track these requests – please specify?

Summary of response

• How many miles/km of public rights of way do you cover? - EDDC manages 13 miles of the south west coast path in east Devon
• What is your annual budget for public rights of way maintenance? - £17,250
• Please provide a breakdown of issues reported e.g. Way finding, Obstructions, Path Condition, Safety, Stiles/Fences, Other

Cliff falls leading to rerouting
Surface condition
Fencing
Kissing gates
Waymarker replacement
Revetment maintenance

• What percentage of reported issues are remedied within 6 weeks of receiving the report? - 100% of issues raised by Devon County Council are remedied within 6 weeks. Cliff fall rerouting can lead to longer delays

• What percentage of reported issues go unresolved/unattended in a 12month period? - Zero

• What is the average cost per resolution of reported issue? If no average available, please provide low/high range - Range from £50 for replacing a single step, to £2,000 for contractors to resurface a stretch of footpath at the Lyme Regis end of the coast path.

• Where you have a vegetation clearance programme in place, what is the criteria for selection of footpaths to be cleared in any given year? - All sections are cleared through the growing season to maintain access.

• What software/tooling are you using to track these requests – please specify? - Outlook and personal notes of the ranger

Date responded: 15 August 2024

Summary of request

Please can you provide any correspondence since 01/01/2020 between Highland Property Development and EDDC relating to the larger of the two areas marked in red on the attached map. This includes any approaches or informal discussions made relating to the development of this land.

Summary of response

You requested correspondence between Highland Property Development & EDDC re land at St Johns Rd Exmouth. We have looked and can only find correspondence in relation to 21/0687/V106 which is a Deed of Variation to amend the mortgagee exclusion clause (MEC) to the Section 106 agreement and deed of variation pursuant to application 12/1016/MFUL.

This is already published on the planning portal and is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act 2000 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means.

Date responded: 13 August 2024

Summary of request

I am writing to request information with regards to the council’s current and future plans for Charging Infrastructure relating to Electric Vehicles, including street cleaning, drain cleaning and waste and recycling collection vehicles at council depots.

A. Can you please confirm if any of your council depots have the following charges in place at present from the below list?
a. Please can you provide the number of each you have access to.
B. If not, can you confirm if there are plans in place to have any of these fitted?
a. If so which number(s)?
b. If so, do you know when?

Charger List
1. AC Charging up to a 22 KW AC charger with Type 2 connection?
2. DC Charging up to 150 kw using a CCS2 Connector?
3. AC Charging using up to 43 KW with Type 2 connection?
4. DC charging up to 250 KW using CCS2 Connector?
5. AC charging using 22 kw charger with Type 2 connection?
6. 3 phase connection using either 32 amp or 63-amp power supply?
7. AC charging using standard Type 2 connection with a 7.5 kw or 22kw power supply?
8. 13-amp socket via an alternative cable

Summary of response

A. Can you please confirm if any of your council depots have the following charges in place at present from the below list? - Yes
a. Please can you provide the number of each you have access to. - 25 x AC charging using standard Type 2 connection with a 7.5 kw or 22kw power supply
B. If not, can you confirm if there are plans in place to have any of these fitted? - N/A
a. If so which number(s)? - N/A
b. If so, do you know when? - N/A

Date responded: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

The exact number of parking spaces you have in total across your car parks
How many motorcycle parking spaces there are in each car park
What the rules/charges are for motorcycles in the above areas
If you hold the data, specifying what spaces belong to supermarket/leisure centres would be great too

Summary of response

The exact number of parking spaces you have in total across your car parks - 4,569
How many motorcycle parking spaces there are in each car park - 0
What the rules/charges are for motorcycles in the above areas - Motorcycles can park for free in sensible areas outside of normal parking bays.
If you hold the data, specifying what spaces belong to supermarket/leisure centres would be great too - Information not held

Date responded: 20 August 2024

Summary of request

1) Do you use a tool for Surveys? (a survey tool would help to create the survey, design the questions, distribute the survey, drive responses, and build out reports and insights into the data)
2) If so, which supplier do you use for this tool?
3) How much do you spend annually on Survey Tools?
4) Which month & year does your contract with your supplier end?
5) Who is the budget holder for this contract?

Summary of response

1) Do you use a tool for Surveys? - Yes
2) If so, which supplier do you use for this tool? - Commonplace, SNAP, Microsoft Forms
3) How much do you spend annually on Survey Tools? - Between £15 and £20K
4) Which month & year does your contract with your supplier end? - November
5) Who is the budget holder for this contract? - Strata

Date responded: 13 August 2024

Summary of request

1. The number of landlords who have been investigated and who have faced formal/disciplinary action (such as a warning, fine, license removal, etc) for failing to comply with legal requirements.

Summary of response

1. The number of landlords who have been investigated and who have faced formal/disciplinary action (such as a warning, fine, license removal, etc) for failing to comply with legal requirements.

• Our records indicate that over the past five years, 5 landlords have been investigated for failing to comply with legal requirements.

Date responded: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

1. How many individuals in family households (households with dependent children) have died in temporary accommodation? Please provide data for the following financial years and, where possible, distinguish between children and adults.
- 2024/2025 (So Far)
- 2023/2024
- 2022/2023
- 2021/2022

2. a.) How many families have been housed temporarily (temporary accommodation) outside of your local authority area?
Please provide data for the following financial years?
- 2024/2025 (So Far)
- 2023/2024
- 2022/2023
- 2021/2022

3. b.) What is the furthest away from the local authority area, someone has been housed temporarily?

4. How many families have or are currently living temporarily (temporary accommodation) in a studio flat?
Please provide data for the following financial years?
- 2024/2025 (So Far)
- 2023/2024
- 2022/2023
- 2021/2022

Summary of response

1. How many individuals in family households (households with dependent children) have died in temporary accommodation? Please provide data for the following financial years and, where possible, distinguish between children and adults.
- 2024/2025 (So Far) - 0
- 2023/2024 - 1; 1 adult
- 2022/2023 - 0
- 2021/2022 - 0

2. a.) How many families have been housed temporarily (temporary accommodation) outside of your local authority area?
Please provide data for the following financial years? - Information not held.
- 2024/2025 (So Far)
- 2023/2024
- 2022/2023
- 2021/2022

3. b.) What is the furthest away from the local authority area, someone has been housed temporarily? - Information not held.

4. How many families have or are currently living temporarily (temporary accommodation) in a studio flat?
Please provide data for the following financial years? - Unable to break this down to type of property
- 2024/2025 (So Far)
- 2023/2024
- 2022/2023
- 2021/2022

Date responded: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

1) A list of instances, in the past 15 years, when East Devon has found structural issues with hollow block and beam/beam and pot structures on any buildings within the authority. The list should include: the address where the issue was found, what sort of building (i.e. school, office etc) it, and when the issue was found
2) A list of instances, in the past 15 years, when East Devon commissioned reports from structural engineers into structural issues with hollow block and beam/beam and pot structures on any buildings within the authority. The list should include: the address where the issue was found, what sort of building (i.e. school, office etc), and when the issue was found
3) Copies of those reports.

Summary of response

1) A list of instances, in the past 15 years, when East Devon has found structural issues with hollow block and beam/beam and pot structures on any buildings within the authority. The list should include: the address where the issue was found, what sort of building (i.e. school, office etc) it, and when the issue was found - Nil
2) A list of instances, in the past 15 years, when East Devon commissioned reports from structural engineers into structural issues with hollow block and beam/beam and pot structures on any buildings within the authority. The list should include: the address where the issue was found, what sort of building (i.e. school, office etc), and when the issue was found - Nil
3) Copies of those reports. - N/A

Date responded: 6 August 2024

Summary of request

1. Does your council have a written anti-poverty strategy (this may also be referred to as a ‘poverty strategy’)? This may be an all-age strategy, or one focussing on a specific group of the population, such as a child poverty strategy. If so, please provide a link to the strategy if it is available publicly, or a copy via email.

2. If your council does not have an anti-poverty strategy in place, does it plan to develop one within the next 12 months? If so, please provide a link to any public facing document detailing this commitment.

3. Has your council voluntarily adopted the socio-economic duty?

Summary of response

1. Does your council have a written anti-poverty strategy (this may also be referred to as a ‘poverty strategy’)? This may be an all-age strategy, or one focussing on a specific group of the population, such as a child poverty strategy. If so, please provide a link to the strategy if it is available publicly, or a copy via email. - We have the poverty reduction strategy, see the link below.

Poverty Reduction Strategy - East Devon https://eastdevon.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-business/poverty-reduction-strategy/


2. If your council does not have an anti-poverty strategy in place, does it plan to develop one within the next 12 months? If so, please provide a link to any public facing document detailing this commitment.

3. Has your council voluntarily adopted the socio-economic duty? - No

Date responded: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

      1. How much has the council spent on security - private security, police, and general management of protests around Palestine, Gaza and Israel - from October 7 2023 until June 2024?
      2. What was the total council security expenditure October 2023 - June 2024? This includes staff costs, and/or equipment (such as alarms, monitoring, and maintenance), and/or third-party costs (such as private security costs).
      3. What was the total council security expenditure October 2022 - June 2023?
      4. How many council meetings have been disrupted by protests since October 7? How many of these protests were related to the Israel/Palestine conflict and/or the war in Gaza?
      5. How many (if any) council meetings have been cancelled since October 7? How many of these protests were related to the Israel/Palestine conflict and/or the war in Gaza?
      6. How many people do you understand have taken part in Gaza / anti-Israel / pro-Palestine protests in and around council buildings?
      7. Have the police been involved in any protests at the council since October 7? If so, how many times and were any arrests made? If so, how many and why?
      8. How many motions, questions, or resolutions about Israel/Palestine have been tabled to the council since October 7?

Summary of response

      1. How much has the council spent on security - private security, police, and general management of protests around Palestine, Gaza and Israel - from October 7 2023 until June 2024? – Nil
      2. What was the total council security expenditure October 2023 - June 2024? This includes staff costs, and/or equipment (such as alarms, monitoring, and maintenance), and/or third-party costs (such as private security costs). – Expenditure cost October 23 – June 24 £50,193.38 various sites East Devon Business Centre, Elmfield House, Blackdown House, Exmouth Town Hall and Seaton Visitor Centre.
      3. What was the total council security expenditure October 2022 - June 2023? – Expenditure cost October 22 – June 24 £26,307.04 various sites East Devon Business Centre, Elmfield House, Blackdown House, Exmouth Town Hall and Seaton Visitor Centre.
      4. How many council meetings have been disrupted by protests since October 7? – Nil. How many of these protests were related to the Israel/Palestine conflict and/or the war in Gaza? – N/A
      5. How many (if any) council meetings have been cancelled since October 7? – Nil. How many of these protests were related to the Israel/Palestine conflict and/or the war in Gaza? – N/A
      6. How many people do you understand have taken part in Gaza / anti-Israel / pro-Palestine protests in and around council buildings? – Nil
      7. Have the police been involved in any protests at the council since October 7? – Nil. If so, how many times and were any arrests made? – Nil. If so, how many and why? – Nil
      8. How many motions, questions, or resolutions about Israel/Palestine have been tabled to the council since October 7? – Nil

Date responded: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

1. Has the Council asked a member of staff to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?
2. Has the Council asked a individual who is not a member of staff in the last three years to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?
3. Please can you attach a copy of any NDA’s used.
4. How many members of staff have signed NDAs?

All requests should be limited to the past 3 years.

Summary of response

1. Has the Council asked a member of staff to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)? – Yes, but only as part of a legally binding Settlement Agreement, in consultation with the employee’s legal advisor
2. Has the Council asked a individual who is not a member of staff in the last three years to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)? – No. We don’t do NDAs for non-employees
3. Please can you attach a copy of any NDA’s used –

Our standard template for Settlement Agreements includes the following clauses which would be subject to review and agreement in each case:
• Not divulge to any third party at any time any trade secrets or other confidential information belonging to the Council or any of its associated companies and not use such secrets or information for their own benefit or that of any third party
• Refrain from disclosing the existence and terms of this agreement, other than to their spouse, partner or immediate family members (provided they are also asked to keep this Agreement confidential), their trade union, a legal or tax advisor who is bound by an obligation of confidentiality, their professional advisors, the police, any relevant regulator, a medical professional or counsellor who is bound by an obligation of confidentiality, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, or a potential employer where and to the extent necessary to discuss the circumstances in which the Employee’s employment with the Council ended, and otherwise except as may be ordered by any court, government agency or as required by law. However, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Employee from making a whistleblowing protected disclosure under the Employment Rights Act 1996, provided always that the disclosure is made in accordance with the provisions of that Act. In addition, nothing in this clause shall prevent the Employee from speaking about an act of discrimination, harassment or victimisation which contravenes the Equality Act 2010, reporting a criminal offence to a law enforcement agency, co-operating with a criminal investigation or prosecution, doing anything that they may be required to do by law or by an order of a court or tribunal or by reason of a regulatory duty, or reporting misconduct or a serious breach of regulatory requirements to a regulator who is responsible for supervising or regulating the matters in question, or co-operating unfettered with a regulatory or similar investigation or proceedings.

4. How many members of staff have signed NDAs? – Since July 2021 there have been 7 NDAs

Date responded: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

1. Your estimate of the total cost of decarbonising your housing stock to meet net zero targets.
2. What, if any, is the annual spending schedule you have for decarbonising your housing stock to meet net zero targets. Please advise the amount you have budgeted to spend on this for each year.
3. Any breakdown you have of the estimated cost of different items - including for installing heat pumps and double glazing - of your programme for decarbonising your housing stock.
4. Your total estimate of the cost of fire safety remediation costs for your housing stock required by the Building Safety Act 2022 after the Grenfell Tower fire.
5. What, if any, is your annual spending schedule on this fire safety remediation for your housing stock. Please advise the amount you have budgeted to spend on this for each year.

Summary of response

1. Your estimate of the total cost of decarbonising your housing stock to meet net zero targets - This will be dependent on the outcome of the stock condition survey.
2. What, if any, is the annual spending schedule you have for decarbonising your housing stock to meet net zero targets. Please advise the amount you have budgeted to spend on this for each year. - This will be dependent on the outcome of the stock condition survey.
3. Any breakdown you have of the estimated cost of different items - including for installing heat pumps and double glazing - of your programme for decarbonising your housing stock - Please see attached
4. Your total estimate of the cost of fire safety remediation costs for your housing stock required by the Building Safety Act 2022 after the Grenfell Tower fire. - The figure for capital works is £1.5m over 2 years.
5. What, if any, is your annual spending schedule on this fire safety remediation for your housing stock. Please advise the amount you have budgeted to spend on this for each year. - The figure for capital works is £1.5m over 2 years.

Date responded: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

If the economic development officer will not respond then please simply provide a copy of the data used for basing the conclusions and consultee comments for 22/1910/MFUL.

What information has been considered? Could you please provide a copy of the information on which the consultee comments were based? As I would like to fact check these and be aware of exactly what data was considered?

Summary of response

What information has been considered? Could you please provide a copy of the information on which the consultee comments were based?

All information and data considered by the Economic Development Officer for the consultee comments for 22/1910/MFUL derives from the documents uploaded onto the planning portal (for this application) prior to the comments being submitted on 15th December 2023. This information and data remains publicly available on the planning portal.

As this 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: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

Mobile phones

Who is your current mobile phone provider?
How many mobile connections?
When is the contract up for renewal?
How long do you contract for (24 or 36 months)?
The email address of the primary contact for this contract?

SIP Trunking

Have you implemented SIP?
If yes, when does the contract expire?
Who is your SIP provider?
The email address of the primary contact for this contract?

Team Licences

Which Microsoft 365 Licence do you have e.g. E3, E5
Have you voice enable your Teams Licences?
If not, is that something you are considering?

Telephony

What is your current telephony system?
How many users of the telephony system?
When is the contract up for renewal?
The email address of the primary contact for this contract?

Contact Centre

What contact centre solution is the council using?
How many agents does the contact centre employ?
How many agents are concurrently working?
What is the cost of the contract for the contact centre solution?
When is the contract for the contact centre ending?
How long do you usually contract for?
The name of the relevant contact?

