Freedom of Information

Welcome to the part of our website dedicated to Freedom of Information (FOI).

We hope the following helps to explain the aim of the legislation and to show the Freedom of Information requests received.

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FOI Information View information on how to make a request under the FOI act.	FOI Register View all FOI requests to see if your question has been answered.

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 came into force on 1st January 2005. These two pieces of legislation provide individuals or organisations with a general right of access to information held by public authorities. The following is a brief overview of these two key pieces of ‘access to information’ legislation:-

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows individuals to request any information from public authorities, including Councils, apart from environmental information or personal information. Requests for environmental information are dealt with by the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and personal data is available under the Data Protection Act 1998.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is fully retrospective and applies to all information, not just information filed since the Act came into force.

Making a request for information

Requests for information from the Council under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 must be made in writing, either by letter or email.

The Council will tell you whether it holds the information, and will supply it within 20 working days, in the format requested by you, as long as none of the information sought is exempt from disclosure (see ‘Exempt Information’ below).

Each Council service has its own Freedom of Information Champion. In order that your request for information is dealt with as efficiently as possible, please email one of the following Champions depending upon the nature of your request:

* In some instances there is more than one email address for a service area – please use another address if you receive an out of office message.

Service Unit	Freedom of Information Champion Contact Details
Asset Management	anna.greenwood@stroud.gov.uk or hannah.clarke@stroud.gov.uk
Community Safety	mike.hammond@stroud.gov.uk
Culture,Sport & Tourism	mike.hammond@stroud.gov.uk
Customer Services	shobhan.sen@stroud.gov.uk
Development Services	jo.reeves@stroud.gov.uk or ricardo.rios@stroud.gov.uk
Environmental Health	diane.powell@stroud.gov.uk or lisa.simmonds@stroud.gov.uk or gabrielle.smith@stroud.gov.uk
Finance	judith.weaver@stroud.gov.uk
Housing Services	helen.stables@stroud.gov.uk
Human Resources	carol.telling@stroud.gov.uk
Legal Services	legal.services @stroud.gov.uk
Modernisation & ICT	pauline.bird@stroud.gov.uk
Policy & Communications	judy.balfe@stroud.gov.uk
Public Spaces	margaret.turner@stroud.gov.uk
Revenues and Benefits	anita.dean@stroud.gov.uk

If you are unsure who to contact, please email: foi@stroud.gov.uk and it will distributed to the relevant officer or alternatively complete FOI request form below:

PDF FOI Request Form (PDF 33 KB)

Exempt Information

The Council does not have to confirm or deny the existence of the information or provide it if a legal exemption applies, the request is vexatious or repeats a requestor’s previous request, or if the cost of compliance exceeds a statutory limit.

If an exemption applies, but is qualified, this means that the Council must decide whether the public interest in using the exemption outweighs the public interest in releasing the information.

If you apply for access to information under the Freedom of Information Act, and the Council considers any of it to be exempt from disclosure, we will write to you to let you know why.

Environmental Information Regulations

The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 provides members of the public with the right to access environmental information held by public authorities.

The Regulations divide Environmental information into the following six areas:

The state of the elements of the environment, such as air, water, soil, land, fauna (including human beings)
Emissions and discharges, noise, energy, radiation, waste and other such substances
Measures and activities such as policies, plans, and agreements affecting or likely to affect the state of the elements of the environment
Reports, cost-benefit and economic analyses
The state of human health and safety, contamination of the food chain
Cultural sites and built structures (to the extent they may be affected by the state of the elements of the environment)

Making a request for environmental information

Requests for environmental information can be made to the Council by letter, email, telephone or in person.

The Council is legally obliged to provide environmental information within 20 working days, unless the information is exempt from disclosure (see ‘Exceptions’ below).

Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to this rule - for example, if the information is likely to prejudice national security - and if this is the case, the public authority must explain why the exception applies.

Data Protection

If you wish to make a Subject Access Request for your personal data under the Data Protection Act, please complete the attached form and provide us with two forms of identification and a cheque or postal order for the £10 fee.

The Data Protection Act 1998 provides individuals with the right to know what information is held about them. The Act also sets out a framework to ensure that personal information is handled properly and securely.

The Data Protection Principles

The Act is in two main parts; Firstly, the Act states that anyone who processes personal information must comply with eight ‘Data Protection Principles' which make are designed to ensure that personal information is:

Fairly and lawfully processed
Processed for limited purposes
Adequate, relevant and not excessive
Accurate and up to date
Not kept for longer than is necessary
Processed in line with your rights
Secure
Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection

PDF Data Protection Policy (PDF 188 KB)

Subject Access Requests

The second area covered by the Act provides individuals with important rights, which includes the right to find out what personal information about themselves is held on computer and most paper records. Requests for personal information are referred to as ‘Subject Access Requests.'

Making a subject access request

Requests for personal information should be made in writing on the Council Subject Access request Form and applicants should provide the Council with two forms of identification and a cheque for the £10.00 fee required to process applications

DOC Subject Access Request Form (Word 28 KB)

Review and Complaints

If an applicant is unhappy with a refusal to disclose information, they can complain in the first instance to the Council’s Legal Services Manager. If, once the Council’s internal review process has been completed, an applicant remains dissatisfied with the outcome, they will have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO will investigate the case and either uphold the Council's use of an exemption or decide that the information must be disclosed.

For more detailed information relating to both the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 visit the Information Commissioner’s Office website at: www.ico.gov.uk

Publication Scheme

The Council makes a great deal of its’ information available through its’ Publication Scheme. The Publication Scheme is a legal requirement and is a commitment by the Council to make certain information of public interest available, and is a guide on how to obtain it.

View Stroud District Council’s Publication Scheme below.

PDF Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Publication Scheme (PDF 260KB)

Freedom of Information Register

Information published within the Disclosure Log has been edited to remove private information and personal data, including that which relates to the applicant making the request.

FOI requests for April 2012

Date received

Subject of request

05/04/2012

Food Hygiene Report for the Passage to India Restaurant, Nailsworth

Date responded	04/05/2012
Questions	Under the freedom of information act I would like to request a detailed inspection report on the following establishment: The Passage to India Restaurant, Nailsworth.
Response	Thank you for your enquiry. I attach a copy of the last Premises Inspection Report dated 3/11/2011 together with the Premises Intervention Report (whilst this has the same date it is sent out after the inspection, with a food hygiene rating certificate for the premises). If you would like to discuss further please contact me.
Associated documents	PDF Inspection form for the Passage to India (99 KB)

07/04/2012

Pilot Inn, Sellars Road, Food Hygiene Rating

Date responded	11/04/2012
Questions	I have noticed and been quite horrified that our local pub, Pilot Inn, Sellars Road, Hardwicke, has only received a 0 for food hygiene. I believe I can ask to see the report as to why this score was given and to see if I have put myself and my family at risk.
Response	Thank you for your query Mrs Stone. Whenever, a food premises receives such a low score we also take appropriate action to ensure that public health is not at risk. However, food businesses are scored on how we find them at the time of our unannounced inspection, not on how we leave them. Food businesses operators can apply to be re-assessed but they must wait at least 3 months from the date of the original inspection. This is to ensure that improvements are maintained over time and not simply carried out to satisfy the inspector. The Pilot Inn has been inspected again and a new, improved score will appear on the food hygiene rating web-site in a few weeks (proprietors are given the opportunity to appeal before a new score appears on the web-site). I enclose the report form you asked for. In this case the food business was briefly closed, by agreement, whilst the required work was carried out.
Associated documents	PDF Pilot Inspection Form (128 KB)

09/04/2012

CT Info on Discounts and exemptions by band and parish

Date responded	26/04/2012
Questions	Firstly, I would be grateful if you could provide the following information on Council Tax exemptions and discounts. 1. The number of properties by reason of exemption and by Parish/ District Ward* and by Council Tax Band. 2. The number of properties discounted by reason of being a second home by parish/District Ward* and by Council Tax Band 3. The number of properties discounted by reason of being long term empty properties by parish/District Ward* and by Council Tax Band * my preference would be for Parish level data, however, in the case of small parishes this may lead to a risk of identification of properties and if this is an issue I am happy for the data to be provided at a ward level if this is practical. Additionally, I also wanted to gain an understanding of the data easily available about the number and value of Housing Benefits paid in the private sector including by size of property and split by private landlord type (housing assn/ etc)- There used to be a quarterly statistical return to the DWP but I believe this has been replaced by a claimant level data transfer to DWP. I suspect this data is not anonomised enough to transfer to me through an FOI but would appreciate advice on what could be provided on request based on pre-existing reports that the Council is able to run on its databases or existing internally circulated reports on Housing Benefits.
Response	Please find enclosed numbers of Council Tax properties in answer to your requests. A list of the exemptions is also enclosed for your convenience and the data used was from 23 April 2012. With regard to benefits data, we can provide numbers and amounts for RSL claims, which are Housing Association tenants and the same for RA (Rent allowance) claims. Below are the figures for 2010/11 as 2011/12 figures are not yet available. Number RSL claims paid 820 Number of other RA claims paid 2023 HB paid 01/04/10 to 31/03/11 to RSL claims £3,155,621 HB paid to other rent allowance claims for period 01/04/10 to 31/03/11 £9,877,795
Associated documents	PDF CT property exemptions (25 KB) PDF Exemptions by parish (26 KB) PDF CTX exemption by band (22 KB) PDF ctx.2nd Homes by band (39 KB) PDF ctx 2nd homes by parish (36 KB) PDF ctx long term empties by band (24 KB) PDF ctx long term empties by parish (36 KB)

16/04/2012

Business Rtae Credit balances

Date responded	26/04/2012
Questions	This is a request for information, filed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We wish to obtain the information, from the Council, relating to unclaimed Credit Balances. We are aware that all Billing Authorities hold on account sums of money that are due to be returned to ratepayers and for a variety of reasons have not been repaid and maybe considered untraceable by the Council. This maybe because Companies do not know that there is an overpayment, they may have moved premises, merges and/or changed their name or simply ceased trading. In such circumstances, the monies could be due to the creditors of that company. Exacta shall use the information requested to trace those businesses who have failed to claim such credit balances. We therefore request a breakdown of credit balances accrued since your earliest records, for the amounts owing to all “incorporated” companies within the authorities billing area, including • The name of each business in respect of which Non-Domestic Rate credit balances remain payable; • The value of overpayment in each case which remains unclaimed; • The year(s) in which overpayment was made; and • The hereditament address Please note that no personal data (as defined under the Data Protection Act 1998) is requested and any personal data contained within files concerning Non-Domestic Rates is exempted from this request. This request is made on the basis that such information is accessible under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and that, save for the possible exemption detailed above, no exemptions available under this Act, apply to this request. Neither, is it the case that the witholding of information could be argued to be in the public interest. We, therefore, look forward to recieving this information within the statutory limit of 20 working days. We would also like to make it clear that we are not, at this stage, applying under the Re-Use of Public Sector Regulations (SI 2005 No. 1515).
Response	Requested details are enclosed.
Associated documents	PDF Outstanding Credits (9 KB)

17/04/2012

Waste Treatment Contracts

Date responded	23/04/2012
Questions	I would like to know details of contracts held by the authority with external organisations for the treatment of waste collected by the authority (or its collection contractor). I am not interested in the contract for the collection of the waste, only for its treatment. The contracts should be for the following waste types: - • Food waste treatment only • Food and green waste treatment • Green waste treatment only • Dry recyclates treatment or processing For each contract please supply the following information: - Q1 Name the of the contractor Q2 Type of waste (See list) Q3 Date contract started dd/mm/yy Q4 Duration Q5 Extension options Q6 Date contract expires dd/mm/yy Q7 Annual tonnage (if contracted) Q8Does the authority procure the sale of dry recyclates itself? If yes, what is the name of the waste officer responsible for this?
Response	Please note that this Council does not separately collect food waste and neither does it currently collect green waste for composting – the latter is collected through a pre paid sack scheme but is taken to landfill – this service is therefore not included in the response below. A1 Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd A2 Dry Recyclates A3 1st April 2011 A4 12 months A5 Extended for three months A6 30th June 2012 A7 Approx 7000 Tonnes A8 No

17/04/2012

Details of empty commercial properties with a rates payable of £40,000 and above

Date responded	26/04/2012
Questions	Ref: Details of empty commercial properties with a rates payable of £40,000 and above. Please can you provide the following information under the Freedom of Information Act:- 1.Address and rates payable (not rateable value) of all empty commercial properties with a current rates payable of £40,000 and above that are within your area. 2.The names and addresses of the owners of the properties referred to in (1) 3.Can you please ensure that the information collated is from the above date Thank you in anticipation of your response.
Response	Please find enclosed the information requested.
Associated documents	PDF List of Empty property with rates payable of more than £40,000 (5 KB)

19/04/2012

Disabled Facilities Grant

Date responded	25/04/2012
Questions	I am undertaking a survey of local authority care services in order to understand what is happening on the frontline. Under the Freedom of Information Act, please provide me with answers to the questions about the Disabled Facilities Grant included in the attached questionnaire. Under the Act, I am entitled to a response within 20 working days of your receipt of this email, but I would appreciate it if you tried to provide me with a response to the survey by 10 th April. Liz Kendall MP, Shadow Minister for Care and Older People Disabled Facilities Grant survey, March 2012 Local Authority Name: Contact name: Contact email: Contact phone: Date submitted (final deadline 30th April 2012): 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 1. What is/was the Council’s allocation from the national Disabled Facilities Grant budget during each year? 2. Did the Council supplement funding received from the national Disabled Facilities Grant with additional resources - and if so, by how much? (please provide information for each year) 3. How many people applied for the Disabled Facilities Grant during each year? 4. How many people did the Council assess as eligible for the Disabled Facilities Grant during each year? 5. What is/was the average wait between a person applying to receive the Disabled Facilities Grant and them being assessed as eligible or not by the Council during each year? 6. What is/was the average wait between someone being assessed as eligible for the Disabled Facilities Grant and receiving the needed adaptation/grant during each year? 7. At the end of each of these financial years, how many people who were assessed as eligible for the Disabled Facilities Grant had been waiting to receive their home adaptation/grant for: a) More than 6 months b) More than 12 months If you have any comments related to the Disabled Facilities Grant in your area, please set them out here:
Response	Please see attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Disabled Facilities Grant Survey (82 KB)

20/04/2012

Enforcement

Date responded	26/04/2012
Questions	Please would you confirm: 1. How many empty properties are currently under the control of the local authority in its area? 2. Please confirm if there is a list of these properties which is available publicly. 3. If there is such a register please confirm how such a register can be inspected. 4. Please confirm what process is used to regain possession of that property from squatters. 5. Please confirm whether the local authority purchase such services via a tender or approved supplier's list. 6. Please confirm the date for any renewal of tender or contract opportunity for such a service. 7. Please confirm the cost to the local authority in the last two years of regaining possession or controlling property which has been trespassed or squatted property in the local authority's area. 8. What is the name of the person responsible for this area of business? Please provide their direct email address and direct phone number.
Response	The following answers to your questions are in relation to Council housing properties: 1. We have 75 properties void or under notice of which 30 are Routine and 45 Major (of these 15 are awaiting Asset management decision and 5 awaiting demolition, Woolaways). 2. No publicly available list of these properties for obvious security reasons—even when advertised the no. of the street is hidden. 3. Not Applicable 4. We have had no occasions of squatters in council properties, however, we would follow the normal recovery route which is action through the county court as a part 55 claim for possession. 5. No 6. Not Applicable 7. No cases 8. Email: Kevin.topping@stroud.gov.uk Tel. No: 01453 754163

23/04/2012

Section 106

Date responded	24/04/2012
Questions	Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to request the following information under the freedom of information act. I would like to receive the information in electronic form and if that is not possible I would like the opportunity to come and inspect the record myself. If the below questions will take more than the hours permitted please get in touch and I will reduce the size of the request. 1) How much money is the council owed by developers under Section 106 agreements agreed for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012? Please provide details of what this outstanding money was promised for – for example parks, social housing etc. 2) How much money has been received in Section 106 money for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012? Please break down by year and payments. 3) How much section 106 money which has been received by the council has been spent for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. Please give details if possible of what this money has been spent on. 4) How much section of 106 money which has been received by the council has not been spent on the agreed projects for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. 5) Please provide details of the five largest 106 agreements the council has made between 2007 and the present day made including: • The amount agreed in the section 106 agreement, the date of the agreement, what date it was agreed the money would be paid to the council and what it was agreed this money should be spent on • The details of developer and the address of the development the agreement relates to. • Whether this money has been received by the council. • Whether this money has been spent by the council and what it has been spent on if it has been spent. 6) Does the council currently run a section 106 agreement monitoring database?
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on 23 April 2012. At present, Stroud District Council does not hold this information in a format directly compatible with your detailed request. From our preliminary assessment, we estimate that compliance with your request would exceed the appropriate costs limit under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This is currently £450, whereupon special research and reports would be necessary. Stroud District Council is in the process of developing a new database system for recording the detailed information of S106 clauses and their associated financial transactions. Once live, this database will then allow us to produce more complex reports on S106 information and would therefore be of benefit for detailed enquiries such as those presented under the FOI Act. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.
Associated documents	PDF Over 18h (155 KB)

23/04/2012

Dog Waste Bins

Date responded	03/05/2012
Questions	Its is alleged that the Council have already agreed to undertake routine littering and dog fouling patrols, which is and will continue to be done. To this end would you kindly find under terms of the Freedom of Information Act a request that all such documentary evidence to include dates and mileage allowances for the last two years pertaining to the said visits be disclosed.
Response	The Animal Welfare Officer undertook a number of visits to the site in question, the dates for which are listed below. I would emphasise that the visits were undertaken when the Officer was in the general area as part of other duties and for a range of visits. Wednesday 14th March 2012 at approximately 10:30 Wednesday 15th February 2012 at approximately 10.00 Monday 13th June 2011 at approximately 11.30 Friday 27th May 2011 at approximately 14:00 Friday 11th February 2011 at approximately 14:00 Tuesday 5th October 2010 at approximately 09.30 Thursday 19th August 2010 at approximately 15.00 Wednesday 30th June 2010 at approximately 13.00 This information has been sourced via the Councils environmental health database system. In each case the Council’s Animal Welfare vehicle was used to make the visits. ‘Mileage allowances’ are therefore not relevant in this case.

25/04/2012

Pre planning application discussion fees.

Date responded	25/04/2012
Questions	Dear Sir/madam, Under the FOI /EIR please could you provide me with a copy of your charges for pre-planning application discussions held with your planning team. Please reply by e-mail to this address - mineralplanning@gmail.com Yours faithfully, Jessica Morgan
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on 25 April 2012. At present, Stroud District Council does not charge for pre-planning application discussions. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.
Associated documents	PDF FOI response (153 KB)

25/04/2012

Warm Air District Heating Systems

Date responded	10/05/2012
Questions	I am writing to request information about warm air district heating systems used to heat blocks of council housing. Specifically I would like to know: 1. How many of these systems are currently in use 2. Approximately how many homes these serve 3. Whether any are undergoing renovation or replacement 4. Whether any are earmarked for renovation or replacement
Response	Stroud District Council has no warm air district heating systems within its stock.

27/04/2012

Waste and Cleansing Sickness Absence

Date responded	01/05/2012
Questions	I am carrying out a piece of research for my MBA looking at the sickness absence rates in Local Government in-house waste and street cleansing operations as well as the possible reasons for variation between organisations. I would very much appreciate some information from you in support of this research:- 1.What is the post code for the headquarters of your organisation? 2.What is the total number of full time equivalent employees currently working in your organisation? 3.What was the total sickness absence level for your organisation for the period April 2010 to March 2011 (quoted as average number of days per FTE)? 4.Do you have an in-house or externalised waste collection service? 5.Do you have an in-house or externalised street cleansing service? 6.If either or both of these services are externalised, please can you name the organisation(s) which carries them out for you? (For the purposes of this research a partnership of in-house services with a neighbouring authority will still be considered as in-house but an arms length operation will be considered as externalised). If the answer to either or both questions 4 and 5 is ‘in-house’ please answer questions 7 to 11:- 7.How many staff are there currently in each of the in-house operations mentioned in question 4 and 5? 8.For the year from April 2010 to March 2011 what was the sickness rate (average number of days per FTE) for each of these services (or both of them if the figures are combined)? Please indicate if these figures include the supervisors, managers and administration staff in those departments or if they just apply to frontline operational staff? 9. Does your organisation operate under a single status agreement that covers waste and street cleansing staff? If so, when did this come into effect? 10. Does your organisation operate a bonus scheme that acts as an incentive for good attendance for these frontline waste and cleansing operatives? 11. In exchange for a copy of the final research report and findings, would your organisation be willing to complete a slightly more detailed questionnaire around this topic (the name of your organisation can be kept confidential in the report if you wish)? If you can help, please provide details of the name, job title and email address for the relevant officer to send the questionnaire to?
Response	Stroud District Council has externalised its waste and street cleansing services and therefore do not have the data you have requested 1. What is the post code for the headquarters of your organisation? Not applicable see above note 2. What is the total number of full time equivalent employees currently working in your organisation? Not applicable see above note 3. What was the total sickness absence level for your organisation for the period April 2010 to March 2011 (quoted as average number of days per FTE)? Not applicable see above note 4. Do you have an in-house or externalised waste collection service? Externalised 5. Do you have an in-house or externalised street cleansing service? Externalised 6. If either or both of these services are externalised, please can you name the organisation(s) which carries them out for you? Veolia ES Ltd

FOI requests for March 2012

Date received

Subject of request

01/03/2012

Coaching in your organisation

Date responded	20/03/2012
Questions	I am conducting research into the use of coaching and I would like you to answer some specific questions about coaching in your organisation. The questions are listed in the attached Excel document. I am asking these questions under the Freedom of Information Act and I would like to request that you provide your responses in the format provided in the attached Excel document. In case you have any difficulties opening this attachment please find the questions at the end of this email. I think that your Human Resources or Training Team would be most appropriate to provide responses to these questions. Please could you insert the name of your organisation into the first box and then answer either yes or no to questions 1 to 12. Kind regards Please answer questions 1 to 12 either Yes or No Please enter the name of your organisation 1. Does your organisation use formal coaching for staff? 2. Is coaching available to staff who are not in the top three tiers of officer? 3. Is coaching available to senior staff (senior is defined as the top three tiers of officer)? 4. Do you coach new starters? 5. Do you seek to increase personal performance through coaching? 6. Do you seek to increase organisational performance through coaching? 7. Do you use external coaches? 8. Do you use internal coaches? 9. If so, do you use line managers for internal coaches? 10. Do you provide training for internal coaches? 11. Do you monitor the quality of coaching? 12. Do you evaluate the impact that coaching has on performance? 13. If so, how do you measure that impact?
Response	Please find below the Council's response to your FOI request: 1: Yes 2: Yes 3: Yes 4: No 5: Yes 6: Yes 7: Yes 8: Yes 9: Yes 10: Yes 11: Yes 12: Yes 13: The Investor in People Framework; one to one performance reviews; appraisals and Institute of Customer Service (ICS) qualifications framework.

01/03/2012

Vacant Business Rate Premises with a RV over 2,600

Date responded	28/03/2012
Questions	I have a request under FOI for a list of properties with an RV in excess of 2,600 and empty and including Full postal address Rate payer name Billing address for ratepayer Rating description Date when became vacant
Response	The requested information is enclosed
Associated documents	PDF Empty NNDR's with RV over 2,600 (43 KB)

02/03/2012

Unspent S106 contributions

Date responded	23/03/2012
Questions	In Nov 2011 a request under the freedom of information act was made for a list of unspent S106 contributions was made. Production of this information would have been at a cost to the council due to the detailed nature and format it was required in. I also request a list of all money S106 money currently held and remains unspent by the Council. The list should contain at a minimum the amount of contribution and the development to which it relates. I would be grateful for confirmation of receipt of this request and a likely date the information will be available.
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on 2nd March 2012. At present, Stroud District Council do not hold this information in a format directly compatible with your detailed request. From our preliminary assessment, we estimate that compliance with your request would exceed the appropriate costs limit under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This is currently £450, whereupon special research and reports would be necessary. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.

02/03/2012

Planning Applications

Date responded	23/03/2012
Questions	I am looking to source information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The questions I hope you will be able to answer are as follows: 1. Please detail the number of planning applications received in the following categories (minor, major and other) for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011: 2009 2010 2011 Minor Major Other 2. In 2011, what percentage of major planning applications received were decided within 13 weeks? (If no exact figures are available, please use an approximation) 3. In 2011, what percentage of planning applications categorised as ‘others’ and ‘minors’ were decided within 8 weeks? (If no exact figures are available, please use an approximation) 4. Please record the total number of objections received to planning applications in 2011 for each of the following categories: a) Minor b) Major c) Other
Response	1. Please detail the number of planning applications received in the following categories (minor, major and other) for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011: 2009 2010 2011 Minor 23 39 40 Major 400 368 356 Other 1199 1160 1171 2. In 2011, what percentage of major planning applications received were decided within 13 weeks? (If no exact figures are available, please use an approximation) 50% 3. In 2011, what percentage of planning applications categorised as ‘others’ and ‘minors’ were decided within 8 weeks? (If no exact figures are available, please use an approximation) 67% 4. Please record the total number of objections received to planning applications in 2011 for each of the following categories: a) Minor – Unable to answer b) Major – Unable to answer c) Other – Unable to answer I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

05/03/2012

Developments on greenbelt, greenfield and brownfield land

Date responded	30/03/2012
Questions	1. How many planning applications have been granted since 1 January 2007, which resulted in the development of land on the metropolitan green belt? How many applications are pending? Please provide a breakdown of these applications in an excel spreadsheet with the following information: - date application submitted - date application granted - application number - the area, in hectares, of the site (and how much falls inside the green belt, if only part) - the location of the site, preferably using latitude and longitude (although other formats such as eastings/northings or a postcode would also be acceptable) - planned use of the site (commercial, housing, etc) 2. How many planning applications have been granted since 1 January 2007, which resulted in the development of any greenfield site? How many are pending? Please provide a breakdown of these applications in an excel spreadsheet with the following information (as above): - date application submitted - date application granted - application number - the area, in hectares, of the site (and how much falls inside the green belt, if only part) - the location of the site, preferably using latitude and longitude (although other formats such as eastings/northings or a postcode would also be acceptable) - planned use of the site (commercial, housing, etc) 3. How many planning applications have been granted since 1 January 2007, which resulted in the development of any brownfield site? How many are pending? Please provide a breakdown of these applications in an excel spreadsheet with the following information (as above): - date application submitted - date application granted - application - the area, in hectares, of the site (and how much falls inside the green belt, if only part) - the location of the site, preferably using latitude and longitude (although other formats such as eastings/northings or a postcode would also be acceptable) - planned use of the site (commercial, residential, etc)
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on 5th March 2012. Question 1: There is no ‘metropolitan greenbelt’ within the Stroud district. Questions 2 and 3: At present, Stroud District Council do not hold this information in a format directly compatible with your detailed request. From our preliminary assessment, we estimate that compliance with your request would exceed the appropriate costs limit under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This is currently £450, whereupon special research and reports would be necessary. Notwithstanding the above, a colleague may be in position to supply you with some of the information requested, although this would be outside the statutory time frame. If you would like to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact myself, or my colleague Susan Deacon, on one of the following numbers 01453 754242 or 01453 754327. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.

05/03/2012

Parking spaces available to the public

Date responded	28/03/2012
Questions	I would like to request information relating the number of car parking spaces either managed by the council or managed under contract from the council that are available to the public. Specifically; - The number of off-road parking spaces managed/enforced by the authority or under contract from the authority - The number of on-road parking spaces managed/enforced by the authority or under contract from the authority
Response	In response to your freedom of information request i am able to provide you with the following information Off-street Stroud District Council has 1,884 parking spaces available, they are subject to various restrictions including charges. On-street parking spaces are the responsibility of the Gloucestershire County Council, they do not break the on-street parking into spaces as the amount of on-street parking is not just the restricted areas it also includes all the roads where no restrictions are present. Further information relating to on street parking can be requested through Gloucestershire County Council

05/03/2012

Councillor/Member Allowances

Date responded	29/03/2012
Questions	A breakdown of the costs of the Stroud District Council Leaders annual allowance in the financial year 2000 - 2001 and from each financial year from 2009 -2011. The total cost of Stroud District Council Members' allowances in the financial year 2000 - 2001 and each financial year from 2009 - 2011 The annual percentage of Stroud District Council tax spent on Councillor/Member allowances in the financial year 2000 - 2001 and each financial year from 2009 -2011 The number of Stroud District Council Members enrolled onto the Local Government Pension Scheme in the financial year 2000 - 2001 The annual percentage of Stroud District Council tax spent on employer contributions into the Local Government Pension Scheme in the financial year 2000 - 2001 and each financal year from 2009 - 2011
Response	• A breakdown of the costs of the Stroud District Council Leaders annual allowance in the financial year 2000 - 2001 and from each financial year from 2009 -2011- Please see attached documents for 2009 -2011, we do not hold this information for 2000 - 2001. •The total cost of Stroud District Council Members' allowances in the financial year 2000 - 2001 and each financial year from 2009 - 2011 2000-01 £109,693 2009-10 £377,991.39 2010-11 £376,654.27 •The annual percentage of Stroud District Council tax spent on Councillor/Member allowances in the financial year 2000 - 2001 and each financial year from 2009 -2011 2000-01 £7,166,175 (1.53%) 2009-10 £7,833,000 (4.82%) 2010-11 £8,028,000 (4.69%) •The number of Stroud District Council Members enrolled onto the Local Government Pension Scheme in the financial year 2000 - 2001 NIL •The annual percentage of Stroud District Council tax spent on employer contributions into the Local Government Pension Scheme in the financial year 2000 - 2001 and each financial year from 2009 - 2011 NIL
Associated documents	PDF Member Allowances - 2010 2011 (54 KB) PDF Member Allowances 2009 2010 (19 KB)

06/03/2012

Wash Dry Toilets

Date responded	12/03/2012
Questions	1. How many automatic wash/dry toilets you provided via Disabled Facility Grants in 2010/11, and so far in this current year? 2. If you still have your own housing stock, how many automatic wash/dry toilets you provided for them in 2010/11, and so far in this current year?
Response	1. 2010/2011 - 0 2011/2012 - 1 2. 2011/2012 - 2 2010/2011 - 5

06/03/2012

Grants

Date responded	02/04/2012
Questions	1) Please can you list the third sector services and/or projects across all departments that your council commissions, awards grants and/or provides contracts for, that are targeted at or primarily used by women? 2) Please can you list the third sector services and/or projects across all departments that your council commissions, awards grants and/or provides contracts for, that are targeted at or primarily used by men? 3) Please can you list the amount of funding provided across all departments by your council over each of the last five financial years, or the nearest dates possible, to each of the commissioned, grant-awarded and / or contracted third sector services and/or projects that are targeted at or primarily used by women? 4) Please can you list the amount of funding provided across all departments by your council over each of the last five financial years, or the nearest dates possible, to each of the commissioned, grant-awarded and / or contracted third sector services and/or projects that are targeted at or primarily used by men? 5) If this break down is not possible, please could you provide me with the total amount of funding provided by your council over each of the last five financial years, or the nearest dates possible, to commissioned, grant-awarded and / or contracted third sector services and/or projects that are targeted at or primarily used by men and women respectively? 6) Please can you tell me, of those third sector services and/or projects that are used by both men and women, for each service what percentage or numbers of users are men and what percentage or numbers of users are women? 7) Please can you provide me with a full list of the names of all the third sector organisations commissioned, grant-awarded and / or contracted across all departments by your council over each of the last five financial years, or the nearest dates possible? 8) Does your council have a dedicated men’s worker or officer, or equivalent and how much are they paid? 9) Does your council have a dedicated women’s worker or officer, or equivalent and how much are they paid?
Response	1) Please can you list the third sector services and/or projects across all departments that your council commissions, awards grants and/or provides contracts for, that are targeted at or primarily used by women? Beresford Group 2) Please can you list the third sector services and/or projects across all departments that your council commissions, awards grants and/or provides contracts for, that are targeted at or primarily used by men? None 3) Please can you list the amount of funding provided across all departments by your council over each of the last five financial years, or the nearest dates possible, to each of the commissioned, grant-awarded and / or contracted third sector services and/or projects that are targeted at or primarily used by women? Beresford Group 2011/12 £5,000 2010/11 £2,000 2009/10 £2,000 2008/09 £0 2007/08 £1,000 4) Please can you list the amount of funding provided across all departments by your council over each of the last five financial years, or the nearest dates possible, to each of the commissioned, grant-awarded and / or contracted third sector services and/or projects that are targeted at or primarily used by men? None 5) If this break down is not possible, please could you provide me with the total amount of funding provided by your council over each of the last five financial years, or the nearest dates possible, to commissioned, grant-awarded and / or contracted third sector services and/or projects that are targeted at or primarily used by men and women respectively? • Grant funding to Lower Kingshill Management Co-operative (LKMC) of £11,600 pa • Grant Funding to the All Pulling Together Project (APT) £3,000 PA since 2011 • Grant Funding to GL11 Project £11,000 since 2010 • Grant Funding to the Arkle Community Centre £1,000 since 2011 All of these groups are community focussed within their respective areas and are specific to Tenant Services Further information on SDC’s support of third sector/voluntary organisations can be found on the website in respect to Q5 & Q7 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/democ/decision_notice_complete.pdf and http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Grants%20Decision%20Notice%20complete.pdf 6) Please can you tell me, of those third sector services and/or projects that are used by both men and women, for each service what percentage or numbers of users are men and what percentage or numbers of users are women? Information not held 7) Please can you provide me with a full list of the names of all the third sector organisations commissioned, grant-awarded and / or contracted across all departments by your council over each of the last five financial years, or the nearest dates possible? Please see links with Q5 8) Does your council have a dedicated men’s worker or officer, or equivalent and how much are they paid? No 9) Does your council have a dedicated women’s worker or officer, or equivalent and how much are they paid? No

06/03/2012

Compulsory Purchase Orders and Enforced Sales monies

Date responded	03/04/2012
Questions	I am requesting details of monies held on account or paid into court from the following; • All Compulsory Purchase Orders which the council have conducted over the past 15 years. Account amounts, the properties involved and who is entitled to the money. • Money held on account resulting from Enforced Sales from the past 15 years. Account amounts, the properties involved and who is entitled to the money.
Response	We do not hold any details of monies held on account or paid into court from the following; • All Compulsory Purchase Orders which the council have conducted over the past 15 years. Account amounts, the properties involved and who is entitled to the money. • Money held on account resulting from Enforced Sales from the past 15 years. Account amounts, the properties involved and who is entitled to the money.

07/03/2012

Lone Workers and Careline Services

Date responded	27/03/2012
Questions	My questions are split into two parts and are as follows: 1. Please confirm whether any employees in your council have lone worker protection devices. 2. If yes to question one, please provide the number of devices purchased. 3. Please provide the name of the company that you purchased the devices from. 4. Please provide the date the devices were purchased, the contract length and value. 5. Please provide the job titles of the persons who are / or would be responsible for lone worker protection in your Council. 6. Please list the name, address and contact details (phone, email) of this person. Part two – Council Telecare Services 7. Please confirm whether your council has purchased any panic buttons / alarms for those under your council’s care (i.e. Telecare or telehealth). 8. If yes to question one, please provide the number of devices purchased. 9. Please provide the name of the company that you purchased the devices from. 10. Please provide the date the devices were purchased, the contract length and value. 11. Please provide the job titles of the persons who are / or would be responsible for telecare services in your Council. 12. Please list the name, address and contact details (phone, email) of this person.
Response	Please see below, these are the only two areas within the council that use lone worker protection devices. Other sections use a lone worker procedure supported by communication devices (mobile phones) rather actual devices. Museum in the Park Part 1: 1. Yes 2. Six independent audible alarms; 4 wireless alarms connected to alarm system; 20 independent wrist audible alarms. 3. Unknown: six audible and 4 wireless purchased between 1999-2000, as part of security alarm installation for delivery of Museum in the Park project. 4. Circa 1999-2000, value unknown, no contract except for annual maintenance on 4 connected with alarm system (as part of overall maintenance contract for alarm system). 5. Being a “remote-site” Lone Worker protection is devolved to the Manager. 6. Kevin Ward Museum Development Manager Museum in the Park Stratford Park Stratford Road Stroud GL5 4SG 01453 763394 museum@stroud.gov.uk Tenant Services: Part 1: 1.Yes 2. 6 3.The Suzy Lamplugh Trust 4.2009. No contract length as devices were a one-off purchase 5.Health and Safety Officer 6.Maxine Pride, Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Westward Road, Ebley, Stroud, Glos, GL5 4UB 01453 754476. Maxine.pride@stroud.gov.uk Part two – Council Telecare Services Community Safety: 7.NO 8.N/A 9. N/A 10.N/A 11.Senior Community Safety Officer (Care &Well Being) 12.Mike Godwin, Community Safety Section, Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Stroud GL5 4UB 01453 754149 or mike.godwin@stroud.gov.uk Tenant Services: Part 2: Panic alarms/telecare – we have a hardwired “warden call system” in each of our 29 sheltered housing schemes, and do not purchase separate panic alarms or separate telecare devices.

07/03/2012

Interim staff at a cost of £400 day or more

Date responded	04/04/2012
Questions	Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act I would be grateful if you could provide me with details of interim staff employed by your organisation. The information to be provided would identify:- * By name each interim member of staff employed in the financial year 2011/12 at a cost of £400 per day or more. * Title of the post/role covered by the interim member of staff. * Cost per day of the interim appointment. * Is this paid to the individual or to a company? If a company, please provide its name. * Is the interim member of staff still currently employed by your organisation - yes/no. * Start date. * Total cost of interim appointment in 2011/12 so far * Costs in each year (if the interim employee was in post) for the financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11. * If the cost of the interim post exceeds £50,000 per annum was a process of competitive tendering used as part of the procurement process - yes/no. * Estimated date for the termination/renewal of the interim contract. If there are any issues with naming the individual, please identify the individual with an anonymous number, but provide as much contextual information as possible (e.g. department, responsibilities) and please provide the name of the company paid. I hope to hear from you within 20 working days. Thanks for all your help.
Response	In the financial year 2011/12 Stroud District Council employed 6 interim members of staff at a cost of £400 or more a day. These staff covered various roles within the Council, but to protect their identity it is not possible to indicate the job titles. The cost per day of the interim appointments ranged from £400 - £650 4 of the interims were paid to the individual concerned, although 1 was originally through Practicus 2 of the interims were paid through companies. These were Tribal and Public Sector Consulting Currently, the Council employs 4 interim staff as follows: Interim 1: Start Date: 22nd February 2012 Estimated termination date: May 2012 Interim 2: Start Date: 3rd May 2010 Estimated termination date: May 2012 Interim 3: Start Date: 26th February 2009 Estimated termination date: April 2012 Interim 4: Start Date: 21st March 2012 Estimated termination date: September 2012 Interim posts exceeding £50,000: In the financial year 2009/10 one interim member of staff was in post, at of a cost of: £125,150 In the financial year 2010/11 two interim members of staff were in post, at a cost of £92,000 and £78,650 In the financial year 2011/12 (up until March) two interim members of staff were in post, at a cost of £80,000 and £53,684. There was not a process of competitive tendering used as part of the procurement process.

08/03/2012

Gypsies and Travellers have been evicted

Date responded	09/03/2012
Questions	How many a) gypsies and b) travellers have been evicted from authorised sites in each of the last three years.
Response	NIL

09/03/2012

PET SHOP LICENSING

Date responded	13/03/2012
Questions	FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST- PET SHOP LICENSING Council Name of officer completing questionnaire 1. Who carries out your pet shop licensing visits? Environmental Health Officer Dog Warden Licensing Officer Vet Other If “Other” please specify who: 2. Upon what do you base your pet shop license conditions? 1992 LGA Guidelines 2012 draft Guidelines 1998 LGA Guidelines Pet Care Trust QA standards Other If “Other” please specify what: 3. How frequently do you conduct licensing visits? Annually More frequently than annually Less frequently than annually If not annually please specify: 4. For what other reasons will you visit a pet shop? Pre booked monitoring visit Complaints Unannounced spot checks Other If other please specify most frequent reason: 5. What do you charge annually for a pet shop license? £ 6. Do (or have) those officers licensing pet shop licensing undertake relevant specialist training? Please answer “Yes” or “No” 7. Would you consider sending officer(s) on specialist training courses if they were available? Please answer “Yes” or “No”
Response	Please see attached document
Associated documents	PDF Pet Shop Licence (120 KB)

12/03/2012

Premises under the Licensing Act 2003 to authorise the supply of alcohol (within the meaning of section 14 of that Act) for consumption on the premise

Date responded	12/03/2012
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act, I require a list of addresses in your authority area that have been granted a premises under the Licensing Act 2003 to authorise the supply of alcohol (within the meaning of section 14 of that Act) for consumption on the premises. or A list of addresses in your authority area that have been granted the status of "licensed premises" in accordance of section 147(1) of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. or A list of addresses in respect of which a licence under the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 is in force. Your local authority may have a searchable list of this information online, but a link to this url will not be sufficient. I require a response via email and the information requested needs to be in any formatted data file. An example would be an Excel spreadsheet, an MS Access database, an SQL query dump (.sql) or a comma delimited text file (.csv).
Response	Please see attached documents
Associated documents	PDF Licenes 1 (492 KB) PDF Licences 2 (100 KB)

14/03/2012

Stray Dogs 2010

Date responded	15/03/2012
Questions	I am contacting you to request the following information regarding stray dogs. • How many stray dogs entered pounds between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2010? • How many of these were reclaimed by their owners? • How many were adopted from the pound? • How many went to an animal rescue? • How many were euthanized? • What happened to any remaining dogs that did not fall into above categories?
Response	Thank you for your email. The response is as follows: 1) 149 dogs 2) 105 dogs 3) 44 4) 69 5) 0 Us and the rescue centre have a non destruction policy and only ever PTS if an animal is dangerous, S1 banned breed or is terminally ill. 6) N/A

16/03/2012

Freedom of Information Request - Traveller

Date responded	02/04/2012
Questions	I am writing to you with a Freedom of Information Act Request in relation to the use of enforcement services within your local authority area. Please would you confirm: 1. Please confirm whether there is a guidance document used by the local authority to move on travellers from unauthorised encampments. 2. Please supply a copy of this agreement or indicate where it can be viewed on the local authority's website. 3. Please confirm if such services are purchased via a tender or approved supplier's list. 4. Please confirm the cost to the council of moving travellers on in the last 2 years. 5. Please confirm the names of the current contractors used for the service mentioned in 1) above. 6. What is the name of the person responsible for this area of business? Please provide their direct email address and direct phone number. Thank you in advance for your co-operation.
Response	Answer is as follows, but I can only answer for privately owned sites not our own land or county land which may be different for 3, 4, 5, and 6; 1. Please confirm whether there is a guidance document used by the local authority to move on travellers from unauthorised encampments. Yes, Stroud District Council signed up to an agreed Countywide protocol in January 2005. The protocol was reviewed in July 2006 to ensure regard was had to the best practice guidance in the ‘Common Ground’ report. 2. Please supply a copy of this agreement or indicate where it can be viewed on the local authority's website. A ‘lay’ persons summary can be found on the website under FAQ’s http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/faq.asp?faqid=1299 The full working protocol is attached. 3. Please confirm if such services are purchased via a tender or approved supplier's list. This Council does not have a suppliers list so such action would have to be tendered for. 4. Please confirm the cost to the council of moving travellers on in the last 2 years. We have not taken such action so no costs in relation to this matter 5. Please confirm the names of the current contractors used for the service mentioned in 1) above. Not applicable 6. What is the name of the person responsible for this area of business? Please provide their direct email address and direct phone number. Maria Hickman Housing Renewal Manager Stroud District Council Ebley Mill, Stroud. GL5 4UB Tel:01453 754454 E-Mail: maria.hickman@stroud.gov.uk Internet:www.stroud.gov.uk

19/03/2012

Request regarding Zoo Licensing Act

Date responded	29/03/2012
Questions	Under the Freedom Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations, I would like to repeat our request this year in order to update our records and track changes nationwide. Please: 1. Complete and / or amend the information requested on the enclosed sheet. 2. For each premise with a zoo licence, include a copy of the most recent annual zoo stock list (outlining births, arrivals, deaths etc. in accordance with Section 9.5 of the standards of modern Zoo practice). 3. For each premises with a zoo licence, include a copy of the most recent Full / Formal / Renewal or Periodical Inspection Report.
Response
Associated documents	PDF Zoo Licence Act (2,235 KB) PDF Zoo Licence Act (129 KB)

20/03/2012

child care vouchers

Date responded	16/04/2012
Questions	1) Current childcare voucher scheme provider 2) The renewal date for the contract 3) The current service charge levied by your childcare voucher provider 4) The number of employees in your organisation 5) The number of employees currently using the childcare voucher scheme 6) The average monthly order (in total) of vouchers ordered through the scheme 7) Whether your organisation will go through a tender process when renewing the contract to choose a new provider 8) The name of the contract manager for the childcare voucher contract
Response	1) Stroud District Council's childcare voucher scheme is provided by KiddiVouchers. 2) The renewal date for this contract is March 2014. 3) The current service charge levied by KiddiVouchers is 2.5%. 4) Stroud District Council currently employs 430 members of staff with contracted hours of work. 5) There are currently 14 employees using the childcare voucher scheme. 6) The average monthly order of vouchers is in the region of £2000. 7) In line with the Council's constitution, when purchasing goods or services on behalf of the Council up to £10,000, Officers must take all reasonable steps to demonstrate value for money is obtained by comparing prices from alternative suppliers, or obtaining quotations. As the only cost to the Council is the monthly service charge, the amount falls within this amount and there will be no requirement to go through a tender process. 8) The childcare scheme contract is managed by Human Resources.

