Bedford Borough Council Requests and Responses ... Borough Council Requests... · Web viewWhen Bedford Borough Council became a Unitary Authority, SAP was not chosen as the preferred

Bedford Borough Council Requests and Responses Received May 2011

Request ID Date of response

Request and Response

2167 27/5/2011 Request:

Please can you provide me with a breakdown of salaries paid by yourselves for the branch officers of each of the three main teachers’ unions – the ATL, NUT and NASUWT.

I understand these fees are paid by the local authority, to the branch officers’ school, and then to the branch officer.

Please can you list the Branch officer’s job title and the annual salary for their union work.

For the sake of clarity – this request does not relate solely to full time union reps.

And please list any additional payments made to the above.

Our response:

Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2167 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 requested below.

Trade union officials do not directly benefit from facilities time paid and receive their normal pay for the substantive post they hold. Schools are reimbursed for their time spent on trade union activity to pay for cover required in their absence. Irrespective of the actual salary of the teacher (or headteacher) who is absent due to trade union duties, the reimbursement for schools covers the cost of engaging a supply teacher to cover the absence and is calculated at

point M6 of the teachers' pay scale (current FTE £31,552 pa). Where a union is unable to identify a serving teacher to take on the representation role and instead elects, for example, a retired teacher, such colleagues are engaged on the supply rate for point M6.

Currently Bedford Borough Council provides for up to 23 days a month across these three professional associations based on local membership. The current approximate allocation is as detailed below:

Union Days Allocated Number Officials Job TitlesNUT 9 2 1 Teacher & 1 HeadteacherNASUWT

8 2 2 Teachers

ATL 6 1 1 Teacher

2168 20/5/2011 Request and Response:

Request Pursuant to Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004 – Request No 2168

Thank you or your request for information about expenditure and compensation claims for kerbs, pavements and public walkways which we received on 28th April 2011. Your request has been considered under the Environmental information Regulations Act 2004.

Bedford Borough Council became a Unitary Authority in April 2009 and we only have information available since Unitary Status. The information you require is as follows:

1. How much did your council spend repairing kerbs, pavements and public walkways in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006?2009/10 – capital expenditure on footways = £1.2M2010/11 - capital expenditure on footways = £0.9M

2. Where you council has separate budget for reactive repairs on kerbs, pavements and public walkways, please

give approx figures for the amount spent in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006?2009/10 – revenue maintenance expenditure (including roads and paths) = £1.8M2010/11 - revenue maintenance expenditure (including roads and paths) = £1.52M

3. How much is reserved to cover the cost of litigation resulting from falls on broken kerbs, pavements or public walkways?2009/10 - £110,3102101/11 - £ 61,020

4. How much was paid out in compensation claims due to poor paving after people have tripped and fallen in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006?2009/10 - £35,0072010/11 - £0

The sums stated relate to costs of claims occurring in each financial year (as reported to date).

2169 16/5/2011 Request:

I wish to request information under the Freedom of Information Act. Please can you give me details of the teachers within your authority who earn more than £150,000 a year. Where this is applicable, please state the total amount paid to the teacher over the last two years, including annual salary and any additional payments (such as bonus). Please also give details of the pension. As is required for any teacher earning above £150,000, please give their name and the name of the school.

Our response:



There are no teachers in schools maintained by Bedford Borough Council earning more than £150,000 per year.

2170 16/5/2011 Request:

I am concerned by the acoustic report in respect of the limited period of testing and its failure to indicate weather conditions, wind strength and wind direction. I believe the brevity of the monitoring period and the omissions may invalidate the report or at least render it inadequate as a tool by which planning officers can assess the likely nuisance caused to local residents should the application be granted.

I note that much is made of the existence of full size aircraft during the 3hr monitoring period used in the report. Please be aware (as I am sure the flying club and Auracle are) that Duxford frequently use the area during their flying days and the monitoring was undertaken on the day of Duxford’s largest ever air display, the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

To make a quantitive judgement on the Auracle report could you please provide me with a copy of the report or at least the dB LAeq, dB LA90 and the dB Lmin recordings for non flying periods from visits to the property which followed noise nuisance complaint some years back?

Response:

Request pursuant to Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004 – Request No. 2170

Thank you for your request for information about flying field application ref 11/00746/ful. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I enclose a copy of the information you requested:

Please contact [email protected] for a copy of attachment

2171 Request Withdrawn

Request:

The total number of staff currently awaiting back pay as a result of Job Evaluation The figure representing the amount of money set aside to meet back pay The figure representing the interest being collected, monthly, on the money as mentioned in No 2 above.

mailto:[email protected]

The expected financial outlay once all back pay has been paid to staff The current saving being made by the council as a result of reductions in some salaries following the signing of the

collective agreement. Written assurance that no members of staff within the authority have already paid back pay. Written evidence to support the councils claim that the delay in meeting back pay is a result of ongoing and constructive

consultation with HMRC

Request withdrawn by Applicant


Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2172

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. What is your role within the Adult Social Services, Procurement, Commissioning or Finance department? Assistant Director Business Support and Operational Housing 2. How has the introduction of Individual Care Budgets (Personalisation) affected you/your role? Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey. 3. What were your initial thoughts about the changes to our Social Care system? Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey. 4. Have those opinions been altered or reinforced since that time and if so, how? Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

5. Describe how you now see your role in supporting the wider care community in your region.Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

6. What tools or facilities do you feel are crucial to have access to, to achieve this?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

7. Should local authorities be less or more involved in assisting Service Users in finding and acquiring the care and support they need, how so and why?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

8. Should local authorities be less or more involved in supporting carers, how so and why?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

9. What information would you like to have regular access to, to fulfil your role or responsibilities and in what format(s)?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey. 10. How could an online solution (Website) to Personalisation best serve you in your role?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey. 11. How could an online solution to Personalisation best serve your local authority?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

12. How could an off-line solution (EG. Telephone help line, drop-in centre etc.) to Personalisation best serve you in your role?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

13. How could an off-line solution to Personalisation best serve your local authority?

Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

14. What perceptions do you have about “Care Brokerage” and companies providing this service?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

15. Is/has your local authority been involved in a Personalisation pilot scheme, and if so which solution did you/are you piloting?As a local authority we have not been involved in a national personalisation pilot scheme. However, we are in the process of piloting a new way of allocating resources - via a ready reckoner tool and a support planning tool. 16. When did/does the pilot begin/finish?The internal pilot began in Oct 2010 and we are in the process of reviewing the outcome. 17. Is/was this a free pilot scheme and if not, how much did you pay?N/A 18. Are you using or considering using a third party to implement a solution to self-directed support?a. Yes (Go to question 19)b. No (Go to question 22) No 19. Which third party solution are you using? N/A 20. What do you like and dislike about this solution? N/A 21. Have you entered into an annual contract with this supplier? N/A 22. What systems and processes have you introduced/adapted to deliver self-directed support?We have adapted our current recording system SWIFT to deliver self directed care and are in the process of upgrading our SWIFT system to include the Adult Integrated System (AIS) and MySupport. This involves re scoping all our business processes to support Self Directed Care. 23. What further changes, if any, are required to complete your transition to self-directed support?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

24. If savings were to be made across any number of Social Services teams/departments within your local authority, which teams/departments would take priority?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

25. In your opinion, who should pay to provide online support services to service users?a. The Service User (Independently)b. The Service User (Out of their approved individual care budget)c. Local Authorities, and if so which department(s)?d. Care providers (As commission on product sales / placement fees)e. Other (please specify)Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

26. In your opinion, who should pay to provide care and support services to carers?a. The Service User (Independently)b. The Service User (Out of their approved individual care budget)c. Local Authorities, and if so which department(s)?d. Care providers (As commission on product sales / placement fees)e. Other (please specify)Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey. 27. What, in your opinion, would be the perfect outcome to the Personalisation agenda?Views and opinions are not covered by Freedom of Information and therefore can not be answered unless presented as a survey.

28. Please list your top 3 priorities when considering your ideal solution to Individual Care Budgets1. To ensure that people are safeguarded against any abuse 2. To ensure that resources are allocated for the individual in fair, equitable and easy to understand way. 3. To provide clear and easy to use information for services users and carers on the availability of service providers to them to enable choice and control. 29. What is your level of budget responsibility (Circle all that apply)?a. I source and/or recommend suitable products services Yes

b. I make purchases within a set budget Yesc. I set/agree the budget Yesd. I sign off the budget Yes 30. Could you please tell us what percentage of Service Users in your district are self-funding, broken down by care type (MH, LD, PD, Older People)Currently we do not record those people who are self funding.



Thank you for your request for information about Roosters Sandwich Bar. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I enclose copies of the information you requested as follows:

‘Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would be grateful to obtain copies of the last three year's Food Hygiene Certificates in respect of Roosters Sandwich Bar.


2174 26/5/2011 Request and response:




Please find below the information you requested:


Information in respect of the Temporary Accommodation Services you have ‘contracted in from Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association (BPHA)’

1. Copy details of the Temporary Accommodation Services contracted from BPHA, including the staffing requirements required to be provided by BPHA through the contract, by BPHA that was in place during 2010 to the End of March 2011.

Please see attached Contract and Service Specification.

A breakdown of how and what this money was spent on.

Services provided for a fixed fee of £179,322 for 57 units of accommodation – breakdown of costs is a matter for BPHA.Copy details of the Temporary Accommodation Services contracted from BPHA, including the staffing requirements required to be provided through the contract by BPHA, that has been in place from April 2011.

Please see Contract and Service Specification as per question 1.

Please also provide details of the date that the contract between Bedford Borough Council and BPHA from April 2011 onwards was agreed and signed between the Bedford Borough Council and BPHA and the date this contract commenced.

Please see Contract and Service Specification as per question 1, except agreed to provide 44 units for £145,000.

