9274

I would like to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act for details relating to how your organisation deals with recycling of materials collected from households and businesses. Including what particular types of materials are recycled and which are not.

Could you please also provide information about your recycling strategy and policy, and how the recycling scheme is communicated to the public (along with details of any associated communications plan/strategy), and education regarding recycling provided to schools/public. 

Thank you for your request for information about recycling which we received on 17 July 2015. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Could you please also provide information about your recycling strategy and policy, and how the recycling scheme is communicated to the public (along with details of any associated communications plan/strategy), and education regarding recycling provided to schools/public.

Recycling strategy/policy – A copy of the policy is located on the website

 A copy of the Waste and Recycling Operational Policy can be found here

21/7/16

9275

I would like to know details of anyone who has died with no known next of kin from 1/2/2016 to the day of your reply. If there are any new cases where the person died prior to 1/2/2016, but that were only dealt with after this date, please also include details.

This should include deaths of any clients whose affairs are managed by the Councils Safeguarding or Deputy-ship Teams, where applicable.

Please also supply a list of any Public Health Act Funerals carried out from the above date (also known as Welfare or Environmental Health Act funerals) if this does not form part of your reply to the above. This should include funerals carried out by the council or on behalf of any third party.

If this information is now provided on your website, please send the hyperlink.

Please include as much of the following information as you are able to:

1.       the deceased's full names

2.       the date they died

3.       the approximate value of their estate

4.       their date and place of birth or age at death

5.       whether or not they were married, divorced, single, or widowed

6.       the maiden surnames of married females or widows

7.       their  address at death

8.       the date when a referral was made of this estate to any other 3rd party or body to research or administer and the name of the 3rd party concerned.

9.       If a referral to a 3rd party or body  has not yet been made could you advise of the case details as above too.

10.  If a case referral to a 3rd party or body is still  undecided or awaiting referral, please also advise of details of the case as above.

 I confirm that the information you requested is held under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However, the Council, for the reasons that follow, declines to disclose the information requested.
Pursuant to Section 17 (1) of the Act the Council
1. States that the above is exempt information.
2.Specifies, that the exemption in question is the subject of an absolute exemption contained within Section 21(Information accessible to applicant by other means) Please see link below

Please click here for the link on Public Helath Funeral

2/8/16

9276

Please find a public information request under the Freedom of Information Act

Please can you provide me with the following information:- 

- Who is the current supplier of your municipal vehicle fleet including the following vehicles: Road Sweepers, Gully Emptiers, RCV’s etc?

-  When do these contracts expire?

-  Which department manages these vehicles and their procurement, please include contact names, emails and numbers?

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Ø  Who is the current supplier of your municipal vehicle fleet including the following vehicles: Road Sweepers, Gully Emptiers, RCV’s etc? – Over the last three years Bedford Borough Council have gone out to tender for the purchase of Road Sweepers purchased from Johnston Road Sweepers, Gully emptiers from Econ/Whale being a multipurpose vehicle used for winter maintenance as well as gully work and RCV’s from Heil Farid and Dennis Eagle.

Ø  When do these contracts expire? Contracts were awarded on a vehicle supply basis only with the Johnston compact sweepers due for replacement in 2018/19 and the large sweepers in 2020/21, Gully emptiers are due for replacement in 2023/24 and the RCV’s between 2019 and 2023

Ø  Which department manages these vehicles and their procurement, please include contact names, emails and numbers? The main contact for the vehicle replacement programme is Steve Waring, tel no 01234 228115, steve.waring@bedford.gov.uk

26/7/16

9277

Please accept this email as a request for the following information, in relation to the property known at:

 Ryswick Road Kempston

Bedford

Access is required to records containing the information necessary to answer the following questions of the CON29R form:

3.1 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.2 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (b) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (c) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (d) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (e) – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (f) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (g) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.9 (a)-(n) - Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.11 – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.13 - Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I attach the information you requested from Environmental Health & Trading Standards department.  Regarding the questions relating to planning, the Planning department advise that all information relating to planning applications is available on our website at the following link:

view application plans

For a copy of the environmental information please contact:

mailto:freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk

22/7/16

9278

Please accept this email as a request for the following information, in relation to the property known at:

 King Street Kempston

Bedford

Access is required to records containing the information necessary to answer the following questions of the CON29R form:

3.1 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.2 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (b) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (c) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (d) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (e) – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (f) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (g) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.9 (a)-(n) - Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.11 – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.13 - Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I attach the information you requested from Environmental Health & Trading Standards department.  Regarding the questions relating to planning, the Planning department advise that all information relating to planning applications is available on our website at the following link:

view application plans

For a copy of the environmental information please contact:

mailto:freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk

22/7/16

9279

I would like to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

1) Please could you advise the organisations policy on advertising external businesses on public buildings, properties and sites

2) Please can you advise the organisations policy on advertising external websites on the council's web site

3) Please can you advise the amount of revenue the organisation receives from marketing/ advertising on its public platforms (i.e. Website, public premises etc)

4) please can you advise the organisations policy on promoting, developing and supporting small businesses

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. 

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

10/8/16

9280

Please send me the high level financial breakdown of the River Festival. I would like to know broadly whether or not it makes money and where the money flows from and to.

Further to your request for information dated 18 July 2016, I can confirm that the information you requested is held under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However, the Council, for the reasons that follow, declines to disclose the information requested.

 Pursuant to Section 17 (1) of the Act the Council

1. States that the information requested is exempt information.
2. Specifies, that the exemption in question is contained within Section 22 (Information intended for future publication) of the FOI Act (FOIA). 

The data to provide this information is not fully available yet and we will send you a response as soon as it is. We believe the data should be available by 30 September and I will bring forward your request so I can provide you with a response.

2/8/16

9281

1)a) How many unregistered schools have been discovered in your local authority in the last 3 years, 2014, 2015, 2016?

b) How many children under 16 have been removed from an unregistered school?

2)

a) How many School Attendance Orders on parents who fail to satisfy the local authority that their child is receiving suitable education (section 437 (3) of the Education Act 1996) have you issued in 2014, 2015, 2016 to date? Please could you also provide an ethnic breakdown if possible of those who received an SAO.

b) How many parents have been prosecuted who did not comply with an SAO in 2014, 2015, 2016?

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. 

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please find the information you requested enclosed. 

1)a) How many unregistered schools have been discovered in your local authority in the last 3 years, 2014, 2015, 2016?

Answer: None

b) How many children under 16 have been removed from an unregistered school?

Answer: None

2)a) How many School Attendance Orders on parents who fail to satisfy the local authority that their child is receiving suitable education (section 437 (3) of the Education Act 1996) have you issued in 2014, 2015, 2016 to date? Please could you also provide an ethnic breakdown if possible of those who received an SAO.

Answer:

2014: 0

2015: Less than 5*

2016: 0

b) How many parents have been prosecuted who did not comply with an SAO in 2014, 2015, 2016?

Answer:

2014: 0

2015: Less than 5*

2016: 0

*Pursuant to Section 17 (1) of the Act the Council

1. States that this is exempt information.

2.   Specifies, that the exemption in question is the subject of an absolute exemption contained within Section 40 (Personal Information) of the FOI Act (FOIA).