20/03/2012

Tenant Services and Public Spaces

Date responded	16/04/2012
Questions	1. For the management of Social Housing stock (includes provision of tenancy agreements, collection of rent, repairs and maintenance of current stock etc) – can you please indicate: (a) the total stock of housing (number of houses) in the local authority in 2011 (b) whether the management of this stock was open to competitive tender (if a proportion was then please indicate what this proportion was (X% of houses or Y% of total expenditure on the management of social housing in the local authority) (c) who managed the stock of housing in 2011, for example in-house management, housing association, third-part provider etc (if there was more than one entity then please indicate the share of the total stock each entity manages) 2. For Waste management (includes domestic refuse and recycling collection, street cleaning, management of landfill sites etc) - can you please indicate: (a) Total expenditure with third-party providers for the provision of the service in the local authority in 2011. (b) If the provision of the service was open for competitive tender in 2011. If a proportion of the service is contracted out, please indicate the split by value terms. (for example, X% of total expenditure on the delivery of the service is open for competitive tender from third-party providers, irrespective of whether a third-party provider was chosen as part of the tender process). (c) If the service was provided in-house by the local authority or if it was outsourced to a third party provider. If the service provision was mixed, please provide the split between providers by value. (Please note that staff-related pay and wages is to be included within the cost of service provision) Note: For the purposes of each request, a ‘third-party provider’ is defined as any non-publicly owned/controlled institution – to include private firms, charities, universities and other non-for-profit but independent bodies, but excludes publicly controlled but arms-length institutions such as Housing Associations. By 'competitive tender' we mean that the delivery of the service was open for bids from different organisations, for example on supply2.gov.uk, regardless of whether there were no bids received or the final decision was to provide the service in-house.
Response	1 a) 5202 b) N/A - all stock is retained by the council c) In-house management by Tenant services 2 Please note that this council does not operate landfill sites. It is assumed that you are referring to the council’s 2011/12 financial year which runs from 1st April to the 31st March. a) The figures provided are for this specific period and represent gross costs • Refuse collection - £1.8M • Recycling - £1M • Street cleansing - £0.56M b) No. The services are covered within a single Multi Service contract which started in October 2001 and is due to terminate in June 2016. c) The services are operated by a single external service provider

21/03/2012

Public Burials since 01/11/11

Date responded	22/03/2012
Questions	I would like information on people dying with no next of kin being known at the time of death from 1/11/11 to the day of your response to this request. If someone died before 1/11/11 but the case has only come to your attention since, could you please also include details, as follows: 1. Surnames and forenames or initials 2. Dates of death 3. Age at death or date of birth 4. Place of birth 5. Marital status 6. Maiden surnames of married or widowed women 7. Usual address at time of death 8. Approx. value of their estate if known 9. The date you sent information to the Treasury Solicitor (or, if in Lancashire, the Duchy of Lancaster, or, if in Cornwall, the Duchy of Cornwall), or confirmation that this action was not applicable. 10. If you have yet to send the information on, as per 9 above, or a decision has not yet been made whether or not to do so, please also advise of this. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Response	NIL

22/03/2012

Planning applications in Flood Risk Areas

Date responded	23/03/2012
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, could I please request answers to the following questions: 1) How many planning applications has your authority received for developments in areas identified by the Environment Agency as Flood Risk Areas (under ss13 and 14 of the 2009 Flood Risk Regulations) in each of the financial years 2007-8, 2008-9, 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-2 (up to the date of this request)? 2) How many of these applications were successful in each of the financial years? 3) How many are still pending, under appeal or “called in”? 4) Please give as much detail as possible about each application made to your authority in the financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12, including the identity of the applicant, the nature of the development, the number of houses and other buildings, the location, if possible the level of the flood risk, and the outcome of the application.
Response	1. We are sorry but our back office database is unable to distinguish between those applications within the flood zones and those outside. 2. Please see the answer to question 1. 3. There are currently 2 applications under consideration by the LPA; 4. The application numbers are S.11/0051/FUL and S.11/1942/FUL. They are both flood zone 3 but both have mitigation measures approved by the EA. You can find full details on our website at www.stroud.gov.uk/planning

22/03/2012

Discharge of condition application S.10/2053/DISCON

Date responded	17/04/2012
Questions	Original request for information received on 22/03/2012 - a) Can you please confirm that the 'Decision Notice' dispatched on 26th October 2011 has been withdrawn? Ref: S.10/2053/DISCON. This document is 'invalid' by definition because the submitted drawings, published as proposed / received in October 2011 are labelled with the incorrect address line: "Flat B". The proposed drawings do not relate to Flat B / 3B Church Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7HB. b) To date (22/03/2012) has any new planning application been submitted to SDC for discharge of Condition 3 from Listed Building Consent S.10/0732/LBC, besides those published on SDC website? c) To date (22/03/2012) have any "detailed proposal drawings" been submitted to SDC for "proposed installations for ventilations and drawing works" in Flat 3C / 3C Church Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7HB - since 'Change of Use' consent S.10/0092/COU on 13th April 2010? Subsequent request for information received on 23/03/2012 - a) What action has SDC taken to nullify the invalid 'Decision Notice' S.10/2053/DISCON published on SDC website as "dispatched on 26/10/11"? b) Has any further new Listed Building Consent Application for 3C Church Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7HB, been submitted to SDC by the Owner/Developer for SDC inspection and written approval?
Response	In response to your original request for information received in this office on 22 March 2012 - a) Condition 3 as attached to Listed Building Consent S.10/0732/LBC was formally discharged on 26/10/2011 under reference S.10/2053/DISCON. As such, I am unable to confirm this decision notice has been withdrawn. I have enclosed a copy of the decision notice for your information. b) No additional applications have been received by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) to discharge Condition 3 as attached to Listed Building Consent S.10/0732/LBC. c) I can confirm no “detailed proposal drawings” have been received by the LPA for “proposed installations for ventilation and drainage works in Flat 3C / 3C Church Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7HB.” ‘Change of Use’ application S.10/0092/COU relates to 3 Church Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7HB, and the land outlined in red on the submitted site location plan. This information is available to view on our website (www.stroud.gov.uk) at the following address – http://www.stroud.gov.uk/PLO/Default.aspx#s=sectioncontent1 In response to your subsequent request for information received in this office on 23rd March 2012 - a) The LPA has taken no action to ‘nullify’ decision notice S.10/2053/DISCON. b) No listed building consent applications have been received for “3C Church Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7HB.” Listed building consent S.10/0732/LBC relates to 3 Church Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7HB. No subsequent listed building consent applications have been received by the LPA relating to this site. An application to discharge Condition 3 as attached to S.10/0732/LBC was received on 12/10/2010 and discharged on 26/10/2011 (Ref: S.10/2053/DISCON) – please see above. I hope this information is useful. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.
Associated documents	PDF Decision Notice S.10/2053/DISCON (31 KB)

22/03/2012

Services for young people

Date responded	10/04/2012
Questions	a) What cash and % change in funding are you planning for between 2011/12 and 2012/13 for: Youth work? Youth Services Connexions Will this involved a reduction in staffing levels and if so, what FTE reduction do you envisage? b) What changes in funding have you made in respect of provisions for young people in the voluntary sector (via commissioning or your grants programme) between 2012/11, 2011/12 and 2012/14? c) Were any services or facilities for young people closed or withdrawn entirely in 2011/12? Are you anticipating the closure or withdrawal of youth provision in 2012/13? d) i would like to find out how much budgets have changed in the work covered by the Early Intervention Grant over the past 3 years and the projections for next year. Can you please tell me hoe had your LA’s spending on the services and activities covered by the Early Intervention Grant (EIG) changed in the last 3 years and how much do you plan to spend next year (12-13). In respect of the: Youth Opportunity Fund Positive Activities for Young People Programme Children’s Fund i) how much was spent in 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12? ii) what is the equivalent projected expenditure for 2012/13 iii) how many young people accessed these services in each year, and how many are projected to access equivalent services in 2012/13? iv) Can you please summarise the main impacts of the changes in funding, e.g. levels of service, outcomes achieved and describe any mitigating action you have taken to minimise the impact? v) Where your LA is continuing the work of the grant, but perhaps from a different budget or with a different title please show the actual expenditure and FTEs in each year for the service or activity that was covered by the actual grant in 2009-10? I would also be very pleased to receive copies of any relevant reports on youth services which from the last year, which set out your local authority’s approach to future provision
Response	see attached document
Associated documents	PDF FOI 1622 Services for young people (29 KB)

23/03/2012

New Homes Bonus

Date responded	24/04/2012
Questions	1. How much New Homes Bonus (NHB) funding have you received since the scheme was introduced? 2. What proportion of that revenue has been spent on housing? 3. Of this percentage what proportion of NHB has been spent on: a) new homes b) empty homes brought back into use c) other housing projects – including money to housing associations 4. What has the remaining proportion of NHB been spent on? 5. Are any plans in place regarding the future spending of NHB revenue in your authority? If so, how do you plan to spend future NHB revenue? 6. (If applicable): What proportion of NHB funding have you already committed, or are you planning to use, to match fund Government HMR Transition Fund money? 7. What is the current population within your boundaries? 8. How many households are there within your boundaries?
Response	1. £349,650 2. None 3. a) Not applicable b) None c) None 4. None 5. No 6. None 7. 2010 figures = 111,700 8. 2012/13 tax base = £43,502.07 To clarify, the legislation does not specify that the New Homes Bonus must be used for a particular purpose. The money received has been placed into the Council's balances, some of which are being used to fund the Local Authority Mortgage Scheme to provide support to first time buyers with mortgage deposits.

26/03/2012

Taxi Licensing

Date responded	02/04/2012
Questions	I wonder if you could help with my studies into transport (and age thereof) for the disabled vs able bodied in the South of England ? What I would like is a list of taxi & private hire vehicles licensed to your authority, either by e-mail or snail mail. This information would ideally consist of the following information - Plate number Registration number Vehicle type Operating company (where applicable - please note I respect the right to privacy of the individual). As many authorities have this information freely available via Lalpac I don't feel the request violates any rights to any person.
Response	Email 1 I have attached lists of all Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles that are currently licensed by Stroud District Council. We have not released the registration numbers as we have been advised that this may have data protection implications however the list includes the plate number and the vehicle make and model. Email 2 Thank you for your good wishes and the lists you sent. I am a bit bemused by the idea that including the registration numbers may have data protection issues :) If I was not housebound I could quite easily come to the area and the easiest details to record would be those same registration plates. There seems to be a popular misconception that you can obtain personal details from a plate number - I don't know if you can, but certainly I don't know a way. Email 3 Thank you for your comments which I have noted. I have sought guidance on this matter from our Data Protection Officer with regard to previous requests for information about licensed vehicles and based on her advice it is the practice of this authority not to release certain details about licence holders including home addresses and registration details as we believe this information may enable a person to be identified and effect their privacy. Email 4 If you wish to make a complaint in respect of an unsuccessful request made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision.
Associated documents	PDF Taxi Vehicle Type (111 KB) PDF Private Hire Vehicle (93 KB)

26/03/2012

Housing Maintenance Budget & Procurement Policy

Date responded	19/04/2012
Questions	1. How many council homes does your authority manage. 2. Please provide the total budget spend on housing maintenance and repairs to managed council housing properties in the financial years 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11. 3. Please provide the total budget spend of housing maintenance and repairs to managed council housing properties in the financial years 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 completed by: a) Medium sized enterprises b) Small sized enterprises c) Micro sized enterprises Definition of these categories provided in the following link and the below table, any of the three criteria can be used to categorise the enterprise. http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/facts-figures-analysis/sme-definition/index_en.htm. Company category Employees Turnover or Balance sheet total Medium-sized < 250 = € 50 m = € 43 m Small < 50 = € 10 m = € 10 m Micro < 10 = € 2 m = € 2 m 4 Is it a policy requirement of your authority when awarding a contract for housing maintenance works that the contract value must be less than 20% of the total company turnover? Yes or No 5 What policies and initiatives do you have in place to encourage Small and Medium sized enterprises to bid for housing repairs and maintenance contracts, and please can you provide any documentation you may have in this area.
Response	1. 5,200 2. As per attached spreadsheet 3. As per attached spreadsheet (All Repairs Tab) 4. No 5. No. The Council have a procurement strategy and many documents regarding procurement but does not cover question 5 in any depth
Associated documents	PDF Housing Maintenance Budget & Procurement Policy (117 KB)

26/03/2012

Parish/Town Council Precepts 2011/12

Date responded	10/04/2012
Questions	Please provide me with the Parish/Town Council Precepts for the last financial year (2011-2012).
Response	Please refer to the attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Parish/Town Council Precepts 2011/2012 (11 KB)

28/03/2012

Hospital Food Standards and Hygiene Reports

Date responded
Questions	Dear Sir / Madam, I would like copies of food standard and hygiene reports carried out for all the hospitals within your area since January 1, 2011. If hospitals have faced re-inspections, then for some this will be more than one. My question relates to NHS hospitals and private hospitals. It does not include care homes, hospices or other small premises. I am after the main inpatient hospitals in the area. As a rule of thumb, they should be producing more than 30 meals in a mealtime. I would like you to provide me with the reports under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Should you have difficulties releasing the data under the EU rules, then please consider the Freedom of Information Act 2000. For clarification, where there are several venues on the same site (eg Marks & Spencers within the hospital, staff cafeteria, public cafeteria and patient kitchens) it is the patient facilities I am interested in. I am not concerned with the food normally consumed by staff or the public. If it is hard to distinguish between the different facilities without carrying out a detailed manual trawl of the data, then send them all. Extra data above and beyond what I am after is better than not enough. I am not after ‘scores on the doors’ – this does not give sufficient information and is already in the public domain. I am after full copies of the reports.
Response	Thank you for your enquiry. Whilst there are a number of small hospitals in our area all of the food for patient’s consumption is prepared at a central production unit at Stroud Maternity Hospital. The chilled meals are transported to the other hospitals and “regenerated” in ovens at those sites. The other hospitals are checked from time to time to ensure that the regeneration facilities are operated correctly. I attach a copy of the last inspection report for the cook-chill unit.
Associated documents	PDF Hospital Food Standards and Hygiene Reports (110 KB)

28/03/2012

CCTV Systems

Date responded	29/03/2012
Questions	Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am writing to obtain details of CCTV systems as they relate to taxis and private hire vehicles in the area covered by your authority. In particular, I wish to know: 1.) Whether it is a mandatory condition of hackney carriage or private hire licenses issued by your authority for taxis to have CCTV with video and audio recording capability 2.) Whether it is allowed under either hackney carriage or private hire licenses issued for drivers to install CCTV with video and audio recording capability at their own choosing 3.) If permitted please provide any written guidance produced by your local authority on the handling of image and sound files
Response	Stroud District Council does not have a mandatory condition for either hackney carriage or private hire vechicles in relation to CCTV (with video and audio recording capability) Stroud District Council conditions the use of CCTV and the condition reads as follows: 'CCTV systems may be installed in the vechicle with the approval of the Licensing Officer. CCTV systems must be operated in accordance with current legislation including data protection legislation' We currently do not have any vechicles in the Stroud District which have CCTV equipemtn installed.

FOI requests for February 2012

Date received

Subject of request

01/02/2012

Public Burials since Nov 2011

Date responded	09/02/2012
Questions	Dear Sirs, I am making a request under the Freedom of Information Act / Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, to establish how many public health funeral cases you have referred, or are due to refer, to the Treasury Solicitor, Duchy, Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (QLTR) or Crown Solicitor from November 2011 to the date of your response. If possible, please could you include the following in your response: Name of the Deceased (including maiden name) ; Date and Place of Death ; Date and Place of Birth ; Last known residence for the deceased ; Whether next of kin have been traced ; Value of the Estate if known ; Date on which referred/due to be referred to the Treasury Solicitor, Duchy, QLTR or Crown Solicitor. PLEASE NOTE: We are aware you may have similar requests such as this. Please be advised we are a trustworthy internationally known organisation working in this field for over 80 years. We are making this request for legitimate reasons. We may have written to you in the past, however, we believe since our last communication there may be new cases arising. If you prefer, please feel free to call us if you have any concerns and thanks in advance for your time. Kind regards,
Response	Nil

03/02/2012

Current compulsory purchase orders

Date responded	01/03/2012
Questions	I would be most grateful if you could provide me with details of any current compulsory purchase orders at Stroud District Council and where I may view the appropraite records. An email response would be prefrerred. Confirmation sought 29/02/212 - I refer to your request for information dated 3rd February and would be grateful if you could confirm what you mean by ‘current’ compulsory purchase orders, in order that we can respond accurately to your request? Response: Many thanks for coming back to me - can you please advise if there are any enforceable compulsory purchase orders in existence with the local authority where an order or decision has been made by the council to compulsory purchase or acquire a property.
Response	Thank you for your request for information. I can confirm there are no enforceable compulsory purchase orders in existence with the local authority where a decision has been made by the Council to compulsory purchase or acquire a property. The local authority recently tried to compulsory purchase Tricorn House, Westward Road, Stroud. However, this Order was not confirmed (i.e. the Inspector dismissed it). A digital copy of this file is available to view in our offices between the hours of 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday (Ref: S.09/0208/MISC). I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

03/02/2012

Amount paid by your authority by way of business rates in relation to your authority’s own vacant property/accommodation

Date responded	01/03/2012
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please could you supply me with the amount paid by your authority by way of business rates in relation to your authority’s own vacant property/accommodation for 2007/8, 2008/9, 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12. If a forecast figure for empty property rates payments in 2012/13 exists, I would like that as well.
Response	Amounts Paid by Stroud District Council for Vacant Property Period Business Rates Paid by Authority 2007/08 £0 2008/09 £0 2009/10 £231.44 2010/11 £0 2011/12 £16,404.96 Total £16,636.40 2011/12 (Estimate) £9,936.60

06/02/2012

names

Date responded	13/02/2012
Questions	The Head of Procurement or equivalent The Director of Communications or equivalent The Head of Communications or equivalent The Head of Governance or equivalent
Response	There is no designated post of Head of Procurement within the Council. The Principal Procurement Officer reports directly to Sandra Cowley - Head of Finance & Section 151 Officer There is no designated post of Director of Communications within the Council. Nick Watkins is Head of Communications There is no designated post of Head of Governance within the Council. The Council's Corporate Team would be jointly responsible for this, and consist of: David Hagg - Chief Executive Carl Brazier - Strategic Head (Tenant Services) Joanne Jordan - Strategic Head (Customer Services) Barry Wyatt - Strategic Head (Development Services) Sandra Cowley - Head of Finance & Section 151 Officer Ian Edwards - Canal Project Manager Allison Sharpe - Head of Corporate Resources Nick Watkins - Head of Communications Contact details of the Council's Senior Management Team can be found on our website: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/democracy/decision_making.asp#s=sectioncontent4&p=officers

06/02/2012

names and email addresses

Date responded	10/02/2012
Questions	Chief Executive Director of Corporate Services Director of Environment or equivalent Director of Economic or Business Development
Response	The Council's Chief Executive is David Hagg There is no designated post of Director of Corporate Services. Allison Sharpe is Head of Corporate Resources There is no designated post of Director of Environment. This area of work is covered by Barry Wyatt - Strategic Head of Development Services There is no designated post of Economic or Business Development. Our Corporate Team is jointly responsible for this area of work, consisting of: David Hagg - Chief Executive Carl Brazier - Strategic Head (Tenant Services) Joanne Jordan - Strategic Head (Customer Services) Barry Wyatt - Strategic Head (Development Services) Sandra Cowley - Head of Finance & Section 151 Officer Ian Edwards - Canal Project Manager Allison Sharpe - Head of Corporate Resources Nick Watkins - Head of Communications Contact details of the Council's Senior Management Team can be found on our website: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/democracy/decision_making.asp#s=sectioncontent4&p=officers

06/02/2012

Local Authorities' management, ownership and maintenance of public buildings

Date responded	01/03/2012
Questions	In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, I am seeking the following information with respect to your buildings/property portfolio: a) Person responsible for Architecture/design b) Contact e-mail c) Phone number d) Address e) Person responsible for Building Services Engineering (e.g. heating, lighting, ventilation etc.). f) Contact e-mail g) Phone number h) Address i) Person responsible for Quantity Surveying (Building Cost) j) Contact e-mail k) Phone number l) Address m) Person responsible for Building Maintenance n) Contact e-mail o) Phone number p) Address q) Person responsible for Property Strategy/Asset Management r) Contact e-mail s) Phone number t) Address The persons above could be either local authority employees or external providers responsible for managing those services on behalf of your authority. I am interested to learn how Local Authorities are dealing with the current economic climate of government cuts and reduced budgets and the effect such constraints will have on your property portfolio. The above information will enable me to see which authorities retain in-house services and which ones use external providers.
Response	a) Person responsible for Architecture/design b) Contact e-mail c) Phone number d) Address N/A e) f) Person responsible for Building Services Engineering (e.g. heating, lighting, ventilation etc.). g) Contact e-mail h) Phone number i) Address Building Programmes Manager building.maintenance@stroud.gov.uk 01453 766321 Asset Management Stroud District Council Ebley Mill Stroud Glos. GL5 4UB j) Person responsible for Quantity Surveying (Building Cost) k) Contact e-mail l) Phone number m) Address N/A n) Person responsible for Building Maintenance o) Contact e-mail p) Phone number q) Address Building Programmes Manager Details as above r) Person responsible for Property Strategy/Asset Management s) Contact e-mail t) Phone number u) Address Property & Investment Manager estates.admin@stroud.gov.uk 01453 766321 Address as above

07/02/2012

Empty Business premises with an RV over £25,000

Date responded	28/02/2012
Questions	Would you please provide me with the following information for commercial premises which are currently vacant and where the rateable value of the property exceeds £25,000; * The full address including postcode * The name of the account holder where it is not an individual (if it is, please leave blank) * The rateable value of the property * The date on which the premises first became vacant * The type of property (if such information is easily included)
Response
Associated documents	PDF Empty commercial premises with RV over 25,000 (10 KB)

08/02/2012

Public Burials Since 01/10/2011

Date responded	09/02/2012
Questions	My request is for information regarding persons who have died with no known next of kin and any public / welfare funerals since 1/10/11 to the present day. Also to include any 'pending' cases that may shortly pass to the Treasury Solicitor and any cases where the Deceased died before 1/10/11 but were not included in your last response to me for whatever reason. More specifically; 1. full names, 2. dates of birth / ages at death, 3. marital status, 4. maiden surnames of married females, 5. dates of death, 6. last known addresses, 7. estimated value of estates, 8. date(s) when the information was passed (or information that is pending or about to be passed) to the Treasury Solicitor (or Duchy of Lancaster or Cornwall). For your information my last request was sent on 7/10/11.
Response	NIL

08/02/2012

Public Funerals since 09 Jan 2012

Date responded	09/02/2012
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 I write to request the following: The names of all Public Health Funerals/ bona vacantia estates passed or in the process of being referred ie pending referral to The Treasury Solicitor ( BV ) Department or Duchy of Lancaster since my last request of the 9th January 2012. Please note this is not a repeated request but a request for fresh information since my last request and we have had this confirmed by the ICO. We request the following information only: 1) The full name of the deceased 2) The date of death 3) Last known address 4) Approximate value of estate ( if not exempt ) I look forward to hearing from you within the statutory timescale,
Response	Nil

09/02/2012

Budgets

Date responded	07/03/2012
Questions	1. The % change in pay which the council has assumed in its budget planning for 2012-13. I am interested in the figure related to the annual pay rise (or freeze) decided through National Joint Council negotiations. 2. The financial cost of above change. 3. Any NJC-linked change in pay, in % terms, which the council has assumed in its budget planning for later years, but only if assumptions for later have been made. 4. The financial cost of above changes. 5. If the council is opted out of the NJC pay structure, please indicate any budget assumptions the council has made for cost of living pay changes for 2012-13 and later years. 6. The salary of your highest paid employee; the salary of your lowest paid employee (excluding and including apprentices); the mean average salary of all non-school staff; and the median average salary of all non-school staff. 7. Whether the council has included or intends to include a pay multiple in the pay policy required by section 40 of the Localism Act and, if so, what that pay multiple is. 8. If the council has set a pay multiple at which it would like to aim, as per paragraph 20 of DCLG’s guidance on pay policies, and what that aspirational pay multiple is. 9. Whether the pay multiples in your pay policies use the median or mean salary of staff. 10. Whether the pay multiple will or won’t include schools staff. Please send me your response by email, to ruth.keeling@emap.com
Response	1. The Council have set aside the equivalent of a 1% annual pay rise in the 2012/13 budget. This is being held centrally by Finance and has not been added to individual service budgets. 2. The cost of the above change will be £125,000 3. The Council has made no assumption for any increase in future years, and no provision has been made in the Medium Term Financial Plan beyond 2012/13 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. Salaries: £108,609 (highest); £13,589 (lowest); £9581,52 (apprentice); £40,144.42 (mean); £33,661 (median). 7. The Council has included a pay multiple between the highest and the lowest paid employees. This has been calculated as a ratio of 1:11 8. The Council will aim to keep within Government guidelines. 9. The Council has used the highest and lowest salaries for this calculation 10. Stroud District Council do not employ school staff

09/02/2012

Queens Diamond Jubilee

Date responded	01/03/2012
Questions	My request concerns celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee which is taking place in June of this year. 1….Are any elected members and or employees of the council taking part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant which is scheduled for Sunday 3 June 2012. If the answer is yes can you state the number of council employees and or representatives who are expected to take part? Can you please provide the names of any elected members, Chief Executives and service heads who are expected to take part. 2…What vessel (s) will these individuals be travelling on. Can you please identify all the vessels being used by council employees and or representatives. Has the council chartered any vessels or has it hired part of any vessels. If so can it identify those vessels. Can it also give details for how long it has chartered and or hired the vessels for and at what cost? 3…Has any group and or individual and or neighbourhood approached the council about the possibility of staging street parties and or other kinds of celebrations during the Diamond Jubilee weekend. If the answer is yes can you please state how many approaches the council has had. Can you also state what form these planned celebrations are taking? 4…Can the council please provide copies of all forms and or documentation and or similar which will have to be completed by anyone hoping to stage a street party and or similar celebration for The Diamond Jubilee. Can you also provide copies of any advisory material the council plans to distribute to these individuals and groups. 5…Will residents and groups planning to stage these type of events be expected to make any payment to the council. Can you please provide full details of any costs involved? Can you please explain what these costs cover?
Response	1….Are any elected members and or employees of the council taking part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant which is scheduled for Sunday 3 June 2012. If the answer is yes can you state the number of council employees and or representatives who are expected to take part? Can you please provide the names of any elected members, Chief Executives and service heads who are expected to take part. No 2…What vessel (s) will these individuals be travelling on. Can you please identify all the vessels being used by council employees and or representatives. Has the council chartered any vessels or has it hired part of any vessels. If so can it identify those vessels. Can it also give details for how long it has chartered and or hired the vessels for and at what cost? N/A 3…Has any group and or individual and or neighbourhood approached the council about the possibility of staging street parties and or other kinds of celebrations during the Diamond Jubilee weekend. If the answer is yes can you please state how many approaches the council has had. Can you also state what form these planned celebrations are taking? The Licensing Section has been approached about one main event for the Queens Jubilee - this is 'Stroud on Water' which is a 3 day trail boat festival with music and food and drink stalls and fire work display. The organisers are going to apply for a Premises Licence to cover this event as they are expecting 3,000 people a day and will be providing music stages and sale of alcohol. So far one temporary event notice has been issued for a village hall jubilee party with pay bar. We have had about 10 enquiries about street parties and are aware of a series of events in early June which are being organised by Wotton Town Council. Generally they do not need any licence from us, however they may require a road closure. All road closures are being dealt with by County Council who are waiving the fee. 4…Can the council please provide copies of all forms and or documentation and or similar which will have to be completed by anyone hoping to stage a street party and or similar celebration for The Diamond Jubilee. Can you also provide copies of any advisory material the council plans to distribute to these individuals and groups. Stroud District Council website has a page for the Olympics and Queens Silver Jubilee. http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/olympics.asp . In addition we have a fact sheet about Street Parties for the Olympics and Queens Silver Jubilee. The fact sheet is on the webpage above and is also being sent out those who have made enquiries - fact sheet attached to this response. 5…Will residents and groups planning to stage these type of events be expected to make any payment to the council. Can you please provide full details of any costs involved? Can you please explain what these costs cover? Most street parties will not need to pay any fees to the Council as the Road Closure fees are being waived and most will not need permissions from Licensing. Our Cultural Services department emailed all schools, clubs, community groups and organisations to inform about the Jubilee Grant scheme SDC has created and then signposted them to the webpage to find advice and application and guidance forms (re: street parties): http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/olympics.asp

10/02/2012

Right to Buy

Date responded	21/02/2012
Questions	Please supply us in soft copy format (i.e. by email) within an excel spreadsheet, a full list of all properties (both local authority and housing association) sold since 2000 under the Right to Buy Scheme and preserved Right to Buy Schemes ("the schemes").
Response	The information requested under the Freedom of Information Act is attached. This spreadsheet lists all properties sold under Right to Buy by Stroud District Council between 1st January 2000 to 15th February 2012. I can confirm that we only hold the information for properties sold under Right to Buy for Stroud District Council, and hold no information for Housing Association sales.
Associated documents	PDF Right to Buy Properties - 2000 to 2012 (296 KB)

10/02/2012

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts

Date responded	01/03/2012
Questions	This concentrates on Acceptable Behaviour Contracts in whose issue your Council may be involved Required Name of Council Name of contact, phone no, email address * Is your Council involved in issuing of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts? * Yes No Is this within a Partnership? * Those answering 'No' to the previous question please return n/a Yes No n/a Name of your Police Force * Do you keep central statistics on the issuing of ABCs? * Yes No n/a How many were issued in 2011, 2010, 2009 (separate for each year)? * Over those three years together, what proportion were aged under 18 years? * Over those three years together, what proportion were male? * Which Council departments are involved in issuing ABCs? * Give the one most involved first etc In the case of under-18s * there is a personal contact with a parent before a letter is sent a letter is sent to get child and parent to attend meeting the letter may contain a warning that non-attendance could result in Notice for Possession if social tenants the letter advises the child can have representation the letter makes no mention of representation the letter gives a summary of the alleged behaviour the parent is told s/he can have a more detailed, written statement of alleged activity prior to the meeting we don't issue ABCs Does the Council regard this process as a means of seeking the alleged offender to accept his/her civil obligations around the issues at hand? * Yes No Has the Council sought/ used advice on the legal status of ABCs? * No From our legal officers Used Home Office guidance Other: Are reports on ABCs made to: * Council Officers Partnerships Home Office Councillors Regularly as-and-when non ABC Council Has the Council considered the Human Rights Act with regard to the use and practice of ABCs * Yes No n/a we don't do ABCs Does the Council regard ABCs as * wholly voluntary having a lawful basis as consistent with obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 we don't issue ABCs Possession proceedings have been instituted by the Council with regard to ABCs * with Council tenants with RSL tenants with Council tenants where children are the subject of the concern with RSL tenants where children are the subject of the concern n/a Council non ABC user ABCs have been used with * Private tenants Owner occupiers ABCs not used by Council Is an independent person present at an ABC meeting? * Yes No n/a ABCs not used Does the ABC agreement specify what the child will/ will not do? * Yes No n/a non ABC user Does the Agreement warn that breach of the contract may lead to application for e.g ASBO? * Yes No n/a ABCs not used ABC conditions can include * Restriction on how many people the person can be with in public? Not to make noise Not to abuse others through swearing Not to associate with named persons Not to enter certain areas Not to intimidate, harass, annoy or distress others Not to be rude to others N/a ABCs not used Please summarise what actions are taken where someone refuses to sign an ABC? * What is he youngest age of someone in your area signing an ABC? *
Response	Name of Council - Stroud District Council Name of contact, phone no, email address - Ian mallinson, ian.mallinson@stroud.gov.uk 01453 754168 Is your Council involved in issuing of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts? * Yes Is this within a Partnership? * Those answering 'No' to the previous question please return n/a Yes Name of your Police Force Gloucestershire Constabulary Do you keep central statistics on the issuing of ABCs? * Yes How many were issued in 2011, 2010, 2009 (separate for each year)? * 2011 - 8 Comprising 7 adults (5 male and 2 female) and 1 juvenile male 2010 - 3 Comprising 2 adults (male) 1 juvenile male 2009 - 1 Comprising 1 adult male Over those three years together, what proportion were aged under 18 years? * 18% Over those three years together, what proportion were male? * 18% Which Council departments are involved in issuing ABCs? * Give the one most involved first etc Tenant Services Community Safety In the case of under-18s * there is a personal contact with a parent before a letter is sent - yes a letter is sent to get child and parent to attend meeting - yes the letter may contain a warning that non-attendance could result in Notice for Possession if social tenants -no the letter advises the child can have representation -no the letter makes no mention of representation - yes the letter gives a summary of the alleged behaviour - yes the parent is told s/he can have a more detailed, written statement of alleged activity prior to the meeting we don't issue ABCs -no Does the Council regard this process as a means of seeking the alleged offender to accept his/her civil obligations around the issues at hand? * Yes Has the Council sought/ used advice on the legal status of ABCs? * No From our legal officers - yes Used Home Office guidance - yes Other: Are reports on ABCs made to: * Council Officers - yes Partnerships - yes Home Office - yes Councillors - yes Regularly - yes as-and-when - no non ABC Council - no Has the Council considered the Human Rights Act with regard to the use and practice of ABCs * Yes Does the Council regard ABCs as * wholly voluntary - yes having a lawful basis - yes as consistent with obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 - yes we don't issue ABCs - no Possession proceedings have been instituted by the Council with regard to ABCs * with Council tenants - yes with RSL tenants - no with Council tenants where children are the subject of the concern - no with RSL tenants where children are the subject of the concern - no n/a Council non ABC user - no ABCs have been used with * Private tenants - yes Owner occupiers - yes ABCs not used by Council - no Is an independent person present at an ABC meeting? * No Does the ABC agreement specify what the child will/ will not do? * Yes Does the Agreement warn that breach of the contract may lead to application for e.g ASBO? * Yes ABC conditions can include * Restriction on how many people the person can be with in public? - no Not to make noise - yes Not to abuse others through swearing - yes Not to associate with named persons - no Not to enter certain areas - yes Not to intimidate, harass, annoy or distress others - yes Not to be rude to others - yes N/a ABCs not used - no Please summarise what actions are taken where someone refuses to sign an ABC? * Refusal to sign an ABC may have further implications should the complained of behaviours continue. In such circumstances any legal proceedings in way of ASBO or tenancy enforcement would cite the offer of an ABC to the alleged perpertrator, the refusal to engage in the ABC process and evidenced of the disorder continuing. A person refusing to enter into the ABC would be informed that such refusal may be disclosed in any further contemplated proceedings. What is he youngest age of someone in your area signing an ABC? * 14 years

10/02/2012

Powers Of Entry

Date responded	01/03/2012
Questions	am writing to obtain details of the use of powers of entry by your authority under any of the relevant Acts or items of secondary legislation during the period 2008 – 2011, excluding Trading Standards investigations. I wish to obtain details of: • how many times such powers were used in the past three years, • the legislation they were requested under, • the criminal offence or allegation being investigated • the outcome of their use, if any. I have included a table below, with example answers for the purposes of clarity. Date of Use Time of powers Legislation exercised under Offence / Allegation Outcome 01/02/2010 8 am X Act 2003, S 3 Animal abuse Fine 05/04/2011 4pm Y Act 1997, S 1 Excessive Noise None
Response	Please see attached documents.
Associated documents	PDF Powers Of Entry - Environmental Health Response (27 KB) PDF Powers Of Entry - Tenant Services Response (31 KB)

10/02/2012

Fees and Charges 2008/09 - 2012/13

Date responded	09/03/2012
Questions	1. What was the total income generated by the Council in sales, fees, charges and penalties (not including Council Tax or non-domestic rates) for the period 2008-2009? 2. What was the total income generated by the Council in sales, fees, charges and penalties (not including Council Tax or non-domestic rates) for the period 2009-2010? 3. What was the total income generated by the Council in sales, fees, charges and penalties (not including Council Tax or non-domestic rates) for the period 2010-2011? 4. What is the projected figure for the income generated by the Council in sales, fees, charges and penalties (not including Council Tax or non-domestic rates) for the period 2011-2012? 5. What is the projected figure for the income generated by Council in sales, fees, charges and penalties (not including Council Tax or non-domestic rates) for the period 2012-2013? 6. Please list all the sales, fees, charges and penalties which have been increased or introduced in the period 2011-2012. Please state the previous charge and the new charge. 7. Please list all sales, fees, charges and penalties which you plan to introduce or increase during the period 2012-2013. Please state the previous charge, the new charge and the date on which you plan to implement these increased charges. 8. Please list all sales, fees, charges and penalties which you plan to reduce or scrap in the period 2012-2013. Please state the previous charge, the new charge and the date on which you plan to implement these reduced charges.
Response	Please refer to the attached documents. Unless stated otherwise, all increases or reductions in charges would be implemented from 1 April in each year.
Associated documents	PDF Income 2010-13 (48 KB) PDF Fees and Charges 2010-13 (101 KB)

13/02/2012

Partnership between Glos Police, Glos Gateway Trust & SDC

Date responded	21/02/2012
Questions	On the 28th August 2010 an article appeared in the Stroud News and Journal with regard to a partnership that was formed between Gloucestershire Police, Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and Stroud District Council. Can you let me know the date that this partnership was formed and the reason why? I understand that a number of Public meetings took place in June and July 2010 with regard to this partnership. Can I have details of when and where those meetings took place and the reason why? How were these Public meetings advertised and how many people attended?
Response	In January 2010 following casual discussions between Tenant Services, through Ian Mallinson the Safer Estates Officer and Pcso Tracy Wren of Stonehouse Police, a project was initiated to provide the community of Stonehouse, in particular those resident in and around the Park Estate, Stonehouse, with access to Council services and organisations, both statutory and non statutory, such as the Police and Citizens Advice, through the provision of a ‘Community Shop’. Such facilities had been developed around the district, but not on the intended scale. Similar facilities existed in Gloucester city, in particular Matson and Coney Hill and were seen as a tremendous success. Stroud District Council Tenant Services owned commercial properties in the area and were supportive of the initiative. An empty shop was seen as a viable proposition to this project and steps were taken to secure this through ‘change of use’ planning permission. Whilst this process was going on the providers of the services in Gloucester were contacted for advice in developing such community facilities. These providers are the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust. Interest in the project was stimulated and the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust were happy to become involved in the project. The intended project was brought to the attention of residents within the Park Estate, Stonehouse, by door knocking and leaflet dropping the properties on that estate. Residents were invited to a meeting held on Monday 20 September 2010 which resulted in interest from attendees in forming a Residents Association, something that had been lacking in the area for a number of years. On Wednesday 27 October 2010 a meeting of those interested residents, together with representatives of Tenant Services Resident Involvement, occurred which resulted in the formation of a committee and the necessary positions to enable a Residents Association to form. At this meeting in addition to Tenant Services representation, the Police and the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust were present to provide information on how the presence of a Community shop may assist them and the local community at large. In addition, through a grouping known as the Stonehouse Opportunities Group, exercised through the Offices of Stonehouse Town Council, within which interested business parties to this project existed, a number of meetings were held during the time frame indicated in this freedom of information request. These meetings were not publicly convened meetings and were not advertised as such. Alongside other business opportunities being discussed at these meetings by it’s members, was the subject of the Community shop development. The group saw it as an integral part of the further development of Stonehouse town facilities and members were able to provide input to the project recommending local businesses and other services locally that could be canvassed to support it. Following attainment of all the relevant permissions and the necessary start up funding to support the project, the Community Shop known now as ‘All Pulling Together Stonehouse’ commenced operation in February 2011. The facility was formerly opened on Monday 21 March 2011. The premises remain under the control of Stroud District Council Tenant Services as owners of the property. The shop is run by volunteers within the community. The shop publishes a timetable of events and agency attendance days for the benefit of the local community. Tenant Services provide a weekly surgery for residents and tenants requiring information or support. The Police continue to service this facility through drop in and the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust support it with advertisements and recruitment initiatives targeted at the training, development and employment of local people.

15/02/2012

Details of Mobile phone contract

Date responded	12/03/2012
Questions	• 1. Existing Supplier(s) - If there is more than one supplier please split the contract up • 2. Total contract value- If there isn't a total contract value please cans you provide me with the latest annual spend on mobile phone. • 3. Number of Users • 4. Duration of the contract • 5. Contract Start Date • 6. Contract Expiry Date • 7. Contract Review Date • 8. The person within the Council responsible for this particular contract. Can you send me the full contact details Contact Name, Job Title, Contact Number and direct email address.
Response	See attached file
Associated documents	PDF Response to request (22 KB)

15/02/2012

Employees paid through PAYE

Date responded	09/03/2012
Questions	During the 2010-2011 financial year, how many individuals employed in permanent posts at your local authority were paid through companies rather than through PAYE?
Response	During the financial year 2010-2011 the Council employed 2 people who filled permanent posts within the establishment and were paid through companies rather than PAYE.

16/02/2012

Public Health Funerals Since Nov 2011

Date responded	16/02/2012
Questions	Subject: Freedom of Information request I wish to apply 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 November 2011 when no known next of kin can be found. . 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
Response	Nil

17/02/2012

Bailiff Services

Date responded	12/03/2012
Questions	1.Does your local authority use private enforcement contractors (bailiffs) to collect in any of the following: Council Tax Non-Domestic Rates Sundry Debt Parking Fines 2.Are any other forms of collection outsourced by the local authority to private enforcement contractors? If so please confirm what they are. 3.Please confirm if the outsourcing agreement is based on a tender process. 4.When is the renewal date for any tender process? 5.If the process for becoming a contractor is not based on a tender process is there an approved contractors list? 6.If there is an approved contractors list please confirm the process for being added to that list. 7.What is the cost of providing enforcement services on an annualised basis for the last 5 years to date? 8.What is the name of the person responsible for this area of business? Please provide their direct email and direct phone number.
Response	1. Council Tax – yes Non-Domestic Rates - yes Sundry Debt – yes Parking Fines – yes 2.The Gloucestershire Revenues Partnership appointed Bristow & Sutor as sole supplier to collect Council Tax, Business Rates & Sundry Debt. The contract was awarded in June 2010 after a formal tender process. It is valid for 5 years with an option to extend. Stroud District Council contract Cotswold District Council to carry out the Notice Processing of Penalty Charge Notices on our behalf under a Service Level Agreement. For recovery of unpaid parking debts Cotswold District Council has a contractual agreement with Bristow and Sutor. The agreement runs from 1st October 2008 and is for 4 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years. The Gloucestershire Revenues Partnership represents all six (6) Councils in Gloucestershire, namely: Cheltenham Borough Council Cotswold District Council Forest of Dean District Council Gloucester City Council Stroud District Council Tewkesbury Borough Council 3. Yes 4. See 2 5. N/A 6. N/A 7. The contract is based on no commission so is effectively a free service. With regard to Cotswold Districts Councils agreement with Bristow and Sutor there is also no charge for this. 8. Simon Killen, Recovery Manager, Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Stroud, Glos GL5 4UB -Council tax, Non Domestic Rates and Sundry Debts Maria Wheatley, Parking Manager, Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX, Tel: 01285 623228 - Parking Fines

20/02/2012

Request for Internal Review - All Pulling Together Community Association

Date responded	22/02/2012
Questions	I requested information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on the 3rd November 2011 with regard to the All Pulling Together Community Association. You sent me the minutes of the meeting of the 6th October 2010 and a copy of the Constitution. I understand that the Committee received a payment of £300 from the Public Purse in December 2010. Can I have information on that payment? According to the 'Recognition Criteria for Tenants' and Residents' Associations' issued by Stroud District Council, the Council should have been provided with a copy of the minutes of the AGM which took place in October 2011 when a new Committee was voted for. Can I have a copy of the minutes of the AGM and a copy of the Treasurers report? Did the All Pulling Together Community Association receive another grant in late 2011? In late December 2010, Stuart Strathearn told me that the All Pulling Together Community Association was delivering leaflets to all the houses on the estate. Recently, the Association delivered a letter to all Residents concerning a survey. It would appear that the All Pulling Together Community Association is purporting to represent all the Residents of the Park Estate. In the 'Recognition Criteria for Tenants' and Residents' Associations' it is clearly stated 'Membership should be determined by the tenant signing to say that the Tenants' or Residents' Association represents them, or by expressing his/her support at a public meeting'. Apart from the sixteen residents who attended the set up meeting has the Council got information to confirm that the Association sent out membership forms for completion to all households before setting up the Association. The Human Rights Act, article 11 states that an individual has the right to join an association and equally has the right not to. Have the Council got information to confirm that the All Pulling Together Community Association have a signed membership form for all the Households on the Park Estate? If not, then it would appear that the All Pulling Together Community Association is in breach of the Human Rights Law Article 11. They should only deliver to the members of their organisation.
Response	Further to your ‘Freedom of Information 2000 Request for an Internal Review’ e-mail received on the 19 February please accept our answers to your questions as below: a) The £300 was a standard one off grant to cover running costs. b) The next AGM is to be held on the 12 March 2012. The seven day minimum notice to be issued soon. We are, of course, happy for you to have a copy of the minutes and Treasurers report from that meeting. c) No other grant from SDC in late 2011. Any/next grant will be received after the accounts are audited after the AGM. d) The last question in relation to the Human Rights Act doesn’t really make sense. If they, All Pulling Together Community Association (APTCA) are not representing you should we send you the minutes and report as requested? APTCA are a voluntary organisation trying to represent their community to the best of their ability. I hope this is satisfactory but would reiterate my offer, as last time (on 1 December 2011) to discuss your issues at your convenience to save us and yourself valuable time. It could be argued that the cost/time involved answering these questions ‘from the Public Purse’ is a waste. Our then Legal Services Manager and Monitoring Officer did also answer most of this points in his reply to you of the 5 August 2011 (copy attached).