2175 3/6/2011 Request:

Please treat this as a request under the freedom of information act. 1. Please could you send me (electronically) your policy/procedure documents relating to complaints of alleged misconduct by officers received from other office staff, elected members and members of the public. Please do not just send a copy of your

whistleblowing policy'/complaints policy, I am also asking for procedure specific to misconduct. 2. In relation to 1. above, how many complaints have been received, since 2005 and please detail whether these complaints were dismissed or upheld and what, if any, further action was taken, also please detail the departments to which the complaints relate. 3. Please could you tell me how many people are currently listed under the Council's 'Policy for Managing Unreasonable Conduct by Complainants'. If there are any, please inform me to which department the complaints relate. Response:

Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2175 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. Question1 Confidential Reporting Policy (attached). Disciplinary Policy (2 Policies attached). The Council is in the process of finalising a Disciplinary Policy for the Unitary Authority. In the meantime the attached County Council Policy is used for those employees who transferred from the County to the Borough on 1 April 2009 and are still on these terms and conditions. The attached Borough procedure applies to former Borough employees and those who commenced employment or moved posts since 1 April 2009. Question 2 Information from HR Please note that Bedford Borough Council obtained Unitary status on 1 April 2009 and therefore data prior to this date relates to the former Bedford Borough Council. 2005 – 2008

Five grievances were raised of which two were upheld and three not. In four cases the action taken involved team training and in one case an employee was dismissed after further investigation. Please note that unfortunately the above does not include details for 2008 as no records are held for this year. Records further do not indicate which departments these related to. 2009 – till present 2009-2010 Adult Services 3 grievances, 2 not upheld, 1 upheld, which led to an informal warning Children’s Services 3 grievances, 2 not upheld, 1 upheld and resolved via mediation CSD 1 grievance upheld, resolved via mediation

2010-2011 Children’s Services 1 grievance upheld, led to disciplinary, employee resigned before hearing could take place CSD 3 grievances all upheld, 1 led to disciplinary and employee resigned before a hearing could take place, 2 resolved via mediation Environment 1 grievance upheld, led to disciplinary and employee given a final written warning. Below is a link to the Ombudsman’s Annual Letter from 2007 to present.Also attached is ‘Ombudsman Complaints Register’ which shows the annual statistics, and the registers for 2005/6 and 2006/7 which shows the categories and outcomes. http://www.lgo.org.uk/CouncilsPerformance/?letter=B Question 3 There is currently only 1 and this is within the Revenues & Benefits section.

Please contact [email protected] for a copy of attachments


http://www.lgo.org.uk/CouncilsPerformance/?letter=B

2176 11/5/2011 Request:

Please treat this as a request under the freedom of information act 2000.

Please can you send me money spent on your Councils main website in the last 5 years. Please include:

Hosting costs (identify if you host the site yourself, or use a third party)

Cost of software used to manage/maintain the website (capital and revenue). i.e. CMS costs, plus other third party software costs (site search, analytics software etc). Also other third party web modules to back office systems; Academy self-service, for example.

Cost of any redesign in the last 5 years

Details of role, location and number of staff managing/maintaining/editing the website (i.e. number of staff in the Web Team and/or Communications Team and their roles, which department these teams sit within, number of staff in other departments editing the site).

Response:





Hosting costsWebsite hosted in house

Cost of softwareLicence for CMS - £15,000

Annual Maintenance for CMS - £12,000pa

Additional modules:Smartlogic - £7,000 paSitemorse - £3,000paSiteImprove - £1,771paCapita:- Telephone online payments - £38,206- Internet online payments - £16,240- Intranet online payments - £11,230Eforms - £ 3,600pc

Cost of any redesign in the last 5 years£6,900

Details of role, location and number of staff managing/maintaining/editing the website2 ICT Web Analysts in ICT who support and develop the site, responsible for web not contentApprox 170 content editors throughout the councilCommunications team responsible for checking and final publication

2177 17/5/2011 Request:

Following on from my last request. Please can you also supply me with the following information under the freedom of information act.

1. Are you planning to sell off any of the council owned property?

2. If so, how are you planning to sell it (eg, Auction, private sale or right to buy)

Response:

Request Pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2177

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council in respect of council owned property to be sold.

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 requested and this is attached.






Please find the information you requested set out below:

1. Please can you supply me with the number of council owned computers. 2400

2. Please indicate the number of laptops, desktops, servers and thin clients500 laptops, 1900 PC, 350 servers, 11 thin clients

3. Please indicate the operating systems on the computers, eg Windows 2000, XP, Windows 7, Mac etc Windows XP on desktops and laptops, including 4 Macs

4. Please let me know how many computers have Microsoft Office installed and which version(s) you use 2400, Windows Office 2003

5. Please indicate the next time you are due to upgrade your computer equipment.

There is an annual Refresh and Renewal programme whereby a percentage of PCs and Laptops are replaced, over a five year cycle.


2179 3/6/2011 Request:

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to be provided with answers to the following queries.

1. Since 1 January 2009, has the council employed or paid for any work to be done by private companies, organisations, individuals or charities, to deal with security, detective work or law enforcement? E.g. private security companies, private detectives, etc. (NB: This should include long-standing contracts within this time period, as well as any cases where only one of either the work or the payment took place during the time period.)

2. If the answer to the above question is 'yes', could you please list in as much detail as possible the nature of the work. This should include information on any CCTV or any other filming was done. 3. Please also specify the date(s) the work took place, the cost of the work and the name of the company/ organisation/ individual that did the work (or is due to do the work). If there is a long-standing contract, please state this also.

Response:




Please find the information you requested attached.



Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No 2180.


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. You requested;

Bedford Borough became a unitary authority in April 2009 and therefore can only provide the information for 2009 onwards.

We only have figures for Bedford Borough Council from Jan 2011 as this is when we introduced the by-monthly report which comes from the police, prior to this there are no reliable stats that can be produced.

1. The number of young runaways (under 18) who have come to the council's attention during 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010

Jan 2011 – April 2011 = 61

2. How many of these young runaways were running away from a) home and b) care

Home = 35Care = 26

3. Do you have protocol and services in place to deal with young runaways from home? Please give details.No

4. Do you have protocol and services in place to deal with young runaways from care? Please give details.Yes. PDF document attached.

5. How many emergency beds for young runaways do you provide today? (And what was that figure for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010?)We do not provide specific emergency beds for this group

6. How many emergency beds for young runaways provided by charities do you have access to today? (And what was that figure for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010?)There are no specific emergency beds available for young runaways

7. What budget is allocated to the prevention and care of young runaways, and what was the budget in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010?We do not have a specific budget line for this client group




I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council in respect of the use of the words “Fraud, Corruption” (FC) in the Council Constitution.

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 some of the information requested and this is detailed below.

The Council’s Constitution does not set out any definitions for the words fraud and corruption. It refers (Financial Regulations) to the Council’s anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies and the Council’s working definitions would therefore be those set out in those policies.

The Anti-Fraud Strategy does not set out specific definitions of the words ‘fraud’ or ‘corruption’ and is published on the Council’s website as follows: The Anti-Fraud Strategy is available as part of an Audit Committee report here:http://bb-mgov01/documents/g923/Public%20reports%20pack,%2012th-Jan-2010%2018.30,%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10

The Benefit Anti-Fraud Strategy which is an appendix of the main Strategy is available as part of an Audit Committee report

http://bb-mgov01/documents/g923/Public%20reports%20pack,%2012th-Jan-2010%2018.30,%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10


here:http://bb-mgov01/documents/g621/Public%20reports%20pack,%2025th-Mar-2010%2018.30,%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10






The names of all bona vacantia estates passed or in the process of being referred i.e. pending referral to The Treasury Solicitor (BV) Department within the last 2 months.

The full name of the deceased The date of death Last know address Approximate value of estate (if not exempt)

We have no clients this relates to.

2183 8/6/2011 Request:

I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to which I am entitled under the freedom of information act. In order to assist you with this request, I am outlining my query as specifically as possible. If however this request is too wide or too unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the act, you are required to advise and assist requesters. The questions I am asking relate to court injunctions involving local councils.

http://bb-mgov01/documents/g621/Public%20reports%20pack,%2025th-Mar-2010%2018.30,%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10

http://bb-mgov01/documents/g621/Public%20reports%20pack,%2025th-Mar-2010%2018.30,%20Audit%20Committee.pdf?T=10

1. How many injunctions has the local authority from 2005-2010 called for? 2. How many injunctions restricting the right of the person in the court case to speak to anyone not involved in the court case have been issued on behalf of the local authority/employees of the local authority since 2000? 3. How many people have been imprisoned for breaching a court injunction order bought by the local authority i)- this year ii) five years ago iii) –ten years ago? 4. How many injunctions have been called for by the Local Authority/Local Authority restricting an MP’s ability to correspond with their constituents ? 5. How many people have been imprisoned for breaching a court injunction order bought by the local authority i)- This Year ii) five years ago iii) –ten years ago? 6. How many injunctions since 2005 have been taken out by the local authority/ employee of the local authority restricting the media’s ability to report cases?

Response:

InjunctionsRequest pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2183



Please find the information you requested is as follows.

The Council became a unitary authority in April 2009 and cannot give a definitive response in respect of the former County Council part of whose administrative area, and functions, were inherited on 1 April 2009. Subject to that the Council would respond as follows:

1. How many injunctions has the local authority from 2005-2010 called for? The Council is not aware of any such applications to court.

2. How many injunctions restricting the right of the person in the court case to speak to anyone not involved in the court case have been issued on behalf of the local authority/employees of the local authority since 2000? None, so far as the Council is aware.

3. How many people have been imprisoned for breaching a court injunction order bought by the local authority: i) this

year; ii) five years ago; iii) ten years ago?None, so far as the Council is aware.

4. How many injunctions have been called for by the Local Authority/Local Authority restricting an MP’s ability to correspond with their constituents? None, so far as the Council is aware.

5. How many people have been imprisoned for breaching a court injunction order bought by the local authority i) This Year ii) five years ago iii) ten years ago? See response to 3 above.

6. How many injunctions since 2005 have been taken out by the local authority/ employee of the local authority restricting the media’s ability to report cases? None, so far as the Council is aware.

Please note that this reply has been provided from information sought within Legal Services.

2184 13/6/2011 Request

I understand you may have received the attached claim from Tinklers solicitors. Under the FOI /EIR could you advise me of your response thereto and provide me with a copy of all paperwork received and exchanged.

Response:




You asked whether the Borough Council may have received a claim from Tinklers solicitors, a copy of which you provided. I have to inform you that so far as the Council is aware no such claim has been received.






Please could you tell me how many Looked After Children there were under the care of Bedford Borough Council at 31st March 2011?