An explanation as follows:

We are unable to provide exact figures due to low numbers and the possibility of the individuals being identifiable

8/8/16

9282

1)a) How many children were recorded as missing from education in the last 3 years (2014, 2015, 2016 to date). If possible can I have the figures broken down by academic year, or however you hold this information. 

b)  Can I have an ethnic and religious breakdown on the children in 1(a)

c) How many children in 1a) did your council manage to trace/track down and how many are still missing? 

d) Out of the children that have returned to school, what reasons have been given for their absence? 

e) How many of the children in 1a) who have not been tracked down, have been removed from the schools admissions registers?

2) a) How many children under 16 who were in full time education have been removed from council records/ schools admissions registers in the last 3 years? 2014, 2015, 2016 to date? 

b)  Of those children under 16 removed from schools register, how many have a recorded destination/location? 

c) Of those children under 16 removed from schools register, how many are deemed children missing in education?

3) How many investigations into cases of a child who has stopped attending schools have been completed to ensure that child is receiving a suitable education in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to date?

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please find the information you requested enclosed. 

1)a) How many children were recorded as missing from education in the last 3 years (2014, 2015, 2016 to date). If possible can I have the figures broken down by academic year, or however you hold this information.

Answer:

September 2013 to August 2014 = 161

September 2014 to August 2014 = 157

September 2015 to today = no report currently exist

b)  Can I have an ethnic and religious breakdown on the children in 1(a)

Answer:

We do not collect religion on the school census.

The database system was transferred to a hosted provider this year. The original report writing software was changed/upgraded. We have not yet reproduced the annual reports which include ethnicity with the new software.

c) How many children in 1a) did your council manage to trace/track down and how many are still missing?  

Answer:

September 2013 to August 2014 = 161 all traced

September 2014 to August 2014 = 157  140 were traced and 17 were placed on our missing data base

September 2015 to today = no report currently exists

d) Out of the children that have returned to school, what reasons have been given for their absence?

Answer:

Medical issues

Refusing to go to school

Term time Holiday

Excluded

Going on to EHE

e) How many of the children in 1a) who have not been tracked down, have been removed from the schools admissions registers? 

Answer:  Schools admissions registers are not held in the LA

2) a) How many children under 16 who were in full time education have been removed from council records/ schools admissions registers in the last 3 years? 2014, 2015, 2016 to date? 

Answer: No children are removed from Council records and we do not hold school admissions registers are not held in the LA

b)  Of those children under 16 removed from schools register, how many have a recorded destination/location? 

Answer:  All children are tracked and location is always recorded, however those not tracked will remain on our missing database

c) Of those children under 16 removed from schools register, how many are deemed children missing in education?  Answer: 51 and this is a rolling figure it is not year specific. Children are placed on the missing data base and are not removed until they are found or are no longer of statutory school age.

3) How many investigations into cases of a child who has stopped attending schools have been completed to ensure that child is receiving a suitable education in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to date?

Answer:

  2014: 270       

2015: 319

2016 to date: 441

10/8/16

9283

Please accept this email as a request for the following information, in relation to the property known at:

Humber Avenue

Bedford

Access is required to records containing the information necessary to answer the following questions of the CON29R form:

3.1 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.2 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (b) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (c) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (d) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (e) – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (f) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (g) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.9 (a)-(n) - Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.11 – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.13 - Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I attach the information you requested from Environmental Health & Trading Standards department.  Regarding the questions relating to planning, the Planning department advise that all information relating to planning applications is available on our website at the following link:

view application plans

For a copy of the environmental information please contact:

mailto:freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk

22/7/16

9284

Your local authority website states that the council keeps a register of Food Businesses which is available to the general public.

Please could you send me a list of all business that have registered in the last 60 days?

Thank you for your request for information about food businesses registered in the

last 60 days which we received on 20th July 2016. Your request has been

considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I enclose a copy of the information you requested:

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

15/8/16

9285

 How many ASB cases have you had in the last 12 months?
How many ASB cases have you prosecuted in the last 12 months?
Do you debt profile tenants in rent arrears?
Do you try to trace tenants who have absconded?

Fraud Investigation Team
Do you have a dedicated fraud investigation team?
How many fraud investigators do you have?
How many housing officers do you have?
Do you provide investigation & prosecution services to other housing providers?

Fraud Case Management System
Do you use a fraud case management system?
Was it developed in-house?
Have you purchased a product?
Who supplies your current fraud case mangement system?

Memberships
Are you a member of the Tenancy Fraud Forum?
Are you a Member of NAFN - National Anti Fraud Network?
Are you a member of TEICCAFF
Are you a member of LAIOG?
Are you a member of CIH?

Contact Details
Who is responsible for fraud investigation at your organisation?

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. 

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested and this is enclosed.

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

25/7/16

9286

Please could you provide me with a list of all vehicles in use by Bedford Council?

For each vehicle please include the following:

·   Make and model of vehicle

·  If the vehicle is owned or leased

·  Which team or department the vehicle is primarily used by

·  Which location the vehicle is primarily based at

·  When the procurement contract for each vehicle is set to expire or be renewed.

Please can you also confirm when the next cycle of vehicle procurement will begin or if this is an ongoing process.

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please find the information you requested attached as an excel spreadsheet of the current Fleet list.

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

26/7/16

9287

 I am writing to ask if you could please provide the name, job title and email address for the following roles:

For the Children with Disabilities Team

·   Directors/Senior Managers

·         Commissioners

·         Team Managers

·         Social Workers

·         Care Managers

·         Community Nurses

·         Community Learning Disabilities Team

For the Adults Learning Disabilities Team

·    Directors/Senior Managers

·         Commissioners

·         Team Managers

·         Social Workers

·         Care Managers

·         Community Nurses

·         Community Learning Disabilities Team

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested. However, the Council, for the reasons that follow, declines to disclose some of the information requested.

Pursuant to Section 17 (1) of the Act the Council

1. States that employee names are exempt information.

2. Specifies, that the exemption in question is contained within Section 40(2) by virtue of 40(3)(a)(i) of the FOI Act (FOIA) as it comprises personal data and disclosure would be unfair.

Employee names amount to ‘personal data’ under the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). As you may know, s. 40(2) FOIA provides for an absolute exemption in respect of personal data where the disclosure of that data under FOIA would contravene one of the data protection principles contained in schedule 1 to the DPA.  The question which the Council must address in response to your request is whether disclosure of the personal data in the format you requested would contravene in particular the first data protection principle. That principle requires that any processing of personal data must be fair and lawful and must otherwise meet one of the conditions provided for in schedule 2 to the DPA. The schedule 2 condition which is most likely to be relevant in this context is that provided for in paragraph 6(1) of schedule 2.

The Council considers that disclosure of information that would identify individuals is unwarranted because of the disproportionate adverse effect on the legitimate interests of the individuals concerned namely that they would expect that personal information would remain confidential and not be disclosed by the Council. 

The Council has carefully considered whether the weight of the public interest arguments and the benefits in favour of disclosure would outweigh the harmful consequences of disclosure.  It has concluded that it would not.

Therefore please find below contact details for the relevant areas:

Children with Disabilities Team

Director of Children’s & Adults Services - Kevin Crompton - Kevin.Crompton@bedford.gov.uk

Assistant Director Chief Social Worker- Darryl Freeman - Darryl.Freeman@bedford.gov.uk

Head of Service Social Work - Alexander Kubeyinje mailto:-%20Alex.Kubeyinje@bedford.gov.uk

Adult Learning Disabilities Team

Director of Children’s & Adults Services - Kevin Crompton - Kevin.Crompton@bedford.gov.uk

Assistant Director (Community Care Services (Adults & OP) - Catherine (Kate) Walker- Kate.Walker@bedford.gov.uk                 

Head of Older People & Physical Disability - Jodi Simpson - Jodi.Simpson@bedford.gov.uk

5/8/16

9288

All current Rateable Value assessments and which accounts are, and which are not,  subject to some form rate relief (eg. Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), charitable, empty relief, retail relief). Please include the following columns insofar as possible.