20/02/2012

Affordable Housing Provision

Date responded	22/02/2012
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 I am requesting please a list of all developments for which planning permission as granted in the last 12 years and where there is a requirement for on site affordable housing. For clarity – this does not include developments with a requirement with a financial contribution toward affordable housing, only those where units were provided on site.
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on the 20th February 2012. Unfortunately your request cannot be efficiently handled by our back office systems, that is to say we do not systematically log those applications which produce affordable housing and particularly not over the time frame you desire. To do so manually would exceed the ceiling of non-chargeable work on a freedom of information request. The Council can provide details, over a shorter time frame, of the number of houses built, and the number of affordable units secured. Please let us know if this would be of assistance. If your time frame were the last five years for example, we would be able to furnish you with the required list within the cost constraints. I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

21/02/2012

Planning application S.11/2432/FUL - Bat Survey, Reptile Survey and Ecological Survey

Date responded	22/02/2012
Questions	Planning Application S.11/2432/FUL demolition of 40 Woolaways properties and erection of 66 properties, cover letter dated 2 December 2011 refers to a number of enclosures submitted as supporting documents which include: (1) Bat Survey; (2) Reptile Survey; and (3) Ecological Survey. These Surveys were not included on the LPA electronic planning register and I now request under the FOI Act and Environmental information Regulations 2004 a copy of each of the 3 Surveys.
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on 21st February 2012. Please find attached a copy of the documents requested originally submitted as part of application S.11/2432/FUL. Given the sensitive subject matter of these types of reports, their circulation is usually restricted in order to safeguard any identified habitats. However copies are available to view at the customer services desk as they have been throughout the process. For your convenience I have enclosed a copy of the documents requested. Whilst a copy of this email will be registered on the Council website, the files sent will not appear for the reasons outlined above. I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

22/02/2012

LGPS members

Date responded	20/03/2012
Questions	1. The number of current Stroud Council employees paying into the Local Government Pension Scheme (as outlined in this DCLG release pg.7 table 3. http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/2006082.pdf) at the end of the financial years 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11. 2. The number of pensioners previously an employee of Stroud Council drawing from the Local Government Pension scheme (as outlined in this DCLG release pg.7 table 3. http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/2006082.pdf) at the end of financial years 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11. 3. The number of former employees of Stroud Council entitled to deferred benefits (as outlined in this DCLG release pg.7 table 3. http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/2006082.pdf) on the Local Government Pension Scheme at the end of financial years 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Response	1: The number of Stroud District Council employees paying into the Local Government Scheme is shown below: 31/03/2007: 503 31/03/2008: 452 31/03/2009: 423 31/03/2010: 379 31/03/2011: 369 2: The number of pensioners previously an employee of Stroud District Council drawing from the Local Government Pension Scheme is shown below: 31/03/2007: 343 31/03/2008: 356 31/03/2009: 364 31/03/2010: 379 31/03/2011: 396 3: The number of former employess of Stroud District Council entitled to deferred benefits on the Local Government Pension Scheme is shown below: 31/03/2007: 278 31/03/2008: 301 31/03/2009: 316 31/03/2010: 341 31/03/2011: 349

22/02/2012

New business request from marketing company

Date responded	15/03/2012
Questions	Dear Sir/Madam Apologies for approaching you unannounced, I appreciate that you are probably very busy so I will be brief as possible. I would like to find out if you outsource any marketing activities, and I understand that as a part of the Freedom of Information Act we are able to request this information? With this in mind, I would be really grateful if you would please confirm the following: 1. What is your marketing budget for 2012? 2. What percentage of this budget goes towards outsourcing? 3. Which services do you outsource? (e.g. Paid Search Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing or Telemarketing) 4. When should we approach you in order to be considered as a new provider? 5. How should we approach you in order to be considered as a new provider? If you would like to know more about COMPANY NAME please visit our website. I look forward to your reply. Many thanks in advance. Yours Faithfully
Response	1. What is your marketing budget for 2012? £14,600 2. What percentage of this budget goes towards outsourcing? No set percentage 3. Which services do you outsource? (e.g. Paid Search Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing or Telemarketing) Design, photography – although budget is limited 4. When should we approach you in order to be considered as a new provider? No set date 5. How should we approach you in order to be considered as a new provider? Email

23/02/2012

Primate Licenses 2012

Date responded	29/02/2012
Questions	re: Primates licenses issued under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 I am writing to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Please note that a similar request for information is sent out annually, and we are now seeking up-to-date information for 2012. We ask that you treat this as a wholly new request. Please do not forward on the information you sent to us last year, as it may now be out of date. This request is in 2 parts. We ask that you answer all of the questions in the first section whether or not you have any licenses issued under the Dangerous Wild Animals (DWA) Act. If there are any current DWA licenses for primates in your area, please also complete all of the questions in the second section. As of 15 February 2012; 1) How many DWA licenses are currently issued in your area? 2) How many of these DWA licenses are issued for primates (monkeys, apes or prosimians such as lemurs)? 3) How many applications for licenses to keep primates under the DWA Act have been refused in your area in the last 12 months? If an application has been refused, on what grounds was it refused? 4) If an existing license under the DWA act lapses without explanation, what follow-up mechanisms are in place? 5) What is the cost of obtaining a DWA license in your area (please indicate whether this includes any vet fees incurred)? 6) What is the cost of renewing a DWA license in your area (please indicate whether this includes any vet fees incurred)? If there are primates licensed in your area, please provide copies of the most recent relevant inspection report(s) for all such licenses (on the understanding that for data protection purposes, certain information may be obscured), in addition to the following information if not included in the report(s). For each license issued for primates: a) How many individuals of each species are covered (please provide the scientific name: i.e. Cebus apella)? b) What is the age and sex of each licensed primate? If this information is not kept by your council, please indicate so. c) Where was each primate obtained? If this information is not kept by your council, please indicate so. d) Please confirm whether the licenses in your area are issued for specific individual animals, or whether they are issued for a set number of individuals of a given species without any reference to specific individuals (eg. under the second condition the license holder could theoretically replace any individual primate with a new animal of the same species, without applying for a new license, were the first animal to die). e) Please confirm whether any restriction is placed on breeding of the animals licensed. If no restriction exists, please indicate whether the existing license would automatically cover the offspring, and until what age this cover would last.
Response	Thank you for your recent enquiry. Please find below Stroud District Councils responses to your questions. 1) 2 2) None 3) None 4) Licence holder must confirm in writing that they no longer require a DWA. Once that letter has been received, an unannounced visit/inspection is made by the Animal Welfare Officer to ensure the person no longer has the animals. 5) £120 plus Vets fees 6) £120 plus vets fees

23/02/2012

Contract Information

Date responded	21/03/2012
Questions	Could you please provide me with details about any contracts the authority holds with Serco Group or any of their subsidiary companies. For the purpose of this request the companies I am interested in are: Serco Serco Group Serco Limited Serco Consulting Serco Civil Government Serco Corporate Services Limited Serco Geografix Limited Serco Leasing Limited Serco Leisure Operating Limited Serco Manchester Leisure Limited Serco-IAL Limited Philips Collection Services NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED SI INTERNATIONAL,INC. INFOVISION GROUP AERADIO TECHNICAL SERVICES COMPANY SERTON ER Consultants LTD Listening Limited Listening Services Limited The Listening Company Limited TLC Digital Solutions Limited TLC Newcastle Limited TLC Tonbridge Limited Traffic Information Services (TIS) Security Limited NPL Management Limited Quantum Plus Limited I would like to know the following information you may hold with regards to contracts with any of the above suppliers: 1. Date of contract (start/end) 2. Total Value of contract (total cost of the contract) 3. Reason / purpose of the contract (the supplied services) 4. Serco Group company responsible for managing the contract I would appreciate details of any contracts that had either commenced or were signed from 2006.
Response	We have held 2 contracts with Serco Group over the time frame detailed in your request. 1. Date of contract (start/end) 21 July 2008 – 23 July 2010 2. Total Value of contract (total cost of the contract) The contract was commission based at 17% on successful recovery – payments to Philips were as follows: 2008/09 £389.67 for a value caseload of £90,821.57 2009/10 £1424.85 for a caseload of £63398.36 Therefore total successful amounts recovered £1814.52 for the period of the contract versus total submitted debts of £154,219.93 3. Reason / purpose of the contract (the supplied services) Recovery of Former Tenant Arrears and Sundry Debts 4. Serco Group company responsible for managing the contract Philips Collection Services 1. Date of contract (start/end) 1st April 2007 - 31st January 2011 2. Total Value of contract (total cost of the contract) £7639.00 3. Reason / purpose of the contract (the supplied services) Provision of OH advice 4. Serco Group company responsible for managing the contract Serco Please see the following link to our website to view our contracts register for all contracts over £30,000.00 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/contracts.asp#s=sectioncontent2

24/02/2012

Staff Turnover

Date responded	22/03/2012
Questions	Under the terms of freedom of information, I would like to request the following information for the period 1st January 2011 – 31st December 2011 (or for the last complete reporting year if easier) and to exclude employees of schools in the local authority area. - The number of compulsory and voluntary redundancies made by the local authority in the above stated period (please note, I only require a number, no information regarding positions made redundant or of settlements) - Number of resignations accepted by the authority for the above stated period (please note, I only require a number, no data concerning the roles resigned, departments effected, etc.) - Number of newly recruited staff for the above stated period - Total number of sickness days taken by local authority staff for the above stated period - Disciplinary actions; o Instigated by staff o Instigated by the authority (Please note, for disciplinary data, I only require a number, no specific details of any action instigated) Please send this information to this email address (d.wanless@hgluk.com).
Response	- There were no compulsory or voluntary redundancies made by Stroud District Council between 1st January 2011 - 31st December 2011. - Stroud District Council accepted 17 resignations (not including casual members) of staff between 1st January 2011 - 31st December 2011. - Stroud District Council recruited 39 new members of staff (not including casual members) between 1st January 2011 - 31st December 2011. - Stroud District Council's calculation of sickness absence is based on full-time equivalent (FTE) days. During 1st January 2011 - 31st December 2011 there were 8.77 FTE sickness days taken. - Disciplinary actions; - There were no disciplinaries instigated by staff between 1st January 2011 - 31st December 2011. - Stroud District Council instigated 2 disciplinaries between 1st January 2011 - 31st December 2011.

24/02/2012

Piano Noise

Date responded	09/03/2012
Questions	I would like to make a formal request for information under the Freedom of Information Act and/or the Environmental Information Regulations. The information I require is as follows: 1. Details of all noise abatement orders (or similar orders/restrictions) served regarding pianos in residential properties in the last 5 years. The details should include: a) the type of property the noise abatement order was served on (eg terraced, flat, detached etc) b) the case reference number c) copy of any noise diaries collected (redacted where necessary) d) the length of time from the council receiving the initial complaint, to the council serving the noise abatement order e) details of the conditions set out in the order (including any/all restrictions, was it a complete abatement order, or were time restrictions imposed; if so what were these restrictions) f) whether the serving of the noise abatement order was challenged through the court or not. (and if so, did the court find in the Council's favour) g) Details of any breaches to the abatement order, and details of an enforcement action that was taken 2. Copy of any internal Council policy, Environmental Protection policy or guidelines that relate to the dealing of Noise Nuisance cases where a musical instrument is involved
Response	In relation to the FoI below, I can comment as follows; The EP section has not over the last 5 years served any abatement notices ( or other restriction) on noise/music from pianos in domestic properties. We do not have a specific policy or procedure that makes reference to musical instrument noise. These cases would be investigated in accordance with our general noise nuisance parameters.

28/02/2012

Icelandic Deposits

Date responded	27/03/2012
Questions	Please disclose: Full details of your organisation’s investments in Icelandic financial institutions prior to their collapse in 2008, and the progress of efforts to recoup the money. I would like the response to include: Details of the legal/financial advice sought and received before making the investment; The full amount invested, over which period; The full amount recouped so far – and from which sources; The official estimate of how much you can expect to recoup overall
Response	1. Details of the legal/financial advice sought and received before making the investment; No legal advice was sought or received before making the deposits, therefore no information is held. No financial advice was sought or received, therefore no information is held. Decisions to deposit sums in Icelandic banks were made with reference to the Council’s Treasury Management Policies, its list of approved deposit takers and reliance on credit ratings. 2. The full amount invested, over which period; Glitnir £2m 19 June 2007 – 17 June 2008 Glitnir £1m 15 April 2008 – 14 April 2009 The Department for Communities & Local Government has published at Appendix A at the following link a complete listing of Icelandic deposits by local authority.http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/1242262.pdf 3. The full amount recouped so far – and from which sources; Since receipt of this request the Glitnir Winding Up Board has paid £2.5 million to Stroud District Council. 4. The official estimate of how much you can expect to recoup overall The Council expects to receive the full amount of its deposits: the remaining £500,000 still owed to the council is being safely held pending its release in accordance with Icelandic laws. Along with other councils, the Council is working with the Local Government Association to have the remaining money returned to it as quickly as possible. If you wish to make a complaint in respect of an unsuccessful request made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

FOI requests for January 2012

Date received

Subject of request

03/01/2012

Asbestos Audit

Date responded	23/01/2012
Questions	1) The total number of council houses (i.e. your housing stock) within the geographic jurisdiction of your council for which your council is the landlord. 2) The total number of council houses within your jurisdiction currently under the management of housing association/housing associations (please list the names of all housing associations and how many of your council houses are currently under their management). 3) The total number of council houses currently under the management of housing association/s for which you have no asbestos data (please state when you stopped storing asbestos data about these houses). 4) Please state how many council houses, within your jurisdiction (including those managed by housing association/s), your 'asbestos register' contains asbestos data about. 5) Please state how many council houses, within your jurisdiction (including those managed by housing association/s), your 'asbestos register' contains no asbestos data about. 6) Details about any proposals regarding future asbestos audits on your council housing If your 'asbestos register' contains no data on asbestos in your council housing because the responsibility for asbestos management in council housing currently lies with housing association/s, please send me the aggregate number of council houses currently under housing association management for which you have asbestos data. If your 'asbestos register' contains no data on asbestos in your council housing because the responsibility for asbestos management in council housing currently lies with housing association/s, please send me the aggregate number of council houses currently under housing association management for which you have no asbestos data. If you cannot provide me with this data because the housing association/s do not provide you with asbestos data regarding housing stock under their management, please inform me in your response – detailing how many council houses this applies to. If the data on asbestos inside housing under your management is not stored under your council's 'asbestos register', please locate where the data is held and provide me with the information requested in point 3) and 4).
Response	Q1. The total number of council houses (i.e. your housing stock) within the geographic jurisdiction of your council for which your council is the landlord. A. 5212 Q2. The total number of council houses within your jurisdiction currently under the management of housing association/housing associations (please list the names of all housing associations and how many of your council houses are currently under their management). A. No Council houses are managed by a Housing Association. Q3. The total number of council houses currently under the management of housing association/s for which you have no asbestos data (please state when you stopped storing asbestos data about these houses). A. N/A Q4. Please state how many council houses, within your jurisdiction (including those managed by housing association/s), your 'asbestos register' contains asbestos data about. A.4128 Q5. Please state how many council houses, within your jurisdiction (including those managed by housing association/s), your 'asbestos register' contains no asbestos data about. A. 1084 Q6. Details about any proposals regarding future asbestos audits on your council housing. A. We undertake asbestos surveys in house in void properties and when work to a property necessitates it..

05/01/2012

Property Estate

Date responded	12/01/2012
Questions	For each building in the authority which is used primarily as office space for council employees, please supply the following: 1) Building identification. (Please note that we are only enquiring about buildings which are primarily used as office space for [Name of authority, eg Bolton DC]employees. This excludes buildings used for education, leisure, library services and so on) 2) Postcode. 3) Net Internal Area (NIA) of the building – sq m. 4) Staff. a) Approximate total number (FTE) of office based staff for the building. b) Optional: If you also have available the total headcount of office based staff for the building, please indicate this. 5) Tenure. Please indicate if the property is EITHER: a) owned by your organisation (freehold or leasehold) b) managed under a PFI agreement c) rented or leased 6) For each of the buildings that is rented or leased please supply the following, if available a) The approximate annual rental cost b) Any known lease break dates 7) For all buildings you have detailed, please supply the operational costs for the latest year available, excluding rent. We expect that this will normally include rates, net service charge, maintenance, cleaning, utilities, security etc. but please supply the headline figure that you usually use, specifying what is included / excluded only if necessary. Where it is not possible to break this down by individual building, please provide a total figure for your estate.
Response	See the attached document
Associated documents	PDF FOI 1511 Property request (15 KB)

05/01/2012

Temporary Events Notices in the last 5 years

Date responded	19/01/2012
Questions	This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act for full disclosure of and publication of: 1. The number of temporary event licence applications you have received for each of the past 5 years where the use of display layers was involved? 2. Number of venues in your district which have requested as part of their licence conditions permission to use display lasers: 3 a) The number of complaints received regarding laser use at licensed and unlicensed events or premises for each of the last 5 years. Please provide separately the number of these which relate to intentional audience scanning. 3 b) For each complaint describe what action was taken as a result of the complaint: 4. The number of event and premises licenses which : a) Ban or prohibit the use of lasers b) Ban or prohibit the use of audience scanning with lasers c) Stipulate conditions to promote the safe operation and installation of such equipment 5. Nature and type of enforcement action undertaken to deal with display lasers in each of the last 5 years. Please provide an outline of the regulations applied to any enforcement action undertaken. 6) The nature and extent of training given to enforcement staff in respect of display laser safety to include: 1. The number of staff trained in your authority 2. Please provide an outline of the type of training received, whether a cost was incurred for the training, the frequency (if any) that update training is required. 7) Should further assistance be necessary in dealing with lasers, where would you turn for external assistance? A) The Health Protection Agency B) Professional bodies such as CIEH, IOSH, C) Independent Laser Company D) Other
Response	Thank you for your request. Here are the responses from Stroud District Council records 1 No temporary event notices have indicated use of display lasers (The use display lasers is not a licensable activity under the Licensing Act 2003 therefore there is no requirement for a TEN notification to indicate if lasers are being used) 2 No premises licence application has requested conditions relating to use of display lasers 3 No record of any complaints about laser use at licensed or unlicensed premises in the last 5 years 4 No Premises Licences or temporary event notice issued ban or condition lasers 5 No enforcement taken regarding lasers 6 Training has been given to one Health and Safety staff member regarding lasers , one day training through HSE over 5 years ago 7 For further assistance on lasers initial advice would be sought from Health and Safety Executive.

06/01/2012

Rented Accommodation in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire

Date responded	19/01/2012
Questions	Would it be possible to have any statistics or figures for the amount of rented accommodation in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire? I am thinking of setting up a property management company and this information will be very useful for me
Response	‘The latest information obtained from the 2006 Private Sector House Condition Survey of the Stroud District Stock identified 5,200 dwellings as being in the private rented category representing 11% of the total housing stock’

06/01/2012

Empty Homes

Date responded	19/01/2012
Questions	I wonder if it's possible to provide the following information:- • The current number of empty homes in the Stroud District (said, in the press, to be about 4,000, but I think this is Glos/Stroud and the Forest of Dean)) • The number that have been empty for six months • The number of homes, with planning granted, but not built or occupied (again reported to be 4,000 in Stroud District, alone)
Response	Freedom of Information Request Ref: 12/FOI/1525 Thank you for your Freedom of Information enquiry. Please see below answers to your questions. • The current number of empty homes in the Stroud District (said, in the press, to be about 4,000, but I think this is Glos/Stroud and the Forest of Dean)) Council Tax have 1559 empty properties (as of 16th January 2012) classed as empty, this figure includes all properties empty for reasons such as, for sale, awaiting probate and because the owner has moved away, is in prison, hospital, or care. • The number that have been empty for six months Out of the 1559 empty properties, 770 properties are registered with Council Tax as being empty for over 6 months. This figure includes all properties empty for reasons such as for sale, awaiting probate and because the owner has moved away, is in prison, hospital, or care. • The number of homes, with planning granted, but not built or occupied (again reported to be 4,000 in Stroud District, alone) This is available in Stroud District Council’s Annual Housing Land Availability report on our website at http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/HLA_2011.pdf Please see the table on page 5. • There are certain powers available to the Council which I have listed below. o Housing Act 2004 - Empty Dwelling Management Orders o Enforced Sale o Compulsory Purchase Orders

09/01/2012

Public Health Burials in the last 7 weeks

Date responded	10/01/2012
Questions	The names of all Public Health Funerals/ bona vacantia estates passed or in the process of being referred ie pending referral to The Treasury Solicitor ( BV ) Department or Duchy of Lancaster within the last 7 weeks. This is a request for fresh information. We request the following information only: 1) The full name of the deceased 2) The date of death 3) Last known address 4) Approximate value of estate ( if not exempt )
Response	NIL

09/01/2012

Demolitions under the Building Act 1984 Section 81 (1) (b)

Date responded	09/01/2012
Questions	I would be very grateful if you could let me know how many properties your council has demolished under the Building Act 1984 Section 81 (1) (b), in particular, a person who appears to them not to be intending to comply with a notice given under section 79.
Response	“Thank you for your FOI request. In the last 5 years this Council has not resorted to using Section 81 (1) (b) of the Building Act 1984 for any purpose, including not complying with a notice given under section 79.”
Associated documents	PDF FOI response (154 KB)

10/01/2012

Empty Properties

Date responded	17/01/2012
Questions	Under the freedom of information act i would like a list of all the empty properies in gloucester and gloucestershire that are available please .i am interested in these empty houses as i know there is a housing shortage in gloucester . thank you in advance.
Response	Dear Ms Lewis Further to your FOI request of the 9 Jan 2012 I can tell you that as of 14 December 2011 Stroud District Council had 125 voids (empty properties). For security reasons we cannot give out individual addresses and of course only a small percentage are actually ‘available’, in summary: 26 are awaiting demolition, these are the Minchinhampton Woolaways, a type of property with inherent design faults. 35 are with Asset Management, these include the Top of Town and Leonard Stanley Woolaways, Hazel Court and Cleeve House whose disposal is well advanced and the remainder of the non-decent one bed houses in School Road, Dursley. 16 properties are currently undergoing minor wrks. 5 voids are currently undergoing major works. 19 are awaiting major works. That leaves 24 voids available to let. Sixteen of these are within Sheltered schemes for the over sixties. We haven’t got any popular/ traditional construction property boarded up awaiting a political decision as recently described on a channel 4 programme. If you are after a Social Housings property I would advise joining Gloucestershire Homeseeker where the great majority of the County’s available Social Housing is advertised (including 100% of ours). You can register on www.gloshomeseeker.co.uk

11/01/2012

Public Burials

Date responded	11/01/2012
Questions	I am making a request under the Freedom of Information Act to establish how many public health funeral cases you have referred, or are due to refer, to the Treasury Solicitor, or Duchy, or QLTR from Oct 2011 to the date of your response. I would be most grateful if you could supply me with the following information: * Name of the Deceased (including maiden name) * Date and Place of Death * Date and Place of Birth * Last known residence for the deceased * Whether next of kin have been traced * Value of the Estate * Date on which referred/due to be referred to the Treasury Solicitor or Duchy or QLTR
Response	Nil

11/01/2012

Headcount

Date responded	30/01/2012
Questions	1) For each of the last five years, headcount of Council staff, in post at the beginning of the relevant year, who have moved out of the council by the end of the year? 2) For each of the last five years, what headcount of Council staff, in post at the beginning of the relevant year, who have moved out of the council by the end of the year? Split by the following National Joint Council for Local Government Service salary scale categories: a. 4-17 (or equivalent), b. 18-33 (or equivalent) c. 34-49 (or equivalent) d. 50-65 (or equivalent) e. at Chief/Senior Officers pay scales (or equivalent) I would be grateful if you could contact me in the event that you judge this query to overrun on cost. In such an event could you provide me with ways and means by which I can amend this query so that its manageable within your own cost guidelines.- Further to Section 16 of the Act (duty to provide advice and assistance), Should you require any further information, such as a phone number please let me know. My own suggestion would be to provide the answers for question 1-5 starting with the most recent year (2011) and go back in time as far as cost permits. The purpose of this request is to determine employee turnover rates in the Council at different levels of pay. To clarify, please could you provide: 1)For each of the last five years, the total employee turnover rate – i.e. the ratio of the number of workers that had to be replaced in the year to the average number of workers. 2) For each of the last five years, the employee turnover rate (as above) split by the following National Joint Council for Local Government Service salary scale categories (or the Council’s equivalent – the relevant pay ranges for 2011/12 in brackets): a. 4-17 (£12,145 - £16,830) b. 18-33 (£17,161 - £27,849) c. 34-49 (£28,636 - £41,616) d. 50-65 (£42,605 - £57,455) e. at Chief/Senior Officers pay scales (or equivalent) – i.e. Senior Management staff whose renumeration exceeds the Local Government salary scales. For staff who don’t fall under the NJC payscale please can you provide the employee turnover rate, in total and at the relevant payscales. The year referred to is calendar and not fiscal – if you only record fiscal please provide this and state as such. Please find an attached spreadsheet as a template
Response	The Council implemented a new HR/Payroll system during 2009/10. Detailed data migration was only carried out for current employees, which means that numbers and salary scale breakdown is not available in relation to leavers in the fiscal years 2007-2009. Fiscal year Headcount Leavers SCP 4-17 SCP 18-33 SCP 34-49 SCP 50+ 1.4.11 – 31.12.11 447 24 5 7 10 2 1.4.10 - 31.3.11 461 45 12 18 14 1 1.4.09 - 31.3.10 470 1.4.08 - 31.3.09 486 1.4.07 - 31.3.08: 493

13/01/2012

No of f/t and p/t staff

Date responded	01/02/2012
Questions	Could you please provide me with the following data as of 01/01/2012; o The number of full time staff directly employed by the local authority, excluding schools o The number of part time staff directly employed by the local authority, excluding schools
Response	As of 1st January 2012, Stroud District Council directly employs: - Full time staff: 276 - Part time staff: 157 Please note, these figures do not include casual members of staff.

16/01/2012

Local housing allowance and private landlords

Date responded	07/02/2012
Questions	Have you paid local housing allowance direct to private landlords in the 2011-2012 financial year? If so, to how many private landlords have you paid LHA direct and what are their names? Have the landlords agreed to reduce their rents in return for receiving LHA direct? If so by how much?
Response	Thank you for your recent enquiry on the above matter 1. We have paid Local Housing Allowance direct to landlords in 2011 – 2012; 2. I have no facility to obtain the information on those landlords to whom we are making direct payments of Local Housing allowance; 3. The information you have requested regarding individual landlords contains personal data and consequently the Council considers it exempt from disclosure under the exemption set out in Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; 4. Do not record.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

16/01/2012

DISABLED PARKING PHONE APP

Date responded	18/01/2012
Questions	We are proposing to launch an ‘App’ for mobile phones which will tell disabled motorists where the nearest disabled parking space is. To enable this work to start we need to know where the disabled bays are in your town/city, both on the street and in your council run car parks. If you have any information on other disabled bays in private run car parks this information would be gratefully received as well. What we need to know is the address and postcode of the space and car park, and we’ll do the rest.
Response	In response to your FOI request regarding the number of Disabled parking spaces available in the Stroud District Council’s car parks. I have attached the following link, this link brings up a map indicating the location and number of disabled spaces available across the district. http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/transport/carpark.asp It is worth mentioning that Stroud District Council allows free parking for disabled badge holders in its car parks, they must only stay for the maximum period allowed in each car park. Information regarding on street parking will be supplied by Gloucestershire County Council.

17/01/2012

Pension strain

Date responded	13/02/2012
Questions	How much did your authority pay in pension strain charges in respect of early retirements and retirements on ill-health grounds of employees in the financial years 2008/9, 2009/10, and 2010/11? How many early and ill-health retirements required the payment of pension strain charges in the financial years 2008/9, 2009/10, and 2010/11?
Response	The Council implemented a new HR/Payroll system during 2009/10. Detailed data migration was only carried out for current employees, which means that the capitalised costs to the pension scheme is not available in the financial years 2008/09 and 2009/10. In the financial years 2010/11 the Council paid £77,765.41 in total on 3 capitalised costs to the pension scheme on ill-health retirement. In the financial years 2010/11 there were no capitalised costs in respect of early retirements.

17/01/2012

Retrospective Planning Applications

Date responded	27/01/2012
Questions	I am sending this request under the Freedom of Information Act to ask for the following information: 1) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council received between January 2011-December 2011. 2) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council granted between January 2011-December 2011. 3) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council received between January 2010-December 2010. 4) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council granted between January 2010-December 2010. 5) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council received between January 2009-December 2009. 6) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council granted between January 2009-December 2009. 7) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council received between January 2008-December 2008. 8) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council granted between January 2008-December 2008. 9) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council received between January 2007-December 2007. 10) Please can you provide me with the number of retrospective planning applications the council granted between January 2008-December 2008.
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on the 17th January 2012. As planning legislation does not distinguish between those applications which are submitted prior to implementation and those post implementation, our database does not record them separately. To assist, we have looked for planning applications which describe themselves as ‘retrospective’. The results are as follows - January 2011 to December 2011 • 54 'retrospective' planning applications, 39 of these received permission (11 are still pending consideration) January 2010 to December 2010 • 52 'retrospective' planning applications, 41 of these received permission January 2009 to December 2009 • 69 'retrospective' planning applications, 53 of these received permission January 2008 to December 2008 • 73 'retrospective' planning applications, 53 of these received permission January 2007 to December 2007 • 75 'retrospective' planning applications, 62 of these received permission I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

18/01/2012

Information about Server/virtualisation support contracts

Date responded	13/02/2012
Questions	• . Server and Virtualisation Support/Maintenance contract(s)- Please can you send me the contract(s) separately and not a combined total value or number of suppliers. If there is more than one supplier for a particular contract please state which of these suppliers the main one is. For each of the types of ICT contract above can you please send me the following data types: 1. Contract Title: 2. Existing/Current Supplier: 3. Hardware Brand(s): 4. Number of Users: 5. Operating System (Platform) : (Windows, Linux, Unix etc.) 6. Total number of Servers (per supplier): 7. Number of Virtual Servers: (of the total number of server how many are virtual) 8. Total Contract Value: (For the whole duration of the contract, if the total value sent is per annum please state this in the response) 9. Duration: (Please can you also include notes if the contract includes any contract extension periods.) 10. Contract Expiry Date: 11. Contract Review Date: (An approximate date of when the organisation is planning to review this particular contract.) 12. Brief Contract Description: 13. Internal Contact: (The person from within the organisation that is responsible for reviewing and renewing this particular contract. Please include there full name, job title, direct contact number and direct email address.)
Response	Please see the attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Response to request (35 KB)

18/01/2012

Housing In The Stroud District

Date responded	10/02/2012
Questions	1. How many properties are in the Stroud District area? 2. How many of those properties are owned by the council? 3. Please can you give all of the road names of the Council housing Estates in the Stroud Parish?
Response	Please see attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Housing in the Stroud District (18 KB)

23/01/2012

Social Housing Fraud

Date responded	30/01/2012
Questions	1. Please provide a copy of your most recent social housing fraud strategy Additionally, could you please answer the following questions 2. How many housing officers do you employ? 3. Do you have a specialist team for social housing fraud? If so, how large is this team? 4. How many cases of social housing tenancy fraud did you confirm in 2011? 5. How many of your confirmed cases led to a recovered property? 6. How many of your confirmed cases led to a court action? 7. Please categorise your confirmed cases – unlawful subletting, key selling, non-occupation as principle home, wrongful succession, other 8. Excluding the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), did you undertake a data matching exercise for social housing fraud with a third party in 2011? 9. If you undertook a data matching initiative, how many homes did you assess? 10. If you undertook a data matching initiative, how many homes were identified as requiring further investigation? 11. If you undertook a data matching initiative, did it also include ALMO stock? 12. If you undertook a data matching initiative, did it also include housing association stock? 13. What is the average annual cost of housing a family in temporary accommodation, when social housing stock is not available?
Response	1. Please provide a copy of your most recent social housing fraud strategy A. None in place currently however this is being developed in conjunction with tenants 2. How many housing officers do you employ? A. 10 (2 of which are resident involvement specialists) 3. Do you have a specialist team for social housing fraud? If so, how large is this team? A. No 4. How many cases of social housing tenancy fraud did you confirm in 2011? A. One 5. How many of your confirmed cases led to a recovered property? A. One 6. How many of your confirmed cases led to a court action? A. None 7. Please categorise your confirmed cases – unlawful subletting, key selling, non-occupation as principle home, wrongful succession, other A. Unlawful subletting 8. Excluding the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), did you undertake a data matching exercise for social housing fraud with a third party in 2011? A. Yes 9. If you undertook a data matching initiative, how many homes did you assess? A. 3385 (from a stock of 5200) 10. If you undertook a data matching initiative, how many homes were identified as requiring further investigation? A. 309 11. If you undertook a data matching initiative, did it also include ALMO stock? A. No 12. If you undertook a data matching initiative, did it also include housing association stock? A. No 13. What is the average annual cost of housing a family in temporary accommodation, when social housing stock is not available? A. £22-50 per week or £1170 per year.

23/01/2012

Multi Service Contract - Supplementary Deed

Date responded	20/02/2012
Questions	Request under the F.O.I. for a copy of supplement deed relating to the Councils multi service contract.
Response	The ‘Supplemental Deed’ whilst a relatively short document should be read with the Multi Service Contract in order for the detail to be fully understood. As the Multi Service Contract is a large document it is sensible for both documents to be viewed together. Both documents are held at the Stroud District Council offices and can be viewed by prior arrangement.

23/01/2012

Use of direct enquiries and speaking clock telephone calls

Date responded	13/02/2012
Questions	I would like to know the cost and the number of calls made from staff at your organisation to: a) the Speaking Clock (BT number 123) b) Directory inquiries (Any number beginning with 118) in the financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11.
Response	There is no data available for 2009/10. Data for 2010/11 is incomplete, because some of the outlying sites do not receive itemised bills. The following figures are for calls made from the main Council Office and Sheltered Housing Schemes (managers' offices). Cost of calls to speaking clock (123) £29.84 Cost of calls to direct enquiry numbers (118***) £124.99

24/01/2012

Paranormal Activity

Date responded	14/02/2012
Questions	How many requests were made to Council-run historic public-access buildings (e.g. museums) in 2009 and 2010 and 2011, separately, requesting to bring a team of 'ghost investigators' into the building? What proportion of social housing tenants are on the transfer list? How many social housing tenant enquiries in 2009 and 2010 and 2011, separately, mentioned any of the following words: ghost, ghosts, haunted, spirit, haunting or poltergeist? In each of the above cases: - How long had the tenant been present at that property? - Did the tenant move out of the house? - Had the tenant requested a transfer at that time or previously? - How long prior to the enquiry had the transfer request been made? - If the tenant did move, had any similar enquiries been made by the subsequent tenant? - Did the council call in any outside agencies or persons to assist? - Did the tentant call in any outside agencies or persons to assist that the council knows of? - Was there media coverage of the issue?
Response	How many requests were made to Council-run historic public-access buildings (e.g. museums) in 2009 and 2010 and 2011, separately, requesting to bring a team of 'ghost investigators' into the building? NIL What proportion of social housing tenants are on the transfer list? 25% How many social housing tenant enquiries in 2009 and 2010 and 2011, separately, mentioned any of the following words: ghost, ghosts, haunted, spirit, haunting or poltergeist? NIL In each of the above cases: - How long had the tenant been present at that property? N/A - Did the tenant move out of the house? N/A - Had the tenant requested a transfer at that time or previously? N/A - How long prior to the enquiry had the transfer request been made? N/A - If the tenant did move, had any similar enquiries been made by the subsequent tenant? N/A - Did the council call in any outside agencies or persons to assist? N/A - Did the tentant call in any outside agencies or persons to assist that the council knows of? N/A - Was there media coverage of the issue? N/A

24/01/2012

Number of applications for planning permission received by LPA in financial year 2010-2011

Date responded	20/02/2012
Questions	I am writing to you to request the following information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act. 1) In total how many planning applications were received by Stroud District Council in financial year 2010-2011? 2) How many planning applications were approved in financial year 2010-2011? 3) Out of the total planning applications made for building in financial year 2010-2011 how many were on designated Greenbelt land? 4) Out of the total planning applications for building on designated Greenbelt land how many were approved in financial year 2010-2011? 5) In total how many planning applications were received for building on; a) Low flood risk zones in financial year 2010-2011? b) Moderate flood risk zones in financial year 2010-2011? c) Significant flood risk zones in financial year2010-2011? 6) Out of the total planning application for building on flood zones how many were approved on; a) Low flood risk zones in financial year 2010-2011? b) Moderate flood risk zones in financial year2010-2011? c) Significant flood risk zones in financial year 2010-2011? I am aware that under the FOI Act you have 20 working days to respond to my request. I would appreciate acknowledgement of this request as soon as possible. Please provide the information requested in an electronic format.
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on 24th January 2012. 1. 1239 applications for planning permission were received by the Local Planning Authority in the financial year 2010-2011. This included 27 applications for Outline planning permission, 420 applications for ‘Full’ planning permission and 792 Householder applications. 2. Of these, 1031 received permission (15 Outline, 314 Full and 702 Householder). 3. There is no 'designated Greenbelt land’ in the Stroud District. 4. There is no 'designated Greenbelt land’ in the Stroud District. 5. The Local Planning Authority is unable to provide an analysis of decisions based solely on flood zone designation. Whilst the location of development proposals within low, medium or high risk flood zone is a key material consideration in reaching a decision, decisions are not recorded on this basis. Applications received during financial year 2010-2011 are available to view on the Council’s website (www.stroud.gov.uk) at the following link – http://www.stroud.gov.uk/PLO/Default.aspx#s=sectioncontent4 If there is a particular application that you are interested in, the Local Planning Authority will be more than happy to forward you a copy the details (e.g. the relevant FRA). 6. Please see response to Question 5. I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

26/01/2012

Cost of ICT Hardware maintenance

Date responded	22/02/2012
Questions	I would like to request the following breakdown of the Council's hardware maintenance and costs: A list of the models of the physical servers, storage devices, tape libraries, network switches and routers under support contracts; as well as the cost and duration of said contracts, with start and end dates and service level associated with the equipment. Could you also supply the names of the suppliers of aforementioned support services? I would also request the name of the person/s in your organisation responsible for the maintenance support contracts.
Response	The provision of this information may prejudice the security of our infrastructure, therefore the answers to these questions are exempt from the right of access under the FOI Act, section 43 (Commercial Interest), Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it). However information regarding the cost, duration, expiry dates and suppliers of hardware maintenance contracts can be found under the FOI section on our website, please refer to: www.stroud.gov.uk\opendata\foi.asp The switches are Nortel switches, they are currently maintained by Proximity Solutions, the contract is valued at £9k per annum. It is reviewed annually in April. The tape drive/library has been bought recently and is still under warranty.

26/01/2012

Name/ address

Date responded	10/02/2012
Questions	I would like to make a request under the Freedom of Information act for the Name and Email address of the Head or Director of Business Transformation / Business Change for the council.
Response	There is no specific post designated as Head of Director of Business Transformation / Business Change within this Council. Decisions in relation to Business Transformation / Business Change would be made by our Corporate Team, consisting of: David Hagg - Chief Executive Carl Brazier - Strategic Head (Tenant Services) Joanne Jordan - Strategic Head (Customer Services) Barry Wyatt - Strategic Head (Development Services) Sandra Cowley - Head of Finance & Section 151 Officer Ian Edwards - Canal Project Manager Allison Sharpe - Head of Corporate Resources Nick Watkins - Head of Communications Contact details of the Council's Senior Management Team can be found on our website: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/democracy/decision_making.asp#s=sectioncontent4&p=officers

27/01/2012

Litter and Dog Fouling Fines

Date responded	16/02/2012
Questions	I am trying to find out the number of fines issues in local councils and boroughs around the UK for littering and dog fouling. I wanted to know the cumulative cost of these fines from different boroughs as well as the number of enforcement officers in different boroughs?
Response	SDC has currently served 14 FPN’s for littering offences. The Council has not as yet, introduced Dog Control Orders, so chooses to prosecute, rather than issue a fixed penalty notice for any observed incidences of dog fouling. SDC has no specific ‘enforcement officers’ but instead enforcement is dealt with via a ‘corporate enforcement team’ comprising 25 individuals with enforcement capabilities, each of whom is capable of serving a fixed penalty notice. 'Cumulative Cost' - As discussed, income generated from these fines is as follows: £925, comprising 9 FPN’s paid at £ 75 and 5 FPN’s at £50.

27/01/2012

Core Strategy Consultation

Date responded	17/02/2012
Questions	Dear Sir, Under a freedom of information request, I would like to know the following about the Core Strategy Consultation. 1. How many responses were recieved from outside the district, or did not answer where they were located? 2. What measures were taken to ensure that all the respondents were validated (That they actually live in the area, for example)? 3. How many responses were recieved that questioned the need for these housing numbers? 4. How many responses expressed a wish that any building is done on brownfield land rather than greenfield land. 5. No correction for differing response rates from each geographic area appears to have been made. Can you confirm this? And the reasoning behind it? 6. I am puzzled at the way that the results are weighted , first choice gets 2 points, the second gets 1 etc,. Can you please explain the rationale for this ; given that this can only provide meaningful results where the consultee is specifically asked for an order of preference. 7. It appears that where a couple have answered, this only seems to account for a single response. Can you confirm this?
Response	Re: Freedom of information request regarding Core Strategy. Thank you for your request for information received in this office on the 22nd December 2011. The answer to your questions are as follows: Q1.How many responses were received from outside the district, or did not answer where they were located? Answer: The Council has not undertaken this analysis. The raw data is available should you wish to undertake your own analysis. Q2. What measures were taken to ensure that all the respondents were validated (That they actually live in the area, for example)? Answer: This question falls outside the scope of an FOI request however, the consultation was not confined to only people living within the District. Anyone who lived, worked or had an interest in Stroud was invited to respond to the questionnaire. Any obvious hoax responses were marked as invalid. Q3.How many responses were received that questioned the need for these housing numbers? Answer: The Council has not undertaken this analysis. The raw data is available should you wish to undertake your own analysis. Q4.How many responses expressed a wish that any building is done on brownfield land rather than greenfield land. Answer: The Council has not undertaken this analysis. The raw data is available should you wish to undertake your own analysis. Q5.No correction for differing response rates from each geographic area appears to have been made. Can you confirm this? And the reasoning behind it? Answer: This question falls outside the scope of an FOI request however, it would be useful if you could clarify what you mean by ‘correction’. Q6.I am puzzled at the way that the results are weighted , first choice gets 2 points, the second gets 1 etc,. Can you please explain the rationale for this ; given that this can only provide meaningful results where the consultee is specifically asked for an order of preference. Answer: This question falls outside the scope of an FOI request however, the consultees were asked for an order of preference in Q2 of the questionnaire. They were asked to select their top three options by marking their favourite as ‘1’, second favourite as ‘2’ and third favourite as ‘3’. In analysing the results we reversed the scoring so that the highest score would relate to the most preferred. Q7.It appears that where a couple have answered, this only seems to account for a single response. Can you confirm this? Answer: This question falls outside the scope of an FOI request however, in cases where a man and wife have sent in two letters/questionnaires, they have been counted as two responses. A single letter signed by two people has been counted as one response. I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Yours sincerely Barry Wyatt Strategic Head (Development Services)
Associated documents	PDF FOI response (65 KB)

30/01/2012

Fees and Charges

Date responded	27/02/2012
Questions	1. Please list the council charge in Jan 2012, January 2011, and January 2010 for each of the following: • the price per day and per term of a school meal • single adult burial • cremation fee parking for one hour in the street, for the cheapest and most expensive locations (if you have introduced parking charges on a Sunday in 2011 or 2012 please could you include this information). – • parking for two hours in a car park, for the cheapest and most expensive locations • the average rent per month of Band D council property • social care for elderly or disabled person – per visit (per 15 minute visit) • family swim ticket at a local pool • transport to school by school bus per week • rubbish removal of large items from kerbside • removal of green waste - where fees are charged for bags please include this information • transport to a day care centre • meals on wheels per meal - • hiring a football pitch/sports field – per session • pest control call out charge (if there are varying charges for this service please provide all available) the cost of borrowing a CD from the library for one week • the fine for returning a library book one week late 2. If possible, please indicate the charge for the services listed in question 1 after April 2012, if you already have plans to alter them.
Response	Thank you for your request for information received by us on 30th January 2012. Unfortunately we are not able to answer all of your request as some services are provided by Gloucestershire County Council, i can see you have already sent your request to them. In the interests of time and being able to keep within the FOI time limit, most of the response has been taken from the charges that get published in the budget book each year, but there isn’t necessarily a consistency across the years. Items marked NA would mean Not Available either because no comparable charge exists/charge wasn’t published in the budget book that year etc. the price per day and per term of a school meal - GCC • single adult burial • cremation fee - GCC parking for one hour in the street, for the cheapest and most expensive locations (if you have introduced parking charges on a Sunday in 2011 or 2012 please could you include this information). – • parking for two hours in a car park, for the cheapest and most expensive locations • the average rent per month of Band D council property • social care for elderly or disabled person – per visit (per 15 minute visit) - GCC • family swim ticket at a local pool • transport to school by school bus per week - GCC • rubbish removal of large items from kerbside • removal of green waste - where fees are charged for bags please include this information • transport to a day care centre - GCC • meals on wheels per meal - GCC • hiring a football pitch/sports field – per session • pest control call out charge (if there are varying charges for this service please provide all available) the cost of borrowing a CD from the library for one week - GCC • the fine for returning a library book one week late - GCC 2. If possible, please indicate the charge for the services listed in question 1 after April 2012, if you already have plans to alter them.
Associated documents	PDF FOI Request ITV1 (84 KB)

FOI requests for December 2011

Date received

Subject of request

01/12/2011

Landfill Tax

Date responded	02/12/2011
Questions	1. How much extra Landfill Tax does Stroud District Council pay as a result of it not having a food waste (Kitchen waste) for recycling collection service from households in the district? 2. How does this figure compare to the cost of running a food waste collection and recycling scheme across the district?
Response	Q1. How much extra Landfill Tax does Stroud District Council pay as a result of it not having a food waste (Kitchen waste) for recycling collection service from households in the district? A1. Stroud District Council does not pay landfill tax; this is paid through Glos County Council. Stroud District Council currently has approximately 8,000 tonnes of food waste in its household waste stream. If the landfill tax was applied to this figure, the county council are effectively paying a total tax bill of approximately £240,000 per annum Q2. How does this figure compare to the cost of running a food waste collection and recycling scheme across the district? A2. There is no straight forward answer to this question as it depends on the frequency of residual waste collections, the use of bio bags etc. It is expected however that a totally separate food waste collection service could cost in excess of £750,000

01/12/2011

Landlords - Private

Date responded	15/12/2011
Questions	What funding and for how long for the Landlords Liason project? This policy, and aim to encourage Landlords to make Housing available? Praticle support for Landlord? i.e Legal Group
Response	Thank you for your Freedom of Information request received on the 25th November 2011. I assume by ‘Landlord Liaison Project’ you are referring to the countywide Landlord event which is organised once a year. Please see the response to your three questions below: 1. Funding There is no allocated funding for this project, it is self funding. Funds for landlord events and the bi annual newsletter are raised through sales of stands to commercial exhibitors and two adverts which are sold in the newsletter. Any profit raised is used to produce further resources for landlords, for example, The Landlord Handbook you have received. 2. Policy Under the Housing Act 2004 and the council’s Private Sector Housing Policy a duty is placed upon Environmental Health to encourage good quality private sector housing in Stroud District. This is met by the annual landlord training event and bi annual newsletter which provides general information and advice to landlords. 3. Practical Support The council has an obligation to provide information and advice on legislation under the Housing Act 2004 but does not have to provide practical support such as legal advice. The landlord training events and newsletters are used to signpost landlords to other organisations that can assist with matters, such as, legal eviction.