165 Of these, how many were in independent/private sector residential placements and how many were in in-house residential accommodation.

12 in independent/private sector residential placements. 9 in in-house residential accommodation How many were placed out of the county of Bedford Borough?

101 Looked After Children placed out of Borough Additionally, how many were in Local Authority fostering placements and how many were in independent fostering agency placements?

70 Local Authority foster placements and 55 Independent fostering agency Please could you tell me how many Looked After Children over the age of 16 there were under the care of Bedford Borough Council at 31st March 2011?

42 Of these how many are in support living accommodation?

3

2186 16/5/2011 Request:

I wish to make an application for the following information under the Freedom of Information Act I would like to know how many public health funerals have been carried out by you local authority since January 2011. From this information I would like to know the deceased names (including maiden names), date of birth and death, last known address and when or if the estate will be passed onto the Treasury Solicitor, QLTR or the Duchy of Cornwall and Lancaster plus if available the estate value and whether they owned property.

Response:





‘I would like to know how many public health funerals have been carried out by your local authority since January 2011. From this information I would like to know:

The deceased names (including maiden names) Date of birth and death Last known address and when or if the estate will be passed on to Treasury Solicitor, QLTR or the Duchy of

Cornwall and Lancaster If available, the estate value and whether they owned property

There have been none since January 2011.





As indicated on your previous request, we do not hold the central budget for ICT but I can supply you with the terminals by directorate as set out below:

Directorate TotalsAdult and Community Services 244Chief Executive 3Children’s Services, Schools and Families 629Commercial Services 245Councillor 32Governance 144Environment and Sustainable Communities 381Finance & Corporate Services 494Human Resources and Corporate Policy 98Economic Development 37Total 2,307

2188 26/5/2011 Request:

Can you please provide me with a list of all managers within the borough that manage Occupational Therapy & Sensory

Impairment disabilitiy teams?

I am looking to just obtain all Service Managers & Team Managers names and e-mail addresses along with the teams they manage. Like the example below

Service Team Manager Name Service they manageContact DetailsEmail Address

Response:



Jodi Simpson,Service Manager Older People Physical & Sensory Needs,Bedford Borough Council, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP

Email: [email protected]

2189 6/6/2011 Request:

I would like to know the following question, each broken down into separate statistics for 2009, 2010 and 2011 :

1. How many members of staff have received a formal warning for internet or e-mail misuse? Please outline number of social networking misuse cases if available.

2. How many members of staff have been dismissed for internet or e-mail misuse? Please outline number relating to


social networking dismissals if available.

Response:Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2189 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 requested below which relate to all non-school based staff.

Question 1:

One case in 2009 led to a first written warning for internet misuse.

The Council had one other case in 2011 relating to internet misuse, but the employee resigned before it reached the hearing stage.

Question 2:

None

Additional Question:

2009 – 1 dismissal2010 – 4 dismissals2011 (to date) – 2 dismissals

2190 17/5/2011 Request:

I am doing some initial research in the early stages of deploying an e-invoicing system. I am contacting some other SAP enabled councils to see if they have a solution in place.

At a very high level, could you tell me if you have an e-invoicing solution and what it is please. For example is it is a PDF email attachment or EDI, OB10?

Response:

Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No.2190

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.

When Bedford Borough Council became a Unitary Authority, SAP was not chosen as the preferred supplier and the Council uses Agresso for its financial management system.





Please find the information you requested enclosed. You requested:

SECTION ONE: Information request for April 4th 2011 and the start of the new academic year 2011/12.1) How many Local Authority staff was employed centrally to support the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children within the boundaries of the authority on or around April 4th 2011?2) Please indicate their roles (e.g. consultant, teacher, home school liaison etc) and their full-time equivalent commitment to this work eg ft; 0.5fte; 0.25fte etc). If this support was part of a wider role please estimate the proportion of their time allocated to it as full-time equivalent (eg ft; 0.5fte; 0.25fte etc).3) Could you please anticipate whether these staffing levels will have changed by the start of the new academic year 2011/12 and if that is the case - what the projected staffing levels will be then?

SECTION TWO: Information request for the academic year 2006/7

1) How many Local Authority staff was employed centrally to support the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children within the boundaries of the authority on or around April 4th during the academic year 2006/7?2) Please indicate their roles (e.g. consultant, teacher, home School liaison etc) and their full-time equivalent commitment to this work eg ft; 0.5fte; 0.25fte etc). If this support was part of a wider role please estimate the proportion of their time allocated to it as full-time equivalent (eg ft; 0.5fte; 0.25fte etc).

Bedford Borough was not in existence in 2007 with regards to this service. This service was previously hosted by Bedfordshire County Council which ceased to exist on 1 April 2009 when unitary councils were introduced across the whole of Bedfordshire.

One FTE gypsy roma traveller education advisory support teacher was employed on April 4th 2011. This member of staff has now left through voluntary redundancy. All School Improvement Consultants and the Heads of this service will have received expert training by September 2011 so that the needs of this particular group can be better identified and better served in terms of advice to schools.

2192 8/6/2011 Request:

I am writing a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, for details of vacant commercial and domestic properties in your area. The details required are the address of the property and the length of time it has remained vacant and whether the property is owned by the Local Authority, or in private ownership. I am aware the details are held on the list of properties registered for Council tax exemption, due to the fact you have had notification they are vacant. Can you please forward the data in .xls spreadsheet format.

Response:


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 the authority does hold the information requested.

In accordance with the decision of the Information Tribunal on 10th May 2007 in the Bexley case (between Mr Colin P England, London Borough of Bexley, and the Information Commissioner), the addresses of empty properties can only be disclosed where they are not owned by an individual (i.e. natural persons or the beneficiaries of deceased individuals, if they are also natural persons). Thus, under Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the addresses of empty properties which are owned by an individual (or individuals) are exempt from disclosure. Attached are lists of vacant commercial and domestic properties which are not owned by an individual (or individuals)based on the Council’s records as at today’s date. The Council has no housing stock and therefore none of the properties shown on the domestic list are council owned. The list of commercial properties shows which properties are owned by the Council.


2193 6/6/2011 Request:

Would you please furnish us with the names and contact details of various people who fulfill these roles, or similar roles with different job titles, within your authority:

· Community Development Officer· Community Education Officer· Director of Area(s) children and young people; play; playwork· Lead Officer for Children and Young People· Out of School Development Worker· Play Pathfinder· Play Champion· Play Development Co-Ordinator· Playbuilder· Playground Commissioner· Playgrounds in Parks· Training Officer· Workforce Development and Learning Manager· Leisure and recreation team manager

Response:



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 requested attached.


2194 12/5/2011 Request:

Under the FOIA, could I know the following please:

1. How many applications did you receive to designate an area with Town/Village Green status during 2009, 2010 and 2011 to date?

Please break down those numbers by year.

2. For each year, how many applications did you approve?

3. Where were the applications that you approved in 2011 please?

Response:

Town/Village Green statusRequest pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2194

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.

We have not received any applications to designate an area with Town/Village Green status during 2009, 2010 and 2011 to date.

2195 8/6/2011 Request:

Are serving soldiers residing in your area exempt from council tax payments whilst they are in theatre (away fighting)? If so, how many serving soldiers have benefited from this exemption? When did you begin this exemption scheme?

Response:




I can confirm the following:-This Council does not award exemption from council Tax to serving soldiers whilst they are in theatre.


Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2196 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.


Information regarding the Health and Wellbeing Boards:

Has a Health and Wellbeing Board been set up by your local authority with the Membership as per the Health and Social Care Bill 2011?

Yes, in Shadow form currently

Is there representation from the GP commissioning consortia or Pathfinder on The Board?

Terms of Reference attached.

Have there been any meetings to date of the health and well-being board. If so would you please send me an agenda?

Pre-Shadow Board met on 27 January, next meeting 14 June. This was planned so that it could be after the local elections in May. An outline Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy will be a key agenda item. Agenda and minutes attached of 27January meeting.

What commissioning arrangements will be in place to enable the Board to contract with the third sector?

No decisions have been made on funding or any specific commissioning arrangements.

Is the proposed transfer of funds from the NHS, estimated at about 4 billion which equates to about £64 per head of population sufficient to meet all of the expected roles of the health and well-being board?

Again no decisions have been made on funding or any specific commissioning arrangements. The letter from Anita Marsland at the Department of Health to all local authorities/primary care trusts of 17 March provides a timescale for budget moves.





Information you may hold relating to persons who have died with no known next of kin since my last request 16/2/11 to the day of your reply. Please include:

We have no clients this relates to.



Thank you for your request for information about Street Naming which we received on 12th May 2011. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004.

The information you requested is as follows:

1. Does the council have responsibility for and or hold information relating to the naming and renaming of streets within its area?

Yes

2 During the aforementioned period has the council changed the name of any street in its area? If so can the council please state what the street used to be called and what it is now called. Can you please explain why the street was renamed? Please do include details about streets that are to have their names changed in the near future. No

3 Aside from the above can the council please provide a list of street names which were scrapped and or phased out and or discontinued this year? In the case of each street name can you please state why it was scrapped or discontinued? Please do include details of those street names that are about to be phased out or scrapped. None

4. For the aforementioned period and aside from those streets already identified in question two can the council please provide a list of new street names which were introduced. In the case of each new street name can you please state why it was introduced? Please do include details of street names which are to be introduced in the near future. Please see attached document







1. From 1st April 2011, what is your council’s set eligibility criteria banding for social care services, as set out in the statutory guidance; ‘Prioritising need in the context of Putting People First: A whole system approach to eligibility for social care. Guidance on Eligibility Criteria for Adult Social Care, England 2010’. Critical and Substantial plus one-off, short-term time limited, or occasional services on a preventative basis, may be provided to


people to be at moderate or low risk where it is also assessed that the provision of that service will prevent the person falling below the critical and substantial risk threshold within a period of six months. 2. What was your council’s eligibility criterion banding for social care services on 1st April 2010?The same as above

3. What was the total spending on adult social care for the following financial years: 2005-062006-072007-082008-092009-10 £34,4992010-11 £33,707

4. What was the spending on adult social care for adults aged 18-65 with a learning disability, for the following financial years: 2005-062006-072007-082008-092009-10 £7,0622010-11 £6,343 5. How much funding for adult social care has been allocated in the 2011-12 council budget? £37,748

6. Does the answer to question 3 include all additional funds for adult social care as announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010? Partially.