• Full Postal Address
• Rating Description (e.g. offices, workshop etc.)
• Correspondence Address (if different from Full Postal Address)
• Account Name
• Account No./Ref.
• Property Ref
• RV 2010
• RV 2005
• SBRR (discount, not multiplier) – yes or no
• Retail Rate – yes or no
• Vacant – yes or no
• Other relief (e.g. charity, hardship, rural, community & amateur sports clubs etc.) – yes or no
• Current liability start date if post 1/4/2010 – dd/mm/yy

 Further to your request for information, I can confirm that the information you requested is held under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  However, the Council, for the reasons that follow, declines to disclose the information requested.
You requested information on Business rates as stated in your e-mail below.
 Pursuant to Section 17 (1) of the Act the Council
1.States that the Business Rates data sets information requested is exempt information.
2.Specifies, that the exemption in question is the subject of an absolute exemption contained within Section 21 of the FOI Act (FOIA). 
An explanation follows below:
The Business Rates data sets are now published on the website.

As a rule these will be updated as follows:

Business Rates Data Sets – Monthly Balances

Written on and off – At least quarterly (possibly six monthly)

 Credit Balances – Bi-monthly

25/7/16

9289

How many fines were handed to parents in the last academic year for taking their children on holiday during term time?

How much do these financial penalties total?

How much money has the council spent in pursuing term-time holiday fines?

How many parents were charged more than £120 for failure to pay?

How many parents appealed a term time holiday fine?

How many parents successfully appealed a term time holiday fine?

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. 

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

How many fines were handed to parents in the last academic year for taking their children on holiday during term time?

Answer: 680

How much do these financial penalties total?

Answer: £29,820 so far

How much money has the council spent in pursuing term-time holiday fines?

Answer: The costs of collecting fines is largely related to the time of Education Welfare service , legal and other support services and it is not possible to disaggregate time spent collecting fines from their other duties.

How many parents were charged more than £120 for failure to pay?Answer: None

How many parents appealed a term time holiday fine?Answer: None

How many parents successfully appealed a term time holiday fine?

Answer: None

16/8/16

 9290

How many term time fines were issued to parents in the last academic year? 

Please list the data by individual schools, showing the amount that was paid in each offence. 

Further to your email of 7 September 2016 I have now had opportunity to consider the Council’s internal review into the response you received to your information request of 20 July 2016 (FOI reference 9290).

I am now in a position to provide you with the following information:

· The number of fines issued in the last academic year to parents for term time absences, listed by individual school

·  The total these fines amount to

The information can be found as attached 

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

Where data is of a sensitive nature and relates to children or young people the Department for Education ‘Statistical Policy Statement on Confidentiality’ recommends supressing the data where the numbers are small (in this case less than 3).

7/10/16

9291

I can see in the report pack for the corporate services meeting tonight an item dealing with debts owed to the council. The main types are business rate, over paid housing benefits and council tax. P49 of the reports pack lays out the collectable debt the council is owed- £69.9m in business rates, £94.5m in council tax, £184.4 m in sundry debts and £5.8m in over paid housing benefits.

-Please could you provide details of when they debts date to- can you provide the date of the longest standing debt in each category please?

-Can you please tell me how much debt has been recovered in each category by bailiffs?

-How much debt has been recovered through forced house sales?

-How much of the housing benefit debt has been identified as a result of fraud?

-Is it possible to break the £184.4m sundry debts into type- the categories outlined in the report include trade waste, commercial rents, home care and residential care.

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. 

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold most of the information you requested and this is enclosed.

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

17/8/16

9292

How many planning permission applications were approved by Bedford Borough Council subject to a S106 agreement in the last five years?

How many S106 agreements have been amended or discharged by Bedford Borough Council in the last five years, and how many of these applications constituted ‘major development’?

How many planning permission applications were approved by Bedford Borough Council in the last five years?

Thank you for your request for information about S106 agreements which we received on 20 July 2015. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

The information you requested is available on the authority’s website and can be located at here

21/7/16

9293

I am after information relating to land identified as On the North East Side of Cardington Road Bedford.  Under a Land Registry search I believe this holds the Title Number of BD223103.  The OS Grid Reference is approximately TL 06459 48982.  The registry shows the land is being freehold belonging to Bedford Borough Council.  Please could you provide me with the following information:

1) Is the land leased to a third party.

2) If the land is leased what are the terms

3) If the land is leased what is the monetary value paid.

4) The land is showing a covenant. What does this entail.

5) Are there any restrictions on the use of this land.

6) Is there anything specific that would prevent this land being developed on in any way.

7) Is there a restriction on the type of use being changed for this land.

Thank you for your request for information regarding land on the north east side of Cardington Road, Bedford, which we received on 20 July 2016. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Information relating to land identified as On the North East Side of Cardington Road Bedford.  Under a Land Registry search I believe this holds the Title Number of BD223103.  The OS Grid Reference is approximately TL 06459 48982.  The registry shows the land is being freehold belonging to Bedford Borough Council.  Please could you provide me with the following information:

1)    Is the land leased to a third party?

There is a third party in occupation of the land.

2)    If the land is leased what are the terms?

The land is occupied for grazing but it is currently an informal arrangement so we are unable to state the terms or any rent paid.

3)    If the land is leased what is the monetary value paid?

As above.

4)    The land is showing a covenant. What does this entail?

The original conveyance of BD223103 to the Council does not contain covenants.  However, there have been subsequent grants for utility wayleaves and the wayleaves contain covenants.

The covenants stipulated within the wayleaves are to protect the utility routes (pipes, cables etc.) from being infringed upon or damaged by any works or construction on the land by the landowner.  There are also covenants to ensure the utility companies reinstate any disturbed land or property as a result of works conducted to lay or maintain the utility routes.

5)    Are there any restrictions on the use of this land?

The original conveyance to the Council of BD223103 does not detail a restriction on use stating what the land must be used for.  However please refer to answers for questions 6 and 7 (below) for whether planning restrictions may be present on the land.

6)    Is there anything specific that would prevent this land being developed on in any way?

The information is available on the authority’s website.  If you click on the link here

and then click on ‘Map Search’ to identify planning constraints.

7)   Is there a restriction on the type of use being changed for this land?

The information is available on the authority’s website.  If you click on the link here

and then click on ‘How to Guide’ No 10 for a history search to ascertain the use and any possible restrictions conditioned on a planning permission

8/8/16

9294

I would like to have few more information with reference to the current number of PHO, PHV and Black cabs which currently operate in this borough. 