Summary of response

Mobile phones
Who is your current mobile phone provider - o2,EE and Vodafone
How many mobile connections? - In total strata accommodate 1586 mobile connections
When is the contract up for renewal? - Renewed all 3 contracts this year (2024)
How long do you contract for (24 or 36 months) - 24 months?
The email address of the primary contact for this contract? - Andrew Woodhouse, Supplier Manager – andrew.woodhouse@strata.solutions

SIP Trunking
Have you implemented SIP? - Yes
If yes, when does the contract expire? - 14/6/2027
Who is your SIP provider? - Gamma
The email address of the primary contact for this contract? andrew.woodhouse@strata.solutions

Team licences
Which Microsoft 365 Licence do you have e.g. E3, E5 - E5
Have you voice enable your Teams Licences? - Project in progress to switch from Skype4Business to Teams for voice
If not, s that something you are considering? - As above

Telephony
What is your current telephony system? - Skype for Business
How many users of the telephony system? - 1800
When is the contract up for renewal? - Not currently under a contract
The email address of the primary contact for this contract? - andrew.woodhouse@strata.solutions

Contact Centre
What contact centre solution is the council using? - Anywhere 365 (Skype for business)
How many agents does the contact centre employ? - 10 – csc only
How many agents are concurrently working? - 10 – csc only
What is the cost of the contract for the contact centre solution? - N/A
When is the contract for the contact centre ending? - Not currently under a contract
How long do you usually contract for? - N/A
The name of the relevant contact? - andrew.woodhouse@strata.solutions

Date responded: 6 August 2024

Summary of request

We respectfully ask that we receive full copies of the KC’s brief and opinion referred to in the attached papers re current and future housing land supply challenge.

Summary of response

We apologise if you were previously advised that the information would be commercially sensitive.

KC’s Opinion is exempt from disclosure on the basis of Legal professional (advice) privilege under Section 42(1) of the FOIA.

It is our view that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure, as the KC’s Opinion contains very ‘recent’ advice, which would undermine the LPA’s position in dealing with ‘live’ planning applications, if it was disclosed at this time.

Date responded: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

1. How many homelessness applications from refugees who were being evicted from asylum support accommodation did you receive during the period 01 January 2021 to 31 December 2021?
1.1. Of this number, how many were asking for help within 28 days of them receiving the decision on their asylum claim?
1.2. During this period, how many were housed; and
1.3. Of those who were housed, how many were recognised as being in priority need?

2. How many homelessness applications from refugees who were being evicted from asylum support accommodation did you receive during the period 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022?
2.1. Of this number, how many were asking for help within 28 days of them receiving the decision on their asylum claim?
2.2. During this period, how many were housed;
2.3. Of those who were housed, how many were recognised as being in priority need?

3. How many homelessness applications from refugees who were being evicted from asylum support accommodation did you receive during the period 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023?
3.1. Of this number, how many were asking for help within 28 days of them receiving the decision on their asylum claim?
3.2. During this period, how many were housed;
3.3. Of those who were housed, how many were recognised as being in priority need?

4. How many homelessness applications from refugees who were being evicted from asylum support accommodation did you receive during the period 01 January 2024 to 30 June 2024?
4.1. Of this number, how many were asking for help within 28 days of them receiving the decision on their asylum claim?
4.2. During this period, how many were housed;
4.3. Of those who were housed, how many were recognised as being in priority need?

5. How do you apply the priority need assessment to newly recognised refugees who are being evicted from asylum support accommodation.
5.1. Have you issued guidance to your housing officers on how to apply the priority need assessment?

6. Have you received any contact from the UK Home Office confirming how many asylum seekers will be recognised as refugees and who may therefore require support from your housing office when their asylum support is discontinued?
6.1. Please share any correspondence that is specific to the UK Home Office providing advance notice of pending claims about to receive positive decisions.

7. Are there any specific instances where you have had to write to the UK Home Office about the availability of housing for those newly recognised refugees who are being evicted from asylum support accommodation? Please share this correspondence.

8. If you have had cause to write to the UK Home Office about availability of housing for newly recognised refugees, and you have received a response, please share this response.

Summary of response

1. How many homelessness applications from refugees who were being evicted from asylum support accommodation did you receive during the period 01 January 2021 to 31 December 2021? - 0
1.1. Of this number, how many were asking for help within 28 days of them receiving the decision on their asylum claim? - 0
1.2. During this period, how many were housed - 0
1.3. Of those who were housed, how many were recognised as being in priority need? - 0

2. How many homelessness applications from refugees who were being evicted from asylum support accommodation did you receive during the period 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022? - 0
2.1. Of this number, how many were asking for help within 28 days of them receiving the decision on their asylum claim? - 0
2.2. During this period, how many were housed - 0
2.3. Of those who were housed, how many were recognised as being in priority need? - 0

3. How many homelessness applications from refugees who were being evicted from asylum support accommodation did you receive during the period 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023? - 2
3.1. Of this number, how many were asking for help within 28 days of them receiving the decision on their asylum claim? - 2
3.2. During this period, how many were housed -2
3.3. Of those who were housed, how many were recognised as being in priority need? - 2

4. How many homelessness applications from refugees who were being evicted from asylum support accommodation did you receive during the period 01 January 2024 to 30 June 2024? - 13
4.1. Of this number, how many were asking for help within 28 days of them receiving the decision on their asylum claim? - 13
4.2. During this period, how many were housed - 10
4.3. Of those who were housed, how many were recognised as being in priority need? - 10

5. How do you apply the priority need assessment to newly recognised refugees who are being evicted from asylum support accommodation - As per Code of Guidance
5.1. Have you issued guidance to your housing officers on how to apply the priority need assessment? - Yes

6. Have you received any contact from the UK Home Office confirming how many asylum seekers will be recognised as refugees and who may therefore require support from your housing office when their asylum support is discontinued? - No
6.1. Please share any correspondence that is specific to the UK Home Office providing advance notice of pending claims about to receive positive decisions - N/A

7. Are there any specific instances where you have had to write to the UK Home Office about the availability of housing for those newly recognised refugees who are being evicted from asylum support accommodation? Please share this correspondence - None

8. If you have had cause to write to the UK Home Office about availability of housing for newly recognised refugees, and you have received a response, please share this response - N/A

Date responded: 29 July 2024

Summary of request

1. Is East Devon District Council developing any new social housing? YES/NO
a. If yes.
i. How many units were built and completed in the financial year 2023/24?
1. How many of these units are for rent?
2. How many of these units are for sale?
b. How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial year 2024/25?
c. How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial years 2024/25 – 2029/30 (next five years)?
2. Does East Devon District Council have its own Development Company? YES/NO
a. If yes, what is its name, postal address, and phone number?
3. How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development East Devon District Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial year 2024/25?
4. How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development East Devon District Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial years 2024/25 to 2029/30 (next five years)?
5. Please can you provide the name, e-mail, and postal address of the person responsible for running the Development Company?

Summary of response

1. Is East Devon District Council developing any new social housing? - NO

a. If yes.
i. How many units were built and completed in the financial year 2023/24?
1. How many of these units are for rent?
2. How many of these units are for sale?
b. How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial year 2024/25?
c. How many units are predicted to be built and completed in the financial years 2024/25 – 2029/30 (next five years)?

2. Does East Devon District Council have its own Development Company? - NO
a. If yes, what is its name, postal address, and phone number?

3. How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development East Devon District Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial year 2024/25? - N/A

4. How many new social housing units are the development company (separate to any development East Devon District Council are building themselves) predicting to complete in the financial years 2024/25 to 2029/30 (next five years)? - N/A

5. Please can you provide the name, e-mail, and postal address of the person responsible for running the Development Company? - N/A

Date responded: 17 July 2024

Summary of request

What was the name of the printing company that failed to post the polling cards in the July 4th General election in East Devon.

Summary of response

What was the name of the printing company that failed to post the polling cards in the July 4th General election in East Devon - Latchams

Date responded: 17 July 2024

Summary of request

1. Are you able to keep the money received from issuing penalty notices?
2. If not, what is the minimum percentage of the fine you would require to cover costs and/or provide incentive?
1. 100%
2. 50%
3. 25%
4. 10%
5. Briefly, what is the process you take to find non-compliant properties?
6. If the Government was to implement an database which can flag to you when a let property in your area is non-compliant with current EPC standards without an exemption, assuming you could then simply send the penalty notice to the relevant address, would this help you to issue penalty notices?
7. Following from Q4, would this change your answer to Q2, and if so, how?

Summary of response

1. Are you able to keep the money received from issuing penalty notices?

• We are unable to comment, as we do not currently operate the MEES penalty scheme. The money is not ring fenced for enforcement activities.

2. If not, what is the minimum percentage of the fine you would require to cover costs and/or provide incentive?

• 100%

5. Briefly, what is the process you take to find non-compliant properties?

• We check EPCs on all requests for service (disrepair etc.).

6. If the Government were to implement a database which can flag to you when a let property in your area is non-compliant with current EPC standards without an exemption, assuming you could then simply send the penalty notice to the relevant address, would this help you to issue penalty notices?

• This is a good idea. But it may not work, because EPCs can be out of date. This is because the Regulations do not require a new EPC when there have been changes to the building’s performance (not all works improve the EPC).

• The Council must adhere to the enforcement concordat, which requires that we work informally before taking enforcement action.

7. Following from Q4, would this change your answer to Q2, and if so, how?

• No, we would still want 100%.

Date responded: 31 July 2024

Summary of request

1.1) When did you conduct your last IT Health Check?
1.2) When is your next IT Health Check due?
1.3) Do you conduct other cybersecurity penetration testing?
1.4) Are you in a contract for your IT Health Check / other testing? If
so, when will this be up for renewal?
1.5) Who is the contact person at the Council for the annual IT Health
Check?

2.1) When is the next date to renew compliance validation for PCI DSS?
2.2) Will the Council be requiring consultancy to ensure they adhere to
the new PCI DSS 4.0?
2.3) Who is the contact person at the Council looking after PCI DSS
compliance?

3.1) Do the Council adhere to other data security standards, such as Cyber
Essentials Basic, Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO27001?
3.2) If no, do the Council plan on achieving any of these accreditations?

4.1) Does the Council currently utilise an in-house or outsourced Security
Operations Centre for solutions such as EDR, MDR, or XDR?
4.2) Do the Council have Windows Defender for EDR. If so, is this managed
in-house or externally?

5) What are the contact details for the Data Protection Officer?

Summary of response

1.1) When did you conduct your last IT Health Check?- August 2023
1.2) When is your next IT Health Check due? - January 2025
1.3) Do you conduct other cybersecurity penetration testing? - In house Testing
1.4) Are you in a contract for your IT Health Check / other testing? If so, when will this be up for renewal? - March 2025
1.5) Who is the contact person at the Council for the annual IT Health Check? - Strata Service Solutions Ltd, they can be contacted via their website https://strata.solutions/

2.1) When is the next date to renew compliance validation for PCI DSS? - No date
2.2) Will the Council be requiring consultancy to ensure they adhere to the new PCI DSS 4.0? - No
2.3) Who is the contact person at the Council looking after PCI DSS compliance? - EDDC contact will be Exchequer & Systems Manager.

3.1) Do the Council adhere to other data security standards, such as Cyber Essentials Basic, Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO27001? - No
3.2) If no, do the Council plan on achieving any of these accreditations? - Security accreditations are being investigated.

4.1) Does the Council currently utilise an in-house or outsourced Security Operations Centre for solutions such as EDR, MDR, or XDR?

Date responded: 29 July 2024

Summary of request

As of the date of my request, please could you inform me of how many empty properties there are within the Exmouth/Lympstone Parish belonging to East Devon District Council and Housing Associations?

Please could you post a breakdown to how many of these properties are 2 bedroom houses?

Summary of response

As of the date of my request, please could you inform me of how many empty properties there are within the Exmouth/Lympstone Parish belonging to East Devon District Council and Housing Associations?

Please could you post a breakdown to how many of these properties are 2 bedroom houses?

We don’t hold the void information for Housing Associations and this would need to come from them directly.

As of the 1st July 2024 there are 28 EDDC owned void properties in the Exmouth/Lympstone areas. 1 of these properties is a 2 bedroom house.

Date responded: 4 July 2024

Summary of request

As of the date of my request, please could you inform me of how many empty properties there are within the Exmouth/Lympstone Parish?

Please could you post a breakdown to how many of these properties are 2 bedroom houses?

Summary of response

Please see numbers below which fall under the following Council Tax discounts:

- Empty Unoccupied and Unfurnished
- Long term empty Class C
- Long term empty premium
- Empty, uninhabitable major works

Exmouth – 302
Lympstone – 15

We are not able to advise how many bedrooms the properties have as we don’t hold this information.

Date responded: 17 July 2024

Summary of request

Please include the following information:
• Total number of pest issues cases in the council building
• The specific pest issue encountered and the date it occurred
• Total spent to fix each problem
• The length of time the problem persisted

Summary of response

You requested to know:

• Total number of pest issues cases in the council building - None
• The specific pest issue encountered and the date it occurred - N/A
• Total spent to fix each problem - N/A
• The length of time the problem persisted - N/A

Date responded: 4 July 2024

Summary of request

1. Who is your current mobile phone provider?
2. How many mobile connections?
3. When is the contract up for renewal?
4. The name and email address of the primary contact for this contract?

Summary of response

1. Who is your current mobile phone provider?

EE, Vodafone, 02, Gamma

2. How many mobile connections?

EE - 547 sims (Data only:130 / Voice only:19 / Voice & Data:398)
Vodafone - 258 sims (Data only:43 / Voice & Data:214)
02 - 876 sims (Data only:256 / Voice only:100 / Voice & Data:520)
Gamma - 46 sims (Data only:35/ Voice & Data:11)

3. When is the contract up for renewal?

EE – Q1 2025
Vodafone - Q1 2026
02 – Q2 2025
Gamma – Q3 - 2024

4. The name and email address of the primary contact for this contract?

Strata Service Solutions Ltd - https://strata.solutions/

Date responded: 23 July 2024

Summary of request

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding a question I have about dog breeding licences.

1. Is it legal for someone who has a dog breeding licence to retain legal ownership of a dog and hold breeding rights over that dog, but for the dog to live in another location (not the address listed on the licence) with another family/person i.e. a proxy owner (also not listed on the licence)?

2. If this is allowed, would the number of dogs held at other locations with proxy owners be included in the number of dogs listed on the licence?

3. In this scenario would the licensee be able to sell puppies from this dog that is kept at a separate location?

4. Would a breeding licence be issued for any of the above scenarios? Would a different licence be needed to carry this out (e.g. a pet shop licence)?

5. What advice would the council give to someone who is seeking to do the above when applying for a dog breeding licence?

Summary of response

You requested information regarding dog breeding/selling. Please see our response below:

1. Is it legal for someone who has a dog breeding licence to retain legal ownership of a dog and hold breeding rights over that dog, but for the dog to live in another location (not the address listed on the licence) with another family/person i.e. a proxy owner (also not listed on the licence)?

It is possible for a dog breeder to place their dogs with foster families who will look after the animals they use within their activity. In such circumstances, it is a requirement of the breeder to produce the foster contracts outlining the arrangement between the fosterer and the breeder at the time of the application for a licence. The dogs used in the activity must be present on the day of the inspection so their health and condition can be assessed, and the breeding bitches must whelp and rear their puppies at the breeders premises. The breeding bitch will only be permitted to return to the fosterer when the puppies have reached 8 weeks old. Full disclosure of where each of the dogs normally resides must also be made to the Council by the breeder during the application process. The Council cannot comment as to whether or not the terms of the agreement between the breeder and the fosterer are legally binding/ lawful as each agreement differs and should be reviewed by appropriately qualified legal counsel.

2. If this is allowed, would the number of dogs held at other locations with proxy owners be included in the number of dogs listed on the licence?

Any dog used in the activity of breeding by the applicant will be included in the numbers on the licence, whether or not they permanently reside on the premises. In addition to this, any dogs which are not used by the breeder for the activity of breeding, but are still owned by the breeder, must be included on the numbers of ‘resident/non-breeding’ dogs. This number may include dogs which have not yet reached breeding age or who have retired from breeding.
There is no requirement under the regulations for the licence to list specific dogs, therefore the licence will stipulate the maximum number of dogs which can be used for the activity and these are defined under the following categories:
• Number of breeding bitches
• Number of stud dogs
• Numbers of litters at any one time
• Number of resident/ non-breeding dogs.