7. How much funding will the council receive in 2010-11 of the additional £1bn on social care funding, announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010, from the NHS?

£657


Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2200- Building and Highways Maintenance Contracts

I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council and write further to my letter of 16 th May, 2011. I omitted to add the person responsible for building maintenance, so please accept my apologies for this.

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. Contract start dates – Oct 2005.2. Contract end dates – March 2016.3. Any possible extensions – No further extensions to be granted4. Procurement method (e.g.) Schedule of Rates – Managing Agent Contract.5. If a Schedule of Rates was used which one? – Bespoke.6. Type of contract used – Managing Agent Contract.7. Value of contracts - £5m per annum.8. List of winning tenderers - Amey9. Contact details of those responsible for procurement for building maintenance – David Joyce and highways

maintenance – Brian Hayward.





Question 1:Currently Bedford Borough Council provides for up to 23 days a month across these three professional associations based on local membership. The current approximate allocation is as detailed below:Union Days Allocated Number OfficialsNUT 9 2NASUWT 8 2ATL 6 1Irrespective of the actual salary of the teacher (or headteacher) who is absent due to trade union duties, the reimbursement for schools covers the cost of engaging a supply teacher to cover the absence and is calculated at point M6 of the teachers' pay scale (current FTE £31,552 pa). Where a union is unable to identify a serving teacher to take on the representation role and instead elects, for example, a retired teacher, such colleagues are engaged on the supply rate for point M6.The maximum basic salary cost for trade union duties of the above professional associations in the previous financial year would therefore have been:01.04.2010 - 31.08.2010 (5 months):£158.15 (Daily Rate at point M6) x 23 days x 5 months =£18,187.2501.09.2010 - 31.03.2011 (7 months): (Teachers’ pay award effective from 01.09.2009)£161.81 (Daily Rate at point M6) x 23 days x 7 months =£26,051.41Estimated maximum total for 2010-11 financial year =£44,238.66

2202 14/6/2011 Request:

Please will you provide me with the following information: The number of employees who were made redundant and/or early retired identified by Job Title and remuneration and their last day of service in 2009/10, 2010/11 and so far in 2011/12. Then identify which of those employees have been re-employed by the Council either directly, or as consultants or as agency staff by Job Title, remuneration, date of re-engagement and length of re-employment.

Response:










Will you please advise who is your agency's Adoption Panel Decision Maker and: a) What position does that person hold within your Authority

Andrew Ferguson Head of Service b) Is that person social work qualified?

Yes c) is that person registered with the General Social Care Council(GSCC).

Yes



I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council in respect of compensation claims.

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 requested and this is detailed below. Please note that we only became responsible for schools with effect from 1 April 2009 when we became a Unitary Authority.

1. In the last financial year (10/11) how much money did you pay to students, who attended school under your authority’s responsibility, as compensation for personal injuries? £0

2. How many individual claims did this represent? Nil 3. For all payments in excess of £2,000 please state the amount of compensation and a brief description of the nature of

the claim, e.g. Fall from climbing frame (£2,100), Fingers trapped in door (£3,150). £0 4. In relation to all claims for compensation for personal injury referred to in Q.1 how many of these claims were for injuries

sustained as a result of an attack or assault from another student? Nil

5. What was the total compensation paid to students who were attacked or assaulted by fellow students? £0

2205 8/6/2011 Request:

I would like to know what CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system the council is using. If the council is about to change their CRM system, I would like to know what both the current system and the new system are. In the event of multiple systems being used, I would be most interested in the one where issues such as potholes, graffiti,flytipping and broken streetlights would be logged.

Response:

Subject: FOI 2205 re CRM systemsI refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council.



Bedford Borough Council currently uses Insight for pothole and broken street light issues, APP for graffiti and flytipping issues, and a Respond database for customer complaints.

2206 9/6/2011 Request:

I am making a request under Freedom of Information to establish the number of council buildings you hold which could potentially be affected by the Literary and Scientific Institutions Act 1854. The information I require should include the name and address of any library, museum or any other public building occupying land that is subject to a reverter clause in the event of a sale.

Response:

I refer to your above FOI request.

Having consulted with the Council’s Head of Property Services and it Principal Conveyancer, the Council does not believe that any of its property is held subject to the restrictive provisions of the Literary and Scientific Institutions Act of 1854.

The Council holds a large number of title deeds and it is estimated that to inspect every single one for an indication of whether the land and property they relate to is affected by the said legislation would exceed the 18 hour limit under the FoI Act.

If you have any further questions in the light of my response please let me know.

2207. 2208 & 2209

13/6/2011 Requests and Responses:

Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No 2207, 2208, 2209.




Request A FOI 2207Please supply the following information: As at 31st March 2011, the total number of ‘looked after children’ in the care of your local authority who were waiting for a foster placement that met their assessed need; broken down by a. children subject to a care order3

b. children subject to an interim care order0

c. children looked after under a voluntary agreement1

Request B FOI 2208 Please supply information that details: As at 31st March 2011, the number of ‘looked after children’ in the care of your local authority that were waiting for a foster placement that met their assessed need and how long these children had been waiting; broken down into the following types of placements (i.e. 1 child has been waiting 2 weeks for a short term placement): 1) Short term placement2) Long term placement lasting under 2 years3) Long term placement lasting over 2 years4) Emergency placement5) Parent and child placement

Information not recorded

Request C FOI 2209 Please supply details as to: What context and in what numbers, ‘looked after children’ in the care of your local authority who were waiting for an appropriate foster placement (as at 31st March 2011) were placed i.e. in residential care, in a bed and breakfast or remaining with their family.

3 Residential Care, 1 with Respite Carers

2210 Request and Response:

23/5/2011Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No 2210




a) How many data losses have you incurred in the last 24 months relating to the following:

USB Loss (to include data theft by employees as well as just lost USB device

None reported

Email leakage (accidental and also malicious)

None reported

Laptop theft:

2010 – 3 Laptops

To each of the above please provide an indication of what data was lost or stolen and the estimated cost associated with that loss

b) What policies do you have in place surrounding

Encryption of data on laptops, devices and email

Laptops – the council’s corporate Computer User Security Policy states that any data should be held on the server and accessed remotely via VPN. The laptop only holds programmes and the officer decides on any encryption if any data decides on any encryption if any data is copied down to the server.

Devices – It also states that only equipment supplied by ICT can be used. The policy is to issue encrypted data pens.

E-mails – Emails are not encrypted as a rule but encryption tools are available if the user requires this.

Data transfer between departments and organisations under your control/guidance

Where data sharing protocols are required, we use a secure infrastructure, eg GIS network or secure channels, point to point or IPSEC.

The use of removable storage devices

Officers sign the corporate Computer User Security Policy to confirm they are responsible for any data on remote storage.

c) That tools have you implemented to help meet data protection requirements to ensure that data is stored and transferred securely and not kept longer than necessary?

We are in the process of rolling out a new corporate EDRMS system. Each Directorate also has a Document Retention and Destruction policy.

d) What was the cost of these tools – initial licence cost and ongoing support/maintenance contracts?

£750,000 over 5 years capital and revenue

2211 17/5/2011 Request:

Please can you provide a breakdown of how much each school is charged for the ICT services that are provided by the localauthority, such as the schools' Internet connections, email and web filtering. Where possible, please can you breakdown these figures into charges for each individual service. Can you also advise as to whether schools have the option to opt out of some or all of these services and keep the money that itwould have cost for the local authority to provide them, in order to directly contract private companies to supply these services?

Response:

Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No 2211




Broadband to schools is based on MB charge. All money was dissolved to schools and they have the option to buy back ICT services, as the Council has zero based budget and needs to cover costs in providing services to schools. It is sold on the benefits of quantity of scale, whereby the more schools buy back, the lower the charge made. Based on the number of schools who have bought back ICT services the cost is as follows:

4 MB £4,016.7010 MB £5,463.7720 MB £7,121.54100 MB £14,945.72

This includes £2,315 for extra services, which includes membership of the Eastern Region Broadband Consortium, AntiVirus software is charged at £3 per licence, depending on how many licences the school take, web services and filtering. 3 rd Party maintenance and services, eg secure file transfer and maintenance, email £3.90, web hosting 336 PER ANNUM. The communication links are symmetrical and we use a WAN network Broadband to provide full bandwith.

2212 26/5/2011 Request:

Please note that I am only interested in information which relates to the period May 17 2010 to the present day.

Please note that I am not looking for the names of any individual employees.

1.....During the aforementioned period has the council felt the need to recruit staff and employees from outside the UK?

2....If the answer to the above question is yes can the council please state how many people have been recruited from overseas?

3....In the case of each person recruited from overseas can the council please state the country they were recruited from as well as their new job title and or position with the council?

4...During the aforementioned period has the council or anyone acting on behalf of the council sent staff and or representatives overeas to either recruit and or to look at the possible recruitment of staff. If the answer to this question is yes can the council please state the country (ies) visited? Can the council also provide the dates and duration of the trip? Can the council please detail the towns and cities visited during each trip. Can the council please state the number of council employees and or representatives on each trip? Can the council please provide their names as well as the cost to the council of each individual trip. Please do include details of all trips concerning the recruitment and or possible recruitment of staff even if no one was actually recruited? Please do include details of any trips which have been organised but which have not yet taken place?

5...Could the council please provide a brief explanation of why it is necessary to look overseas for actual or potential employees?

6....Can the council please provide copies of all recruitment adverts it may have placed overseas.

Response:



1. No2. N/a3. N/a4. No5. N/a6. N/a



Thank you for your requests for information about the operations of the mobile CCTV unit, which we received on 18th and 19th May. Your requests have been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

The information you requested is as follows:

Request 1 - received on 18th May (attached):

It would be constructive and helpful that when answering my questions the adjudicator’s decision was understood.Please advise me of the name and position and qualification of the head of the Bedford Borough’s Parking Services Department and the name and positions and qualifications of any further members of that Department who have authority to make important decisions.