01/12/2011

How many staff paid via PAYE last month

Date responded	04/01/2012
Questions	I understand that under the act, I should be entitled to a response within 20 working days. I would be grateful if you could confirm electronically that you have received this request. Should the fulfilment of this request incur any charges, please provide details of what those charges would be and for what reason they would be incurred. I look forward to hearing from you.
Response	543 people were paid by the Council via the PAYE system last month by our external payroll provider

06/12/2011

Request Relating to Foreign Trips 2006 - 2010

Date responded	15/12/2011
Questions	Request Relating to Foreign Trips Year Officer Reason Please Travel Costs within the UK Travel Costs outside the UK Accommodation & Subsistence Costs Total Cost Length of Stay
Response	Please see attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Request Relating to Foreign Trips 2006 - 2010 (41 KB)

06/12/2011

Waste collection from shops

Date responded	23/12/2011
Questions	Does your council provide a waste collection service for commercial organisations? YES/NO If YES, • Does your council abide by the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 which state that waste from premises occupied by a charity is to be treated as household waste (not commercial waste) and as such a charge for collection (but not disposal) may be made? • What are your charges for disposal/collection of 1100 litre bins, 660 litre bins and bags? • Are there any other benefits that your council offers to charitable organisations (for example two 1100 litre bins for the price of one)? If you do not offer a waste collection service for commercial premises at present, will you be reviewing this policy in the future and if so, when will this review take place
Response	Stroud District Council does not provide a commercial waste collection service directly.It does not form part of the council's waste contract. However, if a business wishes the council to arrange such a collection service, we can do so. It is currently the council's view that there are adequate commercial waste collection companies in the market for the Stroud area - there is therefore strong competition ensuring competitive pricing.

09/12/2011

Public Health Burials since October 2011

Date responded	15/12/2011
Questions	I wish to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act to confirm the following information: Number of public health funerals cases you have referred, or are due to refer, to the Treasury Solicitor from October 2011 to the date you respond to this letter. Please could you also provid the following as part of your response: • Name of the Deceased, also maiden name • Date and Place of Birth • Date and Place of Death • Last known address for the deceased • Whatever next of kin have been traced • Value of the Estate • Date on which referred//due to be referred to the Treasury Solicitor
Response	NIL

12/12/2011

DEFRA Zoo Inspector's Report - Prinknash Bird Park

Date responded	12/12/2011
Questions	I am writing further to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to request a copy of the DEFRA-appointed Zoo Inspector’s Report for Prinknash Bird Park which I understand was undertaken in August of this year.
Response	Please see attached document
Associated documents	PDF DEFRA Zoo Inspector's Report - Prinknash Bird Park (834 KB)

12/12/2011

Local Authority use of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Date responded	06/01/2012
Questions	1. How many times has SDC authorised operations or investigations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) in the periods: a) 1st December 2008 – 30th November 2009? b) 1st December 2009 – 30th November 2010? c) 1st December 2010 – 30th November 2011? In each instance, please state the nature of the offence (e.g. graffiti, fly tipping etc). Please also provide details of how many resulted in prosecutions and convictions.
Response	1. How many times has SDC authorised operations or investigations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) in the periods: a) 1st December 2008 – 30th November 2009? – 1 Benefit Fraud case b) 1st December 2009 – 30th November 2010? – 1 Noise Nuisance case c) 1st December 2010 – 30th November 2011? - Nil One resulted in a prosecution and subsequent conviction.

12/12/2011

Local community concerns in Eastington - Housing strategy

Date responded	03/01/2012
Questions	You will be aware of the local community concerns in Eastington following the District Council's recent decision on housing strategy, driven by the Conservative Group. In the officer's papers that informed the debate there are two statements that support the "West of Stonehouse" option: Opportunity for "macro" renewable energy schemes, backed up with "Micro" installations. Scale sufficient to justify a scheme to supply the whole community? (possibly even to benefit existing neighbouring communities/businesses) Proximity to major energy use "hotspots" (e.g. Dairy Crest): potential district heating scheme? (possibly even to benefit existing neighbouring communities/businesses) These are significant points, design to influence councillor decisions and support the "green agenda". I am certain you will have done the necessary work to underpin them. Could you please provide details of energy availability and the heat transfer assumptions and all other paperwork and research associated with these statements.
Response	I refer to your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2005 dated the 12th December 2011 and the response from the Council’s Chief Executive dated the 16th December 2011. The Council resolution passed on the 24th November 2011 set out the basis for the next round of consultation. In order to get to this stage the Council has commissioned, undertaken and gathered an array of information, however this is at a level commensurate with this stage in the process and does not involve a detailed assessment of every element of every potential development location. Accordingly the information that informed the recommendation to Members was at this higher level and will be developed and challenged up until the planning inspector considers the plan towards the end of 2012 and ultimately if the sites proceed to a planning application. The information below is already in the public domain and can be accessed via the internet. I have provided the web link to assist. I am making the assumption that you have access to the internet, if you do not, we can provide you with access at the Council offices at Ebley Mill. The documents referred to below are numerous hence I have not sought to copy them. • ENTEC (now AMEC) carried out a carbon footprint study and development location exercise for the District. It was broader than just renewable energy aspects. I attach a link to our final Development Location Comparison and Carbon Foot printing Study:- http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/localplan/carbon_footprinting_study.pdf • SDC CLIMATE CHANGE Topic Paper to support alternative strategies stage of the Core Strategy: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/plan_strat/Climate_Change_Paper.pdf • ENTEC also carried out a County wide study on renewable energy potential. This can be seen at: http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=102901 The Gloucestershire Renewable Energy Study was undertaken in two phases. The first part of the study examines 'on site' renewable energy options for new developments. The second part of the study looks more holistically at renewable resource across the whole county. Taken together, the two parts of the study provide the most comprehensive picture of the county's total renewable energy potential provided to date. • ‘Sustainability Appraisal’ work has also taken place alongside the Core Strategy work. A number of objectives which may be relevant:13 To implement energy efficiency through building design to maximise the re-use of land and buildings, recycle building materials and use renewable sources of energy; 14 To implement strategies that help mitigate global warming and adapt to unavoidable climate change within the District. This can be found at:- http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/planning/planning_strategy.asp#s=sectioncontent2&p=app Click on sustainability appraisals on the bulleted list under LDF. • At a national level, PPS1 can be accessed via these links:- http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningsystem/planningpolicy/planningpolicystatements/pps1/ http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningsystem/planningpolicy/planningpolicystatements/ppsclimatechange/ • Planning Advisory Service links: http://www.pas.gov.uk/pas/core/page.do?pageId=108847 • HCA Planning and Climate Change Guidance:- http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/ourwork/sustainable-development • SW Regional Development Agency renewable energy advice: http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/working_for_the_region/working_for_the_environment/renewable_energy.aspx There are also a number of references links in the above documents which maybe of use. I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision.
Associated documents	PDF Copy of response - Local community concerns in Eastington - Housing strategy (118 KB)

13/12/2011

Core Strategy Consutation

Date responded	03/01/2012
Questions	Under the Freedom Of Information act, can you please furnish me with the following:- 1. A complete list of requirements SDC placed on Limehouse for the collection of the data, it's validation and processing. (Basically, the full statement of work for the consultation hosting and it's results). 2. A file with the dataset in it, as the online data is extremely difficult to correlate, and seems to have omissions and mistakes - I can accommodate almost any file format, and understand that sensitive data will be omitted.
Response	Dear *Redacted* Re: Freedom of Information Request Thank you for your email of 4 December and your subsequent FOI request. I apologise for the delay in replying to your original email. However, we have needed to liaise with Limehouse in order to extract all the data you requested into a single spreadsheet. Unfortunately this took longer than first anticipated. However, please find attached an Excel spreadsheet containing all the relevant data but with personal information (names and addresses) redacted. If you have any further queries about this, please contact Peter Gilbert, Planning Strategy Manager on 01453 754305 or via email at peter.gilbert@stroud.gov.uk With regard to the first question in your FOI request, I do not understand what you are seeking. The Limehouse software is a standardised consultation package that is hosted on their servers and we utilise as necessary within the terms of a standard contract. There were no specific requirements placed by SDC on Limehouse with regard to this consultation. If you still require further information in this respect, please contact Peter Gilbert as above. I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in Which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager Who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Yours sincerely, Peter Gilbert Planning Strategy Manager
Associated documents	PDF FOI response (155 KB) PDF Attachment 1 (2,701 KB) PDF attachment 2 (1,680 KB) PDF attachment 3 (1,973 KB) PDF attachment 4 (2,612 KB) PDF attachment 5 (2,194 KB) PDF attachment 6 (1,141 KB)

14/12/2011

Taxi Operators

Date responded	15/12/2011
Questions	I’m emailing from a company called Freeway Insurance and I was hoping that you would be able to tell me how many Taxi Operator licences you have registered at the moment?
Response	48 Private Hire Operators Licences

14/12/2011

Council-owned property that is currently rented and/or leased to any political party, trade union or Member of Parliament.

Date responded	20/12/2011
Questions	All documentation relating to any council-owned property that is currently rented and/or leased to any political party, trade union or Member of Parliament.
Response	We are not aware that we have any property rented to a political party, Trade Union or MP, but are aware of 2 properties tenanted by Councillors.

15/12/2011

Projections

Date responded	16/01/2012
Questions	1. How many staff have been made redundant or are projected to be made redundant by the Council in the following years: 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/15? 2. What is the council's total budget in the following years: 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13 (projected), 2014/15 (projected)? 3. Is the Council closing any of the following services in the period 2010/11 - 2014/15? Please give details/the total number closed if possible - swimming pools/leisure centres - Sure Start centres - libraries - any other services you are able to provide details on
Response	Q1 – 2010/11 – 3 staff made redundant 2011/12 – 1 made redundant to date during this period 2012/13 - In line with the Council’s Workforce Plan, there is a planned reduction in staffing levels of 45 posts between 2010 and 2014. The Council is on target with this reduction to date, whilst keeping redundancies to a minimum. Q2 – 2010/11 = £15.432 million. 2011/12 onwards - In the MTFP, Appendix B http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag14_GenFund_MTFP.pdf Q3 – Swimming Pools & Leisure Centres: No, Sure Start: N/A, Libraries: N/A, Other: No

16/12/2011

Consultations

Date responded	23/12/2011
Questions	1) How many consultations has your authority undertaken in the last year (Calendar year)? 2) How many were undertaken in the previous years of 2010,2009, 2008, 2007. 3) How many of the (Q1) were internally led consultations and how many were led by external organisations? 4) What was the cost of the internal consultations for 2011 ? 5) What was cost of the external consultations for 2011? 6) Can you list the topics of the consultations from Q1. 7) With regards to Q6 – can you outline for each what the aim of the consultation was? 8) With regards to the Q1 consultations did they result in a change of policy? 9) With regards to Q5 – can you list who did the consultation on behalf of the county council?
Response	This information is available on our website please copy and paste this link - http://www.stroud.gov.uk/democracy/have_your_say.asp#s=sectioncontent1
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450

20/12/2011

Request from Dogs Trust

Date responded	20/12/2011
Questions	Due to the many changes to the Dog Wardens Services over the last couple of years we want to make sure that we have an accurate picture of services in advance of next year’s stray dog survey. To enable us to undertake this review we would be extremely grateful for your support and help in answering the questions below. We appreciate that you are extremely busy but this information would be of great help to us: Q1: What are the working hours for the dog warden service in your area? Q2: How many people work within your dog warden service? Q3: Is this more or less than in 2010? Q4: Who provides the dog warden service? • Directly provided by the local authority • Out sourced to a supplier o If so, to who? Q5: Do you have an acceptance point? • If so, is this open 24/7? Q6: What do you consider ‘Out of Hours’? • Weekdays (specify time) • Weekends (specify days and time) Q7: How do you provide OOH service? • Permanent staff provision • Acceptance point • Contracted out to a supplier o If so, to who? Q8: Who handles stray dogs in your area? • Council-owned pounds • Welfare charity kennels o If so, which? • Private boarding kennels o If so, which? • Other – please let us know who Q9: Are you willing to go out and collect a stray dog from:- • A vets • A public space where the dog is not contained Q10: A person claiming to be the owner of a stray dog isn’t entitled to have it back unless he pays all the following expenses to the Council:- • Cost of detaining the dog • Cost of kenneling the dog • Vet treatment (for injuries) • Prescribed fee of £25 • Other (please detail)
Response	Q1: 0845 – 1700 Mon – Thurs. 08:45 – 16:30 Fri. OOH Drop off centres provided for all other times. Q2: 1 full time Animal Welfare Officer & 1 vacant Full time Environmental Enforcement Officer, due to be recruited Jan 2012. Q3: More (1 full time AWO and 1 part time DW) Q4: Provided in house directly by LA. Q5, Q6 & Q7: Yes. 2 Acceptance points. 1 open 16:00 – 08:45 Mon – Fri and 24hrs on Weekends. The other 07:00 – 17:00 Weekends only. Q8: Welfare Kennels. Teckels Animal Sanctuary, Whitminster, Glos. 01452 740300 Q9: Will collect from Vets. Will collect unrestrained Stray if its within 3 mile radius of an Officer. Q10: Dog is given back to owner after agreement notice signed agreeing to pay charges within 7 days of collection. Owner is invoiced if payment is not received.

20/12/2011

Hackney Carriage Licence Fees

Date responded	03/01/2012
Questions	How much of hackney carriage licensing fees are put towards issuing and administration of the said licences.
Response	I understand that you recently requested the attached information. I trust an electronic version is acceptable, if not please let me know and I will put a hard copy in the post.
Associated documents	PDF Hackney Carriage Licence Fees (55 KB)

20/12/2011

Elections and Finance

Date responded	19/01/2012
Questions	1.How much was spent/is projected to be spent for electoral registration and electoral services within your authority. Where any shared-services exists with neighbouring authorities please express your authorities’ share of that collective spend. In order to provide a fairer comparison between election and non-election years please provide this where available for the years: - 2008-2009 - 2009-2010 - 2010-2011 - 2011-2012 - 2012-2013 2. The number of Full Time Equivalent staff employed for the purposes of electoral registration for the years: - 2008-2009 - 2009-2010 - 2010-2011 - 2011-2012 - 2012-2013 3.Please also provide the additional spend by your electoral registration office for the Referendum on the voting system held in 2010-2011. 4.Finally, please indicate which years were/will be planned local-election years - 2008-2009 - 2009-2010 - 2010-2011 - 2011-2012 - 2012-2013 (i.e. years where, in addition to Parliamentary/assembly elections, there are all out or part elections as opposed to unexpected local by-elections).
Response	Please see attached documents.
Associated documents	PDF Elections FOI Request (31 KB) PDF Elections FOI Request Finance (31 KB)

20/12/2011

Use of B & B's

Date responded	23/12/2011
Questions	1. Could you let me know how much the council has spent on accommodating statutory homeless people in B&B and hotel accommodation in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011? 2. Has the council had to resort to using hotels to accommodate the statutory homeless in 2010 or 2011? If so, could you let me know: (a) which hotels you have used, (b) how many statutory homeless have been accommodated in hotels in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011? Please clarify if you are referring to households or people. 3. What is the most the council has had to pay per night for B&B or hotel accommodation in this regard in 2010 or 2011?
Response	1. 2010/11 We spent £27318-12 but recovered £18935-64 through Housing Benefit so overall cost to the council was £8382-48 2011/12 (so far). We have spent £27224-66 but have recovered £23842-29 through HB so overall cost to the council is £3382-27. 2. We have had to use hotels. (a) Premier Inn and Travelodge (b) 2010/11 – 5 households, 3 of which were placed by Social Services EDT out of hours (we pay Social Services to manage our homeless duties at evenings and weekends). 2011/12 (so far) – 2 households. 3. The most we have paid for one night is £85 which includes VAT at 20% so the cost to the council was £70-83.

21/12/2011

Upcoming Planning Consultation

Date responded	03/01/2012
Questions	Dear Councillor Roden, This forms a Freedom of Information Request. I am keen to understand the upcoming second planning consultation due to start in January 2012. As it is so close, I am sure the Council will have the full detail of the proposed consultation process, Can you please send me the details of this upcoming consultation? Including:- Who will be carrying it out? What form will it take (online survey, public meetings etc)? How will the data be collected? Which company will be collating the data? And how much does this cost? Where will the public meetings be held? What measures will the council be taking to ensure a better response rate than the very poor 1.57% response achieved in the first consultation? Plus any other information that you feel is relevant to my understanding the process behind this important consultation.
Response	Dear I refer to your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2005 received via email on the 21st December 2011. I have attached a word document answering your questions. I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If you remain dissatisfied you may write to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Thank you for writing to me. Yours sincerely, Councillor Frances Roden Leader of Stroud District Council tel : 01453 754295 e-mail cllr.frances.roden@stroud.gov.uk web - www.stroud.gov.uk
Associated documents	PDF Response (12 KB)

FOI requests for November 2011

Date received

Subject of request

02/11/2011

Waste Collection

Date responded	04/11/2011
Questions	1. Is Waste Collection for your authority carried out by inhouse resources or outsourced to a third party? 2. If Outsourced: a.Which outsourcing firm(s) are used? b.When did the contract(s) start? c.What is the annual contract value(s)? d. How long are the contract(s) and by how long can they be extended (if at all)? 3. If Inhouse, what is the approximate budgeted cost for Waste Collection per annum? 4. What Waste Collection services are provided to households? a.Weekly or Fortnightly collection? b.Wheelie bin/bags/other? c.Do you offer recycling services? If so do customers sort their own recycling or do you sort it for them? 5. Approximately how many tonnes of waste do you collect per annum? How many households do you serve?
Response	Q1. Is Waste Collection for your authority carried out by inhouse resources or outsourced to a third party? A1. Outsourced Q2. If Outsourced: a) Which outsourcing firm(s) are used? A Veolia ES Ltd b) When did the contract(s) start? A Oct 2001 c) What is the annual contract value(s)? A Information can be found on this council’s website under previous FOI requests d) How long are the contract(s) and by how long can they be extended (if at all)? A The current contract will naturally terminate on 31st March 2016 – there is no intention at this time to extend the contract Q3. If Inhouse, what is the approximate budgeted cost for Waste Collection per annum? A3. Not applicable Q4. What Waste Collection services are provided to households? a) Weekly or Fortnightly collection? A Residual waste is collected weekly b) Wheelie bin/bags/other? A Bags c) Do you offer recycling services? If so do customers sort their own recycling or do you sort it for them? A This council operates a kerbside sort system of recyclable materials. We also run a number of ‘Bring’ sites where our customers take their materials to recycle Q5. Approximately how many tonnes of waste do you collect per annum? How many households do you serve? A5. Approximately 36,000 Tonnes are collected each year – we serve approximately 50,000 households

03/11/2011

Council Spend on CCTV Cameras

Date responded	25/11/2011
Questions	1) The amount spent by your authority on the installation of public-facing CCTV cameras and the purchase or lease of recording equipment and premises in the financial years: a) April 1st 2010 – March 31st 2011 b) April 1st 2009 – March 31st 2010 c) April 1st 2008 – March 31st 2009 If any of this spend was provided by a central Government grant or PFI, please make clear how much of the total cost was provided. I would like this information broken down into fixed and mobile camera devices. 2) The annual cost of your authority’s public-facing CCTV operation and maintenance in the financial years: a) April 1st 2010 – March 31st 2011 b) April 1st 2009 – March 31st 2010 c) April 1st 2008 – March 31st 2009 I would like this information broken down into fixed and mobile camera devices. 3) The annual wage and salary cost of CCTV operators including pension liabilities to your authority in the financial years: a) April 1st 2010 – March 31st 2011 b) April 1st 2009 – March 31st 2010 c) April 1st 2008 – March 31st 2009 4) The total number of cameras: a.) controlled by your authority on 31st August 2011 b.) controlled by your authority, broken down into mobile and fixed devices, on 31st August 2011 c.) If it exists, a copy of any internal guidance on CCTV usage If your authority’s public-facing CCTV operation is operated by either the local police or another council, or on behalf of another authority, please make this clear and provide any details of the annual cost of the lease or annual stipend paid to (or received from) these organisations for the operation of the CCTV network.
Response	Please see attached documents.
Associated documents	PDF Code Of Practice (57 KB) PDF Asset Management (38 KB) PDF Facilities (17 KB) PDF Museum (16 KB) PDF Subscription Rooms (16 KB) PDF Community Safety (17 KB) PDF Dursley Pool (16 KB)

03/11/2011

All Pulling Together Community Association

Date responded	01/12/2011
Questions	I would like any information the Council has on the setting up of the All Pulling Together Community Association, this is the Tenant's Association for the Park Estate, Stonehouse and is recognised by the Council. I am especially interested in the names and addressess of the Committee members to confirm that they all live on the Park Estate.
Response	Further to your request of 3 November 2011, please find the minutes of the meeting attached, including an inaugural copy of the Constitution of All Pulling Together Community Association. With regard to the addresses of the committee members, I have seen some of your previous correspondence and your on-line search results in this matter. I am afraid the search results are not correct, and the confusion comes from a particular member living in a Two Rivers Housing Association property on Severn Terrace; this of course is the centre of the estate. I hope this is satisfactory, but would be happy to meet you to get to the heart of yoru concerns and hopefully save the Council, APT, and most importantly, yourself, some valuable time.

03/11/2011

redundancies

Date responded	30/11/2011
Questions	For 2010: a) How many redundancies were made last year? b) How many people aged up to 29 were made redundant? c) How many people aged 30-39 were made redundant? d) How many people aged 40-49 were made redundant? e) How many people aged 50-59 were made redundant? f) How many people aged 60 or above were made redundant? For 2011: a) How many redundancies have been made this year so far (i.e. up to November 3)? b) How many people aged up to 29 were made redundant? c) How many people aged 30-39 were made redundant? d) How many people aged 40-49 were made redundant? e) How many people aged 50-59 were made redundant? f) How many people aged 60 or above were made redundant?
Response	In the financial year 2010 - 2011 3 employees were made redundant in total 2 of these were aged 50-59 1 of these was aged 60 or above In the current financial year to date there have been no redundancies

03/11/2011

Fees and Charges

Date responded	29/11/2011
Questions	1. How much was charged for the following services? Please provide information for the 2011/12, 2010/11 and 2009/10 financial years. 2. What was the total income from fees and charges for the following services? Please provide information for the 2010/11 and 2009/10 3. What is the budgetted income from fees and charges for the following services this financial year (2011/12)? Services: A. Parking (excluding penalty fares) - to include as appropriate: - Off street car parking charges - On street parking - Business Parking permit - Resident and Visitor Vouchers B. Waste Management - to include: - Any special collections service - Garden/Green Waste Collection Service C. Leisure and Heritage services, to include fees and charges for the following as appropriate: - Parks and open spaces - Leisure centres and gyms - Swimming pools - Sports pitches - Museum fees - Any other fees or charges relating to leisure or heritage services D. Planning and Building Control: - Any non statutory planning charges - Planning Pre-Application advice
Response
Associated documents	PDF Dursley Pool and Sports Centre (19 KB) PDF Dursley Pool and Sports Centre Increase (15 KB) PDF Dursley Pool and Sports Centre 2 (11 KB) PDF Sub Rooms (55 KB) PDF Sub Rooms 20% VAT (55 KB) PDF Sub Rooms 11/12 (56 KB) PDF Sub Rooms 09/10 (55 KB) PDF Sub Rooms 2 (55 KB) PDF All sports sites 10/11 (71 KB) PDF All sports sites 11/12 (64 KB) PDF All sports sites Jan/Mar (71 KB) PDF All Sports Sites Jan/Mar 11 (70 KB) PDF Parking charges (38 KB) PDF Income (47 KB) PDF Income 2 (64 KB) PDF Maidenhill Price List (91 KB) PDF Museum in The Park (42 KB) PDF Nailsworth Price List (85 KB) PDF Public Space Services (36 KB) PDF Thomas Keeble Price List (93 KB) PDF Vale of Berkeley Price List (87 KB)

04/11/2011

New Homes Bonus

Date responded	02/12/2011
Questions	1. Where money received through the New Homes Bonus scheme in year one payments was spent. This was paid from the Communities and Local Government department to councils in April 2011. 2. Whether this money has gone into a general fund, or been spent on a specific project 3. If the money has been spent on housing, how many of those homes were affordable
Response	1. The money received has not been spent. 2. It is held currently in a general fund with no plans to spend yet. 3. Not applicable.

07/11/2011

Request for information on consultants

Date responded	02/12/2011
Questions	Could you please give more fuller answers to my request as per below in italics. a. The Council is currently using 2 consultants Could you please detail what are the respective roles and functions of the consultants, ie what are they being paid to do and to whom are they reporting b. Their services were acquired by approaching Public Sector consultancies Could you please detail the tender process used, how many consultancies responded , what process was used to select c. The consultants have been contracted for 20 & 22 months Please set out the detail of the contracts , how their work will be evaluated, and copies of their reports and work programme d. The bill rate is £400 and £650 per day How were these rates agreed are they inclusive/exclusive of VAT are there also payments for travel/expenses
Response	Dear Mr Lydon. Your FOI request has been passed to me to respond to. Please find below the answers to your follow up questions: Question: The Council is currently using 2 consultants Could you please detail what are the respective roles and functions of the consultants, ie what are they being paid to do and to whom are they reporting Answer: One consultant has primarily led on work around developing an Asset Strategy for Tenant Services and work around Woolaways properties within the Housing Stock. One consultant has primarily led on work around an Improvement Plan for Tenant Services and has continued to provide support until permanent members of staff commence work allowing a handover to be undertaken. Question: Their services were acquired by approaching Public Sector consultancies Could you please detail the tender process used, how many consultancies responded , what process was used to select Answer: Market comparison was undertaken in regard to the day rates charges for both roles and gauged against the nature of the role required and skills / experience of the successful candidates. Temporary roles like permanent roles are subject to challenge through an Approval to Fill process which has recently be moved from being undertaken by the Chief Executive, Head of Corporate Services and Head of Finance to be undertaken at Corporate Team. This ensures there is robust challenge to any appointments. Question: The consultants have been contracted for 20 & 22 months Please set out the detail of the contracts , how their work will be evaluated, and copies of their reports and work programme Answer: Their work is evaluated through regular 1:1’s and targets set which they are measured against. The nature of their roles were high profile with targets set as part of the Council Corporate Delivery Plan and which were achieved. The nature of their work is well documented through Cabinet and various Scrutiny Meetings and is recorded in the public domain. Question: The bill rate is £400 and £650 per day How were these rates agreed are they inclusive/exclusive of VAT are there also payments for travel/expenses Answer: Day rates are exclusive of VAT. One consultant does not receive any additional expenses and one does at a flat rate of £100 per week for accommodation. Please also see the answer to your first question. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Council’s Legal Services Manager for a review. Should you remain dissatisfied you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

08/11/2011

Stroud Council youth provision

Date responded	25/11/2011
Questions	1. What estimate does Stroud Council make of the total number of: (a) youth clubs; (b) sports clubs; and (c) after school clubs in the area of Stroud which have closed in the period since 11 May 2010? 2. How many: (a) youth clubs; (b) sports clubs; and (c) after school clubs have had (i) their funding reduced by Stroud Council, or (ii) been closed by Stroud Council, in the period since 11 May 2010?
Response	· SDC has never operated any youth clubs in the area, although we estimate that 5 youth clubs / centres projects operated by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) have closed since 11 May 2010. However 3 local youth forum groups co-facilitated by SDC have been affected since June 2011, due to GCC cuts. · SDC has never operated any after school clubs – please contact GCC. · SDC has never core funded any youth club / centre projects – please contact GCC

08/11/2011

Redundancies

Date responded	06/12/2011
Questions	1. How many people have been made redundant from your council? 2. How many people have been made redundant from your council, and then subsequently rehired? 3. What was the total redundancy payouts made to those workers who left and were then rehired? 4. If possible I would like the individual payments made to these workers. While I appreciate names or possibly positions cannot be given, the amounts could still be listed. 5. I would like this information for the last three years, broken down by year. (This would be from financial year if possible e.g 09/10, 10/11 11 to present) Therefore, if possible, I would like the information presented in the following format: 2009/10 100 made redundant 25 made redundant then subsequently rehired Total redundancy payout of above: £100,000 Person A: payout £20k Person b: payout £5k etc... 2010/11 100 made redundant 25 made redundant then subsequently rehired Total redundancy payout: £100,000 Person A: payout £20k Person b: payout £5k
Response	2009/10 There were no redundancies at the Council during this period 2010/11 There were three redundancies during this period. No employees who were made redundant during this period were rehired Total redundancy payout was £30,020 2011 to date There have been no redundancies to date during the current financial year

08/11/2011

Public Health Burials in the last 4 weeks

Date responded	14/11/2011
Questions	Under the FOi Act 2000 I write to ask for all Public Health Funerals where the estate has been referred or is in the process of being referred to the Treasury Solicitor or Duchy of Lancaster in the last 4 weeks. I request the following information 1) full name 2) date of death 3) address ( if not exempt ) 4) value of estate ( if not exempt )
Response	NIL

08/11/2011

Expenditure on IT

Date responded	06/12/2011
Questions	1 - The total budgeted ICT expenditure (capital and revenue) for your organisation for 2010/11 and 2011/12? 2 - A breakdown of the actual / budgeted or estimate for 2010/11 and 2011/12 according to the following categories for each category were known? 3 - If you have allocated spend in the IT outsourcing category, please identify which categories of IT service - as per the table below - are included in the contract(s) involved. If the relative percentages of spend are readily available (ie if you procure for these elements separately) then please also indicate these. 4 – Please indicate how you expect the total ICT budget for 2012/13 and 2013/14 to change for your organisation (please tick one only for each year) 5 - Please provide a list of all the ICT projects that you are undertaking; the cost of these projects and the estimated completion dates for these projects. If it is not possible to provide this under the current FoI limits I am happy to accept a listing of your most up to date schedule of contracts or other record of contracts. See original request for categories.
Response	See attached PDF
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450
Associated documents	PDF Response (45 KB)

09/11/2011

Staging a Christmas pantomime and or similar type of Christmas entertainment

Date responded	15/11/2011
Questions	1….Can the council please provide a list of concert and or theatre and or performance venues which it owns or manages within its geographical area? 2….Since January 1 2011 has the council been contacted by and or been in contact with any theatrical and entertainment producer about the possibility of staging a Christmas pantomime and or similar type of Christmas entertainment? The reference to Christmas entertainment should be taken to include any entertainment over the Christmas and New Year period – irrespective of the content of that show. These shows could be earmarked for any of the above venues or for other venues within the council’s geographical area? 3…Could the council please supply all correspondence (including emails) and or communications with any of the above producers and or production companies. The correspondence will include but will not be limited to contracts, discussions on plotlines and advice on health and safety and or hygiene matters. Please do feel free to redact any financial data from the material. Please do include correspondence with producers even if the proposed show did not go ahead.
Response	The Council owns and manages 2 venues within the District that could be used for performances The Subscription Rooms, Stroud Museum in The Park, Stroud For responses from both of these venues please see attachment
Associated documents	PDF Response (15 KB)

11/11/2011

Translation Services

Date responded	24/11/2011
Questions	In the financial year (a) 2009/10 (b) 2010/11 how much was spent by your organisation on providing foreign language translation services (i.) for written communications (ii.) for verbal communications (iii.) in total? [If you are unable to answer questions (i.) and (ii.) I would still require point (iii.) to be answered.] What is the full list of languages your organisation has provided translation services for in the year (a) 2009/10 (b) 2010/11? [If you are unable to provide the data in financial years, I would accept it being presented in (a) 2009 (b) 2010 (c) up until the request response date.]
Response	Spend 09/10 Written Communications - Nil 09/10 Verbal Communications - £59.61 10/11 Written Communications - Nil 10/11 Verbal communications - £86.75 Languages 09/10 - Polish, Vietnamese,French and German 10/11 - Polish, Portugese, French and Mandarin

14/11/2011

Information on costs or plans to mark the Queens Jubilee

Date responded	28/11/2011
Questions	Details (including projected costs) of any plans you have to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee in 2012, e.g. events, official gifts, exhibitions or public displays.
Response	See attached document
Associated documents	PDF Response (13 KB)

15/11/2011

Request for information on Court Orders issued by Stroud District Council

Date responded	12/12/2011
Questions	1) How many court orders have been issued for debts owed to Stroud District Council each year for the past five years and what were those debts owed for (eg council tax, parking fines etc)? 2) Of those debts, how many were in the following brackets: a) less than £10 b) £11- £50 c) £51- £100 d) £101-£200 e) £201- £300 f) £300 + 3) How many times has the council instructed bailiffs to collect debts for the council each year for the past five years and what were the debts owed for? 4) How much did the council pay out to bailiffs to collect debts each year for the past five years? 5) How much revenue did bailiffs bring into the council each year for the past five years?
Response	We hold manual records containing information relating to Court Orders/Debts/Bailiffs. Under Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the estimated cost and time of complying with your request would exceed the appropriate limit. If you can significantly reduce the request we can review this to see if we are able to comply with your request.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450

16/11/2011

Employees and Councillors

Date responded	15/12/2011
Questions	1. How many of your authority’s employees are also councillors? a. How many of these are (i) Conservative councillors, how many are (ii) Labour councillors, and how many are (iii) Liberal Democrat councillors? 2. How much time off for public duties has your authority given its employees? a. How much of this time off is paid? 3. How much time off for public duties has your authority to employees to perform duties as councillors? a. How much of this has been to employees who are also (i) Conservative councillors, (ii) Labour councillors and (iii) Liberal Democrat councillors? b. How much of this time off has been paid, and how much paid time off has been given to (i), (ii) and (iii).
Response	No employees of Stroud District Council are also Councillors at this Authority, but one employee is a Liberal Democrat Councillor at Tewkesbury Borough Council. This employee has been allocated 5 days off with pay per year to cover council duties.

16/11/2011

Child care vouchers

Date responded	15/12/2011
Questions	1. Number of employees in your organisation 2. Number of employees using the childcare voucher scheme 3. Current childcare voucher scheme provider 4. Current service charge of your childcare voucher scheme 5. Renewal date for childcare voucher scheme contract (if applicable) 6. Will Stroud District Council go through a tender process when renewing the contract to choose a voucher provider? 7. Do you use a framework agreement to choose your childcare voucher provider? 8. If yes, can you please supply me with the name of the framework agreement?
Response	1. There are 442 employees with contracted hours of work at Stroud District Council 2. 14 employees are currently using the childcare voucher scheme 3. The scheme is currently provided by Kiddivouchers 4. The administration charge is 2.5% of the voucher face value 5. This contract is ongoing 6. The Council will go through a tender process if required under Financial Regulations 7. A framework agreement was not used in the choice of childcare voucher provider

17/11/2011

Christmas Lights

Date responded	17/11/2011
Questions	(a) How much money, in total, does Stroud Council plan to spend on Christmas/seasonal lights in winter 2011-2012? (b) How much money, in total, did Stroud Council spend on Christmas/seasonal lights in winter 2010-2011? (c) How much money, in total, did Stroud Council spend on Christmas/seasonal lights in winter 2009-2010?
Response	The council is not reponsible for the purchase or installation of Christmas/Seasonal lights at any sites

18/11/2011

LAN Contract, Support & Telephone Contract

Date responded	09/12/2011
Questions	1. LAN (Local Area Network) contract- Please can you send me the following information • Exisiting Supplier- If there are various supplier please split up into individual contracts • Total Contract Value- please state if you have provided an annual figure • Hardware Brand- Please provide me with the name of the main brand the organisation uses. • Duration of the contract- please provide me with a particular month as well as the year. And whether there are any extension periods on the contracts. • Expiry date of the contract- please provide me with a particular month as well as the year. • Contract review date- please provide me with a particular month as well as the year. • Internal contact responsible for reviewing and renewing contracts please include there full name, job titles direct contact number and direct email address. If in some cases this cannot be release please just send me there job title. 2. 2. LAN (Local Area Network) maintenance/support contract- Please can you send me the following information • Exisiting Supplier- If there are various supplier please split up into individual contracts • Total Contract Value- please state if you have provided an annual figure • Duration of the contract- please provide me with a particular month as well as the year. And whether there are any extension periods on the contracts. • Expiry date of the contract- please provide me with a particular month as well as the year. • Contract review date- please provide me with a particular month as well as the year. • Internal contact responsible for reviewing and renewing contracts please include there full name, job titles direct contact number and direct email address. If in some cases this cannot be release please just send me there job title. 3. 3. Telephony System contract • Exisiting Supplier- If there are various supplier please split up into individual contracts • Total Contract Value- please state if you have provided an annual figure • Hardware Brand- Please provide me with the name of the main brand the organisation uses. • Number of users on the telephone system • Duration of the contract- please provide me with a particular month as well as the year. And whether there are any extension periods on the contracts. • Expiry date of the contract- please provide me with a particular month as well as the year. • Contract review date- please provide me with a particular month as well as the year. • Internal contact responsible for reviewing and renewing contracts please include there full name, job titles direct contact number and direct email address. If in some cases this cannot be release please just send me there job title.
Response	See attached document
Associated documents	PDF response (32 KB)

18/11/2011

Public Health Burials in the last 5 years

Date responded	18/11/2011
Questions	1. In each of the last five years and up until the date of this Freedom of Information request, how many council funerals - so-called paupers' funerals - has your council carried out? 2. For each, please say whether this was a burial or cremation. 3. For each, please give the gender and age/date of birth of the individual. 4. For each, please give the reason for the council performing the funeral (eg: relatives unable to pay, relatives unable to be traced etc) 5. For each, can you please give the cost to your council of carrying out the funeral.
Response	2006 / 2007 2006 / 2007 2006 / 2007 2006 / 2007 2006 / 2007 2006 / 2007 1 Cremation Male 15/09/1941 No next of kin £1,388.76 2007 / 2008 2007 / 2008 2007 / 2008 2007 / 2008 2007 / 2008 2007 / 2008 1 Cremation Female 16/01/1912 No next of kin £1,218.55 2 Burial Female 21/08/1923 No next of kin £1,633.67 3 Cremation Male 25/05/1931 No next of kin £2,086.10 2008 / 2009 2008 / 2009 2008 / 2009 2008 / 2009 2008 / 2009 2008 / 2009 1 Cremation Male 18/11/1946 No next of kin £1,499.24 2 Cremation Female 17/03/1914 No next of kin £2,215.89 3 Cremation Male 30/11/1951 No next of kin £1,963.67 4 Cremation Male 08/09/1937 Family couldn't afford to pay £1,213.27 5 Cremation Male 24/03/1941 No next of kin £1,856.56 6 Cremation Male 28/06/1943 Family couldn't afford to pay £1,500.00 2009 / 2010 2009 / 2010 2009 / 2010 2009 / 2010 2009 / 2010 2009 / 2010 1 Cremation Male 19/11/1974 No next of kin £1,579.66 2 Cremation Female 29/06/1929 No next of kin £1,900.00 3 Cremation Male 28/10/1919 No next of kin £1,700.65 4 Cremation Male 14/09/1924 No next of kin £1,973.00 2010 / 2011 2010 / 2011 2010 / 2011 2010 / 2011 2010 / 2011 2010 / 2011 1 Cremation Male No next of kin £1,641.00 2 Cremation Female 12/12/1926 No next of kin £2,332.00 3 Cremation Male 27/12/1927 No next of kin £1,580.80 4 Cremation Female 14/02/1922 Family couldn't afford to pay £1,854.00 5 Cremation Male 29/11/1954 No next of kin £2,060.00 2011 / 2012 2011 / 2012 2011 / 2012 2011 / 2012 2011 / 2012 2011 / 2012 1 Cremation Male 06/05/1949 No next of kin £1,903.04 2 Cremation Female 01/03/1917 No next of kin £1,933.50 3 Burial Male 15/03/1937 No next of kin £1,902.00 4 Cremation Female 13/10/1928 Family couldn't afford to pay £2,485.74

18/11/2011

Planning applications for change of use from meat processing to slaughter (abbatoir)

Date responded	02/12/2011
Questions	I write to request a review of the Council’s planning application files under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act. Specifically, the information that I wish to view is: - 1. Copies of all decided planning applications for changes of use from meat processing to slaughter (abattoir); 2. Copies of all decided applications for Certificates of Lawful Use or Development seeking confirmation that change of use from meat processing to slaughter (abattoir) is exempt or permitted development; 3. Copies of planning case officer reports for the applications in items 1 and 2 above; 4. Copies of Council committee minutes when the applications at items 1 and 2 above were discussed; and 5. Copies of any appeal decisions relating to decisions taken in respect of items 1 and 2 above. I trust you will find this in order; should you require anything further please contact me.
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on the 18th November 2011. I can confirm the Local Planning Authority has not received any planning applications for a change of use from meat processing to slaughter (abattoir). I hope this information is of use to you. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.

21/11/2011

Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide the information detailed below relating to ‘executive hire’ exemptions of private hire vehicles from d

Date responded	24/11/2011
Questions	Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide the information detailed below relating to ‘executive hire’ exemptions of private hire vehicles from displaying signage, by your local authority, under the provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976: 1. Do you exempt private hire vehicles used for ‘executive hire’ an exemption from displaying licence plates / discs or signage? 2. If so, is the exemption granted under the provisions of section 75(3) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976? 3. If exemption is not granted under section 75(3) of the said Act, how do you administer and regulate exemption? 4. Provide the total number of private hire vehicles that were exempt from displaying signage, licence plates or discs on 20 November 2011. Please provide a total number in relation to those identified in relation to questions 2 and 3. 5. Provide the make and model of each private hire vehicle exempt from displaying signage, licence plates or discs on 20 November 2011. 6. Provide copies of the conditions of licence attached to: (i) ‘standard’ private hire vehicles; and (ii) ‘executive hire’. Should you consider any of the information requested to be exempt under section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, then please provide redacted versions of exempted documents in accordance with the legislation, together with a refusal notice stating why the information cannot be released. We do not require any personal information, registration numbers or other information that may identify individuals or their vehicles. To avoid unnecessary costs to the local authority, I would prefer to receive the requested information by email as MS word, PDF or MS Excel documents, but should that not be possible, please send them by post, either as hard copies or in electronic format on CD or DVD. Please note that a similar request has been made to all 316 licensing authorities in England and Wales and it is likely that the collated information will be submitted, on behalf of our clients, to the Law Commission in relation to their current review of taxi and private hire licensing legislation.
Response	Please find responses to your Freedom of Information Request regarding private hire vehicles licensed by Stroud District Council 1. Do you exempt private hire vehicles used for ‘executive hire’ an exemption from displaying licence plates / discs or signage? - Yes 2. If so, is the exemption granted under the provisions of section 75(3) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976? - Yes 3. If exemption is not granted under section 75(3) of the said Act, how do you administer and regulate exemption? - N/A 4. Provide the total number of private hire vehicles that were exempt from displaying signage, licence plates or discs on 20 November 2011. Please provide a total number in relation to those identified in relation to questions 2 and 3. - 4 exemptions 5. Provide the make and model of each private hire vehicle exempt from displaying signage, licence plates or discs on 20 November 2011. Toyota Prius BMW 750 Mercedes S320 Volkswagen Phaeton 6. Provide copies of the conditions of licence attached to: (i) ‘standard’ private hire vehicles; and (ii) ‘executive hire’. See attached
Associated documents	PDF Private Vehicles Conditions and Exempt Vehicle Conditions (149 KB)

21/11/2011

Section 106 Money

Date responded	02/12/2011
Questions	I would like to request the following details under the Freedom of Information Act. Please note these questions refer to your authority only. Please do not include any money which you may have passed onto another authority (e.g. county council). 1) How much unspent Section 106 money do you currently have? 2) How much of this Section 106 money is currently a) allocated and b) unallocated? (please provide actual figures rather than percentages). 3) For each of the financial years 2001 - 2011 please let me know how much money your authority has received from developers in Section 106 funding. 4) For each of the financial years 2001 - 2011 please let me know how much Section 106 money your authority has spent. 5) For each of the financial years 2001 - 2011 please let me know how much section 106 money has been returned to developers. Please provide this information in Excel format. I would like to receive the information by email.
Response	Thank you for your request fro information received in this office on 21st November 2011. At present, Stroud District Council do not hold this information in a format directly compatible with your detailed request. From our preliminary assessment, we estimate that compliance with your request would exceed the appropriate costs limit under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This is currently £450, whereupon special research and reports would be necessary. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.