3. In this scenario would the licensee be able to sell puppies from this dog that is kept at a separate location?

No bitch may whelp at, and no puppy may be sold from any other premises than the premises listed on the licence. The facilities where a bitch whelps and where the puppies are raised and sold from must be inspected to ensure they meet the DEFRA welfare standards.

4. Would a breeding licence be issued for any of the above scenarios? Would a different licence be needed to carry this out (e.g. a pet shop licence)?

A breeding licence is issued for the sale of puppies and each application is considered on its own merit. The only time a Selling Animals as Pets licence would be recommended, is if the breeder sold any dogs over 6 months of age or bred and sold any other animal, where they are assessed as meeting the business test.

5. What advice would the council give to someone who is seeking to do the above when applying for a dog breeding licence?

The Council would advise the applicant to request pre-application advice from the Animal Health and Licensing Officer, before making an application. The breeder’s circumstances and scope of activity would be discussed, and direction given to the most suitable licence(s) for their activity. The breeder would be advised to consult legal counsel in relation to any agreements for fostering contracts on breeding terms.

Date responded: 25 June 2024

Summary of request

The contact details for the recruitment decision makers/hiring line managers for your IT and Technology departments.

Summary of response

You requested the contact details for the recruitment decision makers/hiring line managers for your IT and Technology departments.

There is no one hiring set of line managers, it completely depends on the requirement and area it is in.

All recruitment type requests should come through the Strata Website - https://strata.solutions/#careers so that these are properly co-ordinated. Suppliers/ contract agencies can use the same mechanism.

Date responded: 15 July 2024

Summary of request

Please confirm the following:
Q1a If the IHRA Definition has been adopted by the Council since 1 May 2022. If so, please provide the date that the motion/decision to do so was approved and provide a copy of the relevant motion/minutes/policy document or a working link if it is available on your website.
See antisemitism.org/definition for more information about the IHRA Definition and the IHRA statement on the integrality of the examples.
Q1b If the IHRA Definition has been adopted, was the IHRA Definition adopted in its entirety including all of the examples?
Q1c If all of the examples were not adopted, which ones were adopted?
Q1d If the IHRA Definition has not been adopted at all, was there a motion/decision to adopt the IHRA Definition which was defeated, and if so on what date was it defeated?
Q1e. If the IHRA Definition has not yet been adopted, has adoption been timetabled?

Summary of response

Q1a If the IHRA Definition has been adopted by the Council since 1 May 2022. If so, please provide the date that the motion/decision to do so was approved and provide a copy of the relevant motion/minutes/policy document or a working link if it is available on your website - The IHRA definition has not been adopted by the Council

Q1b If the IHRA Definition has been adopted, was the IHRA Definition adopted in its entirety including all of the examples? - N/A

Q1c If all of the examples were not adopted, which ones were adopted? - N/A

Q1d If the IHRA Definition has not been adopted at all, was there a motion/decision to adopt the IHRA Definition which was defeated, and if so on what date was it defeated? - There has been no motion or decision regarding the IHRA Definition

Q1e. If the IHRA Definition has not yet been adopted, has adoption been timetabled? - There are currently no plans to adopt the IHRA Definition

Date responded: 4 July 2024

Summary of request

Please provide the number of fixed penalties notices issued to dog owners on Exmouth Beach since May 2024. Please provide the number of fixed penalty notices issued to dog owners on Exmouth beach for the council year 2023-2024

Summary of response

You requested information regarding fixed penalties notices issued to dog owners on Exmouth Beach. Please see our response below:

Please provide the number of fixed penalties notices issued to dog owners on Exmouth Beach since May 2024. - Nil
Please provide the number of fixed penalty notices issued to dog owners on Exmouth beach for the council year 2023-2024 - Nil

Date responded: 24 June 2024

Summary of request

• The total number of new dwellings granted planning consent within the boundaries of your council in the year 2024 in flood zones 2-3.

Summary of response

You requested the total number of new dwellings granted planning consent within the boundaries of this council in the year 2024 in flood zones 2-3. -information not held. We do not hold that specific information.

Date responded: 4 July 2024

Summary of request

1. How many administration staff members within the authority are responsible for HMO licensing in the 3 schemes - Mandatory, Selective and Additional licensing?
2. How many days per week are spent on admin for the above three licensing schemes?

Summary of response

You requested information regarding Mandatory, Selective and Additional HMO licensing. Please see our response below:

1. How many administration staff members within the authority are responsible for HMO licensing in the 3 schemes - Mandatory, Selective and Additional licensing? - 1 Business Support Officer, 1 Environmental Health Officer, 1 Technical Officer.

2. How many days per week are spent on admin for the above three licensing schemes? - Half a day a week.

Date responded: 28 June 2024

Summary of request

1. The total number of "cat cafe" premises which are licensed within your boundaries as of the latest available data.
a. A breakdown of licensed “cat cafes” within your boundary by star rating.
2. The total number of applications for new licences for cat cafes that have been received in the last financial year.
3. The total number of cat cafe licences that have been granted to date in the last financial year.

Summary of response

You requested to know:

1. The total number of "cat cafe" premises which are licensed within your boundaries as of the latest available data - Zero
a. A breakdown of licensed “cat cafes” within your boundary by star rating - N/A
2. The total number of applications for new licences for cat cafes that have been received in the last financial year - N/A
3. The total number of cat cafe licences that have been granted to date in the last financial year - N/A

Date responded: 13 June 2024

Summary of request

1) How much money has East Devon spent rectifying defects on buildings, which were built by Carillion Group (or any of its subsidiaries). This should be split into yearly figures for every year from January 2018 to the date of your reply.
2) Of the work mentioned in question 1, how many sites did East Devon need to fix? This should also be broken down into yearly figures, and should include the type of site (ie school building, leisure building etc)
3) How much money does East Devon still expect to spend remediating defects on buildings built by Carillion in the coming years?

Summary of response

1) How much money has East Devon spent rectifying defects on buildings, which were built by Carillion Group (or any of its subsidiaries). This should be split into yearly figures for every year from January 2018 to the date of your reply - Zero
2) Of the work mentioned in question 1, how many sites did East Devon need to fix? This should also be broken down into yearly figures, and should include the type of site (i.e. school building, leisure building etc) - N/A
3) How much money does East Devon still expect to spend remediating defects on buildings built by Carillion in the coming years? - N/A

Date responded: 19 June 2024

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

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 8 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: 06/01/25
9. Contract Review Date: Under review
10. Purchase of Servers: N/A
11. Number of Physical Server: 16
12. Number of Virtual Servers: 378
13. Brief Contract Description: This is maintenance and support for our VSI & VDI license


1. Contract Title: 3 year maintenance and support, 4 hour response time
2. Type of Contracts (ABOVE): Maintenance and support
3. Existing/Current Supplier: Dell
4. Brand: Dell
5. Operating System / Software (Platform): Linux, VMWare vSphere ESXi
6. Annual Average Spend: N/A
7. Contract Duration: 3 year
8. Contract Expiry Date: November 2025
9. Contract Review Date: April 2025
10. Purchase of Servers: October 2022
11. Number of Physical Server: 7
12. Number of Virtual Servers: 250
13. Brief Contract Description: This is maintenance and support for the VSI hosts


1. Contract Title: 4 hour pro support plus mission critical
2. Type of Contracts (ABOVE): Maintenance and support
3. Existing/Current Supplier: Dell
4. Brand: Dell
5. Operating System / Software (Platform): Dell OS
6. Annual Average Spend: N/A
7. Contract Duration: 5 year
8. Contract Expiry Date: 09/02/27
9. Contract Review Date: February 2026
10. Purchase of Servers: N/A
11. Number of Physical Server: 2
12. Number of Virtual Servers: N/A
13. Brief Contract Description: This is the support and maintenance for the SANs

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.): 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. https://strata.solutions/#procurement

Date responded: 4 July 2024

Summary of request

1. Most recent Article 4 Directive shape files in vector format. Currently, the mapped Article 4 Directive cannot be assessed in sufficient detail, and having access to them in vector format is crucial for our analysis for planning purposes. I am happy to receive map/shape files in any recognised vector format which contains the coordinates describing the shape of the Article 4 area and can be used in GIS software.
As Article 4 Directives are part of land designation, these shape files should be publicly accessible. Therefore, I kindly ask that you provide these shape files in a compatible vector format.
2. Additionally, I request the most up-to-date Article 4 Directive documentation in re-usable (computer readable) format (not as images or scanned documents). Having access to this documentation is essential for our comprehensive understanding and application of these directives.
3. Also, please provide information about any APIs that you may have relating to planning information such as shape files, planning applications (in machine readable pdf) or other information.

Summary of response

You requested Article 4 Directive shapes files in vector format. This information is not currently available. Article 4’s are always being updated so the data is out of date very quickly.

We are in the process of updating ours as they are currently out of date.

Date responded: 4 July 2024

Summary of request

1. When are you next going through an audit of the national fraud initiative?
2. What current procedures do you have in place such as confirmation of payee against fraud?
3. What is your current confirmation of payee software incumbent product & the renewal date of the contract.

Summary of response

1. When are you next going through an audit of the national fraud initiative? - The NFI is a bi-annual exercise and is next due to be started January 2025. We currently have an interim NFI exercise for single person discount but are using an external company so not doing it through the NFI.

2. What current procedures do you have in place such as confirmation of payee against fraud? - We have a process where the details supplied are independently verified to the received details.

3. What is your current confirmation of payee software incumbent product & the renewal date of the contract - Bank wizard which is on a yearly contract.

Date responded: 11 June 2024

Summary of request

1. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, what guidelines did you follow when setting arrangements for constituents to pay Council Tax arrears? (YES/NO)
a. The Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992
b. The Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 1998
c. The National Standards for Enforcement Agents
d. Local Council Tax Support Schemes
e. Income and Expenditure Assessments
f. Flexible Payment Arrangements

2. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, what industry standard tools did you use when assessing an individual’s ability to repay Council Tax arrears? (YES/NO)
a. Income and Expenditure Forms
b. Budgeting Software
c. Affordability Assessments
d. Credit Reference Agencies
e. Debt Advice Services
f. Legal Proceedings

3. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, what % of Council Tax was:
a. Paid on time?
b. Paid after internal chase activities?
c. Collected by an enforcement agent?

4. How much did you spend on collecting Council Tax arrears between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024.
Can you also state the cost per method:
a. Internal chase activities
b. Enforcement agent

5. Do you have its own internal enforcement department? (YES/NO)

6. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, did you use a benefits calculator to help residents in arrears maximise their income? If so, which tool?

7. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, did you use attachment of earnings for constituents to pay Council Tax arrears?

Summary of response

1. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, what guidelines did you follow when setting arrangements for constituents to pay Council Tax arrears? (YES/NO)

a. The Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 - Yes
b. The Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 1998 - No
c. The National Standards for Enforcement Agents - Yes
d. Local Council Tax Support Schemes - Yes
e. Income and Expenditure Assessments - Yes
f. Flexible Payment Arrangements - Yes

2. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, what industry standard tools did you use when assessing an individual’s ability to repay Council Tax arrears? (YES/NO)

a. Income and Expenditure Forms - Yes
b. Budgeting Software - NO
c. Affordability Assessments - Yes
d. Credit Reference Agencies - Yes
e. Debt Advice Services - No
f. Legal Proceedings - NO

3. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, what % of Council Tax was:

a. Paid on time? - Information not available
b. Paid after internal chase activities? - Information not available
c. Collected by an enforcement agent? - Information not available

4. How much did you spend on collecting Council Tax arrears between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024.

Can you also state the cost per method: - Information not available

a. Internal chase activities - Information not available
b. Enforcement agent - There is no cost to ourselves for enforcement agent action

5. Do you have its own internal enforcement department? (NO) - we do not employ enforcement agents directly

6. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, did you use a benefits calculator to help residents in arrears maximise their income? If so, which tool? - Information on the help we supply can be found on our website :
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/financial-support-and-advice/

7. Between 6th April 2023 and 5th April 2024, did you use attachment of earnings for constituents to pay Council Tax arrears? - Yes

Date responded: 3 July 2024

Summary of request

1. Could you please confirm the number of instances in the last 10 years where a fraudulent claim for a business rates refund has been made?
2. Could you please confirm the number of instances where a refund has been paid to an incorrect entity due to a fraudulent claim?
3. Could you please confirm the total value (£) over the last 10 years where a Ratepayer has had to be compensated due to a fraudulent claim for a business rates refund?
4. The total value of credits held on business rates accounts within the billing authority as of today's date.

Summary of response

1. Could you please confirm the number of instances in the last 10 years where a fraudulent claim for a business rates refund has been made? - 1
2. Could you please confirm the number of instances where a refund has been paid to an incorrect entity due to a fraudulent claim? - 0
3. Could you please confirm the total value (£) over the last 10 years where a Ratepayer has had to be compensated due to a fraudulent claim for a business rates refund? - 0
4. The total value of credits held on business rates accounts within the billing authority as of today's date - £72,514.93

Date responded: 3 July 2024

Summary of request

1. How many planning applications have you received since (and including) 2 April 2024?
2. Of those applications, how many have been validated?
3. (a) Of the validated applications, how many have claimed exemption from mandatory biodiversity net gain?
(b) Of those claiming exemptions, how many have relied on each exemption:
(i) Householder application
(ii) Self build or custom build application
(iii) Application for a biodiversity gain site
(iv) HS2-related application
(v) 'De minimis' exemption where less than 25sqm of area habitat, 5m of hedgerow, 5m of watercourse and no priority habitat are affected
(c) Of those claiming the de minimis exemption, how many have set out what habitats are within the red line boundary for the application?
4. Of the validated applications not claiming exemption from mandatory biodiversity net gain (i.e. answer to Q2 minus answer to Q3(a)):
(a) how many have been granted permission?
(b) of those granted permission under Q4(a), how many have submitted a biodiversity gain plan?
(c) of those submitting a biodiversity gain plan under Q4(b), how many have had it approved?

Summary of response

1. How many planning applications have you received since (and including) 2 April 2024? - The requested data can be searched via our planning portal on our website by using the search facility. I suggest that you visit the planning portal and search for the information you require. You will need to narrow down your search by selecting the application type and date parameters. You will then be able to collate the data yourself. Applications Search (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.

2. Of those applications, how many have been validated? - The requested data can be searched via our planning portal on our website by using the search facility. I suggest that you visit the planning portal and search for the information you require. You will need to narrow down your search by selecting the application type and date parameters. You will then be able to collate the data yourself. Applications Search (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.

3. (a) Of the validated applications, how many have claimed exemption from mandatory biodiversity net gain? - This information is not recorded
(b) Of those claiming exemptions, how many have relied on each exemption:
(i) Householder application
(ii) Self build or custom build application
(iii) Application for a biodiversity gain site
(iv) HS2-related application
(v) 'De minimis' exemption where less than 25sqm of area habitat, 5m of hedgerow, 5m of watercourse and no priority habitat are affected
(c) Of those claiming the de minimis exemption, how many have set out what habitats are within the red line boundary for the application?

4. Of the validated applications not claiming exemption from mandatory biodiversity net gain (i.e. answer to Q2 minus answer to Q3(a)): - This information is not recorded
(a) how many have been granted permission?
(b) of those granted permission under Q4(a), how many have submitted a biodiversity gain plan?
(c) of those submitting a biodiversity gain plan under Q4(b), how many have had it approved?

Date responded: 5 June 2024

Summary of request

I would be grateful if you could provide me with the following information on all known cases whereby the Developer has yet to fulfil their obligation of paying a commuted sum and transferring the Open Space to the Council.

Site Name/Address of all Unadopted Areas of Public Open Space within the Council's
Jurisdiction.
Name of Developer associated with the corresponding site.
Date ofthe Section 106 Agreement to which the Open Space applies.
The Agreed Commuted Sum Value to be paid by the Developer.
Planning Application Reference(s).