- Number of Private Hire Vehicles

- Number of Hackney Carriage Vehicles

- Number of Hackney Drivers

- Number of Private Hire Operators 

- Number of Private Hire Drivers

- Volumes of Rides per day by PHV and Hackney Carriage

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested. You requested:

Number of Private Hire Vehicles 687

Number of Hackney Carriage Vehicles 70 – Restricted Numbers of Hackney Carriage Licences in Borough

Number of Hackney Drivers 54

Number of Private Hire Operators 50

Number of Private Hire Drivers 748

 Volumes of Rides per day by PHV and Hackney Carriage not information held by licensing authority

22/7/16

9295

Please accept this email as a request for the following information, in relation to the property known at

Westfield Road

Bedford

Access is required to records containing the information necessary to answer the following questions of the CON29R form:

3.1 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.2 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (b) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (c) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (d) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (e) – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (f) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (g) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.9 (a)-(n) - Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.10 – Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.12 – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.14 - Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.15 – Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I attach the information you requested from Environmental Health & Trading Standards department.  Regarding the questions relating to planning, the Planning department advise that all information relating to planning applications is available on our website at the following link:

view application plans

For a copy of the environmental information please contact:

mailto:freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk

25/7/16

9296

Please find below FOI Request.

1.       Do you manage your own parking enforcement or do you outsource it?

1a. If you outsource it, who to? When is this contract due to finish?

2.       What is the approximate value of your Enforcement Software Contract?

3.       How many Civil Enforcement Officers do you employ?

4.       Do you manage the administration of parking appeals yourself or have you outsourced it?

4a. If you outsource it, who to? When is this contract due to finish?

5.       How many PCN's do you issue per Annum?

6.       How many Parking Permits do you issue per Annum?

7.       Please can you tell me what system you use for the case management of your PCN’s and parking appeals?

8.       Please can you tell me when the contract for that system comes to an end and likely procurement timescales if you are re-procure?

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Do you manage your own parking enforcement or do you outsource it?

We manage our own parking enforcement team.

If you outsource it, who to? When is this contract due to finish?

Not applicable

What is the approximate value of your Enforcement Software Contract?

Approximately £40,000.

How many Civil Enforcement Officers do you employ?

25 Civil Enforcement Officers.

Do you manage the administration of parking appeals yourself or have you outsourced it?

We manage the administration of parking appeals.

If you outsource it, who to? When is this contract due to finish?

Not applicable.

How many PCN's do you issue per Annum?

Approximately 35000.

How many Parking Permits do you issue per Annum?

Approximately 1492.

Please can you tell me what system you use for the case management of your PCN’s and parking appeals?

Parking Gateway

Please can you tell me when the contract for that system comes to an end and likely procurement timescales if you are re-procure?

August 2019.

22/7/16

9297

For persons benefitting from local authority funding, what is the fee to be paid by the council for elderly persons placed within independent sector care homes during the financial year 2016/2017 for the following categories of care?

1.       Elderly Residential Care

2.       Elderly Dementia Residential Care

3.       Elderly Nursing Care*

4.       Elderly Dementia Nursing Care*

*Please state fee exclusive of the Free Nursing Care payment for 3 and 4.

What were the corresponding fees for the financial year 2015/2016?

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. 

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I can confirm that we do hold the information you requested 

Please see below new banding rates from the 1st April 2016 for care homes within Bedford Borough.

                 Existing          1st April 2016
Residential Low £470.40     £476.99
Residential Medium £510     £517.14
Residential High £560          £567.84
Nursing £560 + RNCC        £567.84 + RNCC
 

26/7/16

9298

 Please could you forward the results of the camera survey that was carried out earlier this year in relation to traffic congestion in Goldington Ave I appreciate any data and recommendations that have been made

I understand from my colleagues that the information in respect of a survey carried out in relation to traffic congestion in Goldington Ave which we received on 22/7/16 has sent by Cllr Vann as attached.

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

17/8/16

9299

1.Do you randomly breath test your staff on work premises for alcohol? YES / NO

If YES – please answer the following questions;

2.Upon what legislation, regulation or framework are you using to conduct such alcohol breath tests on staff?

3. If staff are found to be over the limit (35 micro-grammes per litre of breath 35mg/L) – what is the procedure for dealing with that member of staff?

4. f staff are found to be less than the limit (35 micro-grammes per litre of breath 35mg/L) but greater than 0mg/L – what is the procedure for dealing with that member of staff?

5. Do you also test staff members that are working from home?

6. Who signed off the alcohol testing policy? i.e. Members, C.E.O

7.Please send a copy of your alcohol testing policy.

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. 

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please find the information you requested below:

1.      No

2-7. N/A

1/8/16

9300

Last year you kindly provided information in respect of fee levels being paid by the council to care home providers for the following categories of care:

·  Residential elderly Low, Medium & High – 470,510,560

·   Nursing elderly (excl. FNC) - 560

Please would you be able to advise what the councils standard fee levels are for the current financial year?

 Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I can confirm that we do hold the information you requested.
Please see below new banding rates from the 1st April 2016 for care homes within Bedford Borough.

             Existing                  1st April 2016
Residential Low £470.40         £476.99
Residential Medium £510        £517.14
Residential High £560             £567.84
Nursing £560 + RNCC        £567.84 + RNCC
 

26/7/16

9301

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please can you provide me with the age distribution of those who have registered to vote between December 2015 and May 2016 in your Local Authority.

I am writing in respect of your recent enquiry for information held by the Council under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Under the Freedom of Information Act the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do not hold this information a subsequent email will be sent as the request has been referred to the Acting Returning/Counting Officer

16/8/16

9302

Would like information about past local taxation for my property.

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

19/8/16

9303

How many motorists, since January 2015, have stated that their Sat Nav directed them to go over the Shortstown roundabout towards the bus lane.

Thank you for your request for information about Shortstown Bus Lane which we received on 2^nd August 2016.

Following careful consideration, I regret to inform you that we have decided not to disclose this information. The information you requested is being withheld as it falls under the exception(s) in Regulation 12(4)(b) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 which relates to manifestly unreasonable

You have asked how many motorists, since January 2015, have stated that their Sat Nav directed them to go over the Shortstown roundabout towards the bus lane.

Since January 2015 we have issued 7,299 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and to identify how many motorists have stated, within their PCN, that it was due to their Sat Nav, this would involve manually going through each PCN individually.  To go through one PCN can take approximately 5 minutes, so by calculation it would take 608 hours or 84 working days to complete this task.  It is for this reason why the Council considers this request to be manifestly unreasonable.

The Council also considers that the balance of the public interest lies in not disclosing such information. Dealing with manifestly unreasonable requests places a considerable burden on the Council in terms of resources and it is considered that such burden is disproportionate and prevents the Council from providing its core services.

10/8/16

9304

Please accept this email as a request for the following information, in relation to the property known at:

 Dog Farm Barns

Bedford Road

Cople

Access is required to records containing the information necessary to answer the following questions of the CON29R form:

3.1 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.2 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (b) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (c) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (d) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (e) – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (f) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (g) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.9 (a)-(n) - Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.10 – Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.12 – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.14 - Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.15 – Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I attach the information you requested from Environmental Health & Trading Standards department.  Regarding the questions relating to planning, the Planning department advise that all information relating to planning applications is available on our website at the following link:

view application plans

For a copy of the environmental information please contact:

mailto:freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk

3/8/16

9305

I am writing to you to request information on staff pay and conditions at Bedford council. 

1) Did the local authority pay the April 2016 England, Wales & Northern Ireland NJC (Green Book) pay settlement (£900 increase for spine points 6-10,  £300 increase for spine points 10-11, £250 increase for spine points 13-14, £200 increase for spine points 15-16, £175 increase for spine point 17, and 1% for spine points 18 and above)?

2a) Does the local authority use the national pay spine or are local pay rates in operation? 

2b) If the local authority uses the national pay spine are there variations, eg some spine points paid at a different rate to the national scale?

3) Does the local authority have an agreement to pay employees at least the Living Wage Foundation living wage of £8.25ph? 