23/11/2011

Private Detectives

Date responded	30/11/2011
Questions	1. The number of times the council has hired private detectives / investigators since 2008. (Please give a separate number for each financial year.) 2. A list of the departments which hired investigators. This should show the total cost to each department, the number of times it engaged investigators, and why they were hired in each case. If the council has used private investigators in matters involving council employees, please make this clear and outline why in each case.
Response	1. The number of times the council has hired private detectives / investigators since 2008. (Please give a separate number for each financial year.) - NIL 2. A list of the departments which hired investigators. This should show the total cost to each department, the number of times it engaged investigators, and why they were hired in each case. - N/A If the council has used private investigators in matters involving council employees, please make this clear and outline why in each case. N/A

23/11/2011

Legal Advice

Date responded	21/12/2011
Questions	Could you please advise me of all occasions since 2005 when the Council has obtained external legal advice but failed to act in accordance therewith. For each occasion (if any): 1 Please detail the source and date of the external legal advice and the fees (if any) the Council paid and when. 2. Which officer or elected member(s) made the decision, and when, to act contrary thereto and the basis why the Council considered injustice had not been occasioned. 3. Whether the Council has “gone public” on its failure to follow legal advice. 4. Whether the Council has notified the “victim” that it was acting contrary to external legal advice. 5. The financial benefit the Council obtained or saved (if any) as a result of not following the external legal advice. If it is necessary to narrow my request I would like details please of occasions when the loss to an individual group or sector has exceeded six figures or where the Council has sought, commissioned or obtained legal advice jointly with other local authorities or bodies.
Response	I am not aware of any occasion since 2005 in which the Council has obtained external legal advice and failed to act in accordance with it, and consequently your questions 1 - 5 are not applicable.

23/11/2011

2011 searches

Date responded	20/12/2011
Questions	The information we require is the number of personal searches carried out so far this year in each month beginning with January 2011 and the names of the organizations that carried out the searches Please will you also supply the number of the ‘official’ searches carried out in the same period by the local authority.
Response	Stroud District Council has considered your request and has decided this request to be partially exempt under section 43(2) Commercial Interest. Accordingly see attached the numbers of searches for the period requested, but without the breakdown between the requesting organisations.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 43 - Commercial interest
Associated documents	PDF Response Monthly Breakdown (1,745 KB)

25/11/2011

Flights

Date responded	14/12/2011
Questions	1. A list of every flight paid for during the financial years: a. 2009-10 b. 2010-11 c. 2011-12 to date. Please include, for each flight, the flight date, vendor, total cost of booking (including any booking fees), class of flight, the origin and destination of the flight, and the purpose of the flight. 2. A copy of the council’s guidance on the use of flights. These are the costs directly incurred by your council.
Response	a. 2009-10 Date 21st June 2010 Vendor Easy Jet Total Cost £228.75 (3 flights) Class standard Origin Bristol Destination Glasgow purpose To attend the Emergency Planning conference Although the flight date is within the financial year of 2010/2011 it was booked in 2009/2010 b. 2010-11 Date 4th July 2011 Vendor Easy jet Total Cost £83.43 Class Standard Origin Bristol Destination Glasgow purpose To attend the Emergency planning conference Although the flight date is within the financial year of 2011/2012 it was booked in 2010/2011 c. 2011-12 to date. Nil When booking these flights the officer used the aa route planner to find out how much it would cost in mileage and time, compared this to the cost of rail and again the amount of time it would take and see which one is cheaper, taking into consideration that with road and rail there may also be an additional nights accommodation. 2. Stroud District Council has no guidance on the booking or use of flights, they are treated in the same way as any other expense claim.

25/11/2011

VAT/Purchase Cards/Travel Expenses

Date responded	23/12/2011
Questions	1. Does your organisation have an employee acting in the capacity to govern internal Finance Processes (e.g. paying suppliers, raising invoices, etc.)? If appropriate can you provide their name? 2. Does your organisation have a Purchase Card (often referred to as Pcard) scheme for paying suppliers or contractors to your organisation? 3. If yes (to question 2), what is the total value for calendar year 2010 of all Pcard purchase transactions? 4. If yes (to question 2), is VAT recovered on all transactions by your organisation in relation to this scheme? 5. Does your organisation have a Travel Expense System for reimbursement of work related costs paid by employees of your organisation? 6. If yes (to question 5), what is the total value for calendar year 2010 of Travel Expenses reimbursed to employees? 7. If yes (to question 5), is VAT recovered by your organisation in relation to all costs incurred in the Travel Expenses System?
Response	1. Yes, several members of staff are involved in internal finance processes (names withheld under section 40 of the Act) 2. Yes. 3. Approximately £46,000 4.Yes 5. Travel expenses are claimed through the Council's payroll system, there is no separate travel expense system. 6. Approx £290,000 of which £281,000 is mileage related (VAT is not recovered on mileage since the requirement for receipts) 7. Only travel expense claims supported by receipts such as car park tickets and toll fees. This is a minimal amount, less than £100.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

FOI requests for October 2011

Date received

Subject of request

03/10/2011

municipal clocks

Date responded	03/10/2011
Questions	Could you please quote the reference Municipal Clocks in all correspondence. 1. how many clocks does the council have responsibility for, i.e. how many are owned by the council [I refer to external clocks that are viewable by the public, not small timepieces in offices for example] 2. please provide a list of said clocks with names (if they have them) and location [street] 3. of those clocks, how many are currently in working order 4. of those clocks that are working, how many tell the correct time 5. the annual cost of maintaining the council's municipal clocks
Response	1. how many clocks does the council have responsibility for, i.e. how many are owned by the council [I refer to external clocks that are viewable by the public, not small timepieces in offices for example] 1 2. please provide a list of said clocks with names (if they have them) and location [street] Main offices, Stroud District Council Ebley Mill Westward Road Stroud Glos GL5 4UB 3. of those clocks, how many are currently in working order 0 4. of those clocks that are working, how many tell the correct time 0 5. the annual cost of maintaining the council's municipal clocks £0 – we have a volunteer who services and tries to keep the clock running, this is at no cost to the authority

06/10/2011

Preferred Suppliers List

Date responded	02/11/2011
Questions	Do you have a preferred supplier list or Master Vendor contract in place for the supply of agency staff within Social Work, housing and education? 2. If yes to question 1 - what agencies are on this this list and when does the agreement come up for renewal? 3. Please can you provide the Social Work, Housing and Education Team Leaders and Service managers names and contact email addresses for those who hire agency staff or have the potential to hire agency staff. 4. Please can you provide the total number of qualified Social Work, qualified Housing and Education professionals currently working on an agency (recruitment) basis at the Council 5. Please can you list the names of all recruitment agencies currently supplying the Council with agency social work and agency housing and agency education (incl Teachers) professionals. 6. What is the total spend on agency staff across Social Work, Housing and Education?
Response	Stroud District Council does not have responsibility for Social Work or Education. These services are provided by Gloucestershire County Council (www.gloucestershire.gov.uk). The response below is only in relation to Housing. 1. Stroud District Council does not have a preferred supplier list or Master Vendor contract in place for the supply of agency staff within Housing. 2. n/a. 3. Carl Brazier is Strategic Head of Tenant Services and his contact details can be found on the Council's website (www.stroud.gov.uk). 4. There are two qualified housing professionals currently working on an agency basis at the Council. 5. The agencies currently supplying housing professionals are: Sector and GEM Associates. 6. The Council is paying £450 and £600 per day for housing professionals.

10/10/2011

FOI Publication Scheme

Date responded	24/10/2011
Questions	I would like to know the name and email address of the senior officer currently in the following roles at your Council:- a) Finance (e.g. Finance Director) b) Human Resources (e.g. Head of Human Resources) c) Information Technology (e.g. IT Director) d) Performance Management (e.g. Performance Manager) If the Council has entered into Shared Service with another Council, can you please let us know the name of that Council and which officer from either Council now leads the above functions. Additionally, in relation to the use of application software at the Council we would like to know the name of the Vendor and application name for the following systems:- a) Finance General Ledger (e.g. Oracle Financials, Agresso) b) Planning/Budgeting (e.g. Excel, SPSS, component of Ledger system) c) Human Resources (Personnel/payroll e.g. iTrent, Resourcelink, HR-Pro) d) Performance management (e.g. Covalent, Corvu, Inphase. This software has typically recorded your National, Local and Partnership Indicators) e) The Corporate Business Intelligence reporting tool (e.g. Cognos, Crystal, Business Objects)
Response	I would like to know the name and email address of the senior officer currently in the following roles at your Council:- a) Finance (e.g. Finance Director) Sandra Cowley, Head of Finance/Section 151 Officer, sandra.cowley@stroud.gov.uk b) Human Resources (e.g. Head of Human Resources) Allison Sharpe Head of Corporate Resources, allison.sharpe@stroud.gov.uk c) Information Technology (e.g. IT Director) Nick Watkins , Head of Communications, nick.watkins@stroud.gov.uk d) Performance Management (e.g. Performance Manager) N/A If the Council has entered into Shared Service with another Council, can you please let us know the name of that Council and which officer from either Council now leads the above functions. N/A Additionally, in relation to the use of application software at the Council we would like to know the name of the Vendor and application name for the following systems:- a) Finance General Ledger (e.g. Oracle Financials, Agresso) Agresso b) Planning/Budgeting (e.g. Excel, SPSS, component of Ledger system) Component of Ledger System c) Human Resources (Personnel/payroll e.g. iTrent, Resourcelink, HR-Pro) Resource Link d) Performance management (e.g. Covalent, Corvu, Inphase. This software has typically recorded your National, Local and Partnership Indicators) Excelsis e) The Corporate Business Intelligence reporting tool (e.g. Cognos, Crystal, Business Objects) The council does not have a corporate business intelligence reporting tool, although it does use each of the above mentioned tools in isolation.

10/10/2011

Right to Buy

Date responded	24/10/2011
Questions	i) how many council homes in your jurisdiction have been sold under the Right to Buy Scheme since 1980? ii) what was the average price paid? iii) what was the lowest and highest price paid for a home? iv) what proportion of those homes are now inhabited by homeowners, by tenants, derelict or otherwise?
Response	Thank you for your enquiry with regard to sold Right to Buy properties at Stroud District Council. Please note that we only hold basic computer records from 1989. The records for sold properties prior to this date are on individual archieved microfilm and it would take weeks of manual work to access this data. This is clearly way outside the 18 hours allowed by the FOI act. However, I have answered your questions below, with the best information that we have available, for properties from 1989 to date. Due to the limitations of the old computer systems please treat this information as a good indication rather than absolutely accurate. i) how many council homes in your jurisdiction have been sold under the Right to Buy scheme since 1980? 1561 ii) What was the average price paid? £31,420 iii) What was the lowest and highest price paid for a home? £7,000 and £150,000 iv) What proportion of those homes are now inhabited by homeowners, by tenants, derelict or otherwise? Once properties are sold, there is no obligation on the part of the owner to provide us with this information, so we have no records on this data.

12/10/2011

Public Health Burials in the last 4 weeks

Date responded	12/10/2011
Questions	The names of all Public Health Funerals/ bona vacantia estates passed or in the process of being referred ie pending referral to The Treasury Solicitor ( BV ) Department or Duchy of Lancaster within the last 4 weeks. We request the following information only: 1) The full name of the deceased 2) The date of death 3) Last known address 4) Approximate value of estate ( if not exempt )
Response	Nil

12/10/2011

WYG Letter

Date responded	09/11/2011
Questions	I would like to request a copy of Stroud District Council's response to WYG's letter dated 4th of February 2011. I would like to request a copy of Stroud District Council's response to WYG's letter dated 4th of February 2011. I am aware the Council have now responded, but I have been refused access to the letter as it contains commercially sensitive information. I received a copy of WYG's letter from the the County Council as a matter of public record with the commercially sensitive info blacked out, therefore I do not know why I cannot receive the Council's response in the same way. This affects where I live, my quality of life and the council previously promised to include us in their response. It is a public matter and we deserve to know what is in the letter so we can discuss it with our elected representatives.
Response	Thank you for your Freedom of Information Request received in this office on the 12th October 2011. Please find attached a PDF of the information requested. I hope this information is of use to you. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.
Associated documents	PDF Response to WYG's letter dated 04/02/11 (180 KB)

14/10/2011

Amenity Grassland Management

Date responded	04/11/2011
Questions	1. What is the total area of all land, regardless of its use, that your Authority owns, manages or administers? 2. What is the total area of publicly accessible grassland that your Authority owns, manages or administers, excluding formal parks, designated sports pitches and designated wildlife conservation areas? The term "amenity grassland" hereafter refers to the grassland identified in response to question 2. 3. Does your Authority define the frequency of grass cutting on this amenity grassland? 4. If your Authority does not define the frequency of grass cutting on this amenity grassland, please state the Authority that does define it. 5. Does your Authority define the grass cutting height on this amenity grassland? 6. If your Authority does not define the grass cutting height on this amenity grassland, please state the Authority that does define it. 7. Does your Authority actively attempt to identify or record the wild flower species present on this amenity grassland? 8. Does your Authority actively consider the protection or encouragement of wild flowers when defining or executing a grass cutting regime on this amenity grassland? 9. If your Authority does not define the grass cutting regime on this amenity grassland, does it attempt to negotiate the regime with those who do define it, with the explicit aim of improving the ecological diversity of the grassland? 10. What is the typical frequency of cutting to which the grass on this amenity grassland is subjected? 12. Is the frequency of cutting on this amenity grassland varied with the seasons of the year in a systematic manner? 13. What is the typical height of cut used on this amenity grassland? 14. Is the height of cut on this amenity grassland varied with the seasons of the year in a systematic manner? 15. Approximately what proportion of this amenity grassland is located in a rural environment? 16. What is your Authority's approximate annual budgetary allocation for maintenance of this amenity grassland?
Response	A1. Please refer to my email dated 24th November 2011 where, following our telephone conversation, you stated that it was only the open amenity land detail that was required A2. Please refer to my email dated 24th November 2011 – (700756.68 square metres) A3. There is no cutting frequency set within the maintenance contract for amenity grass. It is however anticipated that grass cutting would normally take place approximately every 14 consecutive days albeit this may vary according to growth during various seasonal changes A4. Not applicable A5. Yes A6. Not applicable A7. This council has undertaken a search through the Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records to identify any species that may exist within the land that it manages. This is reflected in the council’s site specific ‘Management Plans’. It should be noted that the areas under which plans are normally formulated usually focus on more secluded amenity grass land. A8. The Council undertakes to manage its amenity grassland in a manner that mainly accommodates the varying needs of its residents, but also where possible, compliments the presence of any known species of flowers and wildlife that may be seen as essential to protect. A9. Not applicable A10. Normally on a 14 day cutting cycle A12. The normal cutting cycle differs according to seasonal variations and prevailing weather conditions A13. From 25 Millimetres A14. As mentioned previously, the cutting height differs according to seasonal variations and prevailing weather conditions. A15. Stroud is mainly a rural authority with several sizeable settlements. The majority of amenity grass is located in and around these settlements. A16. The annual budget is £247,000 for maintenance of amenity grass areas excluding formal Parks

14/10/2011

Aston Down

Date responded	04/11/2011
Questions	Thank you for sending me the additional documentation however having read the correspondence sent by Mr. D Corker and Mr. D Rogers to N Hardcastle / Leda it seems to be one way traffic you have not enclosed any responses from N Hardcaslte / Leda to Mr Corker's or Mr Rogers letters or e-mails, I am sure that you appreciate that if a request is made under the F.0.I. Act for correspondence between two parties then the request covers incoming as well as out going correspondence. I would therefore be grateful if you would supply me with all the responses received by S.D.C officers or councillors from Leda it's agents or tenants with regards to the Aston Down site as I requested on the 18th May 2011. I am also particularly interested in receiving a copy of the following: 1. The response from N Hardcastle / Leda to Mr. Corker's letter of the 2nd June 2011. 2. Mr. Corker's e-mail to N Hardcastle of the 19 May 2011. 3. Email exchanges between Mr. Corker and N Hardcastle on the 14th September 2011. 4. The response from N HardCastle / Leda to Mr Corkers letter of the 29nd June 2011. 5. The response from N HardCastle / Leda to Mr Corkers letter of the 26th July 2011. 6. Report circulated to members which is referred to in Mr Corkers letter dated the 29th June 2011 to N Hardcastle. Since all the above request for information were covered by my F.O.I request of the 18th May 2011 and should have been sent to me by the 7th June 2011 I trust that there will not be a further delay in my receiving the above information.
Response	Thank you for your latest Freedom of Information request received in this office on the 14th October 2011. With regards to your request for information dated the 18th May 2011 in which you requested - “All documents, e-mails and any other form of correspondence / reports between Stroud DC and Leda properties / Leda Properties Pension Fund their agents or occupiers / tenants of the Aston Down site and VOSA from the 1st January 2010 to 18th May 2011 regarding the operating conditions put in place by the Secretary of State and Stroud District Council on the Aston Down site or relating to the breaches of conditions that have taken place within that period.” ... you will have already received this information (Ref: 1276). Additional correspondence in resepct of this request (i.e. an email dated 13th April 2011) was also discovered as part of a subsequent request (Ref: 1410). You have also received a copy of this correspondence. In respect of items 1, 4 and 5, I can confirm this correspondence does not exist. With regards to items 2, 3 and 6, which post date your original request, I have attached copies of this correspondence.
Associated documents	PDF Item 2 (21 KB) PDF Item 3 (54 KB) PDF Item 6 (173 KB)

14/10/2011

Utility usage monitoring and management

Date responded	28/10/2011
Questions	1 Whether the electricity, Gas, Water, Fixed Line and Mobile Telephone usage monitoring and management, billing, payment and procurement of these utilities are dealt with in-house or whether they are outsourced to a consultancy/outside company to manage? 2 If they are outsourced could you please provide me with the name of the comany that the current contract was awarded to, together with the names of any other companies that submitted PQQ and/or tender. 3 If they are outsourced could you please confirm the date when the cuirrent contract expires and when it will next be available for PQQ submission or tender. 4 I would be grateful if you could please forward me a blank copy of the previous PQQ and tender, (I do not require the information supplied by the encumbant company or any other company that have submitted a PQQ or tendered) - only the questions themselves.
Response	1. All dealt with in house. 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A

18/10/2011

Insurance Contract Details

Date responded	15/11/2011
Questions	I would like to request details of all your current insurance contract(s). In particular, I am interested in the following information:- - Insurance Supplier Name - Contract Title/specifications/Brief description of contract - Contract No/Ref/OJEU reference - award of contract - Start Date - End Date - Duration - Annual Spend - Total contract value (or approx.) - Extension period (years/months/date) - Break Clause/Term (years/months/date) - Framework involved (Yes/No - Framework details (Participating bodies/lead body) - Any other notes - All tender documents (to be enclosed). Please can you send all documents relating to the tender including ITT and PQQ documents and the contract. Can you also provide us details of all payments and their value received from your insurer to your authority during the lifetime of this contract. e.g. 2009/2010 £5000 (12 claims) Year Value Number of claims I would also like to receive all documents relating to this contract e.g. original tender documents such as OJEU notices and award contracts.
Response	The information requested is provided in the attached spreadsheet. Where an item is marked with a 'X' the information has been withheld as it is commercially sensitive information and is therefore exempt under Section 43 (commercial interest) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Copies of the documents requested have not been provided as these are also exempt under Section 43 of the Act.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 43 - Commercial interest
Associated documents	PDF Insurance Contract Details (32 KB)

21/10/2011

Bidders for Tenders

Date responded	18/11/2011
Questions	The purpose of this request is to identify all the firms that have bid for the tenders below. Please find below a list of contracts that we are interested in and please insert the names of the companies who made a bid for the work. Document number Description Country Publication date 283691-2011 UK-Stroud: recreational, cultural and sporting services UK 09/09/2011 307416-2010 UK-Stroud: repair and maintenance services UK 16/10/2010 307415-2010 UK-Stroud: repair and maintenance services UK 16/10/2010 271724-2009 UK-Stroud: civil engineering support services UK 01/10/2009 122019-2009 UK-Stroud: composting services UK 05/05/2009 56381-2009 UK-Stroud: repair and maintenance services of central heating UK 26/02/2009
Response	Document number Description Country Publication date 283691-2011 UK-Stroud: recreational, cultural and sporting services UK 09/09/2011 Sports and Leisure Management Limited, Parkwood Leisure Limited 307416-2010 UK-Stroud: repair and maintenance services UK 16/10/2010 Lovell Partnerships, Mears, Kier, NKS, Kinetics, EESI 307415-2010 UK-Stroud: repair and maintenance services UK 16/10/2010 Lovell Partnerships, Mears, Kier, Connaught, Kinetics, Jeakins Weir Ltd, SCS Ltd 271724-2009 UK-Stroud: civil engineering support services UK 01/10/2009 Halcrow Group Ltd, Arup, Hyder, Atkins, White Young Green 122019-2009 UK-Stroud: composting services UK 05/05/2009 Connaught, Glendale, Veolia, English Landscapes, OCS Horticulture, Wyevale 56381-2009 UK-Stroud: repair and maintenance services of central heating UK 26/02/2009 PH Jones Ltd, Connaught, Walmotts, Richardson, SPI

25/10/2011

Noise complaints directly arising as a result of the installation of small scale wind turbines or air source heat pumps

Date responded	14/11/2011
Questions	Following a Freedom on information request sent to you from this email account on Friday 21/10/2011 at 14:00 I would like to apologise for the broadness of the text, and formally withdraw the request. After taking advice from numerous Local Authorities, I would like to request formally that you answer the following (much restricted) FoI request. I am writing to request formally, under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000/Environmental Information Regulations 2004 as appropriate, for details of neighboring/ nearby householders noise complaints directly arising as a result of the installation of small scale wind turbines or air source heat pumps falling within the statutory definition of microgeneration as defined in the Climate Change and sustainable Energy Act 2006 along with complaints about the noise from air conditioning units received within the curtilage of a dwelling house your Council has received between 1st January 2008 and 1st October 2011. Please also state the maximum of any sound measurements taken during any investigated case and whether the complaint was upheld. Please also include the number of cases which are currently being investigated, and therefore protected by the data protection act.
Response	In relation to the above FoI, please find information as follows: The Environmental Protection team received 11 noise complaints relating to a proven 11kw 15 meter wind turbine, I have included this information, but it may be that turbines of this size do not fall within the ‘micro generation’ definition as requested. Each of these complaints was deemed to be justified and resulted in an abatement notice being served. No noise measurements were deemed necessary in this case. 1 complaint was received regarding a small free standing turbine, this was due to a problem with the system and was quickly resolved. This was deemed to be substantiated and the noise was addressed immediately by the owner of the system. No noise monitoring was deemed to be required to substantiate this complaint. No complaints have been received regarding air source heat pumps or air conditioning units situated within the curtilage of domestic premises.

27/10/2011

Garden Waste Collection

Date responded	04/11/2011
Questions	1.Does the Council operate a garden waste collection service? 2.If so, does the Council charge residents for this service? How much? 3.If paid for, how many subscribers (a) does the service currently have (b) have there been in each year the service was available? 4.If paid for, how many subscribers join and leave the service on average each year? 5.What is the total cost to the Council/contractor of operating the service each year? What is the unit cost per subscriber? 6.What is the total revenue of the service each year? 7.How many collection trucks are used in providing the service? Who owns the trucks and what did they cost to purchase/hire? 8.If operated as a wheelie bin service, how many garden waste bins are collected by the crews per hour, on average? 9.Who is the Council's supplier of garden waste wheelie bins (if used) and what was the most recent unit cost? 10.What plans does the Council have to (a) expand the service (b) increase/introduce charges in the next three years?
Response	Following the initial FOI re the collection of Garden Waste, the requester was emailed asking for clarification as to whether the scheme Stroud was running fell within the remit of his survey. An email came back to say that it did not and that no further information was required.

28/10/2011

Litter bin waste in Dursley

Date responded	04/11/2011
Questions	1. A copy of your current waste strategy/recycling policy 2. How is the waste collected from litter bins in Dursley treated and disposed of, is it recycled or landfilled? 3. There are a number of litter bins in Dursley that allow you to separate your waste when you put things into the litter bin, Is this waste treated differently from normal litter bins? 4. Please can you tell me how many litter bins there are in Dursley and the amount of waste collected from them, and the proportion of this that is recycled and/or landfilled broken down by waste type. 5. Has the amount of waste collected in litter bins in Dursley increased or decreased over the past five years? Please include a annual breakdown of the numbers 6. The annual cost of providing and emptying litter bins and disposing of the waste in Dursley
Response	Q1 A copy of your current waste strategy/recycling policy A1.This is available to download at: http://www.recycleforgloucestershire.com/partnership/assets/downloads/JMWMS.pdf Q2 How is the waste collected from litter bins in Dursley treated and disposed of, is it recycled or landfilled? A2. The majority of litter bins in Dursley allow members of the public to discard litter only, that is, the bins do not allow the segregation of various litter elements such as cans, plastic bottles etc – these litter bins are emptied and the contents taken to landfill. Q3. There are a number of litter bins in Dursley that allow you to separate your waste when you put things into the litter bin, Is this waste treated differently from normal litter bins? A3. The ‘On Street’ recycling bins do allow this segregation – the contents of these bins are collected separately and recycled. Q4. Please can you tell me how many litter bins there are in Dursley and the amount of waste collected from them, and the proportion of this that is recycled and/or landfilled broken down by waste type A4. There are 80 litter bins in Dursley, three of which allow the segregation of litter. Only a very small proportion of the contents is recycled – the materials include Plastic Bottles and Cans. The output of materials from the ‘On street’ recycling bins is monitored only to establish whether the public are using the bins correctly. We have no tonnage information for these or the general litter bins as the amounts would be very low. Q5. Has the amount of waste collected in litter bins in Dursley increased or decreased over the past five years? Please include a annual breakdown of the numbers A5. This type of data is only held as a district wide statistic – it is not broken down into parishes. The District’s total amount of waste has dropped over recent years. If you wish for more information, please contact us. Q6. The annual cost of providing and emptying litter bins and disposing of the waste in Dursley A6. It is not possible to provide this information as the collection costs for Dursley is combined with that for the rest of the district. Similarly, the cost of disposal is determined by the tonnage of waste collected. This information is not gathered.

FOI requests for September 2011

Date received

Subject of request

01/09/2011

Pest Stats

Date responded	06/09/2011
Questions	Please could you tell me: The number of incidents of pest infestation dealt with by your authority in each of the last two financial years (i.e. April 2009 to April 2011) a breakdown of the species concerned. If your authority is unable to provide this level of detail, please can you supply a response that will summarise recent trends over the given period, of there are any. for instance, whether there has been a sharp or slight increase or fall in certain species.
Response	1st April 2009 - 31st March 2010 Rats 1334 Mice 139 Wasps 517 Ants 10 Bedbugs 2 Fleas 97 Cluster Flies 36 Other Insects 26 Cockroaches 2 1st April 2010 - 31st March 2011 Rats 1141 Mice 105 Wasps 522 Ants 6 Bedbugs 3 Fleas 78 Cluster Flies 13 Other Insects 12 Cockroaches 0

02/09/2011

Primary Authority Partnerships

Date responded	29/09/2011
Questions	1.In 2010/2011 how much money did the local authority receive/is due to receive from businesses with which it has a registered Primary Authority Partnership? 2. For 2010/2011 please list each individual Primary Authority Partnership, the amount of money received/due to be received and state what the money was paid to the local authority for. For your reference this is the current list of declared Primary Authority Partnership's on the LBRO's website - http://www.lbro.org.uk/pa-public-listings.php
Response	Stroud District Council does not support any partnerships of this nature, not being a primary authority.

05/09/2011

Decision making officers of Stroud District Council

Date responded	27/09/2011
Questions	1. How many decision making officers does Stroud District Council have? 2. How many of the above mentioned officers reside in the administration district of Stroud District Council.
Response	Details of the Council’s senior management team can be viewed on the website at: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/cx/management_structure.pdf
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

05/09/2011

PFI Schemes

Date responded	22/09/2011
Questions	1) Can you provide me with a list of all current PFI schemes including a) when it started b) when it is due to end c) the estimated cost at completion d) estimated annual repayment figure (and the number of years to make repayments) 2) Can you provide me with the details of all PFI schemes you have planned for the future (including any dates) and the estimated costs of each one
Response	Stroud District Council has no PFI schemes currently and none planned.

07/09/2011

Various

Date responded	30/09/2011
Questions	1. What is the status of your local plan or core strategy e.g. has it been published or adopted? 2. How many full time development planners, conservation officers and heritage officers did you employ in 2008? 3. How many do you employ now? 4. Are there any plans to change this number in the next two years? 5. What was your planning department's budget in 2008? 6. What is your planning department's budget now? 7. Do you expect your planning department's budget to rise or fall in the next two years?
Response	1. The adopted Stroud District Local Plan, November 2005 is still current. The Core Strategy has been through its ‘issues’ and ‘options’ stages (2009 and 2010 respectively), and is now moving towards the ‘preferred strategy’ stage. 2. In 2008 we employed 17.2 development planners/conservation officers.This included 13 full-time planners and 2 full-time conservation officers, and 3 part-time planners and 1 part-time conservation officer. 3. We currently employ 14.4 development planners/conservation officers. This includes 10 full-time planners and 1 full-time conservation officer, and 5 part-time planners and 1 part-time conservation officer. 4. Yes. 5. The planning budget for 2008/09 was £443,100.00. 6. The planning budget for 2011/12 is £205,000.00. 7. We expect the budget to rise.

07/09/2011

Revenue Outturn Returns

Date responded	29/09/2011
Questions	Copies of 2010-11 Revenue Outturn (RO) forms which are required to be submitted to the Department for Communities and Local Government, showing more detail than available on SPARSE and DCLG websites.
Response	All local authorities received an e-mail from CLG dated 31 August 2011 announcing the provisional info. Access is available at this site. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/revenue201011provoutturn We are, however, unable to comply with your request for more detailed information at this time as the information is intended for future publication and, therefore, is exempt from disclosure under section 22(1) of the FOI Act. Information intended for future publication. 22. (1) Information is exempt information if (a) the information is held by the public authority with a view to its publication, by the authority or any other person, at some future date (whether determined or not), (b) the information was already held with a view to such publication at the time when the request for information was made, and (c) it is reasonable in all the circumstances that the information should be withheld from disclosure until the date referred to in paragraph (a). (2) The duty to confirm or deny does not arise if, or to the extent that, compliance with section 1(1)(a) would involve the disclosure of any information (whether or not already recorded) which falls within subsection (1). Section 22(1) is a qualified exemption which means that the information falling within the exemption still has to be released unless the public interest in disclosure is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining the exemption. However, the public interest can sometimes be best served by the planned publication of information at an appropriate time rather than in response to an individual request for that information ahead of that time. DCLG has pre-announced the publication of this data on the UK National Statistics Publication Hub: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/release-calendar/index.html National Statistics are impartial and objective and an essential part of this is that these statistics are produced to the required standard and are equally available to all on a pre announced date as soon as they are ready for release. On balance the public interest is best served by the planned publication of the information you have requested and by maintaining the exemption at section 22(1) at this time. It is understood that the detailed level data for the RO 2010-11 (which includes information from the RO1 - RO6 and TSR forms) is expected to be released in November 2011.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 22 - Information intended for future publication

09/09/2011

Biodiversity and habitat offsetting schemes

Date responded	30/09/2011
Questions	I am trying to collect a full list of biodiversity and habitat offsetting schemes across England. Offsetting is where the impacts of a development are compensated for by creating a habitat on a separate site (as opposed to mitigation which takes place on site). The questions are as follows: 1. Can you provide details of any planning permissions granted by your Local Planning Authority which mandated any habitat or biodiversity offsetting schemes under Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regs 1994 (Commonly known as 'Habitats Regulations' under the EU Habitats Directive)? 2. Have you undertaken any other offsetting scheme under other planning legislation (such as Section 106 planning agreements)? Are you aware of any voluntary or other offsetting agreements that have taken place by developers? 3. Can you send all the relevant documentation relating to any offsetting schemes (preferably as PDFs)? This could include, but should not necessarily be limited to: -- Environmental Impact Statements -- Any Section 106 documentation relating to the offsetting schemes -- Details of long-term management plans -- Evidence of current condition of offset sites -- Evidence of effect on transported species 4. How much did each individual offsetting scheme cost? 5. Can you provide any evidence of any monitoring and follow-up assessing the ongoing quality of the offset scheme. 6. Has your local authority instigated any enforcement action if the offsetting was unsuccessful? What was the outcome of the enforcement for each offsetting scheme? 7. Does your Local Authority employ an in-house ecologist? If not, how do you get advice on ecological matters in planning?
Response	1. We have no information relating to this question (i.e. no offsetting schemes) 2. We have no information relating to this question. 3. We have no information relating to this question. 4. We have no information relating to this question. 5. We have no information relating to this question. 6. We have no information relating to this question. 7. We have in-house ecological advice at both policy and development management levels, and Service Level Agreements with Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records (GCER). We also use specialist contractors when necessary.

12/09/2011

Compensation to staff: accidents

Date responded	29/09/2011
Questions	- Please tell me how much compensation money has been paid to your staff as a result of accidents at work in the past five financial years (1 April 2006 - 31 March 2011) - Please also break this down per accident, giving details of a) the accident b) injuries sustained c) compensation paid out d) the year
Response	No compensation has been paid to staff as a result of accidents at work 1 April 2006 - 31 March 2011.

14/09/2011

EIR/FOI request

Date responded	11/10/2011
Questions	1) I would be grateful if you could provide me (by E mail to this address) copies of all E mails sent and received by your land charges section over the last 6 years to all external bodies ( excluding firms of solicitors and conveyancers). 2) I would also be obliged to receive a copy of your document retention policy.
Response	1) Due to the wide scope of this request and the fact that it covers a substantial time period, it is estimated that the time for compliance will exceed 18 hours, and the Council therefore considers the information to be exempt from disclosure under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The requestor has been provided with the opportunity to resubmit the request narrowing the criteria for information. 2) A copy of the current Document Retention Policy is attached
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450
Associated documents	PDF Document Retention Policy (779 KB)

14/09/2011

Aston Down

Date responded	11/10/2011
Questions	I am requesting the following information under the Freedom of Information Act - 1. All correspondence between Stroud District Council and VOSA regarding the Aston Down site. 2. All correspondence between Stroud District Council and VOSA regarding Veolia, Dave Skinner, David Short, B.Sindle and Son or any other H.G.V operator on the Aston Down site. 3. All correspondence between Stroud District Council and VOSA regarding the planning status of the Aston Down site. 4. All correspondence between Stroud District Council and VOSA regarding the breaches of conditions by Sindle and Son or any of the other tenets of Aston Down.
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on the 14th September 2011. Please find attached PDFs of the information requested (please see below). Please note a similar request for information was received by the local planning authority earlier in the year, which called for "all documents, e-mails and any other form of correspondence / reports between Stroud DC and Leda properties / Leda Properties Pension Fund their agents or occupiers / tenants of the Aston Down site and VOSA from the 1st January 2010 to 18th May 2011 regarding the operating conditions put in place by the Secretary of State and Stroud District Council on the Aston Down site or relating to the breaches of conditions that have taken place within that period." In researching the current request for information, additional documentation has come to light in respect of the original request for information received by this authority on 18th May 2011. This includes an email dated the 13th April 2011and is included in the attached PDF "Information Requested" (96.7 KB). I hope this information is of use to you. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.
Associated documents	PDF Information Requested (461 KB) PDF Corresponding Plan (160 KB) PDF Information Requested (97 KB)

15/09/2011

Aston Down - Enforcement Notice

Date responded	12/10/2011
Questions	UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 and ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS 2004 please supply me with the following information: (1) What steps has SDC taken to remedy the breach of the Enforcement Notice by B Sindle and Sons Haulage and Leda Properties Limited? (2) Please supply me with all correspondence, including memos and notes of meetings regarding (1) above.
Response	Thank you for your request for information received in this office on the 15th September 2011. Please find attached PDFs containing the information relating to your request (please see below). In answer to the first question, please find attached the Weekly List Report dated 17th June 2011 and a Letter from Legal Services dated 23rd September 2011. In answer to the second request, please find attached letters to Nick Hardcastle of Leda Properties dated 2nd June 2011, 30th September 2011 (sent 4th October), 26th July 2011, 29th June 2011 and email correspondence between David Corker (Principal Appeals Officer), Darryl Rogers (Principal Planning Officer) and VOSA.' A meeting was held and attended by David Corker, Phillip Skill (Head of Planning), Robert Weaver (Environmental Health), Jon Beckett (Environmental Health), Larissa Lowe (Legal) and Cllrs Roden, Tait, Forbes and Binns on 27th June 2011.The Council considers some of the information requested to be exempt from disclosure under section 42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as it is legally privileged. The exemption for legal professional privilege is a qualified exemption, meaning that the Council must apply the public interest test when considering whether or not the exemption should be applied. The public interest test has been considered in these circumstances and the Council considers the balance to lie in favour of the exemption. This includes the notes taken at this meeting. A further meeting attended by David Corker, Phil Skill, Rob Weaver, Peter Cruden (Legal) and Cllrs Roden, Tait and Forbes took place on 22 September 2011. No notes were taken at this meeting. The outcome is however summarised in Peter Cruden’s letter dated 23 September 2011. I hope that this information is of assistance to you. If you have a complaint in respect of the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Council’s Legal Services Manager for a review. If you remain dissatisfied then you can write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.
Associated documents	PDF Weekly List Report 17/06/11 (173 KB) PDF Letter from Legal Services 23/09/11 (138 KB) PDF Letter to Leda Properties 02/06/11 (153 KB) PDF Letter to Leda Properties 04/10/11 (158 KB) PDF Letter to Leda Properties 26/07/11 (156 KB) PDF Letter to Leda Properties 29/06/11 (152 KB) PDF Emails between DC, DJR and VOSA (97 KB)

16/09/2011

Departmental information

Date responded	12/10/2011
Questions	1. If you have a Housing Team that deal with tenancy management - and if so who is the head of this department and what is their job title 2. Do you have any types of wardens such as street wardens or neighbourhood wardens (not dog wardens) - and if so who is the head of this department and what is their job title Also - do any of these wear body cameras? 3. Do you have an Anti-Social behaviour team - and if so who is the head of this department and what is their job title 4. Do you have Environmental Enforcement officers - and if so who is the head of this department and what is their job title 5. Do you have Parking Civil Enforcement Officers - and if so who is the head of this department and what is their job title 6. Do you have a Benefit Fraud team - and if so who is the head of this department and what is their job title Many Thanks for any assistance that you can give as I am trying to write to these heads of service and am struggling to find the information on your website
Response	E-mail and telephone contact details of the Council's Heads of Service are available from the Council's website. 1. Carl Brazier, Strategic Head of Tenant Services, is responsible for Tenancy Management. 2./3./5. Phil Sullivan, Head of Community Safety, is responsible for Neighbourhood Wardens and Civil Enforcement Officers. These officers do not wear body cameras. 4. Jon Beckett, Head of Environmental Health, is responsible for Environmental Enforcement Officers 6. Joanne Jordan, Strategic Head of Customer Services, is responsible for the Benefit Fraud Team.

19/09/2011

Financial Implications for Stray Dog Control

Date responded	12/10/2011
Questions	I would be grateful if you could advise me what the TOTAL annual expenditure is for your Stray Dog Control. Please provide a breakdown of all related costs within this to include Staffing, Office Space, Telephone Costs, Administration Costs, Kennelling, Food, Medication, Provision for Micro-Chipping, Vehicles, Education, and any other related costs that have not been listed here.
Response	Please see attached documents
Associated documents	PDF Stray Dog Control Costs (76 KB)

26/09/2011

CCTV Camera Locations

Date responded	10/10/2011
Questions	I request a list of all Public Space Surveillance camera positions. This information is submitted to yourselves usually in the form of an asset register containing longitude and latitude or other geographical coordinates/indicators of the camera(s) position. This includes all cameras owned/operated by your organisation and also we request all positions of Bus Lane/Traffic enforcement cameras. This list is usually in the form of an excel file
Response	Please see attached document.
Associated documents	PDF CCTV Location (11 KB)

26/09/2011

Play areas and parks

Date responded	21/10/2011
Questions	Please could you supply a list of all the childrens play areas and parks that are ultimately your responsibility? Ideally it would be helpful to have the name, address including a postcode or grid reference. Any additional information with regard to opening times, equipment or applicable age ranges would be much appreciated. The information will be to use on a nationwide directory of play areas making them easier to find for those not familiar with the area. I understand that some play areas will be maintained or managed by Parish or sub-councils if this is so could you forward this request or supply their email address or other pertinent contact information so I may ask them the same questions.
Response	Attached is a document which contains information on all the play areas and parks that are currently the responsibility of Stroud District Council. Also attached are the contact details for all the town and parish councils within the Stroud district.
Associated documents	PDF SDC Play Areas October 2011 (159 KB) PDF Town and Parish Councils (92 KB)

26/09/2011

Contract details, expiry date etc for PBX

Date responded	13/10/2011
Questions	Please can you forward my Freedom of Information request to the relevant person within the Council? My request is to do with Information Technology and I require contractual information regarding the Council’s PBX maintenance contracts please can you send me the following information • Exisiting Supplier (s) • Total Value of the overall contract (s) • Information on any applications running on the PBX • The durations of the contract • The Expiry Date • The Contract Review date • A contact from the Council that deals with this.
Response	The details of the only valid/current contract for PBX maintenance that the council has at present is listed below: 1. Exisiting Supplier(s): Bailey Teswaine 2. Total Value of the overall contract(s): £4000 @ annum 3. Information on any applications running on the PBX Mitel Contact Centre Software: 4: The durations of the contract: One year 5. The Expiry Date: On going 6. The Contract Review date: Apr-12 7. A contact from the Council that deals with this: Pauline Bird

27/09/2011

Pension contributions

Date responded	24/10/2011
Questions	1. The total amount paid in employer’s contributions to staff pension schemes in the financial year 2009-10, not including staff in schools and the fire service. “Employer’s contributions” should include all payments to the scheme, including added years benefit and unfunded payments. 2. The total amount paid in employer’s contributions to staff pension schemes in the financial year 2010-11, not including staff in schools and the fire service. “Employer’s contributions” should include all payments to the scheme, including added years benefit and unfunded payments. 3. How many serving councillors are members of the pension scheme for each of the financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11? 4. The deficit of the pension scheme on each of the following days: 1st April 2009, 1st April 2010, and 1st April 2011.
Response	1. The total amount paid in employer’s contributions to staff pension schemes in the financial year 2009-10 by Stroud District Council was £1.974 million. 2. The total amount paid in employer’s contributions to staff pension schemes in the financial year 2010-11 by Stroud District Council was £2.068 million. 3. There are no serving Councillors who were members of the pension scheme for each of the financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11. 4. The deficit of the pension scheme on the following datess was as follows: 1st April 2009 - £28.279 million 1st April 2010 - £53.450 million 1st April 2011 - £26.869 million

27/09/2011

Unpaid Debts

Date responded	24/10/2011
Questions	Provide a breakdown of the amount written off by the council in unpaid debts over the following three financial years: 2008/9; 2009/10; 2010/2011. Please provide this broken down for each year by type of debt: including council tax, business rates, parking fines, overpaid benefits.
Response	Please see attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Write Offs (42 KB)

27/09/2011

: Freedom of Information // The Times // Homelessness

Date responded	18/10/2011
Questions	How many residents in your council area have been identified by the council as currently being "at risk" of losing their homes? (eg: those in housing difficulty who have contacted the council for assistance in any of the above situations and those identified by the council as being at risk of becoming homeless), comparing figures September 2010 and September 2011. 2. Can you provide a breakdown of these residents by their tenure (privately renting, council tenants, private homeowners)? 3. Can you provide a breakdown of the reasons given by households in need of advice or assistance (eg: redundancy, family breakdown, domestic violence, financial difficulty etc)? 4. Does your council have an accurate figure or estimate for the number of people in the council area currently sleeping rough, as at your last rough sleeping count? 5. Does your council have an accurate figure or estimate for the number of people placed by the council and currently living in temporary accommodation? Comparing figures for September 2010 and September 2011. 6. What is the council's total budget for homelessness services in the 2011/12 financial year, and how does this compare to the budget for 2009/10 and 2010/11? 7. Has the council been forced to scale back its homelessness services/provision due to budget cuts in the past year?
Response	1. 2. and 3. We do not keep separate records of those “at risk” of losing their home at any one time as other factors are also relevant eg a property can be considered unsuitable on medical grounds in varying degrees of urgency. All authorities have an allocation policy that details how competing priorities are regarded. We hold a Housing Register; keep records of those who present as homeless and of those who we have prevented from becoming homeless. Please see attached data for the 2 previous years. 4 Our current estimate of rough sleepers is 4-5. 5 Figures for those in temporary accommodation are recorded nationally on the last day of each financial year. 2010 =7 households; 2011 =4 households. 6 Combined data for homelessness and prevention services 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Gross expenditure £210,000 £297,500 £269,400 Gross Income £70,000 £75,000 £70,000 £140,700 £222,500 £199,000 7 No
Associated documents	PDF Customer Report 2009-10 (31 KB) PDF Customer Report 2010-11 (34 KB)

27/09/2011

Car Parks

Date responded	21/10/2011
Questions	Which council run car park in your council area achieved the highest income in the last financial year? Please give the name and address of the car park, what the total income from it was to the council last year and how many parking spaces are in that car park?
Response	The Council-run car park with the highest income in 2010/11 is the Multi-Storey car park in London Road, Stroud, Glos. Total income was £102,462 from ticket sales at the Multi-Storey and £8,866 for season ticket sales over three car parks of which the Multi-Storey is one (both figures exclude VAT). There are 358 parking spaces in the Multi-Storey.