Summary of response

You requested to know all known cases whereby the Developer has yet to fulfil their obligation of paying a commuted sum and transferring the Open Space to the Council. Please see our response below:

Site Name/Address of all Unadopted Areas of Public Open Space within the Council's
Jurisdiction. - Land opposite Buchanan Close, Honiton, EX14 2HB
Name of Developer associated with the corresponding site. - Persimmon Homes
Date ofthe Section 106 Agreement to which the Open Space applies. - 31 March 2006
The Agreed Commuted Sum Value to be paid by the Developer. - £13,000
Planning Application Reference(s). - 05/2551/MFUL

Date responded: 20 June 2024

Summary of request

- How many units of social housing stock do you currently have?
- How many units of social housing stock did you own in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023?
- How many of these social housing units are currently in rental arrears?
- How many of these social housing units were in rental arrears in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023?
- What is the total value of these rental arrears?
- What was the total value of these rental arrears in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023?

Summary of response

- How many units of social housing stock do you currently have? - 4175
- How many units of social housing stock did you own in the years:

2019 - 4197
2020 - 4204
2021 - 4202
2022 - 4178
2023 - 4179

- How many of these social housing units are currently in rental arrears? - 2655
- How many of these social housing units were in rental arrears in the years:

2019 no data available
2020 no data available
2021 no data available
2022 no data available
2023 - 1074

- What is the total value of these rental arrears? - Currently £320,172.18
- What was the total value of these rental arrears in the years:

2019 - £254,082.79
2020 - £396,913.87
2021 - £380,556.52
2022 - £373,958.63
2023 - £365,170.69

Date responded: 19 June 2024

Summary of request

• How many homes to let at a social rent package (including London Affordable Rent and London Living Rent where applicable) do you have in your housing stock, either directly or through an ALMO or a wholly owned housing company (please list them separately?

• How many comms people in your organisation work on housing communications? This includes anyone tasked with things like media relations, social media, marketing, web operations, public affairs, and so on. Please list the posts and what proportion of their time is spent on housing comms, as a proportion of a full time equivalent post.

• Are those staff members paid for from funds in your housing revenue account (ie your tenants rent) or by other means? Please explain how if it’s the latter.

Summary of response

• How many homes to let at a social rent package (including London Affordable Rent and London Living Rent where applicable) do you have in your housing stock, either directly or through an ALMO or a wholly owned housing company (please list them separately? – We have a total of 4167 council properties, 92 of these are let under the Affordable Rent scheme and we have none under the London Living Rent.

These are all let directly through EDDC and not an ALMO.

• How many comms people in your organisation work on housing communications? This includes anyone tasked with things like media relations, social media, marketing, web operations, public affairs, and so on. Please list the posts and what proportion of their time is spent on housing comms, as a proportion of a full time equivalent post – The corporate Communications Team is made up of 3FTE members of staff who carry out work on housing comms as part of their general day to day work. We do not hold records for the percentage of time spent on providing communications for individual departments of the council.

• Are those staff members paid for from funds in your housing revenue account (i.e. your tenants rent) or by other means? Please explain how if it’s the latter – The Corporate Communications Team is funded from the council’s General Fund rather than HRA.

Date responded: 11 June 2024

Summary of request

Can you tell me how many trees the council has ordered to be removed in the last 10 years? And how many have been replanted in that period?
Can you specify how many trees were cut down because they faced insurance claims? Can you specify how many trees were cut down to allow the construction of housing developments? If providing stats going back 10 years is not possible can you provide stats for tree felling for the past 5 or 3 years?

Summary of response

Can you tell me how many trees the council has ordered to be removed in the last 10 years? - Please see below
And how many have been replanted in that period? - Please see below
Can you specify how many trees were cut down because they faced insurance claims? - No
Can you specify how many trees were cut down to allow the construction of housing developments? - No
If providing stats going back 10 years is not possible can you provide stats for tree felling for the past 5 or 3 years? - See below

Trees felled.
2016 – no data
2017 – 2
2018 – 28
2019 – 49
2020 – 35
2021 – 46
2022 – 4
2023 – 1


Trees planted
2016 – no data
2017 – 1
2018 – 15
2019 – 11
2020 – 0
2021 – 777
2022 – 1240
2023 – 1094

Date responded: 17 June 2024

Summary of request

1.What is the name of your Local Authority?

2.What type of Council are you? (e.g District Council, Unitary authority, etc)

3.How many properties are registered for Council Tax in your area?

4.Within your Revenues and Benefits service, what of the following can residents submit/apply for via a digital form? (Select all that apply)

Single Person Discount
Direct Debit
Change of Address
Payment arrangement
Student disregard/exemption
Severely mentally impaired disregard/exemption
Disabled Band reduction
Council Tax support
Online benefit calculators
Person in hospital or care home
Other disregard discounts (e.g carers)
Discretionary Housing Payment
Discretionary Council Tax discount (section 13a)

5.Do you have plans to introduce and/or improve your digital online forms within the next 2 - 3 years?
Yes
No

Summary of response

1.What is the name of your Local Authority? – East Devon District Council
2.What type of Council are you? (e.g District Council, Unitary authority, etc) - District
3.How many properties are registered for Council Tax in your area? - As at 01.05.2024 we had 74,461 properties
4.Within your Revenues and Benefits service, what of the following can residents submit/apply for via a digital form? (Select all that apply)

Single Person Discount - YES
Direct Debit - YES
Change of Address - CTAX YES
Payment arrangement - NO
Student disregard/exemption - YES
Severely mentally impaired disregard/exemption - YES
Disabled Band reduction - YES
Council Tax support - YES
Online benefit calculators - YES we direct to external calculators
Person in hospital or care home - YES
Other disregard discounts (e.g carers) - YES
Discretionary Housing Payment - YES
Discretionary Council Tax discount (section 13a) - YES we have a discretionary help form within which discretionary Council Tax discounts would be considered

5.Do you have plans to introduce and/or improve your digital online forms within the next 2 - 3 years? - Yes

Date responded: 5 June 2024

Summary of request

I am requesting the following information on any council-run residential heat networks you have.
1. What is the name of the energy supplier(s) for each of your residential heat networks?
2. How much has your energy supplier(s) charged you for your heat networks in the last five financial years (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)?
3. Did you apply for the government's Energy Bills Discount Scheme for your heat networks? If not, why not?
4. Have you applied for the government's Heat Network Efficiency Scheme? If not, why not?
5. Have you updated your business case for adding meters to heat network flats since energy bills went up in 2022? If not, why not?

Summary of response

1. What is the name of the energy supplier(s) for each of your residential heat networks? - Information not held. EDDC does not have any Residential heat networks that it maintains.
2. How much has your energy supplier(s) charged you for your heat networks in the last five financial years (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)? - Information not held
3. Did you apply for the government's Energy Bills Discount Scheme for your heat networks? If not, why not? - N/A
4. Have you applied for the government's Heat Network Efficiency Scheme? If not, why not? - N/A
5. Have you updated your business case for adding meters to heat network flats since energy bills went up in 2022? If not, why not? - No not at present

Date responded: 28 May 2024

Summary of request

Could you please provide me with the most up-to-date list of all incorporated companies within the authorities billing area that have a council tax credit against their account.

Please note, I am not requesting business rates data but council tax accounts held by companies such as charities e.g housing associations and
property developers etc.

Could you please including the following data in the response:

(A) The company name to which the account in credit relates to.
(B). The value of overpayment.
(C). The years(s) the overpayment relates to.
(D) The property address the credit relates to.
(E) Whether the account is a live/open account or a closed account.
(F)The date that the data was generated.

Please can you provide the most up to date data held.

Summary of response

You requested information re: credits on accounts that we currently hold for incorporated companies, including charities.

The Council has made the decision to no longer publish the details of individual account credits. The Council considers that the continued publication of this data would be likely to prejudice the prevention and detection of crime and therefore the Council considers that this data is now exempt from disclosure under Section 31(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

When we engage section 31 of the FOIA, we must consider the public interest test and determine whether publishing this information outweighs withholding it.

We have considered this and we believe that by publishing this information we potentially put the council at risk of fraudulent activity as well as the individuals whose data we are responsible for. Therefore we are of the opinion preventing fraud outweighs disclosing information about credit balances and it is therefore not in the public's interest to disclose this information.

Date responded: 5 June 2024

Summary of request

I request to know the amount of E-Waste collected and recycled / disposed of over an annual period for the most recently available data.

Summary of response

You requested information about council e-waste, please see our response below:

Collection date: March 2023
144 x desktop/laptops
1 x projector
4 x monitors

The above data is in relation to all 3 councils, East Devon District Council, Teignbridge Council, and Exeter City Council, which are managed by Strata.

Date responded: 5 June 2024

Summary of request

I request information pertaining to properties for which the Council holds the leasehold. Specifically, I seek the following data:

1. Total Number of Homes: The total number of residential properties for which the Council holds the leasehold from 2016 to the present.

2. Revenue from Leaseholds: A breakdown of the annual revenue received from these leaseholds, year by year, from 2016 to the current year.

Summary of response

You requested information on leaseholders and revenue from leaseholds. Please see our response below:


1. Total Number of Homes: The total number of residential properties for which the Council holds the leasehold from 2016 to the present - 27

2. Revenue from Leaseholds: A breakdown of the annual revenue received from these leaseholds, year by year, from 2016 to the current year - We are unable to provide a breakdown of annual revenue year by year.

Date responded: 17 June 2024

Summary of request

1. Has your local authority employed debt collection agencies to collect unpaid council tax debts or business rates over the last five years?
2. Has your local authority employed bailiffs to collect unpaid council tax debts or business rates over the last five years?
3. Has your local authority applied for any bankruptcy petitions against people with unpaid council tax debts or business rates over the last five years? If so, how many?
4. Has your local authority applied for any charging orders against people with unpaid council tax debts or business rates over the last five years? If so, how many?
5. Has your local authority “sold” any books of council tax or business rates debt over the last five years?

Summary of response

1. Has your local authority employed debt collection agencies to collect unpaid council tax debts or business rates over the last five years? - We do not use debt collection agencies to collect unpaid council tax or business rates.
2. Has your local authority employed bailiffs to collect unpaid council tax debts or business rates over the last five years? - We have employed enforcement agents to collect unpaid council tax and business rates in the last 5 years
3. Has your local authority applied for any bankruptcy petitions against people with unpaid council tax debts or business rates over the last five years? If so, how many? - We have not applied for any bankruptcy petitions against people with council tax or business rates debts in the last 5 years.
4. Has your local authority applied for any charging orders against people with unpaid council tax debts or business rates over the last five years? If so, how many? - We have applied for 7 Charging orders for council tax and none for business rates in the last 5 years.
5. Has your local authority “sold” any books of council tax or business rates debt over the last five years? - We have not “sold” any books of debt for council tax or business rates in the last 5 years.

Date responded: 11 June 2024

Summary of request

I would be grateful if you could please provide the following information for the four time periods listed below:
(a) For 19th July 2022 - 19th July 2023
(b) For 19th July 2021 - 19th July 2022
(c) For 1st January 2019- 31st December 2019
(d) For 1st January 2018- 31st December 2018
1. The total number of noise complaints that have been filed against licensed premises/ A4 pubs in your area
2. The total number of noise abatement notices issued to licensed premises/ A4 pubs in your area
3. The total number of fines/fixed penalty notices issued to licensed premises/ A4 pubs in your area, and the amount in each instance

Summary of response

(a) For 19th July 2022 - 19th July 2023 - 43
(b) For 19th July 2021 - 19th July 2022 - 18
(c) For 1st January 2019- 31st December 2019 - 55
(d) For 1st January 2018- 31st December 2018 - 29

1. The total number of noise complaints that have been filed against licensed premises/ A4 pubs in your area - see above
2. The total number of noise abatement notices issued to licensed premises/ A4 pubs in your area - no noise abatement notices for licensed premises have been issued between 01 Jan 2018 - 19 July 2023
3. The total number of fines/fixed penalty notices issued to licensed premises/ A4 pubs in your area, and the amount in each instance - no fines for licensed premises have been issued between 01 Jan 2018 - 19 July 2023

Date responded: 13 June 2024

Summary of request

To request copies of all meeting records and correspondence between Edward Freeman (EDDC Assistant Director for Planning Strategy & Development Management) and landowners and developers, regarding sites that currently sit within a Green Wedge or Coastal Preservation Area.

This request covers the time period 1st January 2022 to 15th May 2024.

Summary of response

You requested copies of all meeting records and correspondence between Ed Freeman (EDDC Assistant Director for Planning Strategy & Development Management) and landowners and developers, regarding sites that currently sit within a Green Wedge or Coastal Preservation Area.

There are no meeting records or correspondence that fall within the scope of your request.

Date responded: 28 May 2024

Summary of request

Dates of last consultation process for dates dogs not allowed on beaches.
Who was consultation carried out with and what was the publicity process?
When is next consultation due?
When was the last time someone was warned or fined for allowing dog on beach or allowing dog off lead on areas signposted dogs on lead area? When was last time someone was warned or fined for cycling in no cycling signposted area?

Summary of response

Dates of last consultation process for dates dogs not allowed on beaches - 10 October 2022 to 20 November 2022

Who was consultation carried out with and what was the publicity process? - The Council wrote to the Chief officer of police, Local policing body, Town and parish councils, Devon County Council, The National Trust, Community groups and representatives such as Exmouth Chamber of Commerce to make them aware of the consultation.

The Council produced a Press release to make people aware of the public consultation; this was picked up by local publications including Devon Live, Exmouth Journal and Sidmouth Journal. There was an article in the East Devon Residents newsletter.

All documents relating to the current and proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders were made available on the Councils website. Comments regarding the current and proposed changes to the Orders could be made to the Council by email.

When is next consultation due? - It is a legal requirement for PSPOs to be reviewed every three years. The next review is due to take place before March 2026. A public consultation will take place in 2025.

When was the last time someone was warned or fined for allowing dog on beach or allowing dog off lead on areas signposted dogs on lead area? - The Dog Enforcement Officer regularly patrols green spaces across the district, particularly where complaints have been received, and also on East Devon beaches where the seasonal dog exclusion controls apply.

Where there is a breach of the Public Spaces Protection Order, the Dog Enforcement Officer provides information and a warning to the member of the public. A fine will be issued to members of the public who have previously been issued with a warning.

When was last time someone was warned or fined for cycling signposted area? - EDDC have not warned or fined anyone for cycling in an no cycling area.

Date responded: 11 June 2024

Summary of request

This request relates to the following financial years:

2020/2021
2021/2022
2022/2023
2023/2024

For each question below please provide the information separately for each financial period specified above.

1. How many planning enforcement complaints have you received?
2. How many planning enforcement complaints have you closed?
3. How many planning enforcement complaints remained open/active/unresolved (or similar) on the first day of the period; with that being 1st April?
4. What was the average (median) caseload for each investigating officer?
5. How many planning enforcement staff did you have on the team structure on the first day of the period; with that being 1st April?
6. Please split the information for question 5 into both professional and supporting/administrative roles as applicable.
7. Please indicate whether any of the roles identified for question 5 have been occupied by temporary staff/contractors and alike; providing the detail (number and role) of these as applicable.
8. Using the data provided within question 5 please indicate how many vacancies there were in each role and where these vacancies were for more than 3 months.

Summary of response

You requested to know information on Planning enforcement complaints for the following financial years:

2020/2021
Received: 477
Closed: 471
Outstanding: 123

2021/2022
Received: 407
Closed: 253
Open: 152

2022/2023
Received: 396
Closed: 246
Outstanding: 152

2023/2024
Received: 327
Closed: 197
Outstanding: 150

For each question below please provide the information separately for each financial period specified above.

1. How many planning enforcement complaints have you received? - See above.
2. How many planning enforcement complaints have you closed? - See above.
3. How many planning enforcement complaints remained open/active/unresolved (or similar) on the first day of the period; with that being 1st April? - See above.
4. What was the average (median) caseload for each investigating officer? - 133 per annum
5. How many planning enforcement staff did you have on the team structure on the first day of the period; with that being 1st April? - 3 officers.
6. Please split the information for question 5 into both professional and supporting/administrative roles as applicable. - All our officers are professional.
7. Please indicate whether any of the roles identified for question 5 have been occupied by temporary staff/contractors and alike; providing the detail (number and role) of these as applicable. - All permanent staff.
8. Using the data provided within question 5 please indicate how many vacancies there were in each role and where these vacancies were for more than 3 months. - None.