The 2 key people involved in making decisions on parking issues are:

Head of Transport Operations Group - Mr Chris Pettifer Parking Administration Manager - Mrs Fil Cusano

Both of these people have long experience and responsibility in managing operational transport matters, including parking. We tend not to publish people’s personal qualifications.

Please supply details of how you acknowledged my Freedom of Information letter of the 8th February 2011, as I did not receive any paperwork.

This was acknowledged in a telephone call between yourself and Sonia Sehmbi (Parking Administration Officer) on 22 February 2011 where you were advised that all the information you had requested would be supplied with the Council’s case papers, of which you would receive a full copy. Consequently your Freedom of Information request was dealt with under General Business. For full details of the telephone call please refer to page 19 of the original case papers.

Please advise why you requested an extension of time from the adjudicator, but failed to communicate with me who had made the Freedom of Information request.

We requested an extension of time because the case officer was ill and needed time to prepare the evidence. This was

discussed with yourself in the telephone call of 22 February 2011. Matters of how your case is handled by the Adjudicator are between you and them.

Please advise what legal law allows you to answer Request 2136 not under Freedom of Information request.

The guidelines we follow when determining how to treat a request as an FOI or an EIR are the Defra Guidelines these state:

Public authority definition

The public authorities covered by FOI are listed in Schedule 1 of the FOI Act and the coverage can be extended under Section

5 of the Act.

All the public authorities that are covered by the FOI Act are covered by EIR but the definition of public authority in EIR is

different and wider than that of FOI. It additionally includes bodies that are under the control of a public authority and have

responsibilities, exercise functions or provide public services relating to the environment.

Further information on FOI and EIR Requests can be found via the following links:

Flowchart / decision tree (PDF)

Who is covered by the Regulations? (PDF)

The boundaries between EIR and FOI (PDF)

We considered your request as an EIR due to the nature of the enquiry, i.e. parking and vehicle emissions having an affect on the environment.

It is obvious from your camera operators actions and the adjudicators comments that the way the operator carries out their work schedule that they fail to understand Traffic Regulation Orders, so please once again I request copy written details of how your operator is instructed, plus how you train the operator in writing to be able to understand the guidance and instructions from the Department of Transport.

It is not necessary for additional training as the driver of the vehicle is not required to input any information whilst driving. The software in the vehicle is programmed with the relevant Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and contraventions that do not require an observation period. The software collects evidence packs and these packs are reviewed by a Senior Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) who is formally trained in RTA91 and TMA2004 legislation.

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/corporate/policy/opengov/eir/guidance/pdf/boundaries.pdf

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/corporate/policy/opengov/eir/guidance/full-guidance/pdf/guidance-2.pdf

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/corporate/policy/opengov/eir/guidance/pdf/flowchart-eirfoi.pdf

The Adjudicator’s decision to allow your appeal was based solely on your particular circumstances and does not set a precedent. Each case is considered on its own merits.

In the light of Councils expected to cut back on their excessive spending, please supply me with a breakdown of how £ 98,250 was spent in setting up this CCTV unit.

Camera and associated software: £67,100Software modifications to back office system: £16,150Provision of signs: £15,000

Was the supply of the major cost of the CCTV equipment for this mobile unit put out to tender. Discussions took place with a number of suppliers and their compatibility with the Council’s existing back office systems. As a result of that process the current system was elected because it was the only one that was compatible.

In the light of the adjudicators decision it is obvious that your operator has not fully understood the Secretary of States instructions, and what steps have been taken to stop persons having to appeal for frivolous parking enforcements.

As stated above, the Adjudicator’s decision to allow your appeal was based solely on your particular circumstances and does not set a precedent. Each case is considered on its own merits. We endeavour to improve our operating practices as experience develops.

Under request 2136, you state that CCTV operator is not given written instructions in respect of “waiting”. In the light of the adjudicators comments are you going to your operator new instructions.

The Civil Enforcement Officers who carry out the reviews of evidential packages generated by the camera enforcement vehicle are kept regularly updated on operating requirements as necessary. They are advised in respect of any changes that we make to operational guidance when appropriate.

Your comments in Request 2136 are not acceptable, whether you like it or not I have those three music tracks on the evidence your Council submitted to me. So please explain how it happened, it was not the fairies, someone has been using discs for non Council use. This question will be answered either by you or a direct question to the Chief Executive of the Council.

We reiterate that none of our systems show the music quoted and could not knowingly have been placed on the disc alongside the video evidence. We would need access to your disc to be able to investigate further.

The adjudicator has confirmed that I as the driver was in the vehicle when the CCTV operator took the photo, so perhaps you can explain more fully how it was possible to issue me with a PCN notice when I was sitting in the car. Your statement is a blatant incorrect statement and what action are you taking to ask the driver why his eye sight was blind on this occasion.

Your vehicle was stopped during the active hours of a loading ban at the location. Article 9 of the Traffic Regulation Order states:

“No person shall, except upon the direction or with the permission of a police officer in uniform, cause or permit any vehicle to stop on any restricted section of road during the no stopping hours as specified on the Plans unless the vehicle is of the specified class”.

During the active hours of a loading ban a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) would be issued without an observation period unless the vehicle had stopped to enable a person to board or alight from the vehicle or to load or unload personal luggage.

Your own film shows it was safe for your operator to have alighted from his vehicle and spoken to me, perhaps you can explain why this did not happen on this occasion.

There was no requirement at the time as there was no evidence of a passenger boarding or alighting. Furthermore, the vehicle would have also been in contravention. There are no provisions in the Regulations that create exemptions to parking restrictions in Traffic Regulation Orders for vehicles engaged in camera enforcement.

Is your operator given a target on a daily, weekly or monthly number of tickets he must report, and is he on a bonus system.

There is no form of bonus or other incentive system operated for the issue of PCNs.

Request 2 - received on 19th May (attached):

Please may I have a copy of each judgement and name of the adjudicator for each of the 11 appeals which were appeals that were upheld?

The 11 appeals we referred to in our previous answer were not Traffic Penalty Tribunal appeals but those received by the Council following service of the Notices to Owner. The decisions to cancel the relevant PCNs were made following consideration of mitigation put forward in each case and accepted. There are therefore no judgements and no involvement of the Adjudicator in these cases. Under the Data Protection Act this information will not be disclosed.


Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2214Bedbugs



Please find the information you requested as follows:

1. In each of the last 3 financial years how many households (i.e. domestic properties) have reported a bed bug infestation to the council? (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11). 2. In each of the last 3 financial years how many businesses (i.e. commercial properties such as hotels, cinemas, B&Bs, care homes etc) have reported a bed bug infestation to the council? (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11). 3. What is the total number of cases of bed bug infestations that have been reported to the council in each of the last 3 financial years (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11)?

Year Domestic Commercial Total

2008/09 47 1 482009/10 49 2 512010/11 43 0 43





1. Do you currently provide a pest control service for residents? Yes

2. If you used to provide a pest control service for private households which you have now stopped, when did you stop providing it? (Month and Year) N/A

3. How frequent are the following collections you provide to private households (if applicable)?a.) the non-recyclable refuse collection service Weeklyb.) the food waste refuse collection service Not applicable

4. Has the frequency of the non-recyclable refuse collection service you provide to private households changed increased, decreased or stayed the same since January 1st 2005? Stayed the same 5. If so, when did this change take place (Month and Year) and what was the reduction in frequency (e.g. weekly to fortnightly)? N/A


Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No 2216 .




Please provide me with details of any and all communication (verbal, written or electronic) between Ministers or Special Advisers at the Department for Education and members or officers of the Council relating to the future of Sure Start Children’s

Centres provided or funded by the Council.

No communication has take place with the Department for Education (DfE) regarding the future of Sure Start Children's Centres in Bedford Borough.






The total revenue spend by the Council on Sure Start Children’s Centres in the 2010/11 financial year (this should not include capital spend).

£1.897,750

The number of Sure Start Children’s Centres operated or funded by the Council as at 4 April 2011.

15

The number of staff employed in Sure Start Children’s Centres within the local authority as at 4 April 2011.

2.6

The number of qualified teachers employed to work in Sure Start Children’s Centres within the local authority as at 4 April 2011.

4

The revenue allocated by the Council for the operation and funding of Sure Start Children’s Centres in the 2011/12

financial year.

£1.804,000

The projected number of Sure Start Children’s Centres which will be operated or funded by the Council as at 2 April 2012.

Unknown as yet

The projected number of staff to be employed in Sure Start Children’s Centres within the local authority as at 2 April 2012.

Unknown as yet

The projected number of qualified teachers to be employed to work in Sure Start Children’s Centres within the local authority as at 2 April 2012.

One

The projected revenue allocation for the operation and funding of Sure Start Children’s Centres in the 2012/13 financial year, based on the most recent estimate.

£1.804,000






The total spend by the Council on the provision of speech and language therapy in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial year.

£17 918 was the total amount provided through individual statemented pupils for the purpose of Speech and language Therapy

The number of speech and language therapists employed by the Council as at 5 April 2010 and 4 April 2011 (full time equivalent).

Nil

The number of 0-25 year olds registered as receiving speech and language therapy as at 4 April 2011.Not held by the council

The budget allocated for the provision of speech and language therapy services in the 2011/12 financial year.Only a small allocation for statemented pupils where health do not provide. Current forecast is similar to budget spent in 2009/2010

The projected number of speech and language therapists employed by the Council as at 2 April 2012 (full time equivalent).

None

The projected number of 0-25 year olds registered as receiving speech and language therapy as at 4 April 2011.Health hold this information






The total spend by the Council on the provision of Educational Psychologist services in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial

year.

Total Expenditure for Education PsychologyFY 2009-10 FY 2010-11

Salary Expenditure 940,442 1,100,388

Non Payroll Expenditure 43,772 27,299

984,215 1,127,687

The number of Educational Psychologists employed by the Council as at 5 April 2010 and 4 April 2011 (full time equivalent).

Educational Psychologists employed 2010/11 full time equivalent were 7.1 + 0.6 (TEP) + 1 PEP

The number of 0-25 year olds registered as having received services delivered by an Educational Psychologist in the 2010/11 financial year.

Educational Psychologists saw 217 children in 2010/11

The budget allocated for the provision of Educational Psychologist services in the 2011/12 financial year.