4) For the following job roles:-

a.  Cleaner

b. Teaching assistant

c.  Higher level teaching assistant

d.  Domiciliary care assistant

e.   Refuse operative

f.   Environmental health officer

g. Trading standards officer

If the national pay spine is in use, what are the current minimum and maximum spine points for each job role?   

If the national pay spine is not in use, what are the current minimum and maximum salaries for each job role?

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please find the information you requested below:

1) Yes

2a) Yes up to scale point 49

2b) No

3) Bedford Borough pays a living wage supplement to equal payment of £8.25 per hour.  This is a discretionary payment reviewed in an annual basis.

4)

a)     6-13

b)     6-21

c)      21-28

d)     11-13

e)     14-17

f)      37-40

g)     37-40

29/7/16

9306

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act.  Could you please tell me:

1) How many individuals in your local authority area were in receipt of the Independent Living Fund  (ILF) at the point of its closure on 30th June 2015?

2)  Since 30th June 2015, how many of these former ILF recipients have had their care packages reduced?
3) How many former ILF recipients have had reductions in levels of care package funding and/or support of:
a) Less than 10%?

b) Between 10% & 25%?
b) Between 25% & 50%?
c) More than 50%?

4) How many of these former ILF recipients are still awaiting a community care assessment?
5) What was the average spend on social care per ILF recipient in your local authority area between 30th June 2014 & 30th June 2015?
6) What was the average spend on social care per former ILF recipient in your local authority area between 1st July 2015 & 1st July 2016?
7) Has the monies transferred from the closure of the ILF in July 2015 to your local authority been ring fenced to ILF recipients in your area?

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested and this is enclosed.

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

15/8/16

 9307

Please provide me with the following information.

1. The amount of money your council paid out during the financial year 14/15 in compensation and/or damages and/or other payments to settle civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse. Please give a breakdown stating a) the number of claims b) the date range of the incidents the civil claims relate to, from the earliest to the most recent

2. The total legal costs incurred by the council during the financial year 14/15 as a result of civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse.

3. The amount of money your council paid out during the financial year 15/16 in compensation and/or damages and/or to settle civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse. Please give a breakdown stating a) the number of claims b) the date range of the incidents the civil claims relate to, from the earliest to the most recent.

4. The total legal costs incurred by the council during the financial year 15/16 as a result of civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse.

5. The amount of money the council has set aside / allocated / budgeted for the year financial year 16/17 for compensation and/or damages and/or to settle civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse.

6. The council's child protection / safeguarding or equivalent budget for 16/17.

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested and this is detailed below:

1. The amount of money your council paid out during the financial year 14/15 in compensation and/or damages and/or other payments to settle civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse. Please give a breakdown stating a) the number of claims b) the date range of the incidents the civil claims relate to, from the earliest to the most recent £0

2. The total legal costs incurred by the council during the financial year 14/15 as a result of civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse. £0

3. The amount of money your council paid out during the financial year 15/16 in compensation and/or damages and/or to settle civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse. Please give a breakdown stating a) the number of claims b) the date range of the incidents the civil claims relate to, from the earliest to the most recent. £0

4. The total legal costs incurred by the council during the financial year 15/16 as a result of civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse. £0

5. The amount of money the council has set aside / allocated / budgeted for the year financial year 16/17 for compensation and/or damages and/or to settle civil claims relating to historical child sexual abuse. There is no specific amount set aside – if payments relating to a claim had to be made during 2016/17 these would be met by the relevant external insurer(s), at the time of the alleged abuse, and the Council’s Insurance Fund.

6. The council's child protection / safeguarding or equivalent budget for 16/17. Please see table below

 SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERVICES 
3.3.1 Social work (including LA functions in relation to child protection) £3,613,540
3.3.2 Commissioning and Children's Services Strategy    £2,869,772
3.3.3 Local Safeguarding Children’s Board    £229,930
3.3.4 Total Safeguarding Children and Young People's Services  £6,713,242 

10/8/16

9308

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information regarding Looked After Children (also referred to as LAC, children in care, or children looked after by a local authority).
1. Please could you supply the name, job title, email address and telephone number of the commissioner with responsibility for Looked After Children and/or placements in children’s care homes.
For questions 2 through 11, please supply the following information for the financial years 2012/13 to 2015/16, and where possible, the budget or most up to date snapshot available for 2016/17.
2. Please provide the total number of children looked after by the local authority.
3. Please provide the local authority’s total expenditure on placements for looked after children (q.2).
4. Of the total number of children looked after by the local authority (q.2) please provide the number of placements in children’s homes (not including secure units or hostels).
5. Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on looked after children’s placements in children’s homes (q.4).
6. Of the number of children looked after by the local authority in children’s homes (q.4) please provide the number placed inside the local authority boundary (in area) and the number placed outside the local authority boundary (out of area).
7. Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on placements for children looked after by the local authority in children’s homes inside the local authority boundary and in children’s homes outside the local authority boundary (q.6).
8. Please provide the number of children looked after by the local authority in:
• In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)
• In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)
• In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)
• In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)
9. Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on placements for looked after children in:
• In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)
• In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)
• In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)
• In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)
10. Please provide the number of children looked after by the local authority with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (also known as EBD; Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties; BESD; Behavioural and Emotional Disorders) in:
• In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)
• In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)
• In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)
• In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)
11. Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on placements for looked after children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (also known as EBD; Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties; BESD; Behavioural and Emotional Disorders) in:
• In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)
• In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)
• In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)
• In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)

Revised request

Many thanks. Please could I shorten my request to bring down the associated cost?

Please could I have the following information for the financial years 2012/13 to 2015/16. Please provide this as either a snapshot at the end of the financial year or the total year (according to how data is collected by the Local Authority). Where possible, please also provide the budget or most up to date snapshot available for 2016/17.

1. Please could you provide the number of placements in children’s homes (not including secure units or hostels).

2. Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on looked after children’s placements in children’s homes (not including secure units or hostels).

3. What is the highest rate the local authority paid per week for a looked after children's placement in a children's home?

4. What is the lowest rate the local authority paid per week for a looked after children's placement in a children's home?

Further to your request for information, I can confirm that the information you requested is held under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not oblige the Council to comply with a request for information if it estimates that the cost of complying with the request would exceed the “appropriate limit.”

This appropriate limit has been set in the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 which provides that for a local authority the appropriate limit is £450. This is calculated by reference to a maximum of 18 hours being taken and the cost of staff time being set in the Regulations as £25 per hour.  The Regulations also say that In calculating the amount the Council may, “for the purpose of its estimate, take account only of the costs it reasonably expects to incur in relation to the request in: (a) determining whether it holds the information, (b) locating the information, or a document which may contain the information, (c) retrieving the information, or a document which may contain the information, and (d) extracting the information from a document containing it.”

The Council has therefore decided to refuse your request with regards to Questions 2-11.

You requested:

1.     Please could you supply the name, job title, email address and telephone number of the commissioner with responsibility for Looked After Children and/or placements in children’s care homes. 

Response:  Martin Purbrick - Head of Looked After Children, Email: martin.purbrick@bedford.gov.uk, Tel: 01234 228017

For questions 2 through 11, please supply the following information for the financial years 2012/13 to 2015/16, and where possible, the budget or most up to date snapshot available for 2016/17.

2.     Please provide the total number of children looked after by the local authority.

3.     Please provide the local authority’s total expenditure on placements for looked after children (q.2).

4.     Of the total number of children looked after by the local authority (q.2) please provide the number of placements in children’s homes (not including secure units or hostels).