Date responded: 28 May 2024

Summary of request

Exmouth beach dog ban:

1) Can you please list for the past 3 years (2021/2022/2023) how many days have dog wardens have patrolled Exmouth seafront/beach during the dog ban period?

2) How many fines over the past 3 years (2021/2022/2023) have been issued by dog wardens patrolling Exmouth seafront/beach for breach of the dog ban?

3) How many fines have been given by EDDC over the past 3 years (2021/2022/2023) for littering and anti-social behaviour on Exmouth seafront/beaches?

4) Does EDDC have the legal authority to fine users taking their dog on the foreshore within the dog ban period (area between the high tide line and low tide line) given that the crown owns almost all the foreshore land areas in England (not EDDC)?

Summary of response

You requested information regarding Dog Wardens on Exmouth Beach. Please see our response below:

Can you please list for the past 3 years (2021/2022/2023) how many days have dog wardens have patrolled Exmouth seafront/beach during the dog ban period? - We are unable to provide exact figures as the patrolling of Exmouth beach forms one part of the DEO’s post and they schedule in their patrolling themselves. However, we can confirm that during May to Sept, Exmouth beach will have been patrolled twice weekly for a minimum of 3 hours per patrol. The DEO post was created in 2022 and we cannot provide figures for 2021.

2) How many fines over the past 3 years (2021/2022/2023) have been issued by dog wardens patrolling Exmouth seafront/beach for breach of the dog ban? - Zero

3) How many fines have been given by EDDC over the past 3 years (2021/2022/2023) for littering and anti-social behaviour on Exmouth seafront/beaches? - Zero

4) Does EDDC have the legal authority to fine users taking their dog on the foreshore within the dog ban period (area between the high tide line and low tide line) given that the crown owns almost all the foreshore land areas in England (not EDDC)? - Yes

Date responded: 4 June 2024

Summary of request

1. What is your current predicted funding gap by the end of the financial year 2025/26?
2. What is your current predicted net revenue budget for the financial year 2025/26?
3. What is your current predicted cumulative funding gap by the end of the financial year 2026/27? (the total combined predicted funding gap of the financial years 2025/26 and 2026/27)
4. What is your current predicted net revenue budget for the financial year 2026/27?

Summary of response

You requested information regarding funding shortfall. This information is already published on the EDDC 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.

https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=136&MId=2195&Ver=4

Date responded: 10 May 2024

Summary of request

Please could you provide the following information regarding your finance, HR and payroll solutions:

Which Hr and performance management system do you use, contract period and contract value / if sass or on-prem?

Which Finance system (or Enterprise Resource Management) do you use, contract period and contract value / if sass or on-prem?

Which Payroll software do you use, contract period and contract value / outsourced, sass or on-prem?

Are you planning to go to market for a different Finance/ERP, HR or Payroll system? If
so, when?

How many employees, users / licenses of the system do you have for each system, please?

Summary of response

Please see our response below on the information you requested re HR, Payroll and Finance Management systems:

Which Hr and performance management system do you use, contract period and contract value / if sass or on-prem? - iTrent, on-prem; £64k, joint contract for all 3 councils. On-prem

Which Finance system (or Enterprise Resource Management) do you use, contract period and contract value / if sass or on-prem? - ABS, eFinancials – rolling contract, contract value £42,300k. No ERM. On-prem

Which Payroll software do you use, contract period and contract value / outsourced, sass or on-prem? - See details for HR

Are you planning to go to market for a different Finance/ERP, HR or Payroll system? If so, when? - No. Current project to manage.

How many employees, users / licenses of the system do you have for each system, please?

Finance - 20 Efin Licenses and 225 Eprocurement licenses
Hr - EDDC we have 507 users and for Strata we have 72 users, mostly with Employee Self Service/Manager Self Service access to the system.

Date responded: 4 June 2024

Summary of request

Please can you provide the following information relating to the Council’s provision of temporary accommodation:

1. The total spend on temporary accommodation by private sector supplier in the 2023/24 financial year (01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024), categorised as follows:
- Private sector accommodation leased by the local authority.
- Nightly paid, privately managed accommodation, self-contained.
- Bed and breakfast hotels (including shared annexes). I.e., not self-contained.
Note: If it is too time consuming and costly to break down the spend into these three categories, then please just provide the total for each private sector supplier. To be clear, I am asking for both the name of the supplier and the total spend. Ideally, the suppliers would be arranged according to which of the three categories of accommodation they provide.

2. Please can you provide the total number of current temporary accommodation placements in other local authority districts, broken down according to the name of the local authority district the placements have been made in.

Please provide the information in one excel spreadsheet (it may contain more than one tab if necessary). Please supply the information relating to part 1 of the request in two columns, one with the provider’s business name and one with the total spend over the period. Please supply the information relating to part 2 in two columns, one with the name of the relevant authority and one with the total temporary accommodation placements in that authority’s district.

Summary of response

Please can you provide the following information relating to the Council’s provision of temporary accommodation:

1. The total spend on temporary accommodation by private sector supplier in the 2023/24 financial year (01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024), categorised as follows:
- Private sector accommodation leased by the local authority.
- Nightly paid, privately managed accommodation, self-contained.
- Bed and breakfast hotels (including shared annexes). I.e., not self-contained.
Note: If it is too time consuming and costly to break down the spend into these three categories, then please just provide the total for each private sector supplier. To be clear, I am asking for both the name of the supplier and the total spend. Ideally, the suppliers would be arranged according to which of the three categories of accommodation they provide.

(01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024) - spend £148,137.21.

We don’t have the breakdown per sector type
We are unable to break it down by provider as releasing the providers names could potentially put the residents at risk if they are in temporary accommodation fleeing violence. Therefore this information is withheld under section 38(1)(a) - endangering the physical or mental health of any individual and section 38(1)(b) endangering the safety of any individual.

2. Please can you provide the total number of current temporary accommodation placements in other local authority districts, broken down according to the name of the local authority district the placements have been made in - 0

Please provide the information in one excel spreadsheet (it may contain more than one tab if necessary). Please supply the information relating to part 1 of the request in two columns, one with the provider’s business name and one with the total spend over the period. Please supply the information relating to part 2 in two columns, one with the name of the relevant authority and one with the total temporary accommodation placements in that authority’s district.

Date responded: 4 June 2024

Summary of request

I would like the organisation to review my freedom of information request below, that’s focused around contract data for services around facilities management specifically around the services below:

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

You requested information regarding Facilities Management. Please see our response below:

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 £90k
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 2024/2025 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 – extension option exercised.
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 £ 8 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 74,500 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: 10 May 2024

Summary of request

1. How many dog breeding businesses does your local authority currently licence that are licensed to keep:
a. 10 or less dogs for breeding purposes
b. 11 to 25 dogs for breeding purposes
c. 26 to 50 dogs for breeding purposes
d. 51 to 100 dogs for breeding purposes
e. 101 to 200 dogs for breeding purposes
f. 200 or more dogs for breeding purposes

2. How many of those businesses that keep 11 or more dogs have the following star rating:
i. One star
ii. Two star
iii. Three star
iv. Four star
v. Five star

3. What is the highest overall number of dogs currently registered on a valid dog breeding licence issued by your local authority?

NB For the purposes of this request ‘dogs’ includes females and males.

Summary of response

How many dog breeding businesses does your local authority currently licence that are licensed to keep:

a. 10 or less dogs for breeding purposes - 8 breeding businesses
b. 11 to 25 dogs for breeding purposes - 1 breeding business
c. 26 to 50 dogs for breeding purposes - 0 breeding businesses
d. 51 to 100 dogs for breeding purposes - 0 breeding businesses
e. 101 to 200 dogs for breeding purposes - 0 breeding businesses
f. 200 or more dogs for breeding purposes - 0 breeding businesses

How many of those businesses that keep 11 or more dogs have the following star rating:

i. One star - 0 breeding businesses
ii. Two star - 0 breeding businesses
iii. Three star - 0 breeding businesses
iv. Four star - 0 breeding businesses
v. Five star - 1 breeding business

What is the highest overall number of dogs currently registered on a valid dog breeding licence issued by your local authority? - 11 dogs

Date responded: 28 May 2024

Summary of request

When is the lease at Exmouth Town Football club ( Southern Road Ex83ee) due to expire . Ie date .

Summary of response

You requested information regarding the lease at Exmouth Town Football Club, please see our response below:

The current lease expires 4 September 2042.

Date responded: 8 May 2024

Summary of request

62 Shareford Way, Exeter, Devon, EX5 7EZ

Please let us have Building Control Information 1.1JKL in relation to the above property

Summary of response

You requested information on Building Control Information 1.1JKL - 62 Shareford Way. Please see our response below:

Information not held - The only notification that we have for this one is the original construction which was carried out by an Approved Inspector (The NHBC), not East Devon District Council.

Date responded: 10 May 2024

Summary of request

For each of the last 3 years (2021, 2022, 2023), please provide the following information

1. The number of dog places that you have available at any one time in your shelter(s) or pound(s)
2. The number of dogs that have spent any time in your dog shelter(s) or pound(s).
3. The number of stray dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s)
4. The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were seized for welfare reasons
5. The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were seized for human safety reasons
6. The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were relinquished
7. The top 3 breeds of the dogs that entered the shelter/pound(s) plus amount of each breed
8. The number of dogs that were rehomed directly from your shelter
9. The number of dogs that were moved to another rehoming centre (e.g. run by a charity) in the UK/Ireland and abroad
10. The average length of stay of dogs in your shelter/pound(s)
11. The number of each type of breed of dog that were euthanased.

Currently:

1. Do you have any written policies on
a. Welfare of the dogs in your shelter/pound(s), including requirements for exercise, enrichment, formal behavioural assessment? Yes/ No (If yes, please provide)
b. Euthanasia of dogs in your shelter/pound(s)? Yes/ No (If yes, please provide)
2. Please provide your most recent inspection report including the recommendations for improvement

Summary of response

1. The number of dog places that you have available at any one time in your shelter(s) or pound(s) - Unknown – information held by kennels

2. The number of dogs that have spent any time in your dog shelter(s) or pound(s). - 2021 – 7 dogs; 2022 – 8 dogs; 2023 – 19 dogs

3. The number of stray dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) - Same as above

4. The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were seized for welfare reasons - Only stray dogs have been taken to kennels

5. The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were seized for human safety reasons - None – police deal with these matters and have own kennel procedure

6. The number of dogs that have entered a shelter/pound(s) that were relinquished - None - We only take strays

7. The top 3 breeds of the dogs that entered the shelter/pound(s) plus amount of each breed - Staffie – 5; Collie – 4; Boxer – 3

8. the number of dogs that were rehomed directly from your shelter - 2021 – 4 dogs; 2022 – 3 dogs; 2023 – 11 dogs

9. The number of dogs that were moved to another rehoming centre (e.g. run by a charity) in the UK/Ireland and abroad - 2021 – 1 dog; 2022 – 1 dog; 2023 – 2 dogs

10. The average length of stay of dogs in your shelter/pound(s) - 2021 – 8 days; 2022 – 5 days; 2023 – 8 days

11. The number of each type of breed of dog that were euthanized - XL Bully - 2

Currently:

1. Do you have any written policies on
a. Welfare of the dogs in your shelter/pound(s), including requirements for exercise, enrichment, formal behavioural assessment? Yes/ No (If yes, please provide) – Unknown. EDDC do not own any kennels
b. Euthanasia of dogs in your shelter/pound(s)? Yes/ No (If yes, please provide) – Unknown. EDDC do not own any kennels
2. Please provide your most recent inspection report including the recommendations for improvement – Unknown. EDDC do not own any kennels
3. Please provide the Full Time Equivalent staff and level of formal training of the staff that work in your shelter/pound(s) – Unknown. EDDC do not own any kennels

Date responded: 23 May 2024

Summary of request

Please could you provide details on the number of staff employed at the council in roles focused on equality, diversity or inclusivity and their salary band?

Summary of response

You requested information on the number of equality, diversity & inclusivity staff, and salary band. Please see our response below:

Please could you provide details on the number of staff employed at the council in roles focused on equality, diversity or inclusivity - We have one 0.6 FTE Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor

Their salary band? - Grade 4 with a salary band of £33 – 40k (pro rata).

Date responded: 7 May 2024

Summary of request

1. The total number of cyberattacks detected or reported to you for each year (and month if possible) between and including 2019 and 2024
2. A breakdown of the types of cyberattacks experienced, including but not limited to:
o Phishing attacks
o Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
o Malware infections
o Ransomware attacks
o Insider threats
o Other types of cyber threats, if applicable.

Summary of response

1. The total number of cyberattacks detected or reported to you for each year (and month if possible) between and including 2019 and 2024 - We can receive multiples daily for phishing etc. We only log successful attacks, which is zero for the timeframe given.

2. A breakdown of the types of cyberattacks experienced, including but not limited to - No Information recorded.
o Phishing attacks
o Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
o Malware infections
o Ransomware attacks
o Insider threats
o Other types of cyber threats, if applicable.

Date responded: 2 May 2024

Summary of request

1 Does your local authority use converted shipping containers, or similar structures, as 'temporary', 'interim' or 'emergency' accommodation

Please answer questions 2 to 5 if your authority does use shipping containers or similar structures as temporary accommodation:

2 (i) How many were in use in the past 12 months from April 2023?
(ii) Please provide the same figures for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, if available.

3 How many (i) individuals and (ii) families with children are currently being supported in this type of temporary accommodation?

4 What is your policy for the maximum length of time that anyone being assisted by your authority should be kept in this type of accommodation?

5 What is the longest amount of time an (i) individual or (ii) a family has been housed in this type of accommodation?

6 Please outline how many people being supported by your authority in this manner are care leavers, if that information is available

7 Does your local authority make use of caravan parks, either private or council owned, to house individuals or families, as a form of temporary housing?
If question 7 is applicable to your authority, please answer the questions 8 to 10

8 (i) How many sites are currently being used?
(ii) How many individual units is this?

9 How many (i) individuals or (ii) family groups are currently being supported in this way?

10 Please outline how many people being supported by your authority in this manner are care leavers, if that information is available.

Summary of response

1 Does your local authority use converted shipping containers, or similar structures, as 'temporary', 'interim' or 'emergency' accommodation - No

Please answer questions 2 to 5 if your authority does use shipping containers or similar structures as temporary accommodation - N/A

2 (i) How many were in use in the past 12 months from April 2023?
(ii) Please provide the same figures for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, if available.

3 How many (i) individuals and (ii) families with children are currently being supported in this type of temporary accommodation?

4 What is your policy for the maximum length of time that anyone being assisted by your authority should be kept in this type of accommodation?

5 What is the longest amount of time an (i) individual or (ii) a family has been housed in this type of accommodation?

6 Please outline how many people being supported by your authority in this manner are care leavers, if that information is available - 0

7 Does your local authority make use of caravan parks, either private or council owned, to house individuals or families, as a form of temporary housing? - No

If question 7 is applicable to your authority, please answer the questions 8 to 10 - N/A

8 (i) How many sites are currently being used?
(ii) How many individual units is this?

9 How many (i) individuals or (ii) family groups are currently being supported in this way?

10 Please outline how many people being supported by your authority in this manner are care leavers, if that information is available.

Date responded: 2 May 2024

Summary of request

- The overall number of people staying in temporary accommodation due to domestic abuse in 2023.
- The number of women, men and children staying in temporary accommodation due to domestic abuse in 2023.
- The average length of stay in temporary accommodation overall and for women, men and children, during 2023.
- The longest stay in temporary accommodation due to domestic abuse during 2023.

Summary of response

- The overall number of people staying in temporary accommodation due to domestic abuse in 2023 - 20
- The number of women, men and children staying in temporary accommodation due to domestic abuse in 2023 -
Women - 15
Men - 5
Children - 27
- The average length of stay in temporary accommodation overall and for women, men and children, during 2023 - 60 days
- The longest stay in temporary accommodation due to domestic abuse during 2023 - 210 days

Date responded: 3 May 2024

Summary of request

1) What has East Devon District Council agreed to in relation to the deployment of 5G infrastructure, including what locations have already been deployed, and which are still to be deployed?
2) Please provide your documentation and policy and any information in relation to insurance for public health in relation to this equipment.
3) What do you know in relation to weather modification, geo-engineering, and cloud seeding that is taking place over East Devon at this time? This is to include all information in relation to coast guard operations, especially those in connection with 2Excel Aviation Ltd.
4) What instructions were offered in relation to COVID vaccination to your staff?
5) What oaths have the various officers taken when taking office?