Total Expenditure Budget for Education Psychology 2011-12

1,089,510

26,620

1,116,130

The projected number of Educational Psychologists employed by the Council as at 2 April 2012 (full time equivalent).

There is no change in the projected number compared to the current year

The projected number of 0-25 year olds to receive services delivered by an Educational Psychologist in the 2011/12 financial year.

Forecast for 2011/12 for Educational Psychologists services would depend on how we work in September but would roughly be the same as this year if no changes.






The total net spend by the Council on the provision and subsidy of school meals in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial years.

Total spend on the provision of school meals 2009/2010- £1,022,718 (to include repairs & maintenance of approx £70k)

Total spend on the provision of school meals 2010/2011- £1,013,495 (to include repairs & maintenance of approx £64k) The projected net spend by the Council on the provision and subsidy of school meals in the 2011/12 financial year.

Projected spend on the provision of school meals 2011/2012-£750,000 (to include repairs and maintenance of approx

£65k) *

The weekly price charged to parents for the provision of school meals over a typical 5-day week as at 5 April 2010 and 4 April 2011.

Weekly price charged to parent/carers from 5th April to 21st July 2010: Lower- £8.75; Middle- £9.25; Upper- £9.75Price increase in September 2010 of 10 pence per mealWeekly price charged to parent carers from 2nd September 2010 to 4th April 2011: Lower- £9.25; Middle £9.75; Upper £10.25; The projected weekly price charged to parents for the provision of school meals over a typical 5-day week as at 2 April

2012.

The projected weekly price charged to parent/carers at 2nd April 2012 will remain the same as April 2011 & will be

reviewed in readiness for September 2012 (likely to be a 5 pence increase) Details of any significant change to the provision of school meals since the abolition of the ringfenced School Lunch Grant.

Abolition of the ringfenced School Lunch Grant- no significant changes to the provision of school meals-As part of the process for schools to sign up to the new contract, they were required to commit their allocation of the SLG as part of the 'buy back' of the service * NB: Reduction in projected spend for 2011/2012- new contract with schools reduced therefore smaller budget; Schools out of the contract had very high numbers of free school meals which required a significant subsidy contribution ; New contract price- significantly less subsidy per paid and free meal.






The total spend by the Council on the provision of support for deaf children in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial year.

Year Total Expenditure

Salary Cost relating to Deaf Children

Non Payroll Costs relating to Deaf Children Total

2009/10 1,455,572.92

661,637.00

20,480.34 682,117.34

2010/11 1,326,508.55

531,416.57

49,506.85 580,923.42

The number of specialist staff employed or funded by the Council to provide support to deaf children as at 5 April 2010 and 4

April 2011 (full time equivalent).

As at 5 April 20106 full time One working 1 dayOne working 2 daysOne working 4 daysFor the Education Communicator staff please see the attached sheet

As at 5 April 20112 full time One 3½ daysOne Nursery Nurse – 16 hoursEducation Communicator 3 f/t

The number of school-age children registered as requiring specialist deaf services as at 4 April 2011.

215 The budget allocated for the provision of specialist deaf services in the 2011/12 financial year.

Year Total Budget

Salary Budget relating to Deaf Children

Non Payroll Budget relating to Deaf Children Total

2011/12 574,350.00

220,257.16

15,075.70

235,332.86

The projected number of specialist staff employed or funded by the Council to provide support to deaf children as at 2 April 2012 (full time equivalent).

2 full time One 3½ daysOne Nursery Nurse – 16 hoursEducation Communicator 3 f/t

(please note that the budget and staff reductions notes above are as a consequence of the service being

disaggregated with Central Bedfordshire and is not indicative of a cut in service) The projected number of registered as requiring specialist deaf services as at 4 April 2011

215 (approx)



I understand that ICT Services have sent a response, but please find below response from Adults/Children’s Services


1) What level of funding has been agreed by your Authority to fund the Local Involvement Network for your authority's area for the period 2011-12? £127,970 2) From the budget agreed to fund the Local Involvement Network for 2011-2012, what amount of money will be retained by the Council for contract monitoring and other Council activities in relation to the LINk? £7,110

3) What is the name of Host with whom a contract has been made to support the Local Involvement Network for 2011-12 for your area? Age Concern Bedfordshire 4) What is the name of Host with whom the contract was made to support the Local Involvement Network for 2008-2011 for your area? Age Concern Bedfordshire 5) What arrangements have you made with your Local Involvement Network and Host to prepare for the evolution of the Local Involvement Network into Local Healthwatch? We have prepared a local project plan for Pathfinder status. With the agreement of both LINk and Host we are re-tendering the Host function during 11/12. 6) What sum of money will you allocate, in addition to the LINks budget for 2011-12, to set up and fund HealthWatch in the area of your authority? No additional sum has yet been identified.

2223 21/6/2011 Request:

Credit Balances on Non-Domestic Rates Accounts from 1 April 1990

We are rating consultants engaged in rating appeals, rate liability management, rate recovery and audit work for clients across England, Wales and Scotland.

We are writing to request a schedule (in Microsoft Excel format if possible) of all National Non-Domestic Rate accounts in your billing authority area that still have a credit balance (in excess of £500) shown on them from any time from 1 April 1990 to date. The reason for the credit might be, but will not be limited to: closed account, alteration to the rating list, void relief awarded, section 44a relief awarded, certification, and transfers between accounts or interest.

We do not expect you to supply details for sole traders or private individuals, partnerships or limited liability partnerships. We require details of limited companies, unlimited companies, public limited companies, government departments, and local authorities

Please supply the name of the ratepayer, the billing authority reference number, the address of the hereditament, the amount of the credit balance and the rate year(s) to which it applies. Please confirm the date the schedule was generated

Response:




I have attached a list of Non Domestic Rate accounts where there currently exists a credit balance of over £500.00. The list does not include accounts where the ratepayer is an individual rather than a company.


2224 27/5/2011 Request:

We have an opportunity to acquire property on Tavistock Street and we thought that I might be able to get a copy of the last Inspection Report under the Freedom of Information Act.

Response:


Thank you for your request for information about property on The Broadway, Bedford. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.


I enclose copies of the information you requested:• inspection visit reports and inspection visit letter







Please can you inform me how many families are receiving Adopted Child Maintenance Allowances from your Council?

24 Families

How many adopted children are involved? (Some families may have more than one.)

34 Children

The above figures are as at 21st May 2011.

2226 25/5/2011 Request:

I would like to know the population within 1.6 km of the following postcodes : MK43 7DXSG19 2QSMK45 1DZ


MK17 8QPSG18 8DJSG16 6JJMK45 2TG Response:

Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2226 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. The only Postcode that is within the Bedford Borough is MK43 7DX and we estimate that the population within 1.6 km of this Postcode is approximately 2,350.

2227 25/5/2011 Request:

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In order to assist you with this request, I am outlining my query as specifically as possible.

I would like to know:

1) Whether your council uses, or has ever used, key-logging software (software that keeps a record of keyboard entries/activity on a computer) to monitor the activities of its staff?

If the answer to question 1 is yes:

2) From what date to what date has your Council been using/used this software?

3) How many staff and how many computers are/were monitored by your Council's use of this software?

4) How many disciplinary procedures have been initiated as a result of use of this software?

5) How many criminal prosecutions have been initiated as a result of use of this software?

6) How much money did the Council spend to purchase this software?

7) How long is information gathered via this software stored?

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 not hold the information you requested.

2228 27/5/2011 Request:

Under the Freedom of Information Act I would like to request the names, job title, address, telephone number and email address of all council employees who are classified as a manager or head or director within the following directorates as of 23rd May 2011. HUMAN RESOURCES & CORPORATE POLICYFINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICESENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIESADULTS & COMMUNITY SERVICES

Response:





2229 30/6/2011 Request:

I should be grateful if you could provide information on the area of land owned or held on long lease (99 years plus) by the authority for the following types of land:

sportsfields and school grounds urban parks country parks county farms brownfield sites other land (please specify type) For agricultural land please indicate the area let on Full Agricultural Tenancy and indicate the area (and term) of any land let on a Farm Business Tenancy (FBT).

Please could you also provide weblinks to internal or published policy documents and committee reports which relate to the future management or disposal of land assets held by the authority.

Response:


Thank you for your request for information about areas of land owned or held on long lease (99 years plus) by the Authority for the following types of land, which we received on 24 May 2011. We apologise for the lateness in reply to your request which has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.


sportsfields and school grounds – information not available urban parks - 58.32 ha country parks – 158 ha county farms - 411 ha brownfield sites - 5 ha other land (please specify type) 530 ha (public open space) For agricultural land please indicate the area let on Full Agricultural Tenancy 84.85 hectares;and indicate the area (and term) of any land let on a Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) –

Less than 5 year term 163.19 hectares= More than a 5 year term 7.21 hectares= Over 15 year term 52.49 hectares

Please could you also provide weblinks to internal or published policy documents and committee reports which relate to the future management or disposal of land assets held by the authority. Please see our Corporate Asset Plan which is published on the Council’s website at www.bedford.gov.uk.

2230 9/6/2011 Request:

Please note that I am only interested in material which relates to the period May 24 2010 to the present day. Please note that I am not interested in receiving the names of any individual employees. 1….Does the council directly employ traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officers and or their equivalent. If the answer to this question is yes could the council please state how many traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officers and or their equivalent the council does employ? 2….Does the council have contracts with private companies and or other organisations who supply the council with traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officer and or their equivalent. If the answer to this question is yes can the council please provide a list of companies which provide these services on its behalf? 3…Does the council hold information which relates to the operation of any incentive system which rewards and or pays traffic wardens/traffic enforcement officers on the basis of their performance. These incentives will include but not be limited to

http://www.bedford.gov.uk/

additional payments and or gifts and or trips and or other kinds of perks. If the council does hold information about the way in which this incentive system operates and the benefits available could it please provide copies of this information? Please do provide copies of information generated before 24 May 2011 if it is still relevant. 4…Has the council issued parking wardens and traffic enforcement officers with written guidance on the way this incentive system operates and how they might benefit. If so could it please provide copies of this guidance? Please do include guidance issued before 24 May 2011 if it is still being used by staff. 5…During the aforementioned period how many traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officers either employed by the council and or another body have been given incentive rewards of the kind outlined above. In the case of each member of staff who has been awarded a benefit and or incentive can the council please specify the nature of the award. If that is not possible can the council please provide a full list of the range of benefits, payments, rewards and gifts which are either available or have been rewarded. 6....During the aforementioned period has the council or anyone acting on its behalf issued written guidance to traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officers about how they should deal with members of the public. This advice will include but not be limited to guidance about how officers/employees should treat and speak to motorists as well as guidance on diversity and equality issues. It may also include advice on which words and phrases should be used and avoided. Please do provide information generated before 24 May 2011 if it is still in use. Response:


Thank you for your request for information about Traffic Enforcement Officers which we received on 25 th May 2011. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004.