5.     Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on looked after children’s placements in children’s homes (q.4).

6.     Of the number of children looked after by the local authority in children’s homes (q.4) please provide the number placed inside the local authority boundary (in area) and the number placed outside the local authority boundary (out of area).

7.     Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on placements for children looked after by the local authority in children’s homes inside the local authority boundary and in children’s homes outside the local authority boundary (q.6).

8.     Please provide the number of children looked after by the local authority in:

·       In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)

·       In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)

·       In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)

·       In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)

9.     Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on placements for looked after children in:

·       In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)

·       In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)

·       In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)

·       In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)

10. Please provide the number of children looked after by the local authority with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (also known as EBD; Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties; BESD; Behavioural and Emotional Disorders) in:

·       In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)

·       In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)

·       In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)

·       In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)

11. Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on placements for looked after children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (also known as EBD; Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties; BESD; Behavioural and Emotional Disorders) in:

·       In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)

·       In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘own provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the local authority)

·       In placements inside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)

·       In placements outside the local authority boundary, in ‘private provision’ children’s homes (children’s homes operated by the independent sector)

Response Q2-11: There are 100 data items requested which would take us over the 18 hour threshold to complete.

Revised response

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please could I have the following information for the financial years 2012/13 to 2015/16. Please provide this as either a snapshot at the end of the financial year or the total year (according to how data is collected by the Local Authority). Where possible, please also provide the budget or most up to date snapshot available for 2016/17.

1. Please could you provide the number of placements in children’s homes (not including secure units or hostels).

Answer: This relates to the relevant 31st March snapshot.

2012/13 = 23
2013/14 = 26
2014/15 = 28
2015/16 = 23
2016/17 as at 30th June 2016 = 22

2. Please provide the local authority’s expenditure on looked after children’s placements in children’s homes (not including secure units or hostels).

Answer:
2012-2013 - £2,699,134.59 - Expenditure
2013-2014 - £3,315,587.86 - Expenditure
2014-2015 - £2,902,302.50 - Expenditure
2015-2016 - £3,324,602.59 - Expenditure
2016-2017 - £3,027,530.00 - Budget

2. What is the highest rate the local authority paid per week for a looked after children's placement in a children's home?

Answer: £4,564.39 (as at 31.3.16)

4. What is the lowest rate the local authority paid per week for a looked after children's placement in a children's home?

Answer: £1,680 (as at 31.3.16)

16/8/16

9309

Pease can I get the following information?

1. What is the consultancy expenditure across all council directorates for the period April 2015 to April 2016? Please can you provide this information by total spend and directorate spend.
2. What is the interim management expenditure across all council directorates for the period April 2015 to April 2016? Please can you provide this information by total spend and directorate spend.

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. 

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested and this is detailed below:
1. Consultancy expenditure
 2015/2016  

 Adults & Children's  £190,000 

Chief Executive’s  £447,000 

Environment       £533,000  

 Total £1,170,000
2. Interim Management Expenditure
 2015/2016

 Adults & Children's     £429,000  

Chief Executive’s  £34,000  

Environment  £0

 Total  £463,000

 22/8/16

 9310

The following questions relate to applications for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) for assistance with the impact of the April 2013 Housing Benefit changes for social rented sector tenants, during the current financial year.1) How many disabled applicants successfully received DHP monies in each year since the financial year 2010/11?

2)  What is the total number of DHP applications received to date (disabled and non-disabled)

3)   How many applicants have been awarded a DHP to date (disabled and non-disabled)?

4)  How many applicants have been refused a DHP to date (disabled and non-disabled)?

5) How many DHP applications are still being processed (disabled and non-disabled)?

6)  On average, how long does processing a DHP application take, from receiving the application to providing the final decision to the applicant?

7)  What is the most common reason that your council is refusing a DHP?

8)  Do you include a person’s Disability Living Allowance as part of their household income?

9)  What figure has the Government given for your DHP fund in each financial year since 2010/11?

10) What is the shortest period of time you have awarded a DHP for?   

11)   How many repeat DHP applicants have you administered funding to?

10) How much money from DHP is being used for DFG money?

9311

Could you please provide me with the following information:

1. How many fines were imposed by your authority for unauthorised absences from school for the last academic year 2015/2016?

2. Has your authority changed its practice of imposing fines following the recent test case of May 2016?

3. If your practice DID change how many unauthorized absences were reported during this period from May 2016 but did not result in fines?

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

1.  Answer: 781

2.   Answer: No

3.     Answer: Not applicable

22/8/16

9312

Could you please provide me with the following information relating to the provision of e-learning training for members of your organisation’s adults and children’s social care departments:

· A list of any e-learning solutions and Learning Management Systems that are being supplied

· The name of the company (if not provided internally) supplying the e-learning solution/LMS

·  The contract expiry date of each e-learning solution/LMS supplied

·  The cost of each e-learning solution/LMS supplied and the date range the cost applies to (annually or full term of contract

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

1) Supporting the implementation of the Care Act 2014 e-Learning portfolio of courses. Contract provides unlimited User Licences for BBC employees. 

2)  Me Learning

3)  31/3/2017

4) £16,200 for full term of contract (2 years)

19/8/16

9313

Please accept this email as a request for the following information, in relation to the property known at:

 High Street

Carlton

Bedford

Access is required to records containing the information necessary to answer the following questions of the CON29R form:

3.1 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.2 – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (b) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (c) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (d) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (e) – Highways Development Control Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (f) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.7 (g) – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.9 (a)-(n) - Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.10 – Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.12 – Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.14 - Environmental Health Department, Bedford Borough Council

3.15 – Planning Department, Bedford Borough Council

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I attach the information you requested from Environmental Health & Trading Standards department.  Regarding the questions relating to planning, the Planning department advise that all information relating to planning applications is available on our website at the following link:

view application plans

For a copy of the environmental information please contact:

mailto:freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk

3/8/16

 9314

I am requesting the following information under the freedom of information act.

How many children are registered as being homeschooled in Bedford Borough?

How many children were registered as being homeschooled in Bedford Borough 12 months ago?

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Answer:

There were 79 Bedford Borough known to be Electively Home Educated 12 months ago.  With a further 76 on PLACE.

We are currently aware of 75 Bedford Borough pupils known to be currently Electively Home Educated with a further 74 on PLACE.

Numbers appear to be down as year 11’s that have just left have not been counted in the numbers.

17/8/16

9315

 Please tell me if the council has had to accommodate any elderly people who require social care (between 4 and 16 hours a week) in alternative accommodation such as a residential home or B&B accommodation, because there is no room in independent living schemes in the area?
Please provide figures for the number of people housed in alternative accommodation in 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16.

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I can confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Number of Independent Residential & Nursing Placements During the Following Periods:

2013/2014 – 34

2014/2015 – 35

2015/2016 – 20

23/8/16

9316

The information that I am seeking is as follows:

1. The spending budget for the overall Public Library service year-on-year in the six-year period between 2010/11 and 2015/16. Secondly, a breakdown of how this budget was allocated, for example between staffing costs, book budgets, and other resources.  When providing the book budget, please provide the different budgets for general resources or books aimed at adults and those aimed at children between the ages of 0-16.

2. The number of library staff employed year-on-year in the six-year period between 2010/11 and 2015/16. Secondly, a breakdown of the numbers of library staff employed as children’s librarians/library assistants.