Summary of response

1) What has East Devon District Council agreed to in relation to the deployment of 5G infrastructure, including what locations have already been deployed, and which are still to be deployed? – No, we do not agree carte blanche and any infrastructure would need an application, which are all available on our website.

2) Please provide your documentation and policy and any information in relation to insurance for public health in relation to this equipment – Information not held. Applications often have tech details including risk assessments, but it is not a planning consideration.

3) What do you know in relation to weather modification, geo-engineering, and cloud seeding that is taking place over East Devon at this time? This is to include all information in relation to coast guard operations, especially those in connection with 2Excel Aviation Ltd – Information not held.

4) What instructions were offered in relation to COVID vaccination to your staff? – Covid vaccinations are mentioned on the staff intranet: Coronavirus (Covid-19) and management of other respiratory illnesses. During the pandemic we would have mentioned vaccination clinics in both staff and resident newsletters.

5) What oaths have the various officers taken when taking office? – Cllrs sign a declaration in front of the CEO when taking up office.

Date responded: 23 May 2024

Summary of request

We thank you for last year’s response and inclusion within our report and now look forward to seeing your inclusion again within our new report. For the period 1-April-23 to 31-March 2024, we please require disclosure of: -
• The grid Electricity kwh’s consumed & the £-value spent (excl-vat).
• The natural Gas kwh’s consumed & the £-value spent (excl-vat).

Summary of response

You requested to know the following:

• The grid Electricity kwh’s consumed & the £-value spent (excl-vat) - 1,206,351.80 / £488,253.60
• The natural Gas kwh’s consumed & the £-value spent (excl-vat) - 1,361,104 / £145,291.66

Date responded: 28 May 2024

Summary of request

1) The number of reviews into the suitability of temporary accommodation carried out in response to a request made in the period 01/04/2022 to 31/03/2024. For the avoidance of doubt, I refer to a review of suitability in response to the housing applicant’s request under s.202(1)(g) of the Housing Act 1996. This may also be referred to as a s202 review.

2) Can you please group the reviews by how long they took, in days, to be completed. This could be in a table showing the number of reviews which took 7 days to complete, 8 days to complete, etc. There is no need to provide blank rows (e.g. if no reviews took 9 days), just for the total number of reviews to match the figure provided in response to point 1 of this request.

3) Can you provide the totals of the various outcomes for these reviews. For example, how many placements were found to be unsuitable, how many suitable, and any other categories you use.

4) And please, unless this specific part of the request takes the work over the cost exemption, provide the number of suitability reviews that found the accommodation contained Category 1 hazards. If the cost exemption is breached by inclusion of this point (4), then please confine your response to points 1-3.

Summary of response

1) The number of reviews into the suitability of temporary accommodation carried out in response to a request made in the period 01/04/2022 to 31/03/2024. For the avoidance of doubt, I refer to a review of suitability in response to the housing applicant’s request under s.202(1)(g) of the Housing Act 1996. This may also be referred to as a s202 review - Zero

2) Can you please group the reviews by how long they took, in days, to be completed. This could be in a table showing the number of reviews which took 7 days to complete, 8 days to complete, etc. There is no need to provide blank rows (e.g. if no reviews took 9 days), just for the total number of reviews to match the figure provided in response to point 1 of this request - N/A

3) Can you provide the totals of the various outcomes for these reviews. For example, how many placements were found to be unsuitable, how many suitable, and any other categories you use - N/A

4) And please, unless this specific part of the request takes the work over the cost exemption, provide the number of suitability reviews that found the accommodation contained Category 1 hazards. If the cost exemption is breached by inclusion of this point (4), then please confine your response to points 1-3 - N/A

Date responded: 26 April 2024

Summary of request

Animal Feed
Animal Health & Welfare

Could you please provide response to the questions below:

Animal Feed

1. How many officers are in the inspections of animal feed establishments within your council?
2. How many feed establishments are in the council area?
3. How many of these establishments have been inspected within the last 3 years?
4. If these inspections are undertaken by an external agency or contractor, please provide the name of the Agency.

Animal Health & Welfare
5. How many officers are involved in the inspection of premises for the purposes of animal health and welfare?
6. How many premises within the council area require an inspection in relation to animal health and welfare?
7. Is there an animal market within the council area?
8. How many officers visit these animal markets, and what frequency?
9. If these inspections are undertaken by an external agency or contractor, please provide the name of the Agency.

Animal Related Licensing
Please provide a link to your licensing register for animal related activities. (If not available)
10. How many licenses has the council issued in relation to animal boarding establishments?
11. How many licences have been issued in relation to riding establishments?
12. How many licences have been issued for animal breeding establishments?

Summary of response

Animal Feed - Inspections fall under the remit of Devon County Council Trading Standards

1. How many officers are in the inspections of animal feed establishments within your council?
2. How many feed establishments are in the council area?
3. How many of these establishments have been inspected within the last 3 years?
4. If these inspections are undertaken by an external agency or contractor, please provide the name of the Agency.

Animal Health & Welfare - Current licensed establishments https://eastdevon.gov.uk/environmental-health-and-wellbeing/licensing-and-registrations/animal-licensing/current-licensed-establishments/
5. How many officers are involved in the inspection of premises for the purposes of animal health and welfare? - X3
6. How many premises within the council area require an inspection in relation to animal health and welfare? - see link above
7. Is there an animal market within the council area? - No
8. How many officers visit these animal markets, and what frequency? - N/A
9. If these inspections are undertaken by an external agency or contractor, please provide the name of the Agency - N/A

Animal Related Licensing - See Current licensed establishments https://eastdevon.gov.uk/environmental-health-and-wellbeing/licensing-and-registrations/animal-licensing/current-licensed-establishments/

Please provide a link to your licensing register for animal related activities. (If not available)
10. How many licenses has the council issued in relation to animal boarding establishments?
11. How many licences have been issued in relation to riding establishments?
12. How many licences have been issued for animal breeding establishments?

Date responded: 26 April 2024

Summary of request

From the time period between 2021 and 2024 please provide the data for the number of council
flats and houses that were found to be illegally sublet for each year.

For each case, please provide a description as to what happened. i.e. outcome, prosecution, fines and please explain the platform or method used to rent out the property e.g. Airbnb or Zoopla and how it was discovered.

Summary of response

You requested to know the data for the number of council flats and houses that were found to be illegally sublet for each year. This information is not held.

Date responded: 9 May 2024

Summary of request

1. Network Provider(s) - Please provide me with the network provider name e.g., EE, Telefonica, Vodafone, Three

2. Annual Average Spend for each Network Provider - If this is a new contract, can you please provide the estimated annual spend.

3. Number of Connections- Number of connections for each network provider. (Number of voices only devices, voice and data devices, data only devices) please provide me with the breakdown and not the overall total.

4. Duration of the contract- please state if the contract also includes contract extensions for each provider.

5. Contract Start Date- please can you provide me with the start date of the signed agreement. Please do not provide me with the framework contract date I require the contract dates of the signed agreement. (if there are multiple start dates, could you please provide me with the earliest date for each provider)

6. Contract Expiry Date- please can you provide me with the expiry date of the signed agreement. Please do not provide me with the framework contract date. I require the contract dates of the signed agreement. If the contract is rolling, please state.

7. Contract Review Date- Please can you provide me with a date when the organisation plans to review this contract.

8. The person in the organisation responsible for this particular contract. Can you send me the full contact details Contact Name, Job Title, Contact Number and direct email address for each network provider? If full contact details cannot be provided, please send me their actual job title.

9.If the mobile phone contract is provided by a managed contract, please provide me with the actual name of the network provider along with the number of connections and the internal contact from within the organisation responsible for this contract.

Please can you provide me with the latest information- If the organisations are currently out to tender, please can you also state the approx. date of the award along with the information above.

Also, if the contract in the response has expired/rolling please can you provide me with further information if available of the organisation's plans going forward with regards to mobiles and the contract status?

If this contract was awarded within the past three months, can you please provide me with a shortlist of suppliers that bid on the contract?

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 the last 3 years. If this is a new contract can you please provide the estimated annual spend.
EE - £136,932 over three years to date
O2 - £64,679 over three years to date
Vodafone - £7,487.31 per year for 2 years – new contract
Gamma - £11,460 over three years

3.Number of Connections- Number of connections for each network provider. (number of voice only devices, voice and data devices, data only devices) please provide me with the breakdown and not the overall total.
EE - 547 sims (Data only:130 / Voice only:19 / Voice & Data:398)
Vodafone - 258 sims (Data only:43 / Voice & Data:214)
02 - 876 sims (Data only:256 / Voice only:100 / Voice & Data:520)
Gamma - 46 sims (Data only:35/ Voice & Data:11)

4.Duration of the contract- please state if the contract also includes contract extensions for each provider.
EE - 3 years
Vodafone - 2 years
02 - 3 years
Gamma - 1 year

5.Contract Start Date- please can you provide me with the start date of the signed agreement. Please do not provide me with the framework contract date I require the contract dates of the signed agreement. (if there are multiple start dates, could you please provide me with the earliest date for each provider)
EE – Q1 2023
Vodafone – April 2024
02 – Q3 2023
Gamma – Q3 2023

6.Contract Expiry Date- please can you provide me with the expiry date of the signed agreement. Please do not provide me with the framework contract date I require the contract dates of the signed agreement. If the contract is rolling please state.
EE – Q1 2025
Vodafone – April 2026
O2 – Q3 2025 …..Rolling monthly
Gamma – Q3 2024 …..Rolling monthly

7.Contract Review Date- Please can you provide me with a date when the organisation plans to review this contract.
EE – Q1 2025
Vodafone - Q1 2026
02 – Q2 2025
Gamma – Q3 - 2024

Date responded: 22 April 2024

Summary of request

I would like to review the information provided to the Environmental Protection team in regards to the application for the systems to be used and approved by EDCC re Mickeys Restaurant.

Summary of response

You requested information provided to the Environmental Protection team in regards to the application for the systems to be used and approved by EDDC re Mickeys Restaurant.

Please see the extra ordinary council meeting report below where the piling works were approved:

democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk/documents/s23214/Exmouth Sea Wall works for Council v2.pdf
This document was available to the public on release.

Date responded: 14 May 2024

Summary of request

For the tax years 2014/15 to 2022/23 inclusive, please would you please fully disclose the following details, breaking the figures by year:

1. How much revenue has been received by your organisation for services rendered to film and television productions? This could include location rental, permits and all other services related to film productions using your personnel or resources.

2. Please outline the type of work or service rendered, in each case and disclose the revenue received for each type of service.

3. How much has your organisation spent on facilitating such arrangements between 2014/15 to 2022/23, inclusive, broken down by year?

Summary of response

You requested information on filming revenue. Please see our response below:

For the tax years 2014/15 to 2022/23 inclusive, please would you please fully disclose the following details, breaking the figures by year:

1. How much revenue has been received by your organisation for services rendered to film and television productions? This could include location rental, permits and all other services related to film productions using your personnel or resources.

An admin and filming fee was introduced at East Devon District Council in 2020/21 Portfolio Holder Report.

March 2020 - April 2021 income from filming permissions was £680
April 2021 - March 2022 income from filming permissions was £1260
April 2022 - March 2023 income from filming permissions was £1220

2. Please outline the type of work or service rendered, in each case and disclose the revenue received for each type of service - The fee is an admin fee and then filming permission fee.

3. How much has your organisation spent on facilitating such arrangements between 2014/15 to 2022/23, inclusive, broken down by year? - No cost apart from a small part of an Event Support Officer salary.

Date responded: 15 April 2024

Summary of request

Can you please list how many public health funerals (or so called “pauper” funerals) your council has organised, in the following years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Do you carry out an attended or unattended funeral?

Do you return ashes to family or friends if wished and, if so, under what circumstances?

If you do return ashes do you charge for that and how much?

What evidence do you require to carry out a burial, if that isn’t the default funerary method?

Summary of response

Can you please list how many public health funerals (or so called "pauper" funerals) your council has organised, in the following years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 –

The requested information can be found on the Council’s website link here https://eastdevon.gov.uk/bereavement-services/

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.

Do you carry out an attended or unattended funeral? - Both

Do you return ashes to family or friends if wished and, if so, under what circumstances? - The Council will return ashes on request to NOK or friends if no known NOK at that time.

If you do return ashes do you charge for that and how much? - No charge

What evidence do you require to carry out a burial, if that isn't the default funerary method? - We do not provide a burial service unless it has been specifically requested in a will and the deceased has finances available to cover that cost.

Date responded: 2 May 2024

Summary of request

How many homes in Beer are occupied all year around.
How many are second homes.
How many are holiday lets.

Summary of response

You requested to know the number of second homes and holiday lets there are in Beer. Please see our response below:

We have 608 live Council Tax accounts for properties that are occupied in Beer; there are 153 Council Tax accounts on a Second home discount and we have 48 Business Rates holiday let assessments.

Date responded: 17 April 2024

Summary of request

How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2023? Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received.
How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2022? Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received.
How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2021? Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received.
How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2020? Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received.
How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2019? Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received.

Summary of response

How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2023? - 0; Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received - 9
How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2022? - 0; Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received - 5
How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2021? - 0; Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received - 4
How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2020? - 0; Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received - 2
How many section 202 reviews were successful in the annual year 2019? - 0; Please also give the number of section 202 reviews received - 0

Date responded: 11 April 2024

Summary of request

1. List of active public sports/leisure facilities fully or partially funded by the local government from 2010, including:
1-a. Name of the facilities
1-b. Postcode of the facilities
1-c. Date of first service (i.e. date when it first started to service)
1-d. (If applicable) Name of the affiliated private entity (e.g. Better, Active etc)
1-e. Date of re-opening after the UK government's announcement to re-open indoor sports facilities
1-f. (If the facilities have ever intermittently suspended operation for some reason other than the Covid-19 lockdown law) Dates of intermittent closure and reopening
1-g. (If available) a brief reason for the intermittent suspension (e.g. financial reason, safety reason, renovation etc)
2. List of discontinued public sports/leisure facilities fully or partially funded by the local government from 2010, including:
2-a. Name of the facilities
2-b. Postcode of the facilities
2-c. Date of first service
2-d. Date of closure
2-e. (If applicable) Name of the affiliated private entity
2-f. (If available) a brief reason for closure (e.g. financial reason, safety reason, moving etc)

Summary of response

List of active public sports/leisure facilities fully or partially funded by the local government from 2010, including:

1-a. Name of the facilities - We have the following sites which are operated by LED –

Leisure Centres/Sports halls
Exmouth Leisure Centre - Exmouth Leisure Centre, The Royal Avenue, Devon, Exmouth EX8 1EN
Sidmouth Leisure Centre - Primley Road, Sidmouth, EX10 9LH
Ottery St Mary Leisure & All Weather Pitch - Cadhay Ln, Ottery Saint Mary EX11 1QZ
Exmouth Tennis Centre - Withycombe Village Road, Exmouth, EX8 3AE
Colyton Sports Centre - Stafford Ln, Colyford, Colyton EX24 6GB
Honiton Leisure Centre - School Ln, Honiton EX14 1QW
Broadclyst Sports Hall - 8 Station Rd, Broadclyst, Exeter EX5 3AH
Axminster Leisure Centre - Lyme Rd, Axminster EX13 5AZ

Stand alone pools
Honiton Pool - School Ln, Honiton EX14 1QW (NB part of Honiton Sports Centre)
Sidmouth Pool - Ham Lane, Sidmouth EX10 8XR

1-b. Postcode of the facilities – as above
1-c. Date of first service (i.e. date when it first started to service) – Operated by LED since January 2006 – we don’t have the information on when first opened
1-d. (If applicable) Name of the affiliated private entity (e.g. Better, Active etc) – LED Community Leisure Ltd
1-e. Date of re-opening after the UK government's announcement to re-open indoor sports facilities – Open other than during Covid19 lockdowns (dates available from www.instituteforgovernment.co.uk
1-f. (If the facilities have ever intermittently suspended operation for some reason other than the Covid-19 lockdown law) Dates of intermittent closure and reopening - None
1-g. (If available) a brief reason for the intermittent suspension (e.g. financial reason, safety reason, renovation etc) - None

2. List of discontinued public sports/leisure facilities fully or partially funded by the local government from 2010, including: None
2-a. Name of the facilities
2-b. Postcode of the facilities
2-c. Date of first service
2-d. Date of closure
2-e. (If applicable) Name of the affiliated private entity
2-f. (If available) a brief reason for closure (e.g. financial reason, safety reason, moving etc)

Date responded: 3 May 2024

Summary of request

I am seeking information about the council housing stock of East Devon District Council.