28/09/2011

Consultants

Date responded	27/10/2011
Questions	Question: Please can you inform me a) how many consultants the Council are currently using b)what process was used to them c) what length of time have they been contracted for d) what they are paid.
Response	a) The Council is currently using 2 consultants b) Their services were acquired by approaching Public Sector consultancies c) The consultants have been contracted for 20 & 22 months d) The bill rate is £400 and £650 per day

29/09/2011

Public House Noise

Date responded	06/10/2011
Questions	Dear sir or madam, I wondered if under the terms of the Freedom of information act, you would be able to provide me with the number of (and if possible the details of) any complaints received by your environmental health department, relating to noise, associated with Public House/Restaurant (A3/A4) premises from within your area, during the last 5 years? I would be extremely grateful of any information you could provide, as a matter of urgency, and thank you in anticipation for any information provided. kindest regards and thanks
Response	Please see attached documents
Associated documents	PDF Noise (171 KB)

29/09/2011

Vehicle Rental/Leasing

Date responded	17/10/2011
Questions	Details of whom currently supplies the authority with both vehicle rental and vehicle leasing services, together with the monetary value of these contracts and their expiry dates.
Response	We have 5 vans in Environmental Health and they are all leased by Lloyds TSB Autolease (Lex Autolease ServiceTrak) 4 of the vans leases are due to expire November 2013, the 5th van expired some years ago so we pay a monthly fee classed as an extension. Van 1 £2934.12 Annual Van 2 £2934.12 Annual Van 3 £2832.24 Annual Van 4 £2832.24 Annual Van 5 £205.12 Monthly The planning service hires one vehicle (car), which officers use when out on site (e.g. for site visits etc…) • We hire the car from Europcar Gloucester • The contract is open ended – it is automatically renewed / extended every 28 days, unless notified otherwise • The monetary value of the contract is £15.58 per day

FOI requests for August 2011

Date received

Subject of request

01/08/2011

Motorway Service under the jurisdiction of Stroud District Council

Date responded	30/08/2011
Questions	I am writing under the Freedom of Information Act to ask for the following information, to include all copies of relevant correspondence including reports, emails, letters, phone notes, faxes, meeting notes and any other form of communication: 1. How many motorway service areas are there under the jurisdiction of Stroud District Council? 2. How often are these premises (including eating establishments, hotels, shops and petrol stations on each site) subject to inspections by the Council’s Environmental Health team(s)? 3. Since January 2008 have any of these premises been found in contravention of food safety regulations or any other rules or regulations enforced by the Environmental Health team(s)? If so, which regulations or rules; what action was taken as a result and when? 4. Has the Council received complaints related to food safety or environmental health concerns at any of these premises from members of the public or from staff at the premises? If so, how many; what was the nature of the complaint(s); what action was taken by the Council and when? Please could you enclose with the answers to the above any reports (including inspection reports, internal reports or those issued to the relevant establishments), announcements or statements issued by the Council about food safety and environmental health in relation to motorway service areas.
Response	1. There is one motorway service station in this District, Michaelwood Services on the M5. 2. The motorway service stations on either side of the motorway are visited according to the risk ratings applied at the time of inspection. The service station is currently on an 18 month inspection cycle. 3. Photocopies of inspection reports relating to contraventions of food safety and health and safety legislation. and 4. Summary reports relating to complaints we have received since Jan 2008 are attached below.
Associated documents	PDF Motorway Services under Stroud District Council's Jurisdiction (887 KB)

01/08/2011

Locations of dog waste/ poo bins for which the local authority is responsible

Date responded	01/08/2011
Questions	Freedom of Information Request: Locations of dog waste/ poo bins for which the local authority is responsible I wish to find out the location of all dog waste bins and any parks where my dog is allowed to walk off the lead in the area for which you are responsible as a Council. Please can you send me maps highlighting the locations of all dog waste bins and parks suitable for dogs off the lead? Please send the information electronically, if possible as JSON / XML structured objects (an example below). If not possible then in whatever format you, or your subcontractors, hold the information electronically either to my home address or email address: { locations: [ { street: "14 beech road", city: "london", county: "london", }, { latLng: { lat: 39.900799, lng: -76.606102
Response	Please see attached documents.
Associated documents	PDF Dog Bin List (534 KB)

02/08/2011

A LIST OF ALL PUBLIC HEALTH FUNERALS IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS

Date responded	03/08/2011
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 I write to request the following: The names of all Public Health Funerals/ bona vacantia estates passed or in the process of being referred ie pending referral to The Treasury Solicitor ( BV ) Department or Duchy of Lancaster within the last 4 weeks. We request the following information only: 1) The full name of the deceased 2) The date of death 3) Last known address 4) Approximate value of estate ( if not exempt )
Response	Nil

02/08/2011

Sports Pitches

Date responded	10/08/2011
Questions	How many playing pitches - whether it be for football, rugby, cricket or hockey etc - have been lost on council-run public parks in the past 10 years. If there have been any pitch losses, could you please tell me for what reasons the pitches have been closed.
Response	No playing pitches have been lost on council-run parks in the past 10 years.

03/08/2011

Number of inappropriate images found on council computers during the last 5 financial years

Date responded	25/08/2011
Questions	1. Please disclose how many times inappropriate images have been found on council computers during each of the last five financial years. (Please give a separate figure for each year.) 2. In each instance, please state how many council staff have been subject to disciplinary action and what action was taken. 3. Breaking down the data by year, please specify how many images were found, and whether they were rated as “highly inappropriate”, “inappropriate”, “illegal” or “other”. E.g. Year Severity of Images Number of images 2010-11 Inappropriate 6000 Highly Inappropriate 2000 Please also outline what sort of material the council understands the terms “highly inappropriate”, “inappropriate” etc. to encompass. 4. If the council uses any software to identify inappropriate images on council computers, please specify what kind of software and how much it has cost the council over the past five financial years.
Response	1. Please disclose how many times inappropriate images have been found on council computers during each of the last five financial years. Answer : Once in 2009 2. In each instance, please state how many council staff have been subject to disciplinary action and what action was taken. Answer: No action was taken following an investigation. 3. Breaking down the data by year, please specify how many images were found, and whether they were rated as “highly inappropriate”, “inappropriate”, “illegal” or “other”. Please also outline what sort of material the council understands the terms “highly inappropriate”, “inappropriate” etc. to encompass. Answer: 2009: 2. The Councils's Security Policy classifies data as either appropriate or inappropriate. 4. If the council uses any software to identify inappropriate images on council computers, please specify what kind of software and how much it has cost the council over the past five financial years. Answer: We use two approaches. Our ISP provides image and content software scanning against all inbound/outbound emails and web traffic. The cost of this is typically £1000 @ quarter. We also commission a scan of our key servers for inappropriate content, whether that be inappropriate images or words, and that typically costs approximately £3,000.

03/08/2011

G4S Contract

Date responded	30/08/2011
Questions	Can you please provide details of all contracts you have with G4S Plc, specifically what service it is they provide, the length of that contract and how much money the contract is worth per annum. Please also provide the same details of any contract they are currently tendering for with your authority.
Response	We have 2 contracts with G4S Plc. 1.Collection of cash from car park machines and transporting it to the cash counting centre. The contract is an annual one that rolls over each year. The cost for the contract is around £18,500.00 per year, this can vary if they are asked to make extra collections. 2.Cash collection from Ebley Mill Council Offices and Multi- use sports and leisure sites. Contract is on going and rolling , no fixed termination date. The contract is worth around £22,000 pa. G4S are not currently tendering with Stroud District Council.

03/08/2011

Traveller Sites

Date responded	31/08/2011
Questions	1) Please provide me with details about how much your council has spent, in each of the last three financial years, on unauthorised or temporary gypsy and/or traveller encampments. 2) Please provide me with details about how much your council has spent, in each of the last three financial years, on unauthorised or temporary gypsy and traveller settlements. Please provide a total expense figure for each of the financial years: 2008 – 2009; 2009 – 2010; 2010 – 2011. Please include any costs spent on clearing sites, legal fees, clean-up costs, increased security measures to protect council land, waste disposal, bailiffs, barriers, CCTV systems and repairs and any other costs incurred. If possible, please provide a breakdown of the costs for each of the three financial years. If this breakdown of costs goes beyond the limits of time you can spend on this FOI application, please simply include a total figure for each financial year. 3) Please provide me with details about how many unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments and settlements were dealt with by your council during the course of the last three financial years. Please include the names of the locations of these unauthorised encampments / settlements, or a description of the site. For example a football pitch, school field or layby etc. 4) Please provide me with details about how much money has been set aside, if any, by your council for provision for dealing with future unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments and settlements.
Response	Response from Environmental Health We are unable to make a distinction between encampment and settlement so have included these together. We haven`t included staff costs as this is part of EHO normal work activities and it is virtually impossible to break it down. 2008-09 Total figure spent on unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments = £ 0 Breakdown of costs spent on unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments: Site clearance = £ 0 Legal fees £ 0 Clean up costs £ 0 No of sites dealt with 2 - County Council Owned highway land adjacent to motorway and B road highway land 2009-10 Total figure spent on unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments = £ 0 Breakdown of costs spent on unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments: Site clearance = £ 0 Legal fees £ 0 Clean up costs £ 0 No of sites dealt with 1 - highway adjacent to motorway 2010- 11 Total figure spent on unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments = £ 0 Breakdown of costs spent on unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments: Site clearance = £ 0 Legal fees £ 12 (land registry search) Clean up costs £ 0 No of sites dealt with 1 - B road highway land There is no specific budget for dealing with unauthorised Gypsy/Traveller encampments Response from Public space: Public Spaces has been involved in only one clearance of waste from a settlement/encampment. It involved a clearance of 35 tyres from a site at Stinchcombe near Dursley on 18th February 2010. The cost of clearance was £57.84. No other costs were incurred or fees charged. Public Spaces has been involved in other waste clearance works that do not fit in with the criteria listed below. None of these works have knowingly involved travellers or gypsies. Response from Development Services: We answered a very similar request earlier in the year on 12 April 2011. The Local District Planning Authority has not spent any money on unauthorised or temporary gypsy and or traveller encampments. Gloucestershire Country Council`s Gypsies and Travellers Service Team may be able to advise further. The Council is considering the possibility of a back to back compulsory purchase of an abandoned (authorised) gypsy and traveller site at Naas Lane in Brookethorpe. However, at this time no money has been spent and if the project were to progress all costs would be paid by the "back to back" partner.

04/08/2011

Data lose by council employees

Date responded	02/09/2011
Questions	Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to request details of incidents of lost data by council employees. To outline my request as specifically as possible, I’m asking for the following: 1. The number of cases where data consisting of personal information of council residents or employees was lost while in the custody of an employee of the council and the nature of the data. Data may be on a laptop, data stick, external hard drive, sensitive papers or otherwise which were lost (not reported stolen) and include names, home addresses, bank details, mobile phone numbers, etc. 2. The number of employees of the council that have been disciplined internally losing data as described above in the last three years. 3. In each case where data was lost, list any responses by the council to rectify the situation or other ramifications such as complaints from residents, changes in staff procedures, changes in use of technology, and the disciplinary action taken (if any) against the employee. In each case, I request that you provide a clear, itemised list of the offences committed by the individual in question i.e. "Council USB left/lost in internet cafe" or "Council external hard drive left in taxi". I would like the information displayed in the table below. I have taken the opportunity to include a couple of example responses. Outline of what was lost/reported missing/accessed Data contained Action taken criminal/discipline Additional Responses to Rectify loss Council USB stick left/lost in internet cafe Council Employee names and email addresses Final written warning issued None taken Council external hard drive left in taxi Names of residents in local authority housing Suspended from work without pay for two weeks Database rebuilt and password access further restricted
Response	Stroud District Council has had no known cases of personal data loss.

04/08/2011

Trade Unions

Date responded	31/08/2011
Questions	1. The total amount of money paid to all trade unions for financial periods a) 2009-10 and b) 2010-11 broken down by trade union. 2. For each trade union for which it applies, please provide the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff working for the union (this is sometimes called ‘Trade Union facility time’) in a) 2009-10 and b) 2010-11
Response	1. The Council does not pay money to any trade union. 2. There are no staff working directly for any union. The recognised union, Unison has an Executive of 10 members. It is estimated internally that less than 300 hours per year are spent on union duties.

09/08/2011

Request for details of Occupier of Weavers Croft and Park House BA Ref: 856185003

Date responded	10/08/2011
Questions	This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Please could you confirm who occupied/was liable for the following property during the mentioned periods. If spilt occupier please can you give exact dates of occupation. WEAVERS CROFT AND PARK HOUSE, PARK ROAD, STROUD, GLOS BA REF: 856185003 FROM 2000 TO 2005 I understand you may not be able to give me this information if it’s a sole trader but if it’s a Ltd company you can. Thank you and look forward to hearing from you.
Response	Thank you for your request. The occupier throughout was 2gether NHS Foundation Trust

10/08/2011

Empty Houses

Date responded	26/08/2011
Questions	How many properties are currently classed as empty in the Stroud District? (within the last 3-6 months will be okay if the current figures are not available) How many of thes properties are in Hardwicke?
Response	As at today's date, there are currently 131 Council properties empty. None of these properties are in Hardwicke.

10/08/2011

Staffing queries

Date responded	06/09/2011
Questions	1. Has the authority made any compulsory redundancies from 1 April 2010 – 31 March 2011? 2. Please provide the number of employees (headcount) by gender taking a) voluntary early retirement; b) voluntary redundancy and c) made compulsorily redundant from 1 April 2010 – 31 March 2011. Please count only those employees who have left. Do not include employees whose fixed term contract has ended. If you are not able to provide a breakdown between voluntary/ compulsory redundancy, please provide numbers for total redundancies. If you are not able to provide a breakdown by gender, please provide totals. Any staff leaving under a voluntary severance scheme should be included in the totals for voluntary redundancy. 3. Please provide the number (headcount) of i) full time and ii) part time employees by gender taking a) voluntary early retirement; b) voluntary redundancy and c) made compulsorily redundant from 1 April 2010 – 31 March 2011. Do not include employees whose fixed term contract has ended. If you are not able to provide a breakdown between voluntary/ compulsory redundancy, please provide numbers for total redundancies. If you are not able to provide a breakdown by gender, please provide totals. Any staff leaving under a voluntary severance scheme should be included in the totals for voluntary redundancy. 4. From 1 April 2010 – 31 March 2011 please provide a breakdown of the numbers (headcount) taking early retirement, voluntary redundancy or being made compulsorily redundant for each financial year by the occupational groups listed below. Do not include employees whose fixed term contract has ended. If you are not able to provide a breakdown between voluntary/ compulsory redundancy, please provide numbers for total redundancies. Any staff leaving under a voluntary severance scheme should be included in the totals for voluntary redundancy. 5. What was the total revenue expenditure in the financial year 2010/11 in respect of (a) Severance payments or compensation arising from voluntary early retirement or voluntary redundancy, (b) Payments to the Local Government Pension Scheme in respect of pension strain costs arising from voluntary early retirement; voluntary or compulsory redundancy, (c) Other costs associated with voluntary early retirement, voluntary or compulsory redundancy. 6. Please provide the number (headcount) of agency staff supplied to the authority on a) 1 April 2010 and b) 31 March 2011. If you are unable to provide the figures for these 2 dates, please provide the figures for the nearest dates for which data is available. 7. Please provide the number (headcount) of apprentices employed by the authority on a) 1 April 2010 and b) 31 March 2011. If you are unable to provide the figures for these 2 dates, please provide the figures for the nearest dates for which data is available. 8. From 1 April 2010 – 31 March 2011, has the authority completed equality impact assessments (EIAs) on a) the initial proposals and/or b) the final outcome of any redundancies made?
Response	1. There were 3 compulsory redundancies during the period 1 April 2010 - 31 March 2011. 2 & 3. There were 2 Females (part-time) and 1 Male (full-time) who were made redundant. 4. The redundancies fell into Occupational Group = Other. 5. Cost of severance payments in 10/11 totalled £30,020. 6. In July 2010 the number of agency temps working at the Council = 21. 7. Number of apprentices employed during 2010/11 = 6 8. Equality impact assessments were not made in relation to the redundancies carried out.

11/08/2011

Fair Play For Children

Date responded	08/09/2011
Questions	I am seeking information from your Council regarding budgetary provision for specified matters in the last three complete financial years under Freedom of Information legislation. Name of Local Authority: Name of contact Contact telephone number Contact email Please give Council total expenditure in 2009-2010 Please give Council total expenditure in 2010-2011 Please give Council projected total expenditure in 2011-2012 * Total Leisure expenditure 2009-10 * Total Leisure expenditure 2010-2011 * Projected Total Leisure expenditure 2011-2012 * Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2009-2010 - Capital * Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2010-2011 - Capital * Projected Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2011-2012 - Capital * Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2009-2010 - Revenue * Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2010-2011 - Revenue * Projected Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2011-2012 - Revenue * Expenditure Council-provided Playschemes 2009-2010 * Expenditure Council-provided Playschemes 2010-2011 * Projected Expenditure Council-provided Playschemes 2011-2012 * Expenditure all other Council staffed play provision 2009-2101 * Expenditure all other Council staffed play provision 2010-2011 * Projected Expenditure all other Council staffed play provision 2011-2012 * Youth Service Budget 2009-2010 * Youth Service Budget 2010-2011 * Projected Youth Service Budget 2011-2012 * Grant-aid for Third Sector Children's Play Projects 2009-2010 * Grant-aid for Third Sector Children's Play Projects 2010-2011 * Projected Grant-aid for Third Sector Children's Play Projects 2011-2012 * Please denote political control of Council * • Conservative • Green • Labour • Liberal Democrat • No overall control • Con/LibDem agreement • Lab/Lib Dem agreement • Other:
Response	Name of Local Authority: Stroud District Council Name of contact Contact telephone number Contact email Please give Council total expenditure in 2009-2010: £38,896,000.00 (General Fund £14,244,000.00, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) £24,652,000.00 = £38,896,000.00) Please give Council total expenditure in 2010-2011: £37,009,000.00 (General Fund £13,689,000.00, HRA £23,320,000.00 = £37,009,000.00) Please give Council projected total expenditure in 2011-2012 : £36,878,000.00 (General Fund £13,558,000.00, HRA £23,320,000.00 = £36,878,000.00) Notes - HRA Expenditure is stated Gross so does not take into account income from Rents and Service Charges. General Fund expenditure is net of specific grants and income from fees and charges. Total Leisure expenditure 2009-10 * See note below** Total Leisure expenditure 2010-2011 * See note below** Projected Total Leisure expenditure 2011-2012 * See note below Leisure Spend: We are unable to answer this question as you do not define what services your definition of leisure encompasses, or whether it relates to capital or revenue expenditure or both. The Government collect data through the Revenue Outturn forms on Recreation and Sport which would be comparable across authorities. Please can you clarify whether this would be suitable. Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2009-2010 - Capital: £56,000.00 Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2010-2011 - Capital: External Funding Projected Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2011-2012 - Capital: External Funding Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2009-2010 - Revenue: Play rangers funded by external funding Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2010-2011 - Revenue: 0 Projected Expenditure Council Children's Play Areas 2011-2012 - Revenue: 0 Expenditure Council-provided Playschemes 2009-2010: £12,003.85 Expenditure Council-provided Playschemes 2010-2011: £13,100.65 Projected Expenditure Council-provided Playschemes 2011-2012: £13,000.00 Expenditure all other Council staffed play provision 2009-2101: £6000.00 Expenditure all other Council staffed play provision 2010-2011: £5000.00 Projected Expenditure all other Council staffed play provision 2011-2012: £5000.00 Youth Service Budget 2009-2010 : Please see note below* Youth Service Budget 2010-2011:Please see note below* Projected Youth Service Budget 2011-2012: Please see note below* *This is not a function of the District Council - Youth Service is a function of 1st tier authorities (County Council, Unitary or Metropolitan Boroughs) Grant-aid for Third Sector Children's Play Projects 2009-2010: £0 Grant-aid for Third Sector Children's Play Projects 2010-2011: £0 Projected Grant-aid for Third Sector Children's Play Projects 2011-2012: £0 Please denote political control of Council: Conservative

14/08/2011

Posts

Date responded	20/09/2011
Questions	1. Please supply me with an up-to-date copy of your current structure chart or charts, to include posts which are dedicated to processing subject access requests, freedom of information requests and environmental information requests, to include job title, salary band and Whole/Full Time Equivalent. If you do not have a post or posts which are dedicated to processing subject access requests, freedom of information requests and environmental information requests, can you please provide me with an overview of the arrangements you have in place for dealing with these types of requests within your organisation. 2. Over the last two financial years how many Whole/Full Time Equivalent Information specialists has your organisation employed who deal the following and how many do you anticipate employing in 2011/12? I would prefer it if you could provide the information using the attached Excel worksheet please, if you are unable to do this, please provide the following information: Number of staff (WTE/FTE) 2009/2010 2010/11 2011/12 (anticipated) Data Protection ;Freedom of Information Information Sharing EIR Requests Information Security
Response	The Council does not have any staff whose posts are specifically dedicated to dealing with the provision of information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However, each service within the Council has two Freedom of Information Champions who collate and respond to requests. Contact details for these Champions can be viewed on the Council’s website at: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/legal/making_request.asp In respect of the Council’s process for dealing with requests for information, each request is logged on a centralised system and the Champions for the relevant Council services collate the information and send it out as necessary.

16/08/2011

Address of all domestic property that has been empty for 12 months or more in the local area.

Date responded	17/08/2011
Questions	I am writing under the freedom of information act 2000 for all propertys that have been empty for 12 months or more in the local area. I would also like the postal codes, date from when the property was empty. The information i request is for domestic propertys only.
Response	The information requested on domestic properties is exempt from disclosure under section 40 (personal information) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

17/08/2011

Stray Animals since 1st January 2011

Date responded	12/09/2011
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act, please can you provide the following information about stray animals dealt with by your council - or any organisation fulfilling this task on behalf of your council - since 1st January 2007: - Has your council (or its agency) ever dealt with the same animal as a stray on more than one occasion (ie, has any animal been "picked up" as a stray on more than one occasion)? If so, please identify which animal has been dealt with by your council the most times, and on how many occasions? - Please can you also indicate which animal, currently the responsibility of your council (or its agency), has been in this position for the longest period of time and when it first entered the council's care? - Has your council (or its agency) handled any stray animals apart from dogs? If so, please indicate what the animals were, the circumstances of each case (including where it was found), and the animal's fate (ie, whether the animal was reunited with owners / rehomed / euthanised / awaiting rehoming)?
Response	Please see response below to FOI request received on 17/08/11: Yes, an animal has been dealt with as a stray more than once. Husky, female, black and white, picked up 3 times in 2007, 2 times in 2008, 1 occasion in 2009 and 1 occasion in 2011. Total: Seized as a stray 9 times. Currently 2 dogs in the care of this Council and both have been since 30/08/11. One is a Westie x, female and the other a Border Terrier x, male. No, only deal with stray dogs.

17/08/2011

Local Authority plans for winter – often called ‘Affordable Warmth Strategy’ or ‘Winter policy’

Date responded	25/08/2011
Questions	Age UK is conducting research into local authority plans for winter – often called ‘Affordable Warmth Strategy’ or ‘Winter policy’ – and how they plan to meet the needs of older people in the winter to reduce fuel poverty and excess winter deaths. They are usually publicly available. Would you be able to send me the plan/strategy or point me in the right direction to download it from the relevant part of the website?
Response	Please see attached document
Associated documents	PDF Local Authority plan for winter – often called ‘Affordable Warmth Strategy’ or ‘Winter policy’ (2,190 KB)

18/08/2011

Crematoria and Cemeteries

Date responded	01/09/2011
Questions	Crematoria Q1. At present, what is the TOTAL crematorium charge (including use of chapel, waiting rooms and attendances, floral decoration, recorded or organ music, scattering/strewing of ashes, medical referee’s fee, and environmental surcharge) at each crematorium operated by the council? Q2. Does the crematorium fee include an ‘environmental charge’ associated with the cost of mercury abatement, and if so, how much is this environmental charge? Q3. What was the council’s total crematorium charge (as described in Q1): (a) In April 2010 (b) In April 2009 (c) In April 2006 Q4: Has the council transferred any crematoria to private sector businesses and if so: (a) Please identify the private operator. (b) In what year did this take place? (c) Has the council restricted the fees which the private operator may charge, and if so what is the restriction? Cemeteries Q5. How many cemeteries does the council own and operate? Q6. How much does the council charge for an adult burial, to include an exclusive right of burial, for the minimum period of use, in a standard lawn grave, and including any interment fee? Q7. What was the charge for the same provision of a grave as described in Q8: (a) In April 2010 (b) In April 2009 (c) In April 2006 Q8. Are there any private sector cemeteries within the council’s boundaries and if so, please identify them and the company which operates them. Q9. Has the council transferred any cemeteries to private sector businesses and if so: (a) Please identify the private operator. (b) In what year did this take place? (c) Has the council restricted the fees which the private operator may charge, and if so what is the restriction? Q10: Please indicate whether the council has had to restrict or cease burials in its cemeteries because of a lack of capacity and if so, what arrangements are there for burials?
Response	A1. Not applicable A2. Not applicable A3. Not applicable A4. Not applicable A5. 2 - Stroud (operated by Stroud Town Council) and Brimscombe A6. £675 single £819 double A.7 (a) In April 2010 - £664 single £805 double (b) In April 2009 - £645 single £750 double (c) In April 2006 - £424 single £523 double A8. No A9. No A10.No

18/08/2011

Personal searches of the Local Land Charges register

Date responded	16/09/2011
Questions	Under EIR/FOI, I should be grateful if you would inform me of: • The Council’s understanding of the legal position on charges for personal searches. • The Council’s current charging policy for personal searches. • Estimates of the financial liability for refunds of charges wrongly made. The reply should include all recorded information covering the above issues. I.e. Committee reports, meeting minutes, correspondence within the Council and with outside organisations, including electronic information.
Response	1.and 3. The Council considers this information to be exempt from disclosure under section 42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which refers to legally privileged information. Section 42 is a qualified exemption, which means that the Council must consider the public interest in disclosure. The public interest test has been considered in respect of this information, but the Council considers the balance to lie in favour of the exemption. 2. We do not currently charge for personal searches.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 42 - Legal professional privilege

19/08/2011

Planning applications received since 1st August 2011 (places of worship, non-residential education and training centres, community centres etc...)

Date responded	08/09/2011
Questions	Can you please supply details of planning applications that have been submitted to your Local Authority since 1st August 2011. * Mosques – construction, expansion of existing, change of use to mosque. * Islamic institute – construction, expansion of existing, or change of use to islamic institute. * Community centre – construction, expansion of existing, or change of use to community centre. * Cultural centre – construction, expansion of existing, or change of use to cultural centre. * Islamic school or college – construction, expansion of existing, or change of use to islamic school or college. The details required are: * Planning application reference number * Site address
Response	Thank you for request for information received in this office on the 19th August 2011. I am wring to advise you that planning applications received since 2006 are available to view on the Council’s website at the following link - http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/planning/planning_application_search.asp If you fill in the ‘Show all applications which match the following criteria’ section and enter the appropriate date/s in the ‘Received After’ section, being mindful to highlight the ‘Show all applications’ box at the same time, you will be able display a list of planning applications received by the Local Planning Authority since 1st August 2011. Having searched the system on your behalf, I can confirm the LPA has only received one planning application relating to a D1 Use (i.e. Non-Residential Institutions, including non-residential education and training centres, places of worship, religious instruction and church halls) since the 1st August 2011. The application relates to a change of use from derelict cottage (C3 Use) to a D1 non-residential institution in Wotton-under-Edge and is made on the behalf of the Baptist Church (Planning Reference: S.11/1725/FUL). I can confirm no planning applications involving a D2 Use (i.e. Assembly and Leisure, including community centres etc…) have been received by the LPA since the 1st August 2011. In addition, a separate search of the key terms and phrases included in your request has also returned 'no results'. I hope this information is of use to you. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.

22/08/2011

EIR/FOI

Date responded	16/09/2011
Questions	Under EIR/FOI, I should be grateful if you would provide me with: All copy correspondence (including E- mails) your land charges staff have had amongst themselves and with all other bodies (including but not confined to staff at other Councils) on the subjects of : 1. Meetings of land charges staff, including reports and minutes of such meetings. 2. NLIS including copy contracts and differential pricing. 3. Search numbers for official and personal searches over the last 6 years 4. Market share of the Council for searches compared with the private sector 5. The formulation of Council charging policies and practises for all such environmental information as to enable a land property search to be undertaken 6. Restrictions on appointments for personal searches and number of searches permitted per appointment. 7. Staff numbers, staff reorganisations and salary gradings. 8. Charging policies and practices for personal searches of the local land charges register. 9. Liability for charges illegally made.
Response	Due to the wide scope of this request and the fact that it is not limited it to a fixed time period, it is estimated that the time for compliance will exceed 18 hours, and the Council therefore considers the information to be exempt from disclosure under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The requestor has been provided with the opportunity to resubmit the request narrowing the criteria for information.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450

24/08/2011

Council assets

Date responded	26/08/2011
Questions	1) With regards to the Councils assets (including buildings, properties and land) how many does the authority currently own. 2) With regards to the assets owned by your council how many are currently on the market for sale? 3) What is the estimated value of the assets on the market.
Response	1) Attached is a list of the Council's freehold assets or equivalent 2) None of the assets are currently on the market for sale 3) N/A - please refer to the answer to Question 2 Below is a link to the DCLG's demonstrator map. Public sector assets in England - Department for Communities and Local Government

25/08/2011

Information on Pest Control Service - Statistics

Date responded	25/08/2011
Questions	How many individuals were employed by the council between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011 under the remit of pest control? How many full time equivalents is this? What percentage change does this represent from 1st April 2009 – 31st March 2010? (positive = increase in overall numbers, negative = decrease in overall numbers) Of those individuals, how many were employed as servicing technicians? How many full time equivalents is this? What percentage change does this represent from 1st April 2009 – 31st March 2010? (positive = increase in overall numbers, negative = decrease in overall numbers) How many initial domestic service request involving rats were did the council deploy one or more technicians between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011? How many initial domestic service request involving mice were did the council deploy one or more technicians between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011? How many initial domestic service request involving mammals (other than rats or mice) did the council deploy one or more technicians to between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011?
Response	How many individuals were employed by the council between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011 under the remit of pest control? 3 How many full time equivalents is this? 3 What percentage change does this represent from 1st April 2009 – 31st March 2010? (positive = increase in overall numbers, negative = decrease in overall numbers) 0% Of those individuals, how many were employed as servicing technicians? 0 How many full time equivalents is this? 0 What percentage change does this represent from 1st April 2009 – 31st March 2010? (positive = increase in overall numbers, negative = decrease in overall numbers) 0% How many initial domestic service request involving rats were did the council deploy one or more technicians between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011? 1141 How many initial domestic service request involving mice were did the council deploy one or more technicians between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011? 105 How many initial domestic service request involving mammals (other than rats or mice) did the council deploy one or more technicians to between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011? n/a

25/08/2011

Request for personal information

Date responded	16/09/2011
Questions	Under the above, we would be obliged for copies of all files held by the Council in which APPS are mentioned.
Response	This information is exempt from disclosure under section 42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which covers Legal Professional Privilege. Section 42 is a qualified exemption, which means that the Council is required to consider the public interest in disclosure. Having applied the public interest test, the Council considers the balance to lie in favour of the exemption.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 42 - Legal professional privilege

25/08/2011

Housing related support services - commonly known as Supporting People services

Date responded	30/08/2011
Questions	1) What was the budget (i.e. expenditure or planned expenditure) for housing related support services (previously known as Supporting People services) for a) the previous financial year 2010/11 and b) the current financial year 2011/12? 2) a) What housing related support services have been decommissioned (or are proposed to be decommissioned) for the current financial year? For each of these services please list the client group affected, type of service and number of people losing support. b) What housing related support services have been reduced (or are proposed to be reduced) for the current financial year? Again, for each of these services please list the client group affected, type of service and number of users affected, as well as the reduction in funding levels. c) What if any new housing related support services have been commissioned (or will be commissioned) for the current financial year? For each of these services please list the client group, type of service and number of people to be supported (and whether it replaces a previously decommissioned service). 3) What if any assessments of the impact of recent changes and reductions to housing related support services have been made by the council? I would be grateful if you could provide copies of any impact assessments that have been undertaken in relation to changes to these services for the current or future financial years.
Response	This enquiry has been forwarded to Stroud District Council and received by Tenant Services. We can only reply in respect of the 790 sheltered housing units that we provide to persons aged 60 years of age and over. We are currently recipients of Supporting People funding equivalent to £565,000 per year. We are advised that this funding will continue until change is negotiated or we are given six months notice. We have been briefed that such notice will be given by 31 March 2012, with current contracts ending on 31 October 2012. No services have been commissioned or decommissioned in the current year which are provided by Stroud District Council. I appreciate that your enquiry is broader in scope and should you require further information I would suggest that you refer back to Gloucestershire County Council as the Supporting People Administering Authority.

26/08/2011

Public Health Burials in the last 4 weeks

Date responded	23/09/2011
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 I write to request the following: The names of all Public Health Funerals/ bona vacantia estates passed or in the process of being referred ie pending referral to The Treasury Solicitor ( BV ) Department or Duchy of Lancaster within the last 4 weeks. We request the following information only: 1) The full name of the deceased 2) The date of death 3) Last known address 4) Approximate value of estate ( if not exempt )
Response	Nil

30/08/2011

Garra Rufa Treatments

Date responded	12/09/2011
Questions	1)Are you aware of the draft guidance for Garra rufa fish treatments available through the Lacors website? 2)Please could you provide a list of businesses in your local authority who operate Garra rufa fish treatments. 3)Of these, how many offer:- hand/feet treatments only hand/feet AND fully body immersion 4)Were you consulted by the proprietor of the business prior to their opening for any guidance/information and if so did you feel you could provide the necessary guidance? 5)How many businesses did you inspect for the first time a. Before they opened b. After they had opened 6)Have you had to take any enforcement action against any of the salons? If so, for what reason? 7)Do you conduct water sampling at the salons? If so, do you have a specified sampling frequency? 8)Can you please provide all the water sampling results that you hold? Please state clearly if the results are from a foot, hand or body tank and whether results are repeat samples from the same salon. 9)Do you have a standard guidance document produced by the Council for salons? If so, can you please provide a copy of this.
Response	1) Are you aware of the draft guidance for Garra rufa fish treatments available through the Lacors website? No 2) Please could you provide a list of businesses in your local authority who operate Garra rufa fish treatments. None to my knowledge. 3) Of these, how many offer:- hand/feet treatments only - hand/feet AND fully body immersion N/A 4) Were you consulted by the proprietor of the business prior to their opening for any guidance/information and if so did you feel you could provide the necessary guidance? N/A 5) How many businesses did you inspect for the first time a. Before they opened b. After they had opened N/A 6) Have you had to take any enforcement action against any of the salons? If so, for what reason? N/A 7) Do you conduct water sampling at the salons? If so, do you have a specified sampling frequency? N/A 8) Can you please provide all the water sampling results that you hold? Please state clearly if the results are from a foot, hand or body tank and whether results are repeat samples from the same salon. N/A 9) Do you have a standard guidance document produced by the Council for salons? If so, can you please provide a copy of this. No

30/08/2011

Translation Services

Date responded	01/09/2011
Questions	How much did Stroud District Council spend on providing translation services in each of the following financial years: (1) 2008-09, (2) 2009-10 and (3) 2010-11.
Response	Translation Costs 2008/9 - Nil 2009/10 - £91.83 2010/11 - £84.90

31/08/2011

Supply, Service, Repair/Maintenance of Hoists, Mattresses and Beds

Date responded	06/09/2011
Questions	In regards to the contract for the Supply, Service, Repair/Maintenance of Hoists, Mattresses and Beds within your organisation, Medserve (RPP) Limited would like to request the following under the right to request information held by public sector organizations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which came into force in January 2005: 1. Contract Renewal Date 2. Contract Term 3. Contract Value for Full Contract Term
Response	The information you have requested under the Freedom of Information act can be found below. The supply, service, repairs/maintenance of hoists, mattresses and beds 1. Contract renewal date - March 2013 2. Contract Term - 2 years 3. Contract value - £14k

31/08/2011

Parking charges Freedom of Information request

Date responded	23/09/2011
Questions	Dear Sir or Madam This is a request under the Freedom of Information of Act. Please state the price of all parking permits at your local authority broken down by area and length of permit for each of the financial years 08/09, 09/10 and 10/11 in an Excel spreadsheet. Please state the number of permits issued to council employees by your local authority broken down by area and length of permit for each of the financial years 08/09, 09/10 and 10/11 in an Excel spreadsheet.
Response	See attachment
Associated documents	PDF Parking permit request 31 August 2011 (34 KB)

FOI requests for July 2011

Date received

Subject of request

01/07/2011

Public Service Pay

Date responded	12/07/2011
Questions	We are compiling a historical view of public sector pay, and will be tracking its changes during the application of the government’s austerity measures. To the best of our knowledge, the information is not freely available elsewhere. We have grouped staffed into 15 levels and would like to know what your total spend for each level of staff was, by month, for the last 6 financial years. Additionally to this, we would like to know how many staff you employed within each of the groups, by month for the last 6 financial years. Staff should be categorised according to their substantive post and basic salary. The groups of staff are: NON-EDUCATIONAL STAFF - Chief Executive The Chief Executive Executive Director Staff who are responsible for an entire directorate or division within the organisation. Staff at this level will report directly to the Chief Executive. - Senior Management Typically those who manage a full service within the organisation and are one step down from an executive director and will receive a standard pay higher than SCP49 -Middle Management Typically those on SCP 35 to 49 -Administrative / Junior Management Typically those on SCP 29 to 34 -Operation / Front Line Typically those on SCP 4 to 28 - Elected Member (Non Executive) Councillors and MP’s who are elected to their position, however, do not have any specific lead operational role within the organisation. - Elected Member (Executive) Councillors and MP’s who are elected to their position and hold a lead operational role within the organisation, often referred to as Lead Member. - Consultant Staff not directly employed by the organisation, who offer a specific skill for a period of time. This does not include temporary agency staff. EDUCATIONAL STAFF Head Teacher Deputy Head Teacher Department Head Teacher considered being head of department, subject lead, or head of year Teacher Teaching Staff, who are not head of department / subject lead Class Room Assistant Staff employed to support teachers in a live teaching environment Admin / Support Staff Other staff within schools who are not included in the previous categories No single post should be included in more than one of the groups, and all posts within the organisation should fit into one of the groups. When compiling the monthly spend, we would ask you include all remuneration amounts, including base salary, honorariums, bonuses, performance related pay, regional weighting (London Weighting) employer pension contributions, recruitment and retention, redundancy payments, and any other financial allowances. All figures should be reported pre-tax. Direct expenses, such as mileage claims or petty cash reimbursements should not be included. Also, please do not include any employer tax contributions. When calculating the number of staff employed within in each group, please consider each week of the month as 0.25. If a member of staff was only employed during the month for 1 week, record them as 0.25, two weeks of a month should be reported as 0.5, if they were employed for 3 weeks of the month, then report 0.75 and for an entire month, report as 1.0.
Response	Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act states that a public authority is not obliged to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying with a request exceeds the “appropriate limit” set out in the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/3244). Section 9A of the Data Protection Act makes the same provision for requesting personal information which is not held electronically and which is not held in a structured filing system. The Regulations set the appropriate limit for requests to local authorities as £450, at a standard rate of £25 per hour. This means that Stroud District Council will refuse a request for information if it estimates that the time taken to determine if the information is held, to locate and retrieve that information, and to extract the releasable information from any exempt information, will exceed 18 hours (£25 per hour for 18 hours being the £450 limit). Stroud District Council is committed to being an open and transparent Council, whilst at the same time protecting the privacy of personal and sensitive information. However, the cost of providing you with the information requested is above the amount to which we are legally required to respond. We are sorry that we are unable to assist on this occasion.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450

04/07/2011

Copies of the LAE1 form which the council is required to return to the Health and Safety Executive

Date responded	05/07/2011
Questions	I would like to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act: -Copies of the LAE1 form which the council is required to return to the Health and Safety Executive annually, for the past five available years.
Response	Attached are copies of LAE1 returns as requested. We were not able to make a return in 2008/09 due to difficulties in extracting data from a new information management system.
Associated documents	PDF LAE1 for 2005-2006 (203 KB) PDF LAE1 for 2006-2007 (259 KB) PDF LAE1 for 2007-2008 (200 KB) PDF LAE1 for 2009-2010 (169 KB) PDF LAE1 for 2010-2011 (92 KB)

05/07/2011

Sick days

Date responded	27/07/2011
Questions	I would like to find out the number of sick days taken by staff in the financial years 09/10 and the number for 10/11? Included in this how many staff have taken sick days and the reason for taking sick days.
Response	The number of days lost due to sickness absence by employees of the Council: 2009/10 - 8.56 days per Full Time Equivalent 2010/11 - 11.69 days per Full Time Equivalent The top 5 sickness absence reasons for days lost: 2009/10 Colds/Flu Gastro-related illnesses Headaches/Migraine Eye/Ear/Nose/Mouth related illnesses Other illness 2010/11 Mental Health - Anxiety/Stress Surgery - General Musculoskeletal Tumours/Cancer Related Flu-Like Symptoms

07/07/2011

Contract details

Date responded	05/08/2011
Questions	1. All ICT contracts relating to mobiles phones please can you send me:- a. Supplier(s) Name(s) b. Total Contract Value c. Duration d. Expiry Date e. Number of Users/Handsets f. Contract Review Date g. Contact/job title responsible for this contract 2. All ICT contracts relating to all types software licensing including separate maintenance agreements you have with that particular software please can you send me: a. Supplier(s) Name(s) b. Contract Value c. Duration d. Expiry Date e. Number of Users f. Contract Review Date g. Maintenance- YES/NO for those contracts that have maintenance included within the contract h. Contact/job title responsible for this contract
Response	See attached PDF

11/07/2011

Capita

Date responded	29/07/2011
Questions	I would be grateful if you would supply me with the following information relating to the CAPITA Group of Companies: 1. Your Authority’s spending with each Capita Group Company for the period 2008 -2009 2. Your Authority’s spending with each Capita Group Company for the period 2009 -2010 3. Your Authority’s spending with each Capita Group Company for the period 2010 -2011 (Totals only)
Response	The information is provided on the attached document. Please note that: - Capita Symonds Limited has provided professional engineering services and various training - Capita Business Services Limited has provided various training courses and seminars - Sector Treasury Services Limited is included as part of the Capita Group
Associated documents	PDF Capita Group Companies (8 KB)

11/07/2011

Environmental complaints

Date responded	28/07/2011
Questions	Please can you tell us how many environmental complaints you have received from, Vaisy Field, Paynes Meadow and The Close, Whitminster since May 2009.
Response	Vaisey Field - 2 complaints - 1 noise; 1 dog fouling Paynes Meadow - 3 complaints - 1 noise; 1 dog fouling; 1 deposit to drains The Close - 21 complaints - 7 noise; 1 roaming dog; 1 household rubbish, 9 pest control; 1 bonfire; 1 lost dog; 1 dog fouling

11/07/2011

Business Rate credits

Date responded	27/07/2011
Questions	In accordance with the above, I hereby request a list of Business Rates accounts that meet the following criteria: Current overpayment/credit shown for any financial year if credit balance hasn't been carried forward Accounts where a 'write on' has been used since 1st April 2000 to cancel an overpayment which has not since been reversed I would request that the list contains the following information: Ratepayer name * Address of property concerned Amount of overpayment/write on If possible, the period/financial year relating to overpayment/credit/write on *Information is only requested where the ratepayer is a company and not an individual as I appreciate this is limited by the Data Protection Acts.
Response	Please find enclose the data requested. The supply of this document does not give an automatic right to re-use the document.
Associated documents	PDF Business Rate credits (12 KB)

12/07/2011

Public Burials since 21st March 2011

Date responded	13/07/2011
Questions	This letter is a request for information under the freedom of information act and I hope you can assist me. I appreciate you might not hold all of the information below, but would like to know as much as you can provide. I would like to know details of anyone who has died with no known next of kin from my last request of 21/3/2011 to the present, but to include details of any person who may have died prior to this date whose details were not included in your last reponse to me, and to be more specific; 1. their full names 2. the date they died 3. the approximate value of their estate 4. their dates of birth or age at death 5. whether or not they were married, divorced, single, or widowed 6. the maiden surnames of married females or widows 7. their address at death 8. the date when a referral was made of this estate to the Treasury Solicitor or Duchy of Lancaster or Cornwall 9. If a referral to the Treasury Solicitor or Duchy has not yet been made and you think it will be made soon could you advise me of this too. 10. If a case is still undecided or awaiting referral, please also advise of details.
Response	Nil

12/07/2011

Unclaimed Credit Balance

Date responded	27/07/2011
Questions	* The name of each business in respect of which Non-Domestice Rate credit balances remain payable; * The value of overpayment in each case which remains unclaimed; * The year(s) in which overpayment was made; and * The hereditament address
Response	Please find enclose the data requested. The supply of this document does not give an automatic right to re-use the document.
Associated documents	PDF Business Rate credits (12 KB)

14/07/2011

Noise pollution from wind turbines

Date responded	01/08/2011
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to know how many official complaints, if any, your council has received in each of the last three financial years (April 2008 - March 2011) about apparent noise pollution caused by wind turbine(s). In your response, please could you also indicate, where possible, cases in which a number of complaints have been made by the same individuals. In the case of each complaint, please could you indicate the location of the turbine(s) being complained about and, if possible, the name of the facility. Please could you also detail any action taken by your council in response to the complaints - eg, an investigation launched by officers, steps taken against turbine(s) operators to ensure noise is reduced, ordering turbine(s) to be shut down... and so on.
Response	Number of complaints 2008/2009 – 9 2009/2010 – 1 2010/2011 – 2 All bar one, relate to a Proven 6kW wind turbine generator located in the grounds of Blue Coat C of E Primary School, Symn Lane, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos, GL12 7AD. One complaint related to the use of a micro turbine on the side of a farm building. Extensive monitoring has been undertaken by complainants and Council officers. The school has worked very hard with the installer to rectify a succession of defects as found by the engineers. However to date the noise from this wind turbine is still causing a nuisance and the school has volunteered to a request from the Council not to run the wind turbine between visits by the engineers, until such time as the Council is satisfied that a Statutory Noise Nuisance does not exist. The micro turbine was turned off when Council officers advised of the problem.