The information you have requested is as follows:

1….Does the council directly employ traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officers and or their equivalent. If the answer to this question is yes could the council please state how many traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officers and or their equivalent the council does employ? Bedford Borough Council currently directly employs 15 Civil Enforcement officers (CEO). 2….Does the council have contracts with private companies and or other organisations who supply the council with traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officer and or their equivalent. If the answer to this question is yes can the

council please provide a list of companies which provide these services on its behalf? No 3…Does the council hold information which relates to the operation of any incentive system which rewards and or pays traffic wardens/traffic enforcement officers on the basis of their performance. These incentives will include but not be limited to additional payments and or gifts and or trips and or other kinds of perks. If the council does hold information about the way in which this incentive system operates and the benefits available could it please provide copies of this information? Please do provide copies of information generated before 24 May 2011 if it is still relevant. No CEO’s working for Bedford Borough Council have (or have ever had) any kind of incentive scheme related to the issue of penalty charge notices 4…Has the council issued parking wardens and traffic enforcement officers with written guidance on the way this incentive system operates and how they might benefit. If so could it please provide copies of this guidance? Please do include guidance issued before 24 May 2011 if it is still being used by staff. NA - No incentive scheme 5…During the aforementioned period how many traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officers either employed by the council and or another body have been given incentive rewards of the kind outlined above. In the case of each member of staff who has been awarded a benefit and or incentive can the council please specify the nature of the award. If that is not possible can the council please provide a full list of the range of benefits, payments, rewards and gifts which are either available or have been rewarded.NA 6....During the aforementioned period has the council or anyone acting on its behalf issued written guidance to traffic wardens and or traffic enforcement officers about how they should deal with members of the public. This advice will include but not be limited to guidance about how officers/employees should treat and speak to motorists as well as guidance on diversity and equality issues. It may also include advice on which words and phrases should be used and avoided. Please do provide information generated before 24 May 2011 if it is still in use. Current training for CEO’s is centred around TRO’s and the TMA 2004. CEO’s are required to understand the range of contraventions, how and where they are applied by Bedford Borough Council and demonstrate this in their enforcement.

Prior to July 2006 our longer serving employees received the Borough 3 day induction training including Customer Service, Diversity, Equality & Communication skills for dealing with members of the public. This general staff training was not specific to CEO’s and was focused on the manner of speech and approach to the public rather than necessarily specific words required to be quoted.

Since the change in induction procedures, all CEO’s are given an induction pack which includes Borough policy documents, downloaded from the HR website on ‘Equal ops, Sickness, Disciplinary procedures, Grievance Procedures, Dignity at Work, Health, Safety & Welfare and Customer Care’. These are signed for by the new employee and discussion takes place on these policies by the enforcement Supervisor responsible for that team members training. This follows the same guidance as the previous 3 day courses where no specific choice or phrasing of words is stipulated.

Separate conflict Management training is provided for CEO’s through the Borough HR team. This is also not CEO specific and provides general guidance for dealing with confrontational situations.

Separate training for Radio procedure is given by the enforcement Supervisor, including the use of the ‘IC’ code to describe different ethnic origins. The standard internationally agreed IC 1 - 6 description list is supplied to each team member, but apart from this IC list particular words and phrases for use in enforcement operations are not defined.

2231 21/6/2011 Request:

Under the freedom of information act please advise me of the following:Enclosed is part of two records from Clapham Parish Council Minutes dated 20-01-2009 and 19-05-2009.

Please advise me by whom and why was Cllr. Hope advised by Bedford Borough Council that Clapham could (if they wanted) apply for a construction access route via the A6 and access the Twinwoods Business Park site via the Milton Ernest gate.

The Business Park is in the parish of Milton Ernest, was anyone from Milton Ernest consulted?

Response:


Thank you for your request for information about Twinwoods Business Park/Twinwoods Road Clapham which we received on 24 May 2011. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

In relation to the first point we have rechecked our files but they do not contain the information you are requesting.

In relation to the second point our records show that Milton Ernest Parish Council were notified of the proposal.



Thank you for your e-mail dated 25 May 2011 and I refer to your recent enquiry for information held by the Council.

“Please can you provide a breakdown of your Council’s expenditure on Child Adoption, for the last full financial year for which accounts are available.”


Please find the information you requested:-

The total expenditure Bedford Borough Council incurred in 2010/11 for running the Fostering & Adoption Service is £2,446,391. Fostering & Adoption is a joint shared service between Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council and is hosted by Central Bedfordshire Council. The split for running this service is 62% Bedford Borough Council and 38% Central Bedfordshire Council.

Due to the fact that Central Bedfordshire Council host this service, we are unable to provide you with a breakdown of the Expenditure. This information should be available from Central Bedfordshire Council.




1) Please provide your council’s general reserve minimum limit as budgeted for 2011-12 (this is also likely to be contained in your Council’s financial strategy) expressed:

a. As a percentage of the Council’s overall net revenue expenditure (if this is a range, for example from 5%-10%, please select lowest amount possible).

b. In cash termsPlease provide correspondence between the auditor and CFO if you feel this would explain the decision reach DearSir or Madam,ed.

2) Has the Council’s general reserve minimum limit as a percentage of the council’s overall net revenue expenditure changed in 2011-12 compared to 2010-11; 2009-10 or 2008-09?

a. Please specify “yes” or “no”

b. If the answer to the above question is “yes” please clarify what the general reserve minimum limit in the years specified.


The information asked for in your request is all publically available on our website under the links to our Committee Agenda’s and Minutes. (http://www.councillorsupport.bedford.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=116&Year=2011)

The relevant reports are:-

Provisional Outturn 2008/09 to Executive 24 June 2009 - This is fairly light on the subject as we were a brand new unitary from 1 April 2009. On this basis there are no figures for 2008/09 as the Borough Council did not exist, thus there are no comparators into 2009/10

General Fund Provisional Outturn Report (Agenda Item 14) to Executive 23 June 2010 – This contains a much more detailed analysis.

The analysis for 2011/12 is currently in hand and will be fully outlined in the General Fund Provisional Outturn Report due to go to Executive 14 June 2011.

http://www.councillorsupport/





Please find the information you requested below:

1. How many people are currently on Bedford Borough Council's Housing List?The Housing Register is the joint housing register of Bedford Borough Council and BPHA. There are currently 3296 households on the Housing Register

2. What is the average waiting time for people on the Housing List in Bedford Borough Council in each Band?We do not hold this information as waiting time depends on a number of factors including, banding priority, the number of available properties in the applicant’s preferred areas and the applicant’s engagement with the bidding process

3. How many council properties have been built in the past year in Bedford Borough Council?No Council Dwellings for rent have been built in the past year. All Social Housing is developed by Registered Social Landlords. The number of Social Rented Properties that have been built in the past year is: 311

4. How many council properties in Bedford Borough Council are currently empty?Assuming this refers to dwellings for general needs renting and not commercial properties or tied accommodation – there are no empty Council dwellings as the Council transferred its Housing stock to a Housing Association in 1990.

5. How many prosecutions have there been of private landlords in Bedford Borough Council in the past 3 years?There have been no prosecutions of private landlords for sub-standard conditions in the private rented sector, although alternative enforcement action has been taken, such as serving housing enforcement notices to secure improvements etc.

2235 Request:

24/6/2011I am writing to request details under the Freedom of Information Act on GPC Visa purchasing cards spending. I am requesting a copy of transaction data held by the authority through Management Information systems showing basic/Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 data for all cards over a period of six years. More specifically I am requesting the following: 1.a) For the year 2010/11, the total amount spent using GPC Visa purchasing cards.1.b) A copy of the Management Information data for each card showing the highest level of data held, from Basic/Level 1, Standard/Level 2 or Enhanced/Level 3, to provide details of all transactions. 2.a) and b) The same for 2009/103.a) and b) The same for 2008/094.a) and b) The same for 2007/085.a) and b) The same for 2006/076.a) and b) The same for 2005/06

Please note, it states on the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) website in Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.ogc.gov.uk/government_procurement_card_gpc_gpc__frequently_asked_questions.asp):At point 8 – “Management Information… provides details of every transaction. A clear audit trail exists for every user and all their transactions.” It adds that : “The type and format of Management Information you receive will depend on the GPC Visa Bank you have selected to provide you with your GPC Visa programme. These electronic files will contain information that allows scrutiny of transactions and identify Cardholders who have used their GPC Visa, what they purchased, the Merchants they have purchased from, and how much they have spent. This information will provide a clear audit trail to monitor GPC Visa use and help to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.”At point 31 – “Level 1. All Visa Merchants are defined as being minimum of credit card capable, also referred to as basic or Level 1. This will involve the use of a terminal that will deliver only basic GPC Visa Card transaction data (ie name of cardholder, date of transactions, supplier name, and total amount spent as a minimum.)“Level 2. Visa Merchants that operated terminals capable of Summary VAT (also sometimes referred to as Standard or Level 2) provides a consolidated description of the items purchased and will also show the VAT amount separately. A GPC Visa transaction through this type of terminals is acceptable as VAT evidence up to a value of £5,000 inclusive of VAT.“Level 3. Visa Merchants that operate terminals capable of Line Item Detail (also sometimes referred to as Enhanced or Level 3) typically requires additional software to deliver the enhanced data with the transaction data, including evidence for VAT and providing line by line description of each item purchased along with itemised VAT amounts.” The OGC’s executive agency Buying Solutions, the national procurement partner for all UK public services, states on its website

http://www.ogc.gov.uk/government_procurement_card_gpc_gpc__frequently_asked_questions.asp

(http://www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/categories/eCommerce/epayments/gpc2/aboutgpc/):“Improved management information allows users to monitor and evaluate purchasing activity…” and “There are a wide range of important benefits to be enjoyed by using the Government Procurement Card, for users and suppliers alike. In summary GPC programmes…. Generate invaluable management information about individual procurement activity and purchasing patterns. Promote financial transparency and accountability.”