The total number of council houses administered by EDDC

The number of council houses which have been empty for one month, or more.

The number of council houses which have been empty for two months or more

The number of council houses which have been empty for three months or more.

Summary of response

You requested information on empty Council Housing. Please see our response below:

The total number of council houses administered by EDDC - 4175 (does not include leasehold or freehold properties)
The number of council houses which have been empty for one month, or more - 22 (up to 28 days)
The number of council houses which have been empty for two months or more - 24 (29-56 days)
The number of council houses which have been empty for three months or more - 85 (57+ days)

Date responded: 15 April 2024

Summary of request

For each year from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023, please tell me the following information for your local authority.

1) How many people applied to the council for the Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant?

2) How many people successfully secured a Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant?

3) How many people applied to the council for a Business Recovery Grant (BRG) after being involved in a flood?

4) How many people successfully secured a Business Recovery Grant (BRG) grant?

Summary of response

For each year from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023, please tell me the following information for your local authority.

1) How many people applied to the council for the Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant? - Zero
2) How many people successfully secured a Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant? - N/A
3) How many people applied to the council for a Business Recovery Grant (BRG) after being involved in a flood? - Zero
4) How many people successfully secured a Business Recovery Grant (BRG) grant? - N/A

Date responded: 22 April 2024

Summary of request

1. How many private hire Vehicle Licences are currently issued by the authority in the following categories:

Private hire
How many of these are classed as Wheelchair accessible vehicles?
Hackney carriage/Taxi
How many of these are classed as Wheelchair accessible vehicles?
Executive vehicle
How many of these are classed as Wheelchair accessible vehicles?

2. How many Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licences are currently issued by the authority?

3. How many Private Hire Vehicle Driver Licences are currently issued by the authority in the following categories:

Private hire
Hackney carriage/Taxi
Please state details of any other licence categories offered by the Authority (e.g. dual category licences).

4. Please provide names of all businesses that currently hold Private Vehicle Operator Licences issued by the authority.

5. How many vehicles does the Authority own and/or operate within each of the following categories and how many of these have a registered capacity to carry wheelchair passengers:
M1
Total Number:
Of which are wheelchair accessible:
M2
Total Number:
Of which are wheelchair accessible:
M3
Total Number:
Of which are wheelchair accessible:

Summary of response

1. How many private hire Vehicle Licences are currently issued by the authority in the following categories:

Private hire
How many of these are classed as Wheelchair accessible vehicles?
Hackney carriage/Taxi
How many of these are classed as Wheelchair accessible vehicles?
Executive vehicle
How many of these are classed as Wheelchair accessible vehicles? - Please go to our website for a Register of wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles https://eastdevon.gov.uk/licensing/taxi-licensing/register-of-wheelchair-accessible-taxis-and-private-hire-vehicles/
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. How many Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licences are currently issued by the authority? - 27

3. How many Private Hire Vehicle Driver Licences are currently issued by the authority in the following categories:

Private hire - 51
Hackney carriage/Taxi - 144
Please state details of any other licence categories offered by the Authority (e.g. dual category licences). - N/A. We do not issue dual licences.

4. Please provide names of all businesses that currently hold Private Vehicle Operator Licences issued by the authority. - Please go to our website for a register of Private Vehicle Operator Licences - https://eastdevon.gov.uk/licensing/licensing-information/public-registers/
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.

5. How many vehicles does the Authority own and/or operate within each of the following categories and how many of these have a registered capacity to carry wheelchair passengers:
M1
Total Number: - 8
Of which are wheelchair accessible:
M2
Total Number: - These vehicle types are over 8 passengers and do not fall into the category for private hire licensing.
Of which are wheelchair accessible:
M3
Total Number: - These vehicle types are over 8 passengers and do not fall into the category for private hire licensing.
Of which are wheelchair accessible:

Date responded: 22 April 2024

Summary of request

Could I request a list of Non-Domestic Completion Notices served by the authority from 01/01/2024 to the present date. I would be grateful if the list could include;
• The property reference number (otherwise known as billing authority reference number).
• The address of the property to which the notice relates.
• The date the notice was served .
• The completion date recorded.
• The business or person to whom the notice was served.
• Address to where the Notice was sent.
• Whether the notice was issued by the billing authority or a third party.

Summary of response

You requested information on Non Domestic Completion Notices. Please see our response below:

The council have received zero Non Domestic Completion Notice between 01/01/2024 to the present date.

Date responded: 15 April 2024

Summary of request

1.A - How many vacant council homes, including void properties do you currently have to date? (6th April 2024).

1.B - How many of these properties have been vacant for longer than 3 months?

1.C - How many of these properties have been vacant for longer than 6 months?

1.D - How many of these properties have been vacant for longer than 1 year?

2.A How many people do you currently have to date on your current council housing waiting list? (6th March 2024)

2.B How many homeless families and or individuals have you received from London boroughs (out of area rehousing) in the last 5 years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

- Additionally how many homeless families and or individuals have you received from London boroughs (out of area rehousing) since the beginning of 2024 (Jan 2024, Feb, 2024, March, 2024)

2.C How many people that declared themselves homeless to your council in the last year, were not deemed a priority need and therefore were not accepted onto your council housing waiting list?

Summary of response

You requested information on void/empty properties and homeless figures. Please see our response below:


1.A - How many vacant council homes, including void properties do you currently have to date? (6th April 2024) - 131 void properties

1.B - How many of these properties have been vacant for longer than 3 months? - 69

1.C - How many of these properties have been vacant for longer than 6 months? - 39

1.D - How many of these properties have been vacant for longer than 1 year? - 13

2.A How many people do you currently have to date on your current council housing waiting list? (6th March 2024) - 6047 as at 31st March 2024

2.B How many homeless families and or individuals have you received from London boroughs (out of area rehousing) in the last 5 years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) - 0

- Additionally how many homeless families and or individuals have you received from London boroughs (out of area rehousing) since the beginning of 2024 (Jan 2024, Feb, 2024, March, 2024) - 0

2.C How many people that declared themselves homeless to your council in the last year, were not deemed a priority need and therefore were not accepted onto your council housing waiting list? - Priority Need is not part of the qualifying or eligibility criteria when determining eligibility for Devon Home Choice (DHC) waiting list.

Date responded: 15 April 2024

Summary of request

I would like to request the following information:

- The name(s) of the software used for maintenance management systems (Typically known as CMMS, EAM, Asset Management, Facilities Management) within the council.
- The number of users licensed to use the maintenance management system software.
- The annual cost associated with the maintenance management system software.
- The individual or department responsible for managing and overseeing the maintenance management system software.
- The expiration date of the current contract(s) for the maintenance management system software.

Additionally, I would also like to request information regarding the following:

- The software used to manage the allocation of equipment within the council, for example lawn mowers, road sweepers, waste collection vehicles.
- Additionally, to this, how are the above jobs allocated.
- The software used for maintaining buildings, homes, playgrounds, green spaces & grounds etc. within the local council.
- The software used for registering accidents or damages within all equipment or assets owned or leased within the facility.
- How failures of equipment, machinery, vehicles, damages to property and supplies are logged within the facility.
- Name of software used to ensure equipment, machinery and any other items are fit for use for example periodic testing and calibration, for example fire extinguishers.
- With property, how are they maintained, how is the data logged for example testing, alarm checks, inspections of homes and which software is used to support this if any?.

Summary of response

- The name(s) of the software used for maintenance management systems (Typically known as CMMS, EAM, Asset Management, Facilities Management) within the council –
Capita Open Housing; Idox
- The number of users licensed to use the maintenance management system software – Information not held
- The annual cost associated with the maintenance management system software –
Capita Open Housing - £36k approx.; rolling contract
Idox - £177k across all 3 councils; exp 10/2027
- The individual or department responsible for managing and overseeing the maintenance management system software - Strata
- The expiration date of the current contract(s) for the maintenance management system software - see above


- The software used to manage the allocation of equipment within the council, for example lawn mowers, road sweepers, waste collection vehicles

Recycling & Waste - Refuse vehicles are not recorded on our systems, although owned by us they are registered on a Suez internal system.
Streetscene - Mobile Worker (MW) and a machinery asset register excel spreadsheet.

- Additionally, to this, how are the above jobs allocated.
Streetscene - Mobile Worker (MW)

- The software used for maintaining buildings, homes, playgrounds, green spaces & grounds etc. within the local council.
Streetscene - Green spaces and grounds – no system in use. EZYtree is used to record and monitor data for trees.
Engineering - Play equipment, Park and gardens, play parks, cemeteries and car parks use PSS+ (Public Sector Software).

- The software used for registering accidents or damages within all equipment or assets owned or leased within the facility.

Streetscene - All accidents are firmstep / paperbased reporting forms. We also use MW and have recently started using Stihl connected and Husqavana back office that can monitor the equipment, but this isn’t available on all kit.
Engineering - Engineering - Play equipment/Parks and Gardens/Cemeteries/Car Parks: If the report of an accident/damage comes through CSC then it is logged using FirmStep, that includes Park and gardens, play parks, cemeteries and car parks. Then PSS+ is used to investigate the report, the asset/site is inspected and findings logged and repairs made if necessary.

- How failures of equipment, machinery, vehicles, damages to property and supplies are logged within the facility.

Streetscene - PSS (engineers system) and MW/Stihl connected/Husqavana back office as above.
Engineering - Engineering - Play equipment/Parks and Gardens/Cemeteries/Car Parks: If reported from the public then logged through FirmStep and the inspected using PSS+ and actioned as above

- Name of software used to ensure equipment, machinery and any other items are fit for use for example periodic testing and calibration, for example fire extinguishers.

Streetscene - Green spaces and grounds – no system in use. EZYtree is used to record and monitor data for trees.
Engineering - Engineering - Play equipment/Parks and Gardens/Cemeteries/Car Parks: PSS+; inspection regime is set up.

- With property, how are they maintained, how is the data logged for example testing, alarm checks, inspections of homes and which software is used to support this if any? – On Open Housing; manual input.

Date responded: 24 April 2024

Summary of request

- How much the council has paid in landfill tax over the last five years, broken down per year from 2020 inclusive
- Including a breakdown of how much is paid for the disposal of rubbish fly-tipped on council land

Summary of response

You requested the following information:

- How much the council has paid in landfill tax over the last five years, broken down per year from 2020 inclusive – EDDC is a Waste Collection Authority so waste disposal costs do not fall to us but to Devon County Council (DCC) as the Waste Disposal Authority. You will need to refer this request to DCC.
- Including a breakdown of how much is paid for the disposal of rubbish fly-tipped on council land – There is no separate figure for the disposal of fly tipped waste. This is absorbed into the overall Streetscene costs.

Date responded: 24 April 2024

Summary of request

By what percentage have the business rates you have collected over the last three year's increased?

Summary of response

You requested the following:

By what percentage have the business rates you have collected over the last three year's increased? - 18.13% increase

Collection Rate Net Rates Payable
23/24 98.43% £32,505,206 £31,994,874
22/23 97.41% £33,806,306 £32,930,722
21/22 97.37% £27,815,333 £27,083,789

Date responded: 8 April 2024

Summary of request

1. How many individuals were pregnant on the date they were placed in temporary accommodation between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
2. Please provide a breakdown by ethnicity of the number of pregnant individuals identified in question one.
3. How many children were 0-1 years old when they were placed in temporary accommodation between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
4. How many children were 1-2 years old when they were placed in temporary accommodation between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
5. Do you provide cots to households in temporary accommodation?
6. If yes to question five, are cots for households in temporary accommodation funded from VCSFE, commissioned housing providers, or the local authority?
7. Do you provide written or verbal safer sleep advice to families with children under the age of 2 moving into temporary accommodation?
8. Do you currently have any local policy on the space that must be provided in temporary accommodation to a family with a child under 2 who will need space for a cot?
9. If yes to question eight, please provide the relevant information.
10. Do you currently have any local policy concerning the specific needs of families with neurodiverse children living in temporary accommodation?
11. If yes to question ten, please provide the relevant information.

Summary of response

You requested information on pregnant women in temporary accommodation. Please see our response below:

1. How many individuals were pregnant on the date they were placed in temporary accommodation between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023? - 10
2. Please provide a breakdown by ethnicity of the number of pregnant individuals identified in question one. - White British
3. How many children were 0-1 years old when they were placed in temporary accommodation between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023? - 7
4. How many children were 1-2 years old when they were placed in temporary accommodation between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023? - 14
5. Do you provide cots to households in temporary accommodation? - If required
6. If yes to question five, are cots for households in temporary accommodation funded from VCSFE, commissioned housing providers, or the local authority? - Providers, and if not available the LA
7. Do you provide written or verbal safer sleep advice to families with children under the age of 2 moving into temporary accommodation? - No
8. Do you currently have any local policy on the space that must be provided in temporary accommodation to a family with a child under 2 who will need space for a cot? - No
9. If yes to question eight, please provide the relevant information. - Na
10. Do you currently have any local policy concerning the specific needs of families with neurodiverse children living in temporary accommodation? - No
11. If yes to question ten, please provide the relevant information. - Na

Date responded: 15 April 2024

Summary of request

What is the total number of individuals employed as Covid Marshalls since 1st March 2020?

What was the average contract duration?

What is the total number of Covid Marshalls, currently employed?

What is the total cost spent on Covid Marshalls since 1st March 2020?

Summary of response

You requested information on Covid Marshalls. Please see our response below.

What is the total number of individuals employed as Covid Marshalls since 1st March 2020? - 2 Covid Compliance Officers and 1 Admin support
Any other costs relating to Covid measures undertaken by the Council - PPE costs for Council staff = £31,751.17
What was the average contract duration? - 6 months
What is the total number of Covid Marshalls, currently employed? - Zero
What is the total cost spent on Covid Marshalls since 1st March 2020? - 2 Covid Compliance Officers and 1 Admin support, costs = £39,349 – all grant aided so not paid for by Council.

Date responded: 25 April 2024

Summary of request

How many cumulative working days did council staff spend working from home in 2022-23?
How much the council spent on work from home related costs for council workers (i.e. home desktop screens/office chairs etc) in 2022-23?

Summary of response

You requested the following:

How many cumulative working days did council staff spend working from home in 2022-23?
How much the council spent on work from home related costs for council workers (i.e. home desktop screens/office chairs etc) in 2022-23?

East Devon District Council operates a hybrid working arrangement, whereby teams can agree to work flexibly so long as it is in agreement with the Council’s Worksmart Principles, which include customer and operational service needs. No 100% homeworking arrangements are agreed. We do not keep a record of days worked from home. As the Council does not operate homeworking arrangements, other than the usual laptops, no other equipment is routinely provided for staff to work from home.

Date responded: 8 April 2024

Summary of request

1. Please detail how the authority determine an applicant’s eligibility for a refund in accordance with the legislation.

2. Can you provide any official documentation, policies, or guidelines that outline the process and criteria for refund eligibility under the planning guarantee legislation? This would include any procedural steps that applicants must follow to initiate a refund request.
a) If the authority does not have any official documentation, policies or guidelines and has not sought to create this since the inception of the legislation can you provide an explanation why?

3. Are there circumstances, such as the statute of limitations, under which refunds would not be provided? If so, what are these circumstances? Any supporting written advice from your legal department would be of interest.

4. Has your authority been proactive in informing applicant’s that they are due a refund of their planning application fees paid when they become eligible?
a) If the answer to 4 is no, could you explain the rationale behind this approach?

5. Has your authority been proactive in refunding applicant’s fees when they become eligible?
a) If the answer to 5 is no, could you explain the rationale behind this approach?
b) If refunds are not proactively made, can you advise what happens to the funds from the unclaimed refunds, since the legislation was implemented.
c) Can you advise how much has the authority ‘earned’/received in funds for planning applications from applicants that was due to be returned but has not been.