18/07/2011

Dry Recycling and Street Services

Date responded	21/07/2011
Questions	Dry Kerbside Recycling Q1. Are cans, paper, glass, plastics and textiles collected from the kerbside? Q2. What collection system is used; kerbside sort, single stream commingled or dual stream commingled collection system? Q3. What company is contracted by the council to collect the dry recycling from the kerbside? Q4. What are the start and end dates of this contract? Q5. Once the dry recyclables have been collected from the kerbside, are they taken to a transfer station to bulk loads together? Q6. If so, what company has this council contracted to run the transfer station? Q7. What are the start and end dates of this contract? Q8. If either of the commingled collection systems are used, what company is contracted by this council to run the Material Recycling Facility (MRF)? Q9 What are the start and end dates of this contract? Q10.What companies has this council contracted to take on the materials to be recycled? Q11.What are the start and end dates of these contracts? On Street Recycling Bins (like litter bins but for recyclables only) Q12. What company is contracted by this council to empty the on-street recycling bins? Q13. What are the start and end dates of this contract? Q14. Are there separate compartments for different recyclables, or are they commingled bins?
Response	Dry Kerbside Recycling Q1 Are cans, paper, glass, plastics and textiles collected from the kerbside? A1 Cans, paper, glass, plastics are collected through the council's kerbside sort service -Textiles are not Q2 What collection system is used; kerbside sort, single stream commingled or dual stream commingled collection system? A2 Kerbside sort Q3 What company is contracted by the council to collect the dry recycling from the kerbside? A3 Veolia ES Ltd Q4 What are the start and end dates of this contract? A4 October 2001 - March 2016 Q5 Once the dry recyclables have been collected from the kerbside, are they taken to a transfer station to bulk loads together? A5 Yes, the materials are taken to a transfer station at Smith's (Gloucester) Ltd Q6 If so, what company has this council contracted to run the transfer station? A6 See above Q7 What are the start and end dates of this contract? A7 April 2011 - March 2012 Q8 If either of the commingled collection systems are used, what company is contracted by this council to run the Material Recycling Facility (MRF)? A8 N/A Q9What are the start and end dates of this contract? A9 N/A Q10 What companies has this council contracted to take on the materials to be recycled? A10 This council does not deal directly with the merchants - this is done by Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd. The information can however be found on the DEFRA website - For detailed information by authority, members of the public can register with Waste Data Flow and run their own reports: http://www.wastedataflow.org Q11 What are the start and end dates of these contracts? A11 This council does not hold this information - please see note above. On Street Recycling Bins (like litter bins but for recyclables only) Q12 What company is contracted by this council to empty the on-street recycling bins? A2 Veolia ES Ltd Q13 What are the start and end dates of this contract? A13 October 2001 - March 2016 Q14 Are there separate compartments for different recyclables, or are they commingled bins? A14The bins have separate compartments Cans, Plastic bottles, Glass and Litter

19/07/2011

Kasper Gorny

Date responded	01/08/2011
Questions	Freedom of Information Request: Animal Licences 1. I would like to request the number of licences issued by the Council during financial year 2010/11: a) Licence to keep animals under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (Dangerous Animals Licence) b) Licence to breed animals under the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 and Breeding and Sale of Dogs Welfare Act 1999. (Dog Breeding Licence) c) Animal Boarding Establishment Licence d) Riding Establishment Licence e) Pet Shop Licence f) Zoo Licence 2. Please also provide: a) the cost of each licence above 3. Which council department is responsible for issuing the above licences?
Response	Thank you for your recent enquiry. In response to your questions, please see below: 1. a) 2 DWA Licences b) 1 Dog Breeding Licence c) 18 Boarding Establishments Licences d) 8 Riding Establishment Licences e) 6 Pet Shop Licences f) 4 Zoo Licences 2. a) £120 b) £80 c) £120 d) Up to 20 horses £120 20 to 40 horses £153 Over 40 horses £193 e) £120 f) New Licence £241 Renewal £188 3. Environmental Health

19/07/2011

Bailiffs

Date responded	08/08/2011
Questions	1) A copy of the authorities 'code of practice' on bailiffs, sheriff officers or messengers-at-arms 2) A copy of the contract held between the Local Authority and the bailiffs, sheriff officers or messengers-at-arms 3) Details of whether the Local Authority has internal bailiffs,sheriff officers or messengers-at-arms, or utilises external bailiffs, sheriff officers or messengers-at-arms; 4) If the Local authority does use external companies, please advise of how many and the names of these firms. 5) How many council tax liability orders have been applied for in the last 8 quarters?
Response	1) A copy of the authorities 'code of practice' on bailiffs, sheriff officers or messengers-at-arms Please see attached 2) A copy of the contract held between the Local Authority and the bailiffs, sheriff officers or messengers-at-arms Exempt as commercially sensitive 3) Details of whether the Local Authority has internal bailiffs,sheriff officers or messengers-at-arms, or utilises external bailiffs, sheriff officers or messengers-at-arms; External 4) If the Local authority does use external companies, please advise of how many and the names of these firms. one Bristow & Sutor Certificated Bailiffs Bartlett Road Redditch Worcestershire 5) How many council tax liability orders have been applied for in the last 8 quarters? 17,781
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 43 - Commercial interest
Associated documents	PDF Code Of Conduct (45 KB)

19/07/2011

Numbers of people committed to prison by gender

Date responded	27/07/2011
Questions	This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. For the years April 08-09; 09-10; 10-11 and 2011 to date please let me know: a) Numbers of people committed to prison for non-payment of council tax, broken down by gender b) Numbers who paid on committal and were therefore released, broken down by gender c) Numbers who served a full prison sentence, broken down by gender. I look forward to hearing from you within 20 working days as required by the Act.
Response	a) Numbers of people committed to prison for non-payment of council tax, broken down by gender 08/09 1 male 09/10 2 male 10/11 1 male & 1 female b) Numbers who paid on committal and were therefore released, broken down by gender 08/09 1 male 09/10 0 10/11 1 male c) Numbers who served a full prison sentence, broken down by gender. I look forward to hearing from you within 20 working days as required by the Act. 08/09 0 09/10 2 male 10/11 1 female

20/07/2011

Fly Tipping

Date responded	03/08/2011
Questions	• What was the number of instances of fly-tipping recorded by Stroud District Council in the period 1st April 2010 – 31st March 2011 • What was the number of fly-tipping incidents by size (eg. Single bin bag, car boot, small van)? • What was the estimated clearance and disposal costs in your Local Authority? • What was the number of enforcement actions taken? • What was the estimated cost of undertaking these actions in your Local Authority? • What was the number of successful prosecutions in your Local Authority? • What was the total number of fines (excluding fixed penalties) imposed? • How much has your Local Authority received in £ through fines imposed?
Response	Q1 What was the number of instances of fly-tipping recorded by Stroud District Council in the period 1st April 2010 – 31st March 2011 - A1 785 incidences Q2 What was the number of fly-tipping incidents by size (eg. Single bin bag, car boot, small van)? A2 Car boot or less – 132 Significant Multiple loads – 22 Single Black Bag – 7 Single Items – 146 Small van Load – 386 Tipper Truck Load – 41 Transit van load - 51 Q3 What was the estimated clearance and disposal costs in your Local Authority? A3 Collection costs - approximately £13,000. The disposal costs of material labelled as ‘fly tipped’ has already been provided to you directly by Glos County Council as £73,593.00 Q4 What was the number of enforcement actions taken? A4 1 fixed penalty notice and 1 successful prosecution Q5 What was the estimated cost of undertaking these actions in your Local Authority? A5 £2000 Q6 What was the number of successful prosecutions in your Local Authority? A6 1 Q7 What was the total number of fines (excluding fixed penalties) imposed? A7 Fines - £350 Costs £1500 Q8 How much has your Local Authority received in £ through fines imposed? A8 £530

20/07/2011

Business rate information with RV between 500 and 12000, SBRR and occ/void

Date responded	09/08/2011
Questions	Full postal address Rating description Correspondence address account name reference number RV 2010 RV 2005 SBRR- yes or no Vacant- yes or no Other relief - yes or no Current liability start date
Response	Please find enclose the data requested with personal data redacted. The supply of this document does not give an automatic right to re-use the document.
Associated documents	PDF Business Rates Data for Rv 500 - 12,000 (356 KB)

20/07/2011

Breakdown on information on schools in the area

Date responded	01/08/2011
Questions	Name of each school, property address and postcode The billing address The 2011/2012 Rateable Value The 2011/2012 Demand liability
Response	Please find enclose the data requested. The supply of this document does not give an automatic right to re-use the document.
Associated documents	PDF Schools in SDC area (15 KB)

25/07/2011

Planning Permission for Public Buildings and Water Rates

Date responded	11/08/2011
Questions	I am writing to make a Freedom of Information request under the freedom of information act. I would like information on the following: 1) I would like to have a list of any publically owned sites or buildings such as schools, prisons, hospitals, council offices, recreational centres etc. that are currently requesting planning permission, or have had planning permission granted in the last 2 years for new buildings or extension work to their current premises. I. I request the details of the companies or contractors who are involved with each build/extension if known II. I request the budget for each build/extension if known III. I request any plans, schematics or design proposals for each build or extension if available 2) I would also like information on any publically held buildings as above who are proposing to refurbish or refit their site. The only refurbishments or refits that I actually request information on are those that involve the refit of washrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, shower rooms or are looking to refurbish the plumbing on site. I. As above I would like the details of the companies and contractors involved with the refit or refurbishment II. The proposed budget for each refurbishment or refit III. Any plans, schematics or design proposals available for the proposed refit 3) The last issue I would like information on is what the council has spent on water rates over the last 12 months and what action they have taken to reduce their water consumption and make savings?
Response	1. Planning applications received by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) in the last 5 years are available to view on the Council's website at the following link - http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/planning/planning_application_search.asp Land ownership (i.e. whether an application site is publicly of privately owned) is not a material planning consideration, and as such planning applications are not recorded on our external or internal system to reflect this. Notwithstanding this, you should be able to ascertain who owns a site from the applicant's details or the ownership certificate submitted as part of every planning application. With regards to schools and hospitals, I would advise contacting Gloucestershire Country Council (i.e. the Local Educational Authority and Local Health Authority). As far as I am aware, there are no prisons within the Stroud District. The LPA has not received any applications for planning permission in respect of the Council Offices at Ebley in the last two years. Applications for planning permission made by Stroud District Council in the last two years include - • S.10/1447/DISCON - Discharge of condition 4 from application S.10/0575/FUL • S.10/1202/COU - Change of use of retail unit (A1) to community meeting facility (A2) • S.10/0750/VAR - Extension of time for permission S.08/2454/COU for use of site as temporary car park • S.10/0575/FUL - Erection of BMX / Dirt jump area on recreation ground • S.09/2308/FUL - Part demolition of existing residential property and change of use of remainder. Demolition of garage/storage unit / erection of Youth Centre. (i) The LPA would not have access to / be privy to this information (ii) The LPA would not have access to / be privy to this information (iii) Plans received by the Local Planning Authority in the last 5 years are available on our website at the following link - http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/planning/planning_application_search.asp 2. There are no plans to refurb or refit any of our buildings. For information relating to schools, prisons or hospitals i would advise you to contact Gloucestershire County Council(i.e. the Local Educational Authority and Local Health Authority). 3. 2010/2011 £3722 water rates In 2008 water hippos were installed in all toilets within all our sites Push button taps have been installed at our main office and when taps are replaced they are replaced with the push button type. This has resulted in a reduction of water usage by 205 cubic meters since the hippos and taps have been installed.

26/07/2011

Customer Services Benchmarrking/Lifeline

Date responded	10/08/2011
Questions	Value for Money Review – Benchmarking Data Request Customer Services (Customer Contact Centre / Reception / Cash Office / Life Line) 1.Customer Contact Centre (call centre) Do you have a customer contact centre (call centre) and is it ‘in house’? I f not – please describe how calls are managed & move on to the next section. Number of FTE’s Staff Costs Overall Cost of Contact Centre Number of Calls Received Number of Calls Resolved at first point of contact Services Provided (i.e. does the Contact Centre just handle/resolve calls or does it provide additional administrative/support functions to back office services) Customer Satisfaction Rating Contact Centre Overall 2.Reception Number of FTE’s Staff Costs Overall Cost of Reception Opening Hours Range of Services (do you host any external agencies) 3Cash Office Do you have a Cash Office and is it ‘in house’? (for managing incoming cash from Council tax payments, rent, car park income etc)If not – please describe how cash is managed Number of FTE’s (if ‘in house’) Staff Costs Overall Cost of Cash Office 4.Life Line Do you provide a Life Line Service? (A Lifeline is a device with an emergency call button and a pendant. The Lifeline unit is connected to a 24/7 Care Centre through a telephone line). Call centre & installation / response service Number of FTE’s Staff Costs Overall Cost of Life Line Service Number of Monitored Customers Income Are you a member of TSA Which company provides your equipment
Response	Please see attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Sedgemoor DC Benchmarking (20 KB)

27/07/2011

Section 106 Agreements

Date responded	11/08/2011
Questions	Please provide a figure, annual figure, for the last ten available years for the number of section 106 agreements agreed by the council. For the avoidance of doubt this figure should include the total number of contracts, whether they have been sealed or not, whether they are or remain in draft form or pre-application form. For clarity, total number, includes sealed or unsealed, concluded, darft and pre-application. Further, please provide details on the number of contracts in breach or not yet performed, such that monies or obligations are owing to the council. Please provide details of the outstanding financial value of the obligations for each of the last ten available yeras. Finally, if any contracts have been renegotiated, please provide the number of renegotiated contracts per year for the last ten available years.
Response	Thank you for your letter of the 25th July, received on the 26th July concerning section 106 agreements agreed by Stroud District Council. This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. At present, Stroud District Council do not hold this information in a format directly compatible with your detailed request. From our preliminary assessment, we estimate that compliance with your request would exceed the appropriate costs limit under section 12 of the Freedom of information Act 2000. This is currently £450, whereupon special research and reports would be necessary. Rather than fully refusing your request at this stage, I have provided a table (attached) of all Section 106 agreements for planning decisions made from 1st March 2006 onwards to today’s date. Please note that the individual developments detailed will all be at different stages of construction, the legal Section 106 agreements for which will consequently be at different stages of implementation. Using the planning reference number provided, you are most welcome to then access further information on the relevant section 106 agreements using our on-line information service, which can be found at: www.stroud.gov.uk/planning I hope this information is of use to you. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request for information has been dealt with, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you may write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me as detailed above.
Associated documents	PDF Table (106 KB)

27/07/2011

Selling Residents Recycling to make money

Date responded	12/08/2011
Questions	Q1. How much money have you made in the past year (June 2010 - present day) by selling the recycling your residents have left out? (not just outside homes) Q2. How much money did you make in the previous year (June 2009 - June 2010) by selling the recycling your residents left out? (not just outside homes) Q3. If this number has increased between the years, why? Q4. What exactly have you been selling to generate this money? Q5. Where do you collect the recycling from to sell? Q6. What is the money you are making from the recycling being spent on? Q7. How much money have you spent on collecting and sorting the recycling over the past year (June 2010 - present day)? Q8. How much money did you spent on collecting and sorting the recycling in the previous year (June 2009 - June 2010)? Q9. How much would it cost to send all of the rubbish to a landfill site instead of recycle it? Q10. What materials make you the most money? Q11. What materials make you the least amount of money? Q12. Are their any materials you don't bother selling?
Response	A1. Sales income for the 13 months (June 2010 to and including June 2011) totalled £306,172. A2. Sales income for the 13 months (June 2009 to and including June 2010) totalled £247,165.41. A3. Fluctuations in Market conditions. A4. We sell paper, glass, cans, cardboard and plastic bottles. A5. Kerbside collection scheme and recycling 'bring' sites. A6. Income from the sale of material contributes to the cost of the council's collection schemes. A7. For the period June 2010 upto and including June 2011, the contracted cost was £1,046,930.79. A8. For the period June 2009 upto and including June 2010, the contracted cost was £1,025,321.41. A9. In the last financial year we recycled around 8500 tonnes of material. To landfill this waste would have cost £80.10 per tonne - total cost to Glos County Council would have been £680,850. A10. This can vary but at the present time plastic bottles offer the rate per tonne. A11. Again this can vary but presently glass offers the lowest return per tonne. A12. No.

28/07/2011

Fly-Tipping, Skip Permits and Bulky Waste Collections

Date responded	10/08/2011
Questions	Under the above act, please can you provide me with the information (about fly-tipping, skip permits and bulky waste collections) required to populate the attached spreadsheet for the periods 2009/10 and 2010/11? Flytipping, Skip Permits & Residential Bulky Waste Collection Period Flytipping Number of flytips Amount spent clearing up flytipping (A = actual cost; E = estimated cost) Enforcement, prosecution & sentencing Total number of flytip incidents 1 Flytip incidents classified as 'Construction/ Demolition/ Excavation' waste 2 Flytip incidents classified as 'Other Household waste' 3 All other flytip incidents 4 Total spend on flytip clear-up A or E Single black bags, other single items, car boot load, small van load & transit van loads 5-9 A or E Tipper lorry loads 10 A or E Significant/ multiple loads 11 A or E Number of enforcement actions taken Successful prosecution outcomes Custodial sentences EXAMPLE 1,421 201 350 870 £150,421 E £120,214 E £20,100 A £10,107 A 17 1 0 1 Apr-09 to 31 Mar-10 1 Apr-10 to 31 Mar-11 Notes Flytipping or litter? It should be counted as a flytip if the flytip waste is too large to be removed by a normal hand-sweeping barrow. In simple terms, a single full bin bag upwards would constitute a flytip. Similarly several carrier bags full of rubbish dumped together would also be a single flytip Construction/Demolition/Excavation waste means waste from the construction, repair, maintenance and demolition of buildings and structures including roads. It means brick concrete, hardcore, soil, timber, plastics and occasionally hazardous waste. Other Household Waste excludes household black bags, but includes house or shed clearances, old furniture, carpets and the waste from small scale DIY works. All other incident types excluding (2) and (3) - for more information on flytip classifications, please visit the Defra link below "Single Black Bag is a single bin bag containing waste. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs." "Other Single item means one piece of furniture or equipment. There may also be a few small items that would not on their own constitute a fly-tip. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs. " "Car boot load or less means that the rubbish could be broken down and squeezed into a large boot of a car. About 1 cubic metre maximum. Up to 5 large bin bags. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs." "Small van load means bigger than the car boot load but that the rubbish could be broken down and squeezed into an Astra size van. About 4 cubic metres. Between 6 and 15 bin bags. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs " "Transit vanload means bigger than the small van but that the rubbish could be broken down and squeezed into a transit size van. About 10 cubic metres. A large 3-piece suite of furniture would fall into this category. Between 16 and 30 bin bags. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs. " "Tipper lorry load means a single load from an 8-wheeled tipper truck. You will need to enter your estimated or actual cost of removal and disposal. The national average for 2006/07 was £350 per load." "Significant/multiple loads means a multiplicity of the above. You will need to enter your estimated or actual cost of removal and disposal. The national average figure for 2006/07 was £360 per load."
Response	Flytipping, Skip Permits & Residential Bulky Waste Collection Period Flytipping Skip Permits Residential Bulky waste collection Number of flytips Amount spent clearing up flytipping (A = actual cost; E = estimated cost) Enforcement, prosecution & sentencing What is the current minimum charge for a skip permit excluding any parking suspension charges? Do you charge residents for the council's residential bulky waste collection service? If yes, state charge structure Total number of flytip incidents 1 Flytip incidents classified as 'Construction/ Demolition/ Excavation' waste 2 Flytip incidents classified as 'Other Household waste' 3 All other flytip incidents 4 Total spend on flytip clear-up A or E Single black bags, other single items, car boot load, small van load & transit van loads 5-9 A or E Tipper lorry loads 10 A or E Significant/ multiple loads 11 A or E Number of enforcement actions taken Successful prosecution outcomes Custodial sentences EXAMPLE 1,421 201 350 870 £150,421 E £120,214 E £20,100 A £10,107 A 17 1 0 £45.00 Yes £40 for up to 5 items 1 Apr-09 to 31 Mar-10 822 See fly capture national database See fly capture national database See fly capture national database £12,258 A £35,164 E £4,700 E £5,720 E See fly capture national database 1 0 Stroud District Council does not hold this information as the issue of licences to site a skip on the public highway is the responsibility of Glos County Council No N/A 1 Apr-10 to 31 Mar-11 785 See fly capture national database See fly capture national database See fly capture national database £11,237 A £34,129 E £3,450 E £6,580 E See fly capture national database 1 0 Stroud district council does not hold this infromation as the issue of licences to site a skip opn the public highway is the responsibility of Glos County Councuil No N/A Notes 1 Flytipping or litter? It should be counted as a flytip if the flytip waste is too large to be removed by a normal hand-sweeping barrow. In simple terms, a single full bin bag upwards would constitute a flytip. Similarly several carrier bags full of rubbish dumped together would also be a single flytip 2 Construction/Demolition/Excavation waste means waste from the construction, repair, maintenance and demolition of buildings and structures including roads. It means brick concrete, hardcore, soil, timber, plastics and occasionally hazardous waste. 3 Other Household Waste excludes household black bags, but includes house or shed clearances, old furniture, carpets and the waste from small scale DIY works. 4 All other incident types excluding (2) and (3) - for more information on flytip classifications, please visit the Defra link below 5 "Single Black Bag is a single bin bag containing waste. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs." 6 "Other Single item means one piece of furniture or equipment. There may also be a few small items that would not on their own constitute a fly-tip. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs. " 7 "Car boot load or less means that the rubbish could be broken down and squeezed into a large boot of a car. About 1 cubic metre maximum. Up to 5 large bin bags. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs." 8 "Small van load means bigger than the car boot load but that the rubbish could be broken down and squeezed into an Astra size van. About 4 cubic metres. Between 6 and 15 bin bags. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs " 9 "Transit vanload means bigger than the small van but that the rubbish could be broken down and squeezed into a transit size van. About 10 cubic metres. A large 3-piece suite of furniture would fall into this category. Between 16 and 30 bin bags. Cost of removal/disposal will be entered for you based on national average costs. " 10 "Tipper lorry load means a single load from an 8-wheeled tipper truck. You will need to enter your estimated or actual cost of removal and disposal. The national average for 2006/07 was £350 per load." 11 "Significant/multiple loads means a multiplicity of the above. You will need to enter your estimated or actual cost of removal and disposal. The national average figure for 2006/07 was £360 per load." Defra Guidelines http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/Flycapture_Guidance_Text_01_07_2009.pdf

FOI requests for June 2011

Date received

Subject of request

01/06/2011

Social media courses

Date responded	10/06/2011
Questions	Please provide any details of social media courses or training provided to council staff in the last two years. Please include the following details: number of staff trained, time taken to complete course/training, total cost of course/training. Please also provide the name of the company that provided the training as well as a brief description of what the process involved. 2. Please also provide details of any staff members with a special responsibility for social media included in their job role. Please include their salary and date of appointment.
Response	1. Details of social media courses or training provided to council staff in the last two years are given below; Nov 2009 - One day practical social media seminar on how local authorities can use Twitter and Facebook (and to a lesser extent You Tube, BeBo and Flikr) to communicate with their residents. Attended by council's Principal Marketing Officer (1 officer). Cost £250. Provided by Public Sector Forums Limited. 2. No staff members have special responsibility for social media.

02/06/2011

Licences for live venues

Date responded	06/06/2011
Questions	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	Thank you for your email. I have attached two lists that show all premises to which Stroud District Council has issued Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificates that include the licensable activity of live music. PLEASE SEE ATTACHEMENTS
Associated documents	PDF Premises with Live Music (323 KB) PDF Club Premises with Live Music (52 KB)

02/06/2011

Burial Sites - 'decoration'

Date responded	14/06/2011
Questions	Please 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	A.1 Please find enclosed Regulations for Brimscombe Cemetery; a cemetery this Council manages directly. Also find enclosed amended regulations for one for a cemetery this council owns but is managed by a town council. These amended regulations are to be applied to both cemeteries shortly. A.2 Please see regulations above A.3 The Cemetery Regulations enclosed give guidance on floral tributes. We tend to remove tributes such as xmas wreaths after New Year when they are spent. We do not keep records of numbers but we remove floral tributes and flowers when spent and the vegetative parts of the wreaths are composted and re-cycled
Associated documents	PDF Regulations for Brimscombe Cemetery (31 KB) PDF Amended Regulations (52 KB)

03/06/2011

Number of Councillors having received Counciol tax reminders by political party

Date responded	17/06/2011
Questions	I would like to obtain information on council tax. In particular I would like answers to the following questions: 1) How many councillors were sent one or more reminder letters for late payment of their council tax? 2) Of these what was the total amount that they all failed to pay straight away? 3) What were the individual amounts of these? i.e. £100 and £560 etc... 4) How many councillors have been sent two or more reminder letter for late payment? 5) If possible, could the above be broken down to show figures from each political party? The above questions all cover the last full financial year (2010/2011) and only cover people who are councillors and not, for example, just people who work for the council.
Response	1) 4 (2 Conservative, 1 Labour and 1 Lib Dem) 2) £739.99 3) £122.00(Lib Dem), £145.99 (Con) , £289.00(Con) and £183.00(Labour) 4) 2 (1 Con and 1 Labour)

05/06/2011

Adoption of the Corgi (now Gas Safe) competent person scheme

Date responded	13/06/2011
Questions	In SDC Planning & development services expenditure, is adopting the Corgi (now Gas Safe) competent person scheme a free service to SDC? If not a free service - 1. What was SDC's expenditure for the adoption of the Corgi competent person scheme in the year April 2008 to 31 March 2009? 2. What was SDC's expenditure for the adoption of the Gas Safe competent person scheme in the year: April 2009 to 31 March 2010?
Response	The Council does not adopt a competent person under the scheme. This is a national scheme created through legislation, allowing persons or organisations which have specialist skills and knowledge to self certify their own work. A Competent Person does not involve the local building control body in the installation or testing, instead they send electronic information embedded in an email to the council, where an automated system logs it into the back office software. This data is used primarily by Land Charges to declare on searches. As such, there are no direct costs associated with the "adoption" of either Corgi or Gas Safe

06/06/2011

WIFI Services

Date responded	13/06/2011
Questions	1. How many of the following are within the control of your council: (a) Street lampposts (b) Traffic lights (c) Road traffic signs (d) Bus shelters 2. If the council does not control any of the above, please identify who does? 3. Is it within the power of the Local Authority to grant rights for wireless communication in its city centres using street lighting and furniture? If not who does have the power to grant these rights? 4. What rights have been granted for the development of wireless services in your city centres using street lighting and street furniture that is controlled by the Local Authority? 5. Who in your organisation is responsible for your internal wireless communications strategy and what are their contact details? 6. Is the local authority planning to develop wireless communications/broadband capability in its city centres and/or any other area for the benefit of the community? (a) If yes, who in the authority is responsible for this and what are their contact details? 7. Is there any initiative in your area to offer: (a) Mobile broadband (b) Fixed broadband service to the community, allowing everyone to have access to the internet? If so, who is responsible for this project and what are there contact details? 8. What consents would be required to install telecom equipment (wireless or cellular) on street lighting columns, road signage, traffic signals and other street furniture controlled by the local authority? 9. Is the installation and maintenance of street lighting and furniture controlled by any other party, such as a PHI partnership? (a) If yes, please identify the body and provide contact details.
Response	Thank you for your Freedom of Information Request received in this office on the 6th June 2011. I am writing to advise you that as a district authority, Stroud Distrct Council is not responsible for street lighting and/or furniture. In view of the above, please find below Stroud District Council's response with regards to your request for information: 1. Not applicable. 2. Administered by Gloucestershire County Council (Local Highway Authority), or in the case of bus shelters the appropriate Town / Parish Council. 3. Gloucestershire County Council. 4. Not known. 5. Stroud District Council's I.C.T. Department. Please contact Mrs Pauline Bird (Infrastructure Manager) at the above address. 6. Not known. 7. Not known. 8. Planning permission may be required. Please see the relevant section of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended). I have enclosed a copy of Part 24 "Development by Telecommunications Code System Operators" for your information. 9. Gloucestershire County Council. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Council’s Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction then you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a review.

06/06/2011

Request for overpaid business rate accounts or accounts in credit

Date responded	17/06/2011
Questions	• Name of Ratepayer • Rate Account Number • Billing Authority Property Reference • Address of property concerned • Amount of overpayment • Period that the overpayment relates to
Response	This information has already been requested and is available on our website.

06/06/2011

Request for ratepayers in receipt of mandatory relief

Date responded	17/06/2011
Questions	Name of Ratepayer Address of property concerned Amount of relief applicable Date that mandatory relief started
Response	Details attached as requested, although start date only relates to dates within the current financial year.
Associated documents	PDF Ratepayers with mandatory relief (42 KB)

07/06/2011

Government Procurement Cards

Date responded	16/06/2011
Questions	1. I would like a copy of all credit card statements for all government procurement cards since May 2009. 2. Please also provide a list of government procurement cards used by council staff, noting where they are kept and who is authorised to use each. 3. Please provide a copy of any guidance given to staff regarding the use of government procurement cards.
Response	Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act states that a public authority is not obliged to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying with a request exceeds the “appropriate limit” set out in the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/3244). Section 9A of the Data Protection Act makes the same provision for requesting personal information which is not held electronically and which is not held in a structured filing system. The Regulations set the appropriate limit for requests to local authorities as £450, at a standard rate of £25 per hour. This means that Stroud District Council will refuse a request for information if it estimates that the time taken to determine if the information is held, to locate and retrieve that information, and to extract the releasable information from any exempt information, will exceed 18 hours (£25 per hour for 18 hours being the £450 limit). Stroud District Council is committed to being an open and transparent Council, whilst at the same time protecting the privacy of personal and sensitive information. However, the cost of providing you with the information requested is above the amount to which we are legally required to respond. We are sorry that we are unable to assist on this occasion.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450

08/06/2011

Public HMO register showing licensee & contact address details

Date responded	20/06/2011
Questions	Request for a full hard copy of all registered licensed HMO's on your Public Register under the Freedom of Information Act I herbey request a full current copy of the Public HMO register showing the HMO Licensee and contact address details for the licensees in your area.
Response	Please see attached document for licenced HMO list
Associated documents	PDF Licenced HMO's (34 KB)

08/06/2011

Staff

Date responded	05/07/2011
Questions	1) Number of staff employed ( head count only) in 2009, 2010 and currently in 2011. 2) What is the average redundancy payment.
Response	1. The Council employed the following number of staff at 31 March in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. Year Employees FTE 2009 462 370.85 2010 431 364.49 2011 444 361.37 2. The compensation for loss of employment on redundancy is in accordance with statutory entitlement laid down in The Employment Rights Act 1996. The average amount per year paid out due to redundancy over the last three years is £10,700.

09/06/2011

Abuse to Refuse Collectors

Date responded	20/06/2011
Questions	In the last financial year 10/11 how many incidents did your authority record where refuse collectors were assaulted by members of the public while carrying out council duties? Please give a brief description of the circumstances of the incident. How many working days were lost by refuse collectors during the financial year 10/11 as a result of injuries connected with assaults from members of the public while carrying out council duties? NOTE: By refuse collectors I mean all employees whose main duties are involved in the collection of rubbish (all types) from homes and businesses with your authority. NOTE: If the refuse collection duties are carried out by a third party company hired by the council the information is still HELD by the council, because it is information held on your behalf.
Response	Q1 I n the last financial year 10/11 how many incidents did your authority record where refuse collectors were assaulted by members of the public while carrying out council duties? Please give a brief description of the circumstances of the incident. A1 There were no incidents. Q2 How many working days were lost by refuse collectors during the financial year 10/11 as a result of injuries connected with assaults from members of the public while carrying out council duties? A2 0

13/06/2011

Procurement

Date responded	12/07/2011
Questions	Of all the tenders for procurement contracts which the council has carried out using the public procurement process (OJEU), how many have resulted in contracts being awarded to suppliers who were not at the time suppliers to the council? Similarly how many contracts were awarded to contractors who were already supplying the council at the time of tender? To clarify, the last financial year, 2010/11, will be fine.
Response	During 2010/11 the number of OJEU contracts let to new contractors who had not previously supplied to the authority was 3. The number of OJEU contracts that were let to contractors who had previously supplied to the authority was 1.

13/06/2011

Care Services

Date responded	05/07/2011
Questions	I would like as much information as you are able to provide, so if you can only able to partially answer some of these questions please do still return the information to me. In cases where you do not have an answer to the question please state: unknown. 1. If you have the data, how many disabled people live in your local authority area? Please provide figures for the following age categories and, where possible, provide the source of these statistics - this may be census information, or disabled people in your area may be identified by disability benefit claims, or social care users. ? Disabled children (0-18 years) ? Disabled adults of working age (18-65 years) ? Older disabled people (aged over 65 years) 2. Please identify which of the following services your local authority funds and in each case please specify: ? How many people access the services (for the last financial year or last year you have data) ? Whether the service is: o provided directly by the local authority o delivered by a Voluntary or Community Services (VCS) organisation or a private company (and commissioned by the local authority) o delivered by a voluntary or third sector organisation (through grants from the local authority) ? And please provide the service budget for the financial years 2008-9; 2009-10; 2010-11; 2011-12, or, for grant-funded services, the size of grant for each of these years Service types: ? Respite care services for carers and/or parents of disabled children ? Children’s social care services ? Transitions services for young disabled people moving to adult social care support ? Home/domiciliary care for i) working age disabled people (18-64) and ii) older people ? Day centres for i) working age disabled people (18-64) and ii) older people ? Residential social care for i) working age disabled people (18-64) and ii) older people ? Hospices/palliative care in the community 3. Have you increased or decreased your charges from the financial year 2010-11 to 2011-12 for any of the following services that you provide? In each case please specify if known: ? How many people access the services (in the last financial year). ? The amount of increase or decrease in pounds and pence, and expressed as a percentage. Services: ? Meals on wheels ? Home care (hourly rates) ? Day centre activities or meal charges ? Specialist transport fees (e.g. charges for shuttle bus services) ? Short breaks or respite services rates (or the level of contribution that this made by the parent / carer) ? Disability-related equipment ? Careline or emergency alarms ? Home adaptations 4. Have you closed, or restricted the access to, or operation of, any of the following services? If the answer is yes, please clarify whether it is a closure or restriction of the services and briefly describe the nature of the closure or restriction. Service types: ? Respite care services for carers and/or parents of disabled children ? Children’s social care services ? Transitions services for young disabled people moving to adult social care support ? Home/domiciliary care for i) working age disabled people (18-64) and ii) older people ? Day centres for i) working age disabled people (18-64) and ii) older people ? Residential social care for i) working age disabled people (18-64) and ii) older people ? Hospices/palliative care in the community 5. At what level did your local authority set its Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) eligibility criteria in 2010/11 and what level will eligibility criteria be set at for 2011/12? Please specify the FACS levels of eligibility (low, moderate, substantial or critical). 6. Do you take disabled people’s DLA into account when assessing a person’s financial contribution to their care? And if so, how much of a person’s DLA do you ask them to contribute to their care funding (as an amount in £ and pence or as a percentage of benefit) 7. Is there an efficiency savings target, cost abatement multiplier (or dampener) currently being applied to the Resource Allocation System (RAS) for Direct Payments and Individual Budget recipients? If so, what is the percentage value of this and when was this implemented? --- END---
Response	Please see attached document. The majority of these services are dealt with by Social Services, therefore we only have a response in relation to the careline service.
Associated documents	PDF Demos - Care Services (55 KB)

13/06/2011

Summary of costs for Tribal PLC

Date responded	22/06/2011
Questions	Under the 'Freedom of information Act 2000' please can you inform me of the total cost to date (June 2011) made to the group 'Tribal PLC'over the last four years with regard to the demolition and redevelopment of the woolaway housing in minchinhampton. Cost to include, consultancy, travel and any other payments made.
Response	The following payments to Tribal Consulting have been identified, specifically and solely in respect of the Woolaways properties at Minchinhampton over the last four years: Consultancy: £88,397.00 Travel: zero Other Payments: zero

13/06/2011

Breach of conditions Aston Down

Date responded	21/06/2011
Questions	On Friday the 10th June 2011 the properties in Cowcombe Lane GL6 8HR including mine did not have their refuse collected, I assumed that it was due to a shortage of man power however on Sunday 12th June 2011 I had reason to go onto the Aston Down site to complain about noise from machinery being used on the site on a Sunday. The security guard informed me that the noise was being emitted by a road sweeping vehicle belonging to S.D.C's waste contractors Veolia which had been engaged by the sites agent to sweep the site. I would be grateful if you could respond to the following; 1) How is it that Veolia can find staff to sweep the Aston Down site which is private property on a Sunday no doubt at a much higher rate of pay for the driver of the vehicle yet is unable to full fill it's contract to empty our dustbins. 2) Do Leda properties who own the site have a contract with S.D.C. to have the site cleaned? 3) Are Leda properties paying the commercial rate for having their property cleaned or are the community tax payers footing the bill ? 4) Why are S.D.C contractors going onto the site on a Sunday in breach of the conditions put in place by the Secretary of State and S.D.C's Development Control Committee?
Response	General query/observation re waste collection - Your Comment - On Friday the 10th June 2011 the properties in Cowcombe Lane GL6 8HR including mine did not have their refuse collected, I assumed that it was due to a shortage of man power Answer - On receipt of your email (Monday 13th June), Veolia, this council's waste contractor, was immediately despatched to remove all waste left uncollected from the previous Friday. The collection took place on Monday 13th June. Veolia are currently going through several small changes in their collection routing; a new collection crew was tasked with collecting refuse from the properties at Cowcombe Lane - unfortunately, the crew did not follow the detailed advice given. Future collections will be monitored to ensure no further disruptions occur. Please accept this council's apologies for the inconvenience. Your Comment - However on Sunday 12th June 2011 I had reason to go onto the Aston Down site to complain about noise from machinery being used on the site on a Sunday. The security guard informed me that the noise was being emitted by a road sweeping vehicle belonging to S.D.C's waste contractors Veolia which had been engaged by the sites agent to sweep the site. I would be grateful if you could respond to the following; Question 1 - How is it that Veolia can find staff to sweep the Aston Down site which is private property on a Sunday no doubt at a much higher rate of pay for the driver of the vehicle yet is unable to full fill it's contract to empty our dustbins. Answer 1 - Veolia have a totally independent agreement with the site owner to undertake cleaning on site - this is a separate agreement to that which Veolia have with Stroud District Council. The vehicle used by Veolia to undertake the work is not dedicated solely to the contract with the council; it can be used on other contracted services. Question 2 - Do Leda properties who own the site have a contract with S.D.C. to have the site cleaned? Answer 2 - No Question 3 - Are Leda properties paying the commercial rate for having their property cleaned or are the community tax payers footing the bill ? Answer 3 - It is understood that the site owner is paying Veolia directly for the work that is being undertaken; the service is not being paid for at local taxpayers' expense. Question 4 - Why are S.D.C contractors going onto the site on a Sunday in breach of the conditions put in place by the Secretary of State and S.D.C's Development Control Committee? Answer 4 - The alleged incident is being investigated by the enforcement team

13/06/2011

2012 Olympics

Date responded	04/07/2011
Questions	1. The total number of tickets SDC applied for. 2.The total amount paid for tickets. (or outstanding amount if not yet paid) 3.Please break this down by event. 4.Have any tickets in any manner been offered or made available to any person with any contact with SDC.
Response	1. - 0 2. - n/a 3. - n/a 4. - no

13/06/2011

Business Rate properties with no relief

Date responded	04/07/2011
Questions	I require a spreadsheet (e.copy) with the following columns & data for all business premises where NO RELIEF of any type has been granted - the information correct as at the date the report is run specific to my request (ie. report no older than Monday 13th June 2011) Column 1. Property Reference Column 2. Full Address (excl. post code) Column 3. Post Code Column 4. Ratepayer (primary liable party) Column 5. Rateable Value for 2010 - 2015
Response	Thank you for your request for information. The spreadsheet of businesses is attached as requested. The supply of this document does not give an automatic right to re-use the document.
Associated documents	PDF Business premises where no relief currently applies (158 KB)

13/06/2011

Request for election nmumbers and properties in certain parishes

Date responded	30/06/2011
Questions	Please provide me with the following information: a) The number of registered voters currently in the following locations (for the most recent year accurate records are available) :Edge Ward, Pitchcombe Ward, Harescombe Ward & Brookthorpe with Whaddon. b) The numbers of properties registered as liable for Council Tax in each of these locations for the same year. c) The total parish council precepts for each of these locations in the same year as A above. For Edge, being taxed as part of Painswick, this may require to be calculated. d) The average amount of Council Tax payable per property in each of these locations in the same year, in order to meet the precepts levied by these parish councils, averaged across property valuations bands, or for two representative bands. What I'm trying to find out is how much householders in Edge are currently paying towards meeting Painswick Parish Council's precept, as opposed to householders living in the nearby villages of Harescombe, Pitchcombe and Brookthorpe, which have their own parish councils, both in total and as an average per household.
Response	a) The number of registered voters currently in the following locations (for the most recent year accurate records are available): 1. Edge Ward (administered as part of Painswick Parish Council) - 160 2. Pitchcombe Ward (its own PC) - 236 3. Harescombe Ward (its own PC) - 159 4. Brookethorpe with Whaddon (its own PC) - 273 b) The numbers of properties registered as liable for Council Tax in each of these locations for the same year. 1. Figures are not available for Edge Ward 2. Painswick Non Burial - 512 3. Pitchcombe Parish - 114 4. Harescombe Parish - 91 5. Brookthorpe with Whaddon Parish - 130. c) The total parish council precepts for each of these locations in the same year as A above. For Edge, being taxed as part of Painswick, this may require to be calculated. 1. The precept figure is provided to the Council on the basis of the parish. 2. The total precept for the whole of Painswick (BA & NBA) is £77,160 (for information regarding the breakdown of this figure you will need to contact the parish clerk) 3. Pitchcombe precept £2,705 4. Harescombe precept £5,200 5. Brookthorpe with Whaddon £15,000. d) The average amount of Council Tax payable per property in each of these locations in the same year, in order to meet the precepts levied by these parish councils, averaged across property valuations bands, or for two representative bands. 1. The average parish charge in Painswick NBA is £53.46 2. Pitchcombe £23.78 3. Harescombe £56.99 4. Brookthorpe £118.79

14/06/2011

Residential Accommodation 6 storeys or more

Date responded	22/06/2011
Questions	1. Please provide a list of building names and addresses of all council residential accommodation consisting of 6 storeys or more 2. For each building please state: i. the type of accommodation eg sheltered accommodation, residential accommodation etc. Please use whatever category the council uses to define accommodation and please only provide this information if it does not take the request over the statutory cost limits ii. the date of the last fire inspection iii. the date of the last major refurbishment iv. whether the level of fire risk eg low, medium or high
Response	Stroud District Council does not own any residential accommodation which is 6 storeys or more, so therefore, this request does not apply.

14/06/2011

Landlord Complaints

Date responded	07/07/2011
Questions	I am looking for information concerning the effectiveness of local authorities’ enforcement activities in the private rented sector. I am keen to understand what happens to complaints about private landlords once received by the local authority and if there are any issues taking action against landlords who do not comply with enforcement action.
Response	Please see attached form with our response from Environmental Health and Legal Services.
Associated documents	PDF Shelter FOI Response (24 KB)

15/06/2011

Planning Applications S.08/1608/FUL and S.08/2023/FUL

Date responded	28/06/2011
Questions	I have been requested to gather information on the planning status of the above mentioned planning applications. Under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 I hereby request a copy of the following documents: 1. The Planning Officer’s site visit reports for planning application S.08/1608 and S.08/2023 respectfully. 2. The date these site visits were undertaken. 3. The Planning Officer’s delegated/Committee report that accompanied planning application S.08/2023. 4. The minutes of the Committee meeting where the decision was made to grant planning permission for S.08/2023. 5. Any correspondence between Officers and Committee members held for both planning applications S.08/1608 and S.08/2023 respectively.
Response	Thank you for your Freedom of Information Request received in this office on 15/06/11. Please find below the Local Planning Authority's response to your request for information in respect of the above mentioned planning applications - 1. No such documents exist. 2. A site visit was undertaken on 14/08/08. 3. Copies attached. 4. Copy attached. 5. Other than the documents attached, the Local Planning Authority does not hold any additional correspondence between officers and committee members in respect of these applications. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Council’s Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction then you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a review.
Associated documents	PDF Officer's Report (809 KB) PDF Officer's Report to Committee (1,247 KB) PDF Development Control Committee Minutes 16-01-09 (153 KB)

16/06/2011

Disabled Facilities Grants

Date responded	22/06/2011
Questions	1. The total council expenditure on adaptations to council properties using the disabled facilities grant in each of the last three years; 2. The number of adaptations to council properties provided for by the disabled facilities grant in each of the last three years; 3. The total council expenditure on adaptations to non-council properties using the disabled facilities grant in each of the last three years; 4. The number of adaptations to non-council properties provided for by the disabled facilities grant in each of the last three years.
Response	The Welfare Budget is used for the adaptation of the council housing stock and comes from the housing revenue account. 1. 2008/09 - £427,500.00 2009/10 - £290,184.01 2010/11 - £334,427.04 2. 2008/09 - 448 2009/10 - 465 2010/11 - 397 3. 2008/9 £340,061.88 2009/10 £256,085.19 2010/11 £269,167.05 4. 2008/9 54 2009/10 28 2010/11 52

17/06/2011

Purchase of Council houses

Date responded	06/07/2011
Questions	Please can you let me know how many Council houses that have been sold under the Right to Buy scheme that have been re-purchased by Stroud District Council for whatever reason over the last 10 years.
Response	There have been no Council houses that have been sold under the Right to Buy Scheme that have been re-purchased by Stroud District Council in the ast 10 years.

17/06/2011

Weee Tender

Date responded	21/06/2011
Questions	I would like to request the following information from either the procurement department or the Waste Management/Recycling department. • Date of the next tender for the “Collection and Disposal of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and Batteries for the council. • Also a copy of the previous successful tender for the collection and disposal of WEEE.
Response	Q • Date of the next tender for the “Collection and Disposal of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and Batteries for the council. Answer - Stroud District Council currently has a Multi service contract in place that incorporates a number of different front line services from waste collection to Building cleaning and grounds maintenance. The contract contains a bulky household waste collection service that includes the free collection from households, of items such as furniture, electrical appliances etc. The multi service contract runs until March 2016 - please note that Stroud District Council is a waste collection authority only. The council organises, as part of its waste recycling activities, the collection of non chargeable batteries through the Council's kerbside recycling service. This service is also contained within the Multi service contract. Q • Also a copy of the previous successful tender for the collection and disposal of WEEE. Answer - It is assumed that your query is centered on a disposal authority's responsibilities and activities. Please see above. If this is not the case and you require further detailed information, please make a further request.

20/06/2011

Hackney Carriages

Date responded	23/06/2011
Questions	Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I should be obliged if you would kindly provide the following information as at 1 April 2011: ? The number of vehicles licensed by the authority as hackney carriages; ? The number of persons licensed by the authority as hackney carriage drivers; ? The number of vehicles licensed by the authority as private hire vehicles; ? The number of persons licensed by the authority as private hire vehicle drivers; ? The number of persons / companies licensed by the authority as private hire operators Please note that the requested information shall be used in a submission to be made to the Department of Transport.
Response	? The number of vehicles licensed by the authority as hackney carriages; 112 ? The number of persons licensed by the authority as hackney carriage drivers; 137 ? The number of vehicles licensed by the authority as private hire vehicles; 92 ? The number of persons licensed by the authority as private hire vehicle drivers; 81 ? The number of persons / companies licensed by the authority as private hire operators 56
Associated documents	PDF Hackney Carriages (27 KB)

20/06/2011

CRM used?

Date responded	01/07/2011
Questions	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	Stroud District Council does not use a CRM. We have no plans to purchase such a system.

21/06/2011

Chief Executive: Procurement Card/Relocation Allowances

Date responded	19/07/2011
Questions	1. Please supply details of all spending by your chief executive on a council procurement card or credit card in the financial years 08/09, 09/10 and 10/11. Please supply the date, item purchased, reason for the purchase, vendor and cost in an Excel spreadsheet. 2. Please specify all relocation allowances paid to chief executives in your authority in all financial years from 2004/05 to the present. Please state the date, the value of the allowance, the individual's name, where they were relocating from, the reason the allowance was paid and how long that person worked for the authority. Please supply the data in an Excel spreadsheet.
Response	1. Please refer to the attached spreadsheet. 2. No relocation allowance has been paid to a chief executive from 2004/05 to the present as none has been recruited in that time.
Associated documents	PDF Chief Executive Procurement Card 2008-11 (14 KB)

22/06/2011

Environmental Services to Local Authorities

Date responded	01/07/2011
Questions	Q1. Refuse Collection - a) Contractor Name (or in-house) b) Approx Cost (£000) c) Contract Start Date d) End Date e) Extension possible? (Years) Q2. Recycling Collection - a) Contractor Name (or in-house) b) Approx Cost (£000) c) Contract Start Date d) End Date e) Extension possible? (Years) Q3. Street Cleansing - a) Contractor Name (or in-house) b) Approx Cost (£000) c) Contract Start Date d) End Date e) Extension possible? (Years) Q4. Grounds Maintenance - a) Contractor Name (or in-house) b) Approx Cost (£000) c) Contract Start Date d) End Date e) Extension possible? (Years)
Response	Answer 1 - a) Veolia Environmental Services (UK) Ltd b) 2002 - £1.23M c) 01/04/2002 d) 31/03/2016 e) None Answer 2 - a) Veolia Environmental Services (UK) Ltd b) 2002 - £0.58M c) 01/04/2002 d) 31/03/2016 e) None Answer 3 - a) Veolia Environmental Services (UK) Ltd b) 2002 - £0.4M c) 01/04/2002 d) 31/03/2016 e) None Answer 4 - a) Veolia Environmental Services (UK) Ltd b) 2002 - £0.26M c) 01/04/2002 d) 31/03/2016 e) None NB - Please note that the contract costs are based on tender prices from 2002.

22/06/2011

Empty Homes

Date responded	14/07/2011
Questions	1. How many empty dwellings were there in your local authority on 31st March 2011? 2. a) What is the current total number of empty dwellings within your local authority where demolition is, or was, planned? b) Out of these, how many are: - Privately owned - Owned by the council - Owned by housing associations - Owned by any other public body 3. a) What specific measures do you use to safeguard empty dwellings from risks (such as squatting)? b) How much has it cost, in the last financial year, to secure council-owned empty dwellings from risks (such as squatters)? c) How much do you spend per property to secure against these risks? 4. How many empty dwellings that were owned by your local authority have been transferred to another organisation under your control within the last two years?
Response	1. - 1,501 of which 610 are classes as long tem empties (132 Council Housing) 2. a - 20 (Council Housing) b - To be answered by Gloucestershire County Council 3. a - Security fencing, curtains, neighbours, visits/inspections (Council Housing) b - Unknown (not currently measured) c - Unknown (not currently measured) 4.- None

23/06/2011

Chief Executive's Expenses

Date responded	29/06/2011
Questions	Sum of expenses paid to Chief Executive for financial years 08/09, 09/10 and 10/11 To include restaurant meals, corporate entertaining, parties and functions, food and drink. gifts Response to include date, nature of event, venue
Response	I would refer you to our website which gives full details of the Chief Executive's remuneration and hospitality.This can be found under 'Open Data'. A copy of the document is attached below.
Associated documents	PDF Chief Executive Hospitality (1,910 KB)

23/06/2011

Details of Conferences, Training, Awaydays, Leisure Activities attended by Chief Executive

Date responded	29/06/2011
Questions	Individual breakdown of the date, nature, venue, travel, hotel bills for period 08/09, 09/10. 10/11 To include cars, trains, flights and hotels
Response	Please see document attached below which gives details of conferences attended.
Associated documents	PDF Chief Executive - Conferences (354 KB)

24/06/2011

Details on councillors attendance at meetings and surgeries and response times to correspondence

Date responded	22/07/2011
Questions	1. The number of council meetings attended by every councillor since 6th May 2010 to present 2. The number and percentage of seats that were un-contested (i.e. where only one candidate stood in a particular seat) since 2007 3. The total length of service for each current councillor 4. The average response rate by councillors to constituents’ correspondence. This should include postal as well as e-mail correspondence since 6th May 2010 to present 5. The average attendance at constituency surgeries for every councillor since 6th may 2010.
Response	1. The details of councillor attendance since 6 May 2010 are attached. 2. There were no uncontested district council seats since 2007. (It was clarified with the ERS that this information was only required for districts). 3. The total length of service of each current councillor is attached. 4. We do not monitor councillor response rates to constituents’ correspondence. 5. We do not monitor councillors surgeries.
Associated documents	PDF Length of Service (15 KB) PDF Attendance 2010to2011 (82 KB) PDF Attendance Record 2011to12 (66 KB)

24/06/2011

Parklands Farm - Enforcement Officer's Findings

Date responded	14/07/2011
Questions	Request for copy of Officer's findings.
Response	Please see attached documents (Covering Letter and Case Notes)
Associated documents	PDF Covering Letter (71 KB) PDF Case Notes (45 KB)

27/06/2011

Public Burials in the last 6 weeks

Date responded	28/06/2011
Questions	The names of all Public Health Funerals/ bona vacantia estates passed or in the process of being referred ie pending referral to The Treasury Solicitor ( BV ) Department or Duchy of Lancaster within the last 6 weeks. We request the following information only 1) The full name of the deceased 2) The date of death 3) Last known address 4) Approximate value of estate ( if not exempt )
Response	NIL

29/06/2011

Cheques

Date responded	12/07/2011
Questions	1. How many cheques were issued in total (including both to individuals and to organisations) by your Local Authority between the dates of the 1st April 2010 and the 31st March 2011? 2. How many cheques were received in total (including both from individuals and from organisations) by your Local Authority between the dates of the 1st April 2010 and the 31st March 2011?
Response	1. 2,695 2. 25,556.00 It is not possible to distinguish between individuals and organisations.

FOI requests for May 2011

Date received

Subject of request

03/05/2011

EIR/FOI Request

Date responded	01/06/2011
Questions	THE NEW BURDENS (REVOCATION OF THE PERSONAL SEARCH FEE OF THE LOCAL LAND CHARGES REGISTER) GRANT DETERMINATION 2010-11 No 31/1874 The above paper was sent to all councils in March 2011. Paragraph 4 appears to be missing. 1) £34,555 is being given to each council. Please advise me whether this meets your lost income and liability to refund unlawfully charged fees. I note councils are now being offered financial support. Is there likely to be a shortfall and, if so, who will bear the cost? 2)Was there a legitimate expectation that all councils would have their losses met in full? The documents below suggest that such an expectation would be reasonable: DEFRA letter dated 28.9.10 to local authorities: “There should be no overall cost to local authorities in the current financial year as the loss of income and repayment of unlawful charges will be met by central government.” The Ministry of Justice advised 11.11.10 that: “As I expect you know, Jonathan Djanogly, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, stated in a reply to a Parliamentary Question on 16 September that there should be no overall cost to local authorities in the current financial year, as the loss of income will be met by central government under the new burdens doctrine.” Paragraph 1 of page 12 of the Cross-Whitehall review of statutory duties states that: “The cost of the recent withdrawal of the fee for a personal search of the local land charges register in England for the current year is being met by Central Government.” 3)How does the £34,555 compare with the figures you supplied to Government via the MOJ and the LGA? 4) Do you know what rationale determines that the same sum goes to all councils irrespective of size? For example, Lambeth Borough Council’s auditor, Deloitte’s, calculate Lambeth Council’s EI refund liability to be a minimum of £6 million. Please advise me of your liability.
Response	1) The amount we received will meet the loss in liability for the last financial year, we do not believe we have acted un-lawfully and therefore we do not expect any refund liability. 2) & 4) The answers would be best provided by the DCLG as it was they who (a) considered the rationale for the calculation and (b) took a view on whether it was a legitimate expectation of the level of loss to local authorities. 3) We are not aware of any figures provided to the MOJ or LGA in respect of your question.

03/05/2011

How much motorists overpaid for parking using pay and display machines for the last financial year

Date responded	18/05/2011
Questions	Please could you tell me how much motorists overpaid for parking using pay and display machines for the last financial year for which figures are available. Many thanks
Response	Thank you for your FOI request which I received on 3rd May: Unfortunately the information is not available at this time from our software system.

03/05/2011

Council Owned Companies and FOI/DP Officer

Date responded	17/05/2011
Questions	1) Please tell me the name of any company of which your council is the sole owner. 2) Please tell me the name of any company of which your council is a joint owner with other public bodies. 3) Please tell me the name of your Data Protection Officer. 4) Please tell me the name of your FOI Officer. In both of the above instances, if you believe that the person is not sufficiently senior to be identified and decide to refuse, please provide the name of the senior officer responsible for Data Protection and / or Freedom of Information issues in your council.
Response	1 - NONE 2 - NONE 3 & 4 - Peter Cruden is Legal Services Manager.

04/05/2011

Actions of a parish councillor

Date responded	04/05/2011
Questions	1. Can you confirm, under the freedom of information act, did [Cllr X] declare a personal interest, in being [at the site inspection panel]? 2. Did [Cllr X] declare that [Cllr X] was a parish councillor, with a personal interest to declare ? 3. Have the council environmental health officers been on [Cllr X's] property, with sound recording equipment to ascertain if there is a noise issue that exceeds the legal noise decimal level ? 4. If they have, please can I have a copy of the report 5. If they haven’t, why have they not carried out this basic test, in view of her complaints ?
Response	1. At the site inspection panel meeting for the Development Control Committee, the Parish Council was represented by [Cllr X]. To the best of recollection by the officers present, [Cllr X] did not declare an association to ADAG. It should be noted, however, that officers present were aware of the dual status of [Cllr X] as were many, if not all, of the District Cllrs. 2. The District Council is not aware of any declaration by [Cllr x] to [Y Parish Council] as to associations with ADAG and possible conflicts of interest. 3. The Environmental Health Department has visited [Cllr X's] property on a number of occasions to investigate complaints of noise. 4. Information on these investigations can, and will, be forwarded by the Environmental Protection Manager by separate email. Initial details will be limited to 2010 to date. 5. Visits have occurred.

04/05/2011

Policies or Procedure restricting NAPIT members

Date responded	17/05/2011
Questions	We are looking for unfair trading practices on behalf of our members due to old policies or current policies which would restrict our members from carrying out repair work, installation work, electrical Periodic Inspection Reports. This request isn’t necessarily about work carried out within the council buildings this is fundamentally about council departments for example the policies the housing departments, Licensing, sporting arenas, environmental health departments enforcements notices and repair work, etc. In basic terms we are trying to understand if any departments within the councils that have either a requirement to use an electrician for installing or repair work and PIR, that you have no objections or policies in place that would restrict you from using a NAPIT member. A lot of councils I have spoken to have handed the letter over the LABC, NAPIT have no issues with the LABC as they support all competent person schemes and the LABC actually get a weekly feed of all competent person scheme which reflect the changes in membership which they then publish on the competent person website for anyone to view. Our request is about internal practices and policies within the various departments. If you do have specific policies in place that restrict our members form working or applying for or tendering for contracts then under the FOI we would wish to see these.
Response	I can confirm that we have no objections or policies in place that would restrict NAPIT members for tendering (or being awarded repair or construction contracts) within Council Housing.

05/05/2011

Outsourcing

Date responded	02/06/2011
Questions	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	Response for Facilities: 1 - Yes 2 - Security/Caretaking Providing cover for holidays for our employed Duty Officer 3 - £27,500 approx annual spend via a contract which is via a long term contract due for re tendering in 2011. The current incumbent is Glevum Security, Gloucester Response for Asset Management - Please see attached document
Associated documents	PDF Response from Asset Management (10 KB)

05/05/2011

Property sale

Date responded	02/06/2011
Questions	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	Response from Tenant Services: We are presently developing a list of Housing owned assets but as yet no plans or decisions have been made over any aspects of disposal. Certain secure tenants have a Right to Buy and may choose exercise this right and purchase their Council home. Response from Assett Management 1.11/11A May Lane and Chapel Street Cam are on the Disposals Programme contained in the Council's Asset management Plan. 2.The method of disposal will be considered in the context of the type of property being offered for sale the nature of the market for that type of property at the time of sale and any specific issues or special characteristics associated with the property.

05/05/2011

Complaints procedure

Date responded	24/06/2011
Questions	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	1. The Council has a Confidential Reporting ' Whistleblowing' Policy, Complaints Procedure and also a Disciplinary Policy which applies to all staff. The Whistleblowing Policy and Complaints Procedure are available on the Council's website at the following locations: Whistleblowing Policy: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/confidential_code.pdf Complaints Procedure: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/complain.asp The Disciplinary Policy is shown as an attachment. The Council also has a Member/Officer Protocol, containing a set of principles but no specific procedure which addresses misconduct of officers. Should a complaint be received this would be investigated and, if appropriate, dealt with in accordance with the Council’s Disciplinary Procedures. 2. Complaints received relating to alleged misconduct of officers since 2005: a. Complaints from staff 0 b. Complaints from members 0 c. Complaints from members of the Public 0 Complaints received through the official Complaints Procedure have been in relation to service delivery issues and have been dealt with individually by service units under Level 1 of the Procedure. Complaints at Level 2 within the Procedure are normally passed to the respective Strategic Head for investigation and reply. Service delivery complaints statistics are available on request. 3. The Council does not have a Policy for Managing Unreasonable Conduct by Complainants'. Any incidents of unreasonable conduct by complainants would be dealt with on a case by case basis.
Associated documents	PDF Disciplinary Policy (68 KB)

08/05/2011

Local Land Charges

Date responded	12/05/2011
Questions	Have you received a claim in relation to Local Land Charges fees from Tinklers Solicitors? Please send me all information you hold which relates to this.
Response	The Council has not received any claim from Tinklers Solicitors so we do not hold the information sought.

09/05/2011

Runaways

Date responded	24/05/2011
Questions	I would like the following data: 1. The number of young runaways (under 18) who have come to the council's attention during 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 2. How many of these young runaways were running away from a) home and b) care 3. Do you have protocol and services in place to deal with young runaways from home? Please give details. 4. Do you have protocol and services in place to deal with young runaways from care? Please give details. 5. How many emergency beds for young runaways do you provide today? (And what was that figure for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010?) 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?) 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?
Response	As per document.
Associated documents	PDF Runaways - FOI response (10 KB)

09/05/2011

Information regarding desktop PCs

Date responded	20/05/2011
Questions	1. Please can you supply me with the number of council owned computers. Please indicate the number of laptops, desktops, servers and thin clients. 2. Please indicate the operating systems on the computers, eg Windows 2000, XP, Windows 7, Mac etc 3. Please let me know how many computers have Microsoft Office installed and which version(s) you use. 4. Please indicate the next time you are due to upgrade your computer equipment.
Response	1. Please can you supply me with the number of council owned computers. Please indicate the number of laptops, desktops, servers and thin clients. Laptops= 30 Desktops = 250 Physical Servers = 13, plus 5 acting as hosts for virtual servers Thin Clients = 200 currently 2. Please indicate the operating systems on the computers, eg Windows 2000, XP, Windows 7, Mac etc Windows XP and Windows 7. 3. Please let me know how many computers have Microsoft Office installed and which version(s) you use. PCs have Microsoft Office 2003 installed, with a handful running Office 2007. Thin Clients run Office 2003. 4. Please indicate the next time you are due to upgrade your computer equipment. We are in the process of moving from desktop PC’s to thin clients. This project is mid-flow. There is no timescale set for further updates. Servers will be replaced only when the applications require and where possible will be run on virtual servers. Laptops will not be replaced unless there is a valid business case and these are considered on an individual basis – there is no timeframe for renewing laptops.

09/05/2011

Cost of maintaining and developing web site

Date responded	01/06/2011
Questions	Please can tell me how much money you have spent on your Councils main website in the last 5 years. Please include: 1. Hosting costs (identify if you host the site yourself, or use a third party). 2. 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). 3. Also other third party web modules to back office systems; Academy self-service, for example. 4. Cost of any redesign in the last 5 years 5. 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). Please can you supply this information as a PDF attachment.
Response	1. Hosting costs (identify if you host the site yourself, or use a third party) Our website is hosted internally. Costs are therefore part of an overall infrastructure cost and would be impossible to accurately extract. 2. Cost of software used to manage/maintain the website (capital and revenue). a) Site Morse £2,000 per year - website function, accessibility and performance testing. b) Site Improve £1,788 per year - Website availability and site statistics. c) Web Server Security Software (product name not used for security reasons) - £500 approximately per annum. 3. Also other third party web modules to back office systems; for example, Academy self-service. The main product in use is linked to our Planning systems but theses were purchased at the same time and the annual costs are included in the whole maintenance charges, therefore we are not able to separately identify them. 4. Cost of any redesign in the last 5 years. £500 for a one-off design refresh 5. 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). Post: Web Editor Number: 1 Service: IT Service Role: Maintaining the main website and ntranet site and administrating other sites we host for non-profit making local groups. Additional: 15% of one in-house IT developer is charged to maintaining and administrating the main website.

10/05/2011

Empty property in the district

Date responded	08/06/2011
Questions	Request for details of all empty domestic and commercial properties, the length of time vacant and whether owned by local authority
Response	There is already a list of empty commercial premises available on our web site. This may be found on the following link. http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/foi.asp#foi1235 There are also other similar requests which you may find of interest. The information requested on domestic properties is exempt from disclosure under section 40 (personal information) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

10/05/2011

Contact details for various roles within Sports Development

Date responded	02/06/2011
Questions	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	Community Development Officer – Hannah Drew Sports Development Officer (hannah.drew@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754508) · Community Education Officer – don’t have one · Director of Area(s) children and young people; play; playwork – don’t have C &YP Directorate as we are a second tier district authority · Lead Officer for Children and Young People – Karen Toole Strategic Head (Community Services) (karen.toole@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754339) · Out of School Development Worker – Steve Miles Senior Youth Officer (Hear By Right) (steve.miles@stroud.gov.uk tel:01453 754504 and Hannah Drew Sports Development Officer (hannah.drew@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754508) · Play Pathfinder – don’t have one · Play Champion – Jane Bullows Regeneration Through Sport Manager (jane.bullows@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754322) · Play Development Co-Ordinator - Jane Bullows Regeneration Through Sport Manager (jane.bullows@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754322) · Playbuilder – Rozelle Jachowicz Open Spces Officer (Rozelle.jachowicz@stroud.gov.uktel: 01453 754405) and Jane Bullows Regeneration Through Sport Manager (jane.bullows@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754322) · Playground Commissioner – don’t have · Playgrounds in Parks - Rozelle Jachowicz Open Spces Officer (Rozelle.jachowicz@stroud.gov.uktel: 01453 754405) and Jane Bullows Regeneration Through Sport Manager (jane.bullows@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754322) · Training Officer – don’t have one · Workforce Development and Learning Manager – Fiona Hammond HR Project Officer (Fiona.hammond@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754320) · Leisure and recreation team manager – Mike Hammond Facilities Manager (mike.hammond@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754447) and Jane Bullows Regeneration Through Sport Manager (jane.bullows@stroud.gov.uk tel: 01453 754322)
Associated documents	PDF meynellresponse (21 KB)

11/05/2011

Secondment

Date responded	02/06/2011
Questions	would be grateful if you could send me a list of all senior management who work on secondment from a private sector company. I would be grateful for the name and job title of each senior member of staff, along with the name of the private sector company that they are employed by. It would also be helpful if you could inform me how much the council pays in each case for the services of the senior member of staff.
Response	The Council has no employee at senior management level who is currently working on secondment from a private sector company.

11/05/2011

Outstanding Building Control Issues

Date responded	02/06/2011
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act would you kindly email me with what outstanding information you require in order to finalize ALL the outstanding Building Control Plans Check submissions that my clients have with you - Projects in my area SW London include: 27 Jocelyn Road, Richmond 282 Staines Road 144 Studland Road 64 Downs Avenue 2 Tudor Ave 4 Tudor Ave 3 Stanley Gardens Road 7 Ember Lane
Response	Thank you for your freedom of information request email of the 11th May 2011. Under the Freedom of Information Act, the applications you identified in your email of the 11th May have been investigated. As requested I provide an update on these applications. 2010/3074/PSHIP 27 Jocelyn Road, Richmond: application approved on the 14/04/2011 to Richmond Building Control 2010/3076/PSHIP 282 Staines Road: discharge of all conditions issued on the 16/12/2010 to Richmond Building Control 2010/3086/PSHIP 144 Studland Road: discharge of all conditions issued on the 16/05/2011 to Ealing Building Control 2010/3083/PSHIP 64 Downs Avenue: application stands rejected. I attach a copy of the plan assessment letter which raised a number of questions in relation to the submitted details. I have today received a copy email from Mr Neal originally dated 11th March 2011 which includes builders site notes. Information sufficient to show compliance with the building regulations is required in the form of plans and or specification details. 2010/3048/PSHIP 2 Tudor Ave: discharge of all conditions issued on the 16/05/2011 to Richmond Building Control 2010/3047/PSHIP 4 Tudor Ave: discharge of all conditions issued on the 16/05/2011 to Richmond Building Control 2010/3044/PSHIP 3 Stanley Gardens Road: discharge of all conditions issued on the 16/05/2011 to Richmond Building Control 2010/3056/PSHIP 7 Ember Lane: discharge of all conditions issued on the 16/05/2011 to Richmond Building Control I trust that this information is of assistance to you.
Associated documents	PDF Plan Assessment Letter (90 KB)

12/05/2011

E H Questionnaire

Date responded	06/06/2011
Questions	Working for a local authority until recently, I understand the financial strain that many councils are facing. My job role was made redundant (due to finish at the end of May 2011) as part of a structure change to make financial savings and despite being sponsored by my employers to undertake my masters degree in environmental management and no-one else in the organisation having the qualification or knowledge that I do, I have not been retained as a member of staff. Due to complete the degree in September I started to look for work in other local authorities and have found very few job roles relating to the environment and/or the management of it. Despite being highly qualified and having experience in the field I am yet to find a job. This has spurred my interest into how local authorities are coping under the strain of cutbacks from central government and to what degree local authorities in England are concerned with the environmental agenda. I attach a questionnaire to this email consisting of 20 questions; it should take approximately 15 minutes of your time to complete. I would be most grateful if you could complete it and return it to me as a word attachment at the earliest possible date to help me in my studies. For academic purposes could you please reply/return the questionnaire the email address and the other one quoted. Thank you. Local Authority Environmental Questionnaire Name of Authority: SECTION 1 1. How many staff does your organisation currently employ? 2. Has your organisation made any staff redundancies as a result of budget cuts in the past 12 months? 0 Yes (Please specify): 0 No 3. Do you anticipate (further) staff redundancies as a result of budget cuts? (any information you provide will be kept confidential) 0 Yes (please specify how many staff you anticipate will be made redundant over the next three year period ) 0 No 4. Does your organisation currently engage in environmental management? 0 Yes (PLEASE GO TO SECTION 2) 0 No (PLEASE GO TO SECTION 3) SECTION 2 5. Is your organisation currently operating or planning to implement a formal environmental management system such as ISO 14001 or EMAS? 0 Yes we operate a formal environmental management system (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 5a) 0 We are planning to implement a formal environmental management system (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 5a) 0 No we don’t operate a formal environmental management system (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 6) 5a. please specify which formal environmental management system you operate or are planning to operate: 0 ISO 14001 0 EMAS 0 Other - (Please specify): 6. Does your organisation have the following? (Please tick all that apply) 0 Recycling programme 0 Environmental policy 0 Public environmental report 0 Internal environmental scheme/programme 0 Environmental Strategy 0 Environmental training for employees 0 None of the above 0 Other - (Please specify): 7. Approximately how much does your organisation currently spend on environmental management annually? £ 8. Will your organisation continue environmental management over the next 5 years? 0 Yes the organisation plans to continue the current level of environmental management (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 10) 0 Yes the organisation plans to continue environmental management but at a reduced financial cost (please specify reduced annual spend £ ) 0 No, the organisation will no longer be taking part in environmental management as a result of financial strain 0 Other - (Please specify) 9. Does your organisation have a team or staff member whose dedicated role is environmental management? (Please select the option most appropriate) 0 Yes, we have a dedicated team (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 10) 0 Yes, we have a dedicated staff member (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 10) 0 No we do not have a dedicated team or staff member (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 11) 0 Other - (Please specify) (SECTION 2 CONTINUED…) 10. What are the duties of your dedicated staff member or team? (Please list the top 5 in order of importance) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. (PLEASE GO TO SECTION 4) 11. Has your organisation ever had a team or staff member dedicated to environmental management? 0 Yes 0 No (PLEASE GO TO SECTION 4) 12. For what reason do you no longer have a team or staff member dedicated to environmental management? 0 We no longer needed a dedicated team or staff member 0 We could no longer justify the expense of a dedicated team or staff member 0 Other - (Please specify) PLEASE GO TO SECTION 4 SECTION 3 13. Has your organisation ever engaged in environmental management? 0 Yes (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 15) 0 No (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 16) 14. Has this been within the past 3 years? 0 Yes 0 No 15. Do you no longer engage in environmental management due to financial costs? 0 Yes 0 No - (Please specify) PLEASE GO TO SECTION 4 SECTION 4 16. On a scale of 1 to 5 what is your organisations current level of interest in environmental management? (1 being not very important, 5 being very important) 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 17. Do you view any of the following as a barrier to the adoption or continuation of environmental management? (Please select all that apply) 0 Cost implications 0 Lack of environmental knowledge and skills 0 Not seen as important in the organisation 0 Other priorities are more important 0 Lack of managerial support 0 Lack of employee interest 0 Other - (Please specify) 18. Are any other services being cut or reduced currently within your organisation? 0 Yes (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 19) 0 No (PLEASE GO TO QUESTION 20) 19. What services will be cut? 20. Do you anticipate other service cuts of reductions in the next 3 years? 0 Yes 0 No Any other comments: Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire Kind Regards
Response	Please see attached completed questionnaire.
Associated documents	PDF E H Questionnaire (39 KB)

16/05/2011

Building Control Applications - copies of paperwork

Date responded	09/06/2011
Questions	Request for copies of paperwork for - 2010/3073/PSHIP 2010/3055/PSHIP
Response	Thank you for your email dated the 16th May 2011 in relation to the above building regulations 2010/3073/PSHIP/A and 2010/3055/PSHIP/A, your request for information has been dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act. Both applications have been conditionally approved under the building regulations, please find attached copies of the conditional approval that have been sent to the inspecting Local Authorities. The conditions that have been attached to the approvals remain unresolved at this time. For each of the applications the following drawing numbers were submitted in addition to a specification. 2010/3073/PSHIP/A The drawings submitted for this application were: WELL-PG-01 WELL-PG-02 WELL-PG-03 WELL-PG-04 WELL-PG-05 WELL-PG-06 WELL-PG-07 WELL-PG-08 In addition to these drawings structural calculations were submitted but did not contain loading calculations 2010/3055/PSHIP/A The drawings submitted for this application were: MOROSCO-DS-01 MOROSCO-DS-02 MOROSCO-DS-03 MOROSCO-DS-04 MOROSCO-DS-05 MOROSCO-DS-06 MOROSCO-DS-07 MOROSCO-DS-08 MOROSCO-DS-09 MOROSCO-DS-10 In addition to these drawings structural calculations were submitted A copy of the conditional approval and conditionally approved drawings, specification and calculations have been forwarded to the inspecting Authority. I trust that this information is of assistance to you. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Council’s Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction then you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a review.
Associated documents	PDF 2010.3073.PSHIP (213 KB) PDF 201.3055.PSHIP (216 KB)

16/05/2011

Expenses

Date responded	10/06/2011
Questions	I would like to submit this request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I would like to know how much in expenses are paid out to certain council employees each month and how much they get paid. I would like the spreadsheet I have attached about Salaries and Expenses filled in. I have taken this template from a council website so I'm hoping it will be fairly straight forward to fill in. I understand the contents of column 'E' and 'F' may need to be altered slightly to fit in with individual local authorities so please amend if you need to.
Response	Expenses paid to Senior Management at Strategic Head level and above, for the period October 2010 - March 2011 are detailed below: Expenses £(month) Oct 10 Nov 10 Dec 10 Jan 11 Feb 11 Mar 11 Budgetary Responsibility 11/12 (£million) Chief Executive 163.33 163.33 163.33 163.33 163.33 163.33 2,309,500 Strategic Head 0 0 0 0 0 0 7,437,700 (Community Services) Strategic Head 0 100.10 99.40 0 125.85 0 1,249,100 (Customer Services) Strategic Head 0 0 0 0 0 173.25 3,279,000 (Development Services) Strategic Head 0 0 0 0 0 0 25,336,300 (Tenant Services) Salary and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) details in relation to Senior Management at Strategic Head level and above are detailed below: Job Title Service Area FTE Salary FTE Employees Chief Executive Strategic Team & CE Office 1 108,609.00 63.78 Strategic Head of Community Services Community Services 1 66,783.00 81.99 Strategic Head of Customer Services Customer Services 1 66,783.00 58.59 Strategic Head of Development Services Development Services 1 66,783.00 79.59 Strategic Head of Tenant Services Tenant Services 1 £400 per day 75.23 (Contractor) Further details of Senior Management including names can be found on the Council's website: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/cx/senior_management_salaries.pdf

18/05/2011

Failure to enforce conditions - Aston Down

Date responded	10/06/2011
Questions	I would be obliged if you could provide me with the following: All documents, e-mails and any other form of correspondence / reports between Stroud DC and Leda properties / Leda Properties Pension Fund their agents or occupiers / tenants of the Aston Down site and VOSA from the 1st January 2010 to 18th May 2011 regarding the operating conditions put in place by the Secretary of State and Stroud District Council on the Aston Down site or relating to the breaches of conditions that have taken place within that period.
Response	Please find attached copies of the requested documents.
Associated documents	PDF Correspondence between Stroud DC and Leda Properties (250 KB)

19/05/2011

Ice Cleats

Date responded	10/06/2011
Questions	We are making the following enquiry under the Freedom of Information Act. Any reference to Ice Cleats below is a reference to any protective footwear/ or attachment to footwear which is designed to prevent the wearer from slipping/ tripping or falling on Ice or Snow. The attached image shows a refuse collector wearing one such ice cleat. Queries: 1. Has the Local Authority purchased any “Ice Cleats” in the last 3 years? 2. If the answer is “Yes” for question 1: a. For which Department were the Ice Cleats purchased? E.g. refuse collectors, food delivery staff, outdoor workers, care workers. b. How many Ice Cleats did you buy and who from? c. What was the total expenditure on ice cleats? d. Which Ice Cleat products were purchased (name of product) and what was the price paid for each product (per Ice Cleat)? 3. If the answer is “No” to question 1: a. Have any proposal been made to purchase or is the Local Authority contemplating purchasing any ice cleats for winter 2011 to help employees work during snow/icy conditions and if so for which departments? b. How many refuse collectors/binmen do you employ.? c. How many outdoor workers do you employ? Outdoor staff means workers whose principal work in the outdoors environment and not inside a building e.g. street cleaners (an estimate would suffice here) d. How many Visiting Staff do you employ- staff who need to visit local residents to e.g. check up on their health and well being (an estimate would suffice here) 4. How many of your employees were injured last year due to slip, trips or falls in icy/snowy conditions? 5. Please could you describe what the Local Authority’s procedure would be if they were to buy Ice Cleats for workers? E.g. would this require approval by the Council at a meeting of Councillors? 6. Please can you confirm how many trips and injuries suffered by the Local Authority were recorded last year by any outdoor workers specifically due to snow/icy conditions? 7. Please can you confirm how many refuse collection services you cancelled last year due to snow and ice being deemed a health hazard? 8. Please can you confirm how many boots you ordered for refuse collectors in financial year 2009-2010 and who you purchased these boots from.
Response	1. - NO 2. a - n/a b - n/a c - n/a d - n/a 3. a - NO b - 0 - This council do not directly employ staff to undertake refuse front line services. Front line services are currently contracted out to 'Veolia ES Ltd' - Veolia's contact will be Nigel Smith - he can be reached on 01453 793910 c - Community Safety - 14 d - Tenant Services - 43 Revenues and Benefits - 6 Public Space - 5 4. - 1 5. - Corporate Health and Safety Policy would apply. 6. - 1 7. - During the latest bout of snowfall (Dec 2010/Jan 2011), the refuse collection and recycling collection services were impeded on a number of days to varying degrees. However, the collection operation was only cancelled from one day during the snowfall period - the authority has approx 50,000 properties 8. - n/a

20/05/2011

Number of reported bed bug infestations in each of the last 3 financial years

Date responded	20/05/2011
Questions	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)?
Response	Thank you for your freedom of information request. please see below answers to your questions. 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). Stroud District Council - Bed Bug - Domestic 2008/09 - 3 2009/10 - 5 2010/11 - 7 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). Stroud District Council - Bed Bug - Commercial 2008/09 - 0 2009/10 - 1 2010/11 - 1 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)? Stroud District Council - Bed Bug Total 2008/09 - 3 2009/10 - 6 2010/11 - 8

24/05/2011

Environmental Services

Date responded	02/06/2011
Questions	1. Do you currently provide a pest control service for residents? 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) 3. How frequent are the following collections you provide to private households (if applicable)? a.) the non-recyclable refuse collection service b.) the food waste refuse collection service 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? 5. If so, when did this change take place (Month and Year) and what was the reduction in frequency (e.g. weekly to fortnightly)?
Response	1. Yes 2. n/a 3. a. weekly b.Stroud District Council does not undertake the separate collection of food waste from 45,000 households 4. It has the stayed the same. 5. n/a

25/05/2011

Various questions relating to civil enforcement officers

Date responded	07/06/2011
Questions	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 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	1) Stroud District Council directly employees 3 ft & 2 PT Civil Enforcement Officers, this equates to 4 full time posts. 2) No contracts held relating to the supply of Civil Enforcement Officers or equivalent. 3) Stroud District Council provides no incentives of any type based on performance. 4) Please see above (Not applicable) 5) Please see above (Not applicable) 6) Written guidance on dealing with the public has been provided to all Civil Enforcement Officers employed by Stroud District Council during the City & Guilds level 2 1889 training course provided by Alpha Parking Ltd. All Civil Enforcement Officers have received in-house training on equality & diversity during February & March following the new equality act 2010. Details of these courses can be found on the Stroud District Council website and the Alpha Parking Ltd website.
Associated documents	PDF Response to civil enforcement (8 KB)

26/05/2011

Reserves

Date responded	17/06/2011
Questions	My request concerns the minimum limit the council sets for its general reserve balances. There is no statutory minimum level of reserves but the council’s chief financial officer (CFO) section 151 officer has a duty to provide an annual statement to the Council on reserves and balances and the robustness of estimates for purposes of the Local Government Act 2003 – specifically the robustness of the budget estimates and adequacy of the planned reserves when the council tax decision is being made by the Council. I would like to obtain the council’s general reserve minimum limit as budgeted for 2011-12. Questions: 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 terms Please provide correspondence between the auditor and CFO if you feel this would explain the decision reached. 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.
Response	1 – The budgeted amount in cash terms has remained at a minimum level of £1.0m (we don’t budget for a % figure) Q2 – No, the cash amount has not changed, but the equivalent percentage amount has changed with Net Revenue Budget changes The following information is taken from published Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) reports presented to Council in January/February of each year (available on the Council's web site). 2011/12 budgeted minimum level: £1.0m (equivalent to 7.3% of Net Revenue Budget) 2010/11 budgeted minimum level: £1.5m (equivalent to 9.8% of Net Revenue Budget) 2009/10 budgeted minimum level: £1.0m (equivalent to 6.7% of Net Revenue Budget) 2008/09 budgeted minimum level: £1.0m (equivalent to 6.5% of Net Revenue Budget) The Council aims to maintain balances at £1.0m over the life of the Medium Term Financial Plan, the exception being in 2010/11 when it was increased by £0.5m. The MTFP is also reported in the autumn of each year and the following links to Stroud District Council's web site provide further information. MTFP 2011/12 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag_6_MTFP_Report.pdf MTFP 2010/11 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag7_MTFP.pdf MTFP 2009/10 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/cab-2%20oct%2008-agenda%20item%206.pdf MTFP 2008/09 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Cab%20031007%20Ag09%20Medium%20Term%20Fin%20Plan.pdf

26/05/2011

GPC Visa Card Spending

Date responded	16/06/2011
Questions	I 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 2009/10 3.a) and b) The same for 2008/09 4.a) and b) The same for 2007/08 5.a) and b) The same for 2006/07 6.a) and b) The same for 2005/06 Please note, it states on the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) website in Frequently Asked Questions (The OGC Website No Longer Exists) 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.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	Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act states that a public authority is not obliged to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying with a request exceeds the “appropriate limit” set out in the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/3244). Section 9A of the Data Protection Act makes the same provision for requesting personal information which is not held electronically and which is not held in a structured filing system. The Regulations set the appropriate limit for requests to local authorities as £450, at a standard rate of £25 per hour. This means that Stroud District Council will refuse a request for information if it estimates that the time taken to determine if the information is held, to locate and retrieve that information, and to extract the releasable information from any exempt information, will exceed 18 hours (£25 per hour for 18 hours being the £450 limit). Stroud District Council is committed to being an open and transparent Council, whilst at the same time protecting the privacy of personal and sensitive information. However, the cost of providing you with the information requested is above the amount to which we are legally required to respond. We are sorry that we are unable to assist on this occasion.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450

27/05/2011

Salaries of Council House Tenants

Date responded	02/06/2011
Questions	1. No. of current tenants earning between £50,000 and £99,999 a year (gross income) in salary (provide breakdown showing how many are Council tenants and how many are tenants of a Housing Association. 2. No. of current tenants earning between £100,000 and £149,999 a year (gross income) in salary (provide breakdown showing how many are Council tenants and how many are tenants of a Housing Association. 3. No. of current tenants earning between £150,000 and £199,999 a year (gross income) in salary (provide breakdown showing how many are Council tenants and how many are tenants of a Housing Association. 4. No. of current tenants earning more than £200,000 a year (gross income) in salary (provide breakdown showing how many are Council tenants and how many are tenants of a Housing Association. 5. A copy of the most recent housing needs survey that contains data on salaries of tenants.
Response	Stroud District Council do not hold this kind of information at present. However, the CORE annual returns report for 2010/11 show that no current tenant's annual income either equals or exceeds the amounts in original request.

27/05/2011

Council Staff parking

Date responded	07/06/2011
Questions	1. How many free parking spaces are provided for council staff? - Please include all staff parking spaces attached to council offices (not including schools). - Please also include permits allowing staff to park in public car parks for free. - However, please do NOT include permits or places given exclusively to staff who are ‘essential users’ (ie. need a car to perform their daily duties) or are disabled Blue Badge holders. 2. What was the daily charge to members of the public using the nearest council-run car park to the council headquarters in: a) 2010/11 b) 2011/12 - If there is no official headquarters, please use the largest council office instead. - If the parking charges for 2011/12 are easily available on your website, please provide the 2010/11 charges or indicate if they are unchanged.
Response	Q1) No permits are issued to staff to carry out anything other than work related business. The number of staff parking spaces at the Councils HQ are 238 spaces which includes visitors parking Q2) The closest council run car park to the council offices has the following restrictions (Cainscross car park) 2010/11 - Maximum stay 48hrs 2011/12 - Maximum Stay 48hrs Referring to only car parks that have a charge then it would be Stonehouse. the charges for that are as follows: £1.60 for 10/11 and £2.00 for 11/12.
Associated documents	PDF Response Council Staff parking (7 KB)

27/05/2011

Salary

Date responded	13/06/2011
Questions	Please send me the salary and job description for your council's FOI officer or whoever deals with FOIs as part of their role.
Response	The Council does not have a designated Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer. However, each of the Council's Service Areas have 'champions' that respond to FOI requests. The Council's website provides information regarding these champions at the following location: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/legal/making_request.asp

28/05/2011

sick days taken by council staff

Date responded	13/06/2011
Questions	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	1. The total number of full time and part time staff employed by the Council in the 2010/11 financial year was 444, (361.37 Full Time Equivalent - FTE). The figures provided are as at 31 March 2011. 2. There were a total of 4364 sick days taken by full time and part time staff employed by the Council in the 2010/11 financial year. 3. There were 2 full time employees and 3 part time employees who were sick for a period of more than six months in the 2010/11 financial year. 4. There is 1 full time employee and 1 part time employee who are currently off sick for a period of between a year and two years. 5. There are no full time or part time staff who are currently off sick for a period of between two years and five years. 6. There are no full time or part time staff who are currently off sick for a period of more than 5 years.

30/05/2011

Staff Numbers

Date responded	10/06/2011
Questions	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. 2. Total number of fee earning applications received by Building Control in 2010/11. Including - Full plans applications - Building Notices and Regularisations
Response	1. Staff numbers for the following services on or around the 31st March 2011 - Building Control - 7 - Development Control - 13 - Food Safety - 3 - Environmental Health - 35 (including Food Safety) There were a total of 1001 fee earning applications received by Building Control in 2010/1. This figure includes Full Plans applications and Building Notices and Regularisations.

31/05/2011

Housing

Date responded	13/06/2011
Questions	1 - How many people are currently on Stroud District Council's Housing List? 2 - What is the average waiting time for people on the Housing List in Stroud District Council in each Band? 3 - How many council properties have been built in the past year in Stroud District Council? 4 - How many council properties in Stroud District Council are currently empty? 5 - How many prosecutions have there been of private landlords in Stroud District Council in the past 3 years?
Response	1 - 3148 as at end of May 2011 2 - With a choice based lettings scheme people bid for the property they want so we do not record a band waiting time as it would depend on what they want. In its place:- Number in each Band Bronze 1819 62.8% Silver 797 27.5% Gold 219 7.6% Emergency 62 2.1% 2897 ( excl Suspended) Properties have been let Bronze 23 27.7% 2011-2012 Silver 27 32.5% Gold 28 33.7% Emergency 5 6% 83 3 - No Council properties have been built in the past year by SDC 4 - There are 143 empty council homes as at today's date (Monday 13/6) 5 - 0

FOI requests for April 2011

Date received

Subject of request

01/04/2011

Cost of recording FOI Requests

Date responded	01/04/2011
Questions	1. Please explain how you log all freedom of information requests (i.e. are they held in a central database, department database or paper records?) 2. Are paper based requests (letters) logged in the same way as emails? 3. If you use a computer system to record your freedom of information requests please can you provide the system name as well as the company which produced it? 4. If you use a computer system to record your freedom of information request please can you provide me with the cost of the system (capital cost and monthly/yearly revenue cost?)
Response	1. Requests are held on a central database. 2. Paper based requests are scanned and added to the central database, and treated exactly the same. 3. The system was designed and built in-house by the ICT development team 4. N/A

03/04/2011

Insurance Claims

Date responded	28/04/2011
Questions	- Number of claims for each year from 2001 to 2010. - Initial estimate your authority gave to these claims. - Total final amount paid out per year. - Total number of claims defended successfully. - Total number of claims completed for each year. To clarify, I am only interested in personal injury claims relating to outdoor children's play areas in your parks and open spaces.
Response	Please refer to the attached spreadsheet completed as requested.
Associated documents	PDF Insurance claims - children's play areas (6 KB)

04/04/2011

Statutory Nuisances witnessed from Noise Emanating from Ships

Date responded	05/04/2011
Questions	Would it be possible to make a Freedom of Information Act Request please? Could you supply us with the number of Statutory Nuisances the Port Health Team has witnessed due to noise emanating from ships berthed at individual ports within your county over the last 2 years? (No details/dates of vessels are required, just a number at each port). We are suffering considerable noise at our port from large LNG carriers, are comparing the number of statutory nuisances witnessed elsewhere. If you have any advice that may be useful to us in bringing our situation to a successful close, we would greatly appreciate your contribution. We have at least 11 statutory nuisances witnessed, but for some reason, none appear to have