3. The opening hours for the overall library service, year-on-year in the six-year period between 2010/11 and 2015/16 and, if this differs, any further information on opening hours for children’s library services.

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please find the information you requested attached. 

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

19/8/16

9317

Please tell me:

1. In the last academic year (2015/16), how many partially-taken free school meals (defined as when a pupil purchases items which have a total cost less than the allocated free school meal allowance) were recorded for all secondary schools within your local authority area, including maintained, academy-status, free and independent schools?
2. What is the financial value in British pounds of the untaken element of the partially-taken free school meals, as outlined in Question 1?
3. How many schools within your local authority use a cashless system for pupils to pay for school meals?

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

 1 and 2 Answer: The Authority does not give schools a free school meal allowance as this is no longer allowable within the Schools and Early Years Finance Regulations.

3 Answer:  We do not hold this information, you would need to contact each individual school for this information.  Please find attached a copy of the Bedford Borough School Directory for your information

16/8/16

9318

 Please may I have a copy of the bid recently submitted to SEMLEP for £5.1M for the Ampthill Road Southern Gateway and a copy of the drawings for the proposed scheme to substantiate the bid

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council.

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.The information you requested is attached.

 Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

12/8/16

9319

I understand that the Mayor now accepts that the decision to approve the new footbridge connecting St Mary's Gardens with the Riverside North Development was approved by Council officers in error.  He is also quoted as saying that he expects the situation to be remedied.  What action does the Mayor now expect to be taken to remove the bridge, to consider a revised planning application and to censure the officers who approved the present structure?.

Can the Mayor also confirm that he was not consulted by the officers before they took the delegated decision on the present structure

Thank you for your request for information about the Riverside North footbridge which we received on 27 July 2016.

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.  I can confirm we do hold the information requested and that this has been provided in the Mayor’s e-mail to you dated 19 August 2016.

22/8/16

 9320

I am looking to be provided with the consultee comments for planning application 16/01382/MAF.

The following show as being consulted but do not show the responses online:

-Kempston Town Council

Consultation Date: Mon 23 May 2016

-Kempston Rural Parish Council

Consultation Date: Mon 23 May 2016

-HECS (Env Health & Trading Standards)

Consultation Date: Mon 23 May 2016

-Access Officer

Consultation Date: Mon 23 May 2016

-Policy Section

Consultation Date: Mon 23 May 2016

-Drainage Engineer

Consultation Date: Mon 23 May 2016

-Waste Services Manager

Consultation Date: Mon 23 May 2016

-Highways (Development Control) Officer

Consultation Date: Mon 23 May 2016

-Police Architectural Liaison Officer

Consultation Date: Mon 23 May 2016

Thank you for your request for information about consultee comments for planning application 16/01382/MAF which we received on 27 July 2016. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

The information you requested is part of the public file and is available for public inspection at the Customer Service Centre.  The address is 2 Horne Lane, Bedford, MK40 1RA and the opening hours are Monday to Thursday: 8.45am to 5pm and Friday: 8.45am to 4.45pm.   The information will appear online once the officer has written his report.

1/8/16

9321

 What is the total amount of money this Council has spent on all Transportation (including but not limited to taxi cabs, mini bus's, mini van's and escort services) for SEN children to and from their schools? Please can I have the total amount spent in 2015 and the total spend in 2016 so far.

 Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested and this is detailed below:
Response:
Fiscal Year 2015/2016: £1,431,770
Fiscal Year 2016/2017 so far (1 April 2016 – 31 July 2016): £381,061

22/8/16

9322

 RE: Oliver Close, Kempston, Bedford
Please could you supply the following Con29 information as relates to the above property/ies, pursuant to the Environmental Information Regulations:
Con29 3.3 Drainage is the property served by sustainable urban drainage system/ Are there any SuDs featured within the boundary of the property? If yes, is the owner responsible for maintenance?
Con29 3.7 Do any statutory notices which relate to the following matters exist in relation to the property other than those revealed in a response to any other enquiry herein:
b) environment;(c) health and safety; (d) housing; (e) highways; (f) public health or (g)flood and costal erosion risk management?
Con29 3.11 Has any enforceable order or decision been made to compulsorily purchase or acquire the property?
Con29 3.12 Do any of the following apply (including any relating to land adjacent to or adjoining the property which has been identified as contaminated land because it is in such a condition that harm or pollution of controlled waters might be caused on the property) –
(a) a contaminated land notice;
(b) in relation to a register maintained under section 78R of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(5) –
(i) a decision to make an entry; or
(ii) an entry; or
(c) consultation with the owner or occupier of the property conducted under section 78G(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(6) before the service of a remediation notice?

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I attach the information you requested from Environmental Health & Trading Standards department.  Regarding the questions relating to planning, the Planning department advise that all information relating to planning applications is available on our website at the following link:

view application plans

For a copy of the environmental information please contact:

mailto:freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk

3/8/16

9323

 1. Whether the council has fallen victim to a ransomware virus scam  or has been made aware that it has transmitted a ransomware virus scan from its email server, between 1 January 2014 and 31 July 2016 inclusive, in whichever format is easiest to supply; and
2. If the answer to question 1) is "yes", how many times the council has fallen victim;
3. If the answer to question 1) is "yes", how many machines (PCs or laptops) were affected, and what happened to them; and
4.  If the answer to question 1) is “yes”, whether the council paid the ransom, and if so, how much it paid in pounds sterling, in whichever format is easiest to supply.

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

1. Whether the council has fallen victim to a ransomware virus scam or has been made aware that it has transmitted a ransomware virus scan from its email server, between 1 January 2014 and 31 July 2016 inclusive, in whichever format is easiest to supply; Yes  

2. If the answer to question 1) is "yes", how many times the council has fallen victim; Once

3. If the answer to question 1) is "yes", how many machines (PCs or laptops) were affected, and what happened to them; One.  The device was rebuilt and the data restored from backup

4.  If the answer to question 1) is “yes”, whether the council paid the ransom, and if so, how much it paid in pounds sterling, in whichever format is easiest to supply. No, we did not pay anything

18/8/16

9324

I would like to request answers for the following…

Q1: Does your local authority issue guidance to those who work on their own?

Q2: Approximately, how many employees of your local authority are now classed as lone workers? As a percentage of total number of employees?Q3: Are those employees who undertake lone working provided any form of specialised training, such as conflict avoidance or De-escalation techniques?

Q4: Are lone workers issued any PPE safety equipment or means for signalling an emergency  (i.e. personal alarms, pagers, mobile phones?)

Q5: Does the Local Authority provide this equipment / service or is it outsourced to private sector companies? If so, whom?

Q6: How many assaults were reported by staff to the Local Authority in 2015 (if no stats known, then for the year 2014).

Q7: Please provide the name and job titles of the person(s) responsible for the safety of your local authority’s lone workers or lone worker policy and lone working risk assessments (health and safety manager?)

Q8: Please list the contact details (phone, email) of these person(s) responsible.

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Q1: Does your local authority issue guidance to those who work on their own? - Yes.

Q2: Approximately, how many employees of your local authority are now classed as lone workers? As a percentage of total number of employees? - Approximately 35% of employees are classed as lone workers.

Q3: Are those employees who undertake lone working provided any form of specialised training, such as conflict avoidance or De-escalation techniques?  - Yes.

Q4: Are lone workers issued any PPE safety equipment or means for signalling an emergency (i.e. personal alarms, pagers, mobile phones?) - Yes.