6. Please provide the contact information for submitting refund requests i.e. the relevant person/team, contact telephone number and contact email address.

7. Please provide the contact information for the authority’s Monitoring Officer, as their oversight may be relevant to my inquiries.

Summary of response

1. Please detail how the authority determine an applicant’s eligibility for a refund in accordance with the legislation - When asked

2. Can you provide any official documentation, policies, or guidelines that outline the process and criteria for refund eligibility under the planning guarantee legislation? - Information not held.

This would include any procedural steps that applicants must follow to initiate a refund request - N/A

a) If the authority does not have any official documentation, policies or guidelines and has not sought to create this since the inception of the legislation can you provide an explanation why? - No. Under FOI we do not have to provide explanations or justification. Only information that we hold.

3. Are there circumstances, such as the statute of limitations, under which refunds would not be provided? - No
If so, what are these circumstances? Any supporting written advice from your legal department would be of interest - N/A

4. Has your authority been proactive in informing applicant’s that they are due a refund of their planning application fees paid when they become eligible? - No
a) If the answer to 4 is no, could you explain the rationale behind this approach? - No. Under FOI we do not have to provide explanations or justification. Only information that we hold.

5. Has your authority been proactive in refunding applicant’s fees when they become eligible? - Yes, when asked.
a) If the answer to 5 is no, could you explain the rationale behind this approach? - N/A
b) If refunds are not proactively made, can you advise what happens to the funds from the unclaimed refunds, since the legislation was implemented - Stays in the account.
c) Can you advise how much has the authority ‘earned’/received in funds for planning applications from applicants that was due to be returned but has not been - No as this has cannot been exactly calculated.

6. Please provide the contact information for submitting refund requests i.e. the relevant person/team, contact telephone number and contact email address - Requests are made via the relevant agent or applicant to the area team, whose details they will have been informed of.

7. Please provide the contact information for the authority’s Monitoring Officer, as their oversight may be relevant to my inquiries - All enquires to the monitoring officer should be submitted monitoringofficer@eastdevon.gov.uk

Date responded: 24 April 2024

Summary of request

1. The amount of money the council paid to providers of temporary accommodation in calendar year 2023, broken down by individual provider (i.e. showing how much was paid to each provider). If the information is not available by calendar year, please provide the figures for the 2023/24 financial year (year-to-date if necessary).
2. The number of households currently living in temporary accommodation. This includes households that the council has placed inside or outside the local authority area, but excludes households placed inside the local authority area by other councils
3. Of the placements referred to in response to question 2, how many placements have their rent fully covered by the government subsidy for temporary accommodation costs (i.e. up to 90 percent of January 2011 Local Housing Allowance rates)?
4. In calendar year 2023, how many households did the council assess as having made themselves “intentionally homeless” due to rent arrears?
5. In calendar year 2023, how many households did the council end its homelessness duty towards due to the household’s refusal to accept an offer of housing outside the local authority area?

Summary of response

1. The amount of money the council paid to providers of temporary accommodation in calendar year 2023, broken down by individual provider (i.e. showing how much was paid to each provider). If the information is not available by calendar year, please provide the figures for the 2023/24 financial year (year-to-date if necessary) – £610 337.39; We are unable to break it down by provider as releasing the providers names could potentially put the residents at risk if they are in temporary accommodation fleeing violence. Therefore this information is withheld under section 38(1)(a) - endangering the physical or mental health of any individual and section 38(1)(b) endangering the safety of any individual.

2. The number of households currently living in temporary accommodation. This includes households that the council has placed inside or outside the local authority area, but excludes households placed inside the local authority area by other councils – 51

3. Of the placements referred to in response to question 2, how many placements have their rent fully covered by the government subsidy for temporary accommodation costs (i.e. up to 90 percent of January 2011 Local Housing Allowance rates)? – 24

4. In calendar year 2023, how many households did the council assess as having made themselves “intentionally homeless” due to rent arrears? – We do not record this information

5. In calendar year 2023, how many households did the council end its homelessness duty towards due to the household’s refusal to accept an offer of housing outside the local authority area? – We do not record this information

Date responded: 26 April 2024

Summary of request

1. What software do you use for your payroll, hr and finance solutions, how much annually do you spend on each, when does each contract expire?
2. Do you manage your payroll in-house or do you outsource it if so, who do you outsource it to?
3. How many people do you pay each month using your payroll solution?
4. How many pensioners do you pay using your payroll solution?
5. Do you use Microsoft power platform technologies such as Power Automate, Power Virtual Agents?
6. What is the employee count in your organisation?
7. Do you collaborate with other organisations in the delivery of HR & Payroll shared services? If so which organisation?
8. Do you work with any industry experts such as ATOS, KPMG, EY, Accenture etc?
9. Who in your organisation is the head of service for HR and Payroll software or services and what is their role?

Summary of response

1. What software do you use for your payroll, hr and finance solutions, how much annually do you spend on each, when does each contract expire?

HR - MHR iTrent - Contract duration 5 years; Contract end date Sept 2025; Cost £64K (3 councils) per annum
Payroll - MHR iTrent - Contract duration 5 years; Contract end date Sept 2025; Cost - inc. in above
Finance - ABS eFinancials - Rolling contract; Contract end date April 2024; Cost - £30K- 40K per annum

2. Do you manage your payroll in-house or do you outsource it if so, who do you outsource it to? - Managed in-house
3. How many people do you pay each month using your payroll solution? - 583 as at 23/04/2024
4. How many pensioners do you pay using your payroll solution?- 0
5. Do you use Microsoft power platform technologies such as Power Automate, Power Virtual Agents? - No
6. What is the employee count in your organisation? - 583 as at 23/04/2024
7. Do you collaborate with other organisations in the delivery of HR & Payroll shared services? If so which organisation? - We process the payroll for Strata IT Solutions
8. Do you work with any industry experts such as ATOS, KPMG, EY, Accenture etc? - No
9. Who in your organisation is the head of service for HR and Payroll software or services and what is their role? - Joanna Fellows, Corporate HR Manager

Date responded: 23 April 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

Summary of request

1. The number of data breach incidents the council has had between 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023- date (March 2024)
1a) Of these, how many were cyber-incidents?

2. How much has the council paid out in compensation for Data Breach claims between 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023-date (March 2024)?

Summary of response

1. The number of data breach incidents the council has had between 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023 - date (March 2024)

2021/22 – 16
2022/23 – 21
2023 – to Feb 2024 – 16

1a) Of these, how many were cyber-incidents? - 0

2. How much has the council paid out in compensation for Data Breach claims between 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023-date (March 2024)? - Zero

Date responded: 17 April 2024

Summary of request

1. In the following dates, how many bags of litter, refuse and detritus was removed from the areas for which you are responsible.

2021
2022
1st Jan 2023 – 9th July 2023
10th July 2023 – 31st December 2023

2. In the following dates, how much money (or other resources) has been spent/used on litter picking in the area for which you are responsible.

2021
2022
1st Jan 2023 – 9th July 2023
10th July 2023 – 31st December 2023

3. In the following dates, how many FPN’s have been issued by your authority for littering in the areas for which you are responsible and how much money have they generated:

2021 - No of fines; Money generated
2022 - No of fines; Money generated
1st Jan 2023 – 9th July 2023 No of fines; Money generated
10th July 2023 – 31st December 2023 No of fines; Money generated

4. If the local authority that I am writing to uses littercam cameras or similar to catch motorists throwing litter from their cars, how many fines have been issued as a result of this and how much money has it generated (please break down by the following dates).

2021 - No of fines; Money generated
2022 - No of fines; Money generated
1st Jan 2023 – 9th July 2023 - No of fines; Money generated
10th July 2023 – 31st December 2023 - No of fines; Money generated

Summary of response

You requested information on litter picking. Please see our response below:

1. In the following dates, how many bags of litter, refuse and detritus was removed from the areas for which you are responsible – Information not recorded.
2. In the following dates, how much money (or other resources) has been spent/used on litter picking in the area for which you are responsible – This is not a separate cost. It forms part of the overall costs for Streetscene and its employees.
3. In the following dates, how many FPN’s have been issued by your authority for littering in the areas for which you are responsible and how much money have they generated:

2021 - 1 FPN; £80
2022 - 0
1st Jan 2023 – 9th July 2023 - 1 FPN; £100
10th July 2023 – 31st December 2023 = 0

4. If the local authority that I am writing to uses littercam cameras or similar to catch motorists throwing litter from their cars, how many fines have been issued as a result of this and how much money has it generated (please break down by the following dates) - Information not held. This information will be held by the Police or Devon County Council.

Date responded: 17 April 2024

Summary of request

Number of Cyber attacks affecting East Devon. Where possible please provide data broken down by calendar year or failing that, by relevant 12-month period (e.g. 2021/22 2022/23 etc.) for which data is available.

1. How many times has your organisation experienced an attempted cyber-attack in the last two financial years?
2. Have you ever reported any cyber-related incidents to the NCSC and if so, how many in the last two financial years?
3. Thinking about cyber-attacks where the criminal was able to obtain data or disable systems, how much have these cost the organisation?
4. How much of the organisation’s total annual budget is spent on cyber support, protection and computer systems?
5. How many people are employed by the organisation to oversee cyber support and programmes?

Summary of response

1. How many times has your organisation experienced an attempted cyber-attack in the last two financial years? - Daily ‘attempts’
2. Have you ever reported any cyber-related incidents to the NCSC and if so, how many in the last two financial years? - No
3. Thinking about cyber-attacks where the criminal was able to obtain data or disable systems, how much have these cost the organisation? - N/A
4. How much of the organisation’s total annual budget is spent on cyber support, protection and computer systems? - Strata’s IT service is all about ensuring security; Strata is owned by three councils including EDDC and its share of the annual costs is 36.692%.
5. How many people are employed by the organisation to oversee cyber support and programmes? - 4

Date responded: 17 April 2024

Summary of request

1. How many citizens used the council’s website, app or online services that are designed for citizen use in the year between 1st January 2023 - 31st December 2023?

2. What was the total number of unresolved queries or tickets related to the council’s website, app and online services in this period?

3. What is the average waiting time for phone calls made to the council’s customer service in this period?

4. What was the average resolution time for queries received through the council’s website, app and online services during this time period?

5. What was the total cost of specifically maintaining the council’s website, app and online services in this time period?

6. How many downtime incidents to the council’s website, app or online services were recorded in the given timeframe, and what was the average downtime duration?

7. What is the average score for the council’s website, app and online services user satisfaction survey in this time period?

Summary of response

You requested information on the council's website, app and online services. Please see our response below.


1. How many citizens used the council’s website, app or online services that are designed for citizen use in the year between 1st January 2023 - 31st December 2023? - 1,468,786 visits to the website during these dates.

2. What was the total number of unresolved queries or tickets related to the council’s website, app and online services in this period? - Information not held.

3. What is the average waiting time for phone calls made to the council’s customer service in this period? - 31 seconds

4. What was the average resolution time for queries received through the council’s website, app and online services during this time period? - Information not held.
5. What was the total cost of specifically maintaining the council’s website, app and online services in this time period? - Staff time so no specific costs.

6. How many downtime incidents to the council’s website, app or online services were recorded in the given timeframe, and what was the average downtime duration? - Information not held.

7. What is the average score for the council’s website, app and online services user satisfaction survey in this time period? - Information not held.

Date responded: 15 April 2024

Summary of request

1. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2011 and 2015 (calendar years, 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. Of the units referred to in response to question 1, how many are currently in the process of being sold under the Right to Buy scheme (i.e. the sale process has started but not been completed)?
4. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2016 and 2020 (calendar years, inclusive)?
5. Of the units referred to in response to question 4, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme?
6. Of the units referred to in response to question 4, how many are currently in the process of being sold under the Right to Buy scheme (i.e. the sale process has started but not been completed)?
7. How many new council housing units did the council complete in 2021?
8. Of the units referred to in response to question 7, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme?
9. Of the units referred to in response to question 7, how many are currently in the process of being sold under the Right to Buy scheme (i.e. the sale process has started but not been completed)?

Summary of response

1. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2011 and 2015 (calendar years, inclusive)? – 16
2. Of the units referred to in response to question 1, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme? – 2
3. Of the units referred to in response to question 1, how many are currently in the process of being sold under the Right to Buy scheme (i.e. the sale process has started but not been completed)? – 0
4. How many new council housing units did the council complete between 2016 and 2020 (calendar years, inclusive)? – 72
5. Of the units referred to in response to question 4, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme? – 0
6. Of the units referred to in response to question 4, how many are currently in the process of being sold under the Right to Buy scheme (i.e. the sale process has started but not been completed)? – 0
7. How many new council housing units did the council complete in 2021? – 13
8. Of the units referred to in response to question 7, how many have now been sold under the Right to Buy scheme? – 0
9. Of the units referred to in response to question 7, how many are currently in the process of being sold under the Right to Buy scheme (i.e. the sale process has started but not been completed)? – 0

Date responded: 11 April 2024

Summary of request

Please can you tell me how many fixed penalty notices you have issued to dog owners for dogs fouling since 2015 until the present day? Can you please provide the annual figures for each year and show how many fines were paid?

Summary of response

You requested the following:

Please can you tell me how many fixed penalty notices you have issued to dog owners for dogs fouling since 2015 until the present day? Can you please provide the annual figures for each year and show how many fines were paid?

2015 – 3(fines paid 3)
2016 – 6(6)
2017 – 4(4)
2018 – 8(5)
2019 – 2(2)
2020 – 4(2)
2021 – 2(0)
2022 – 0
2023 – 0
2024 – 0

Date responded: 8 April 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

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

Summary of request

1.How many incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) occurred within the jurisdiction of your authority during the whole of last year (i.e.2023)?

2.How many incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) occurred within the jurisdiction of your authority have occurred since the beginning of 2024?

3.How many incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) were reported by the public to your jurisdiction during the whole of last year (i.e.2023)?

4.How many incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) have been reported by the public to your jurisdiction since the beginning of 2024?

5.What was the cost of clearing illegal dumping (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) to your authority during the whole of last year (i.e. 2023)

6.What was the cost of clearing illegal dumping (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) to your authority since the beginning of 2024?

Summary of response

You requested the following:

1.How many incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) occurred within the jurisdiction of your authority during the whole of last year (i.e.2023)? - The total number of fly tip reports and visits for 2023 were 399.

2.How many incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) occurred within the jurisdiction of your authority have occurred since the beginning of 2024? - The first quarter of 2024 – Jan to March we have been out to 83 fly tip reports.

3.How many incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) were reported by the public to your jurisdiction during the whole of last year (i.e.2023)? - Unfortunately, we do not have separate figures for fly tips reported by the public and those reported by other councils such as the town council or our own staff members.

4.How many incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) have been reported by the public to your jurisdiction since the beginning of 2024? - As above.

5.What was the cost of clearing illegal dumping (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) to your authority during the whole of last year (i.e. 2023) - The cost of a visit (investigation) is £33 each.

6.What was the cost of clearing illegal dumping (also commonly known as fly dumping or fly tipping) to your authority since the beginning of 2024? - The cost of a visit (investigation) is £33 each.

Date responded: 8 April 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

Summary of request

1/Please can you provide a figure for the number of times your local authority has received a government alert of a serious safeguarding issue regarding a Homes for Ukraine sponsor/ host since March 2022 to present.

2/Please can you detail whether the Home Office shared the details of the reason for their alert in each case, and if so, what they were.

3/Please can you detail what action was taken following each alert. e.g. Ukrainian moved out of sponsor home. Ukrainian stayed at sponsor home.

Summary of response

You requested the following:

1/Please can you provide a figure for the number of times your local authority has received a government alert of a serious safeguarding issue regarding a Homes for Ukraine sponsor/ host since March 2022 to present - Information not held

2/Please can you detail whether the Home Office shared the details of the reason for their alert in each case, and if so, what they were - Information not held

3/Please can you detail what action was taken following each alert. e.g. Ukrainian moved out of sponsor home. Ukrainian stayed at sponsor home - Information not held

Date responded: 8 April 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summary of request