Response:




Bedford Borough Council joined the Co-op Bank Visa Purchasing Card Programme in April 2004 as a means of reducing procurement and invoice processing costs for low value, high volume transactions.

At the time of implementation only a limited number of local suppliers were approved for VPC payments who were not Line Item Detail (LID) capable.

As a consequence they could not provide Level 1, 2 or 3 transaction files for posting into our Financial Management System. Instead a bespoke interface file was created to capture VPC transaction each month.

Therefore the data we have sent you is not in the Level 1, 2 or 3 format for the above reasons.

The Council has recently commenced a new project to become fully GPC compliant

2236 19/5/2011 Request:

Follow up request to 2170:

To help me assess the value of the answers could I have copies of your letters too please?

Response:

http://www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/categories/eCommerce/epayments/gpc2/aboutgpc/

Request pursuant to Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004

Thank you for your request for information about St Ivel Model Aircraft Club which we received on 18th May 2011. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

I enclose a copy of the information you requested:

• Letter to Model Aircraft Club, dated 22nd February 2011

2237 6/6/2011 Request:

I am writing to request details under the Freedom of Information Act on number of council house and social housing tenants earning high salaries. More specifically I am requesting the following:

1. The number of current tenants earning between £50,000-a-year and £99,999-a-year (gross income) in salary. Please provide a breakdown showing how many are council house tenants and how many are tenants of a housing association.



4. The number of current tenants earning more than £200,000-a-year (gross income) in salary. Please provide a breakdown showing how many are council house tenants and how many are tenants of a housing association.

5. A copy of your most recent housing needs survey that contains data on salaries of tenants.

By council house tenants I mean any tenant living in subsidised social housing.

Response:




I confirm that the number of Council house and social housing tenants earning high salaries is nil.

2238 14/6/2011 Request: Having read the British Parking Association Code of Practice and the Which Guide to Parking, can I ask how long your CEO's are expected to observe a parking contravention before issuing a PCN?

Response:


Thank you for your request asking how many Penalty Charge Notices have been issued in the past 3 years, which we received on 27th May 2011. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004.

The information you have requested is as follows:

From 01 June 2008 to 31 May 2011 the total number of Penalty Charge Notices issued, in any part of Riverside Square Car Park for being parked beyond the bay markings is 2097.

2239 27/6/2011 Request:

Please sent me the salary and job description for your council's FOI officer or whoever deals with FOIs as part of their role. Response:



We refer to the outstanding request for clarification sent to you on 8 June 2011. Although we have not received a reply from you as yet, we can provide information as follows:

Data Protection/FOI Officer £15,725 - £16,830 pa FTE Corporate Information Officer £19,621 - £21,519 pa FTE

Please find job descriptions attached.





“I am interested in the amounts paid by each school in Bedford Borough to third parties in relation to temporary teaching staffing cover. An electronic breakdown of amounts paid through the department’s purchase ledger by school. Information required is School Name, Supplier Name and Total Amount Paid”.


Please find attached a spreadsheet which has the information as requested by you. This analysis comprises schools that operate their funds through Bedford Borough’s bank account (centrally funded).

2241 9/6/2011 Request:


I am writing to request the number of sick days taken by staff at the council.

Specifically, could you please provide me with the following:

1. The total number of full time and part time staff employed by the council in the 2010/11 financial year.

2. The total number of sick days taken by full time and part time staff employed by the council in the 2010/11 financial year.

3. The total number of full time and part time staff that had more than six months off sick in the 2010/11 financial year.

4. The total number of full time and part time staff that are currently off sick and have been off between a year and two years.

5. The total number of full time and part time staff that are currently off sick and have been off between two years and five years.

6. The total number of full time and part time staff that are currently off sick and have been off for more than five years.

Response:


Please find the information requested below. Please note these figures relate to all non-school based staff.

1. 2561

2. 20588.4

3. 25

4. 2

5. 06 0

2242 28/6/2011 Request:

I am writing to request the following information under the freedom of information act.

1. Staff numbers for the following services on or around the 31st March 2011- Building Control- Development Control- Food Safety- Environmental HealthThe attached .pdf document gives further detail of the information requested.

2. Total number of fee earning applications received by Building Control in 2010/11. Including - Full plans applications- Building Notices and Regularisations

Response:

Request pursuant to Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004 – Request No. 2242 Thank you for your request for information about staff numbers and fee earning applications which we received on 31/5/11 Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. I enclose a copy of the information you requested: 1. Staff numbers for the following services on or around the 31st March 2011- Building Control- Development Control- Food Safety- Environmental Health

The attached .pdf document gives further detail of the information requested. Building Control - 7 FTEDevelopment Control – 36.8 FTEFood Safety – 4.5 FTEEnvironmental Health – 20.5 FTE 2. Total number of fee earning applications received by Building Control in 2010/11. Including - Full plans applications- Building Notices and Regularisations

2008/9Full Plans 679Building Notices 441Regularisations 274 2009/10Full Plans 587Building Notices 392Regularisations 280

Building Control administer and enforce Building Regulations, dangerous structures and demolitions and also check structural design and undertake pre-application advice. They do not do street naming and numbering, fire or access audits or planning conditions.

2243 23/6/2011 Request:

I am carrying out market research in relation to vehicle inspection and certification (MoT) within local authorities.

I would be grateful if you could complete the attached questionnaire and return it to me in that form.

Response:


Thank you for your request for information about Vehicle Inspections and Certifications which we received on 31st May 2011. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

The information you requested is attached.


2244 6/6/2011 Request:

I would like to make a request for a list of all the places in your area that hold a license for live venues please.For example, Pubs, Restaurants, clubs, etc

Response:

Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2244 I refer to your e-mail of 28/5/11 addressed to Bedford Borough Council. The request was received and registered on 28/5/11 and by the Council’s calculations the 20 day statutory limit expires on 28/6/11 by which date you ought to have received this letter. Set out below is the full request and the Council’s response. 1. Details of the Information being sought (“the Request”): List of all the places in your area that hold a license for live venues. 2. Pursuant to Section 17 (1) of the Act the Council:

2.1 States that the Information is exempt information. 2.2 Specifies that the exemption in question is contained within Section 21 – Information accessible to applicant

by other means. The link below

www.licensing.bedford.gov.uk

http://www.licensing.bedford.gov.uk/


2245 1/6/2011 Request:

I would like to make the following request under the freedom of information act 2000

Please give copies of all type approval certificates for fixed CCTV and for Mobile CCTV.

Response:


Thank you for your request asking for Approved Certificates for CCTV cameras which we received on 27 th May 2011. Your request has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004.

In respect of parking contraventions, Bedford Borough Council does not utilise fixed CCTV cameras for vehicle enforcement but does have a mobile CCTV camera which is certificated for parking and bus lane enforcement. Please find attached copies of Approved Certificates as requested. The town centre public space CCTV camera system is not utilised for vehicle enforcement purposes.

2246 Applicant did not respond to clarification request

Request:

How many occurrences are there where the council require parental consent, this could be in any format, verbally, in writing etc? Of those occurrences how many require the consent of both the father and mother?

2247 8/6/2011 Request:

Under the Freedom of Information Act, please could you provide me with copies of any guidance produced by your council since 1st January 2008 regarding the "decoration" of burial sites in your cemeteries by relatives and friends of the deceased. Please also include any guidance which exists from the same period which deals with what behaviour / practices / activities are acceptable for those visiting graves.

To clarify, I am interested in finding out whether you have given advice on what decoration and behaviour is acceptable in your graveyards and what is not.

Please could you also tell me if you have removed - or requested to have removed - any decorations from burial sites since 1st January 2008. If so, please can you describe the items.

Response:

Request pursuant to Freedom of Information Act 2000 – Request No. 2247Burial Sites

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

‘Under the Freedom of Information Act, please could you provide me with copies of any guidance produced by your council since 1st January 2008 regarding the "decoration" of burial sites in your cemeteries by relatives and friends of the deceased. Please also include any guidance which exists from the same period which deals with what behaviour / practices / activities are acceptable for those visiting graves.To clarify, I am interested in finding out whether you have given advice on what decoration and behaviour is acceptable in your graveyards and what is not.Please could you also tell me if you have removed - or requested to have removed - any decorations from burial sites since 1st January 2008. If so, please can you describe the items’.


Please find the information you requested as follows:

We have not produced any guidance in respect of the above. We have not removed or been asked to remove any items from graves in the time frame. We rely on the existing cemetery regulations for management of our sites (copy attached)








1. Does the LA have an ICT support team for eLearning, management information & similar systems running within your schools.

Yes

2. What is this team called?

E Learning

3. How many are employed for the team?

1 FTE

4. Who heads the team and what are his/her contact details (mail, telephone and email)?

Cheryl Eyre

5. What was/is the overall budget in 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 for this team?

2011/12 £67778

2010/11 £86346

6. What are the main income streams for the team?

Local Authority Funding

7. What are the key supplier income streams and annual amounts from those suppliers, broken down by supplier for years 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 and predicted for 2011/12.

None, it is an advisory service

8. If school support staff were TUPEd to a private company in the last 2 to 4 years, provide details for questions 3 to 7 for the 3 years run up until the TUPE transfer.

None






What are the number of racist incidents reported across all schools (primary and secondary) held by your council? Can I have this as a yearly total for the past 5/6 years please, including 2009/2010.

2009-2010 = 217 incidents2008-2009 = 187 incidents2007-2008 = 109 incidents (Collected as a total by the County Council and then split to represent Bedford Borough schools)

Note- increasing numbers do not necessarily mean more incidents in schools but is likely to be about greater confidence and accuracy in recording.

Documents

Bedford Borough Council Requests and Responses ... Borough Council Requests... · Web viewWhen Bedford Borough Council became a Unitary Authority, SAP was not chosen as the preferred