Q5: Does the Local Authority provide this equipment / service or is it outsourced to private sector companies? If so, whom? - The Local Authority provide the equipment.

Q6: How many assaults were reported by staff to the Local Authority in 2015 (if no stats known, then for the year 2014). - 8 incidents of physical violence towards Council staff were reported during 2015.

Q7: Please provide the name and job titles of the person(s) responsible for the safety of your local authority’s lone workers or lone worker policy and lone working risk assessments (health and safety manager?) - Responsibility for the safety of loneworkers and the risk assessment of lone worker activities is undertaken by the relevant service area/directorate.   Corporate guidance and policy on loneworking is the responsibility of the Corporate Safety service.

Q8: Please list the contact details (phone, email) of these person(s) responsible.

Head of Regulatory Services: John Molyneux, 01234 718099, john.molyneux@bedford.gov.uk

22/8/16

9325

Can you please let me know the following:

1. What was the turnover for the council in the financial year 2014 - 2015. 

2. How many members of staff were employed by the council on the 31st December 2015.                              

3. What was the total amount paid to staff on the PAYE by the council for the financial year 2014 - 2015. 

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council. 

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested and this is detailed below:

1. What was the turnover for the council in the financial year 2014 - 2015.
This information is available on the Council’s website via the following link here
2. How many members of staff were employed by the council on the 31st December 2015.                             
2113 (please note this does not include casual staff)
3. What was the total amount paid to staff on the PAYE by the council for the financial year 2014 - 2015.
£49,633,000 (excluding schools)

30/8/16

9326

1) Does your council use 240 litre bins, or a smaller size? If it's a smaller size, when did the changeover happen?2) Does your council collect waste weekly? If it's bi-weekly, or tri-weekly, when did the changeover happen

Thank you for your request for information about bin size and collection time which we received on 28 July 2016. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.  The information you requested is as follows:

Does your council use 240 litre bins, or a smaller size? If it's a smaller size, when did the changeover happen?

The majority of Bedford has 240 litre bins.  However, any lost or stolen refuse bins are changed to 180 litre.

Does your council collect waste weekly? If it's bi-weekly, or tri-weekly, when did the changeover happen?

Bedford Borough Council collect weekly refuse and alternate weekly recycling.  However, there is a Report going to Executive later this year with options on moving to alternate weekly collection for all bins.

19/8/16

9327

 RE: CAVES LANE, BEDFORD
Please could you supply the following Con29 information as relates to the above property/ies, pursuant to the Environmental Information Regulations:
Con29 3.3 Drainage is the property served by sustainable urban drainage system/ Are there any SuDs featured within the boundary of the property? If yes, is the owner responsible for maintenance?
Con29 3.7 Do any statutory notices which relate to the following matters exist in relation to the property other than those revealed in a response to any other enquiry herein:
b) environment;(c) health and safety; (d) housing; (e) highways; (f) public health or (g)flood and costal erosion risk management?
Con29 3.11 Has any enforceable order or decision been made to compulsorily purchase or acquire the property?
Con29 3.12 Do any of the following apply (including any relating to land adjacent to or adjoining the property which has been identified as contaminated land because it is in such a condition that harm or pollution of controlled waters might be caused on the property) –
(a) a contaminated land notice;
(b) in relation to a register maintained under section 78R of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(5) –
(i) a decision to make an entry; or
(ii) an entry; or
(c) consultation with the owner or occupier of the property conducted under section 78G(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(6) before the service of a remediation notice

Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I attach the information you requested from Environmental Health & Trading Standards department.  Regarding the questions relating to planning, the Planning department advise that all information relating to planning applications is available on our website at the following link:

view application plans

For a copy of the environmental information please contact:

mailto:freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk

3/8/16

9328

 How many people are employed in your contact centre(s)?             
What are your opening hours?            
Number of telephone calls per months for the past two years (and monthly average over this period)            
Average handling time?            
First point of contact resolution rate?            
Average cost per contact and how this is calculated?            
What is the total annual cost of your contact centres(s), including staff?            
Do you outsource the contact centre(s)?            
What services do you provide in your contact centre(s) and to which level? (see separate tabs for completion)            
How is your contact centre (s) funded?            
What is the ratio of part-time to full-time employees?            
Which CRM system do you use?            
How many systems do your call handlers use?            
How many systems do you have full integration with through your CRM?            
What type of Council are you (rural, city, district etc.)?            
How many residents do you have?            
I would also be grateful if you could provide the Top 10 reasons for people contacting your organisation across all channels  

 I  refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council.

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.The information you requested is attached.

 Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

9/8/16

9329

RE:Bakers Close, Turvey, Bedford

The result of the environmental search has been designated for Further Action due to the landfill site.

Thank you for your request for information about  Bakers Close, Turvey sent on the 20^th July 2016. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

By virtue of Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 the Council was required to formulate a Strategy to detail how it plans to meet its duty to inspect land in its area and identify contaminated land under sections 78B and C of the Act.

Bakers Close has been identified as either forming part, or directly adjacent to a former landfill site. Our records show the site closed in 1993 and took inert and household waste.

The site has been identified as a high risk site under our inspection strategy. It is not possible to say at this time, when the site may be investigated.

The risk status/ priority for inspection of this site may change should new information come to light.

 17/8/16

9330

Under the Freedom of Information Act, please could you provide me with the following information:

· The number of businesses registered with the council as food businesses in 2013/14, 2014/15 and in 2015/16 respectively, broken down by type of food business registered

· A list of the trading names of all businesses registered in 2015/16 as the following types:

o Restaurant/Café/snack bar 

o Moveable establishment

o Takeaway

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or

not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold the information you requested.

Please find the information you requested enclosed with this letter at Appendix 1.

 Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

19/8/16

9331

I would like information on people dying with no next of kin being known at the time of death from 1/2/16 to the day of your response to this request. If someone died before 1/2/16 but the case has only come  to your attention since, could you please also include details, as follows:

1.  Surnames and forenames or initials
2.  Dates of death
3.  Age at death or date of birth
4. Place of birth
5. Marital status
6. Maiden surnames of married or widowed women
7. Usual address at time of death
8. Approx. value of their estate if known
9. The date you sent information to the Government Legal Department  (or, if in Lancashire, the Duchy of Lancaster, or, if in Cornwall, the Duchy of Cornwall), or confirmation that this action was not applicable.
10. If you have yet to send the information on, as per 9 above, or a decision has not yet been made whether or not to do so, please also advise of this.

 I confirm that the information you requested is held under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However, the Council, for the reasons that follow, declines to disclose the information requested.
Pursuant to Section 17 (1) of the Act the Council
1. States that the above is exempt information.
2.Specifies, that the exemption in question is the subject of an absolute exemption contained within Section 21(Information accessible to applicant by other means) Please see link below

Please click here for the link on Public Helath Funeral

25/8/16

9332

1. How many students were excluded at local state runs schools over the most recent 5 year period (e.g. 2011-2016) (both fixed period and permanent)?

2. Of those students how many were excluded for violent behaviour?

3. How many teachers have been physically attacked by a pupil at school over the most recent 5 year period ?

4. Of those who were attacked, what types of violence did they experience?

5. Were any teachers attacked with a weapon?

6. Of those who were attacked with a weapon, what was the type of weapon?

I  refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council.

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, the authority must state whether or not the information exists and I confirm that we do hold some of  the information you requested and this is enclosed.

Please contact freedomofinformation@bedford.gov.uk for a copy

18/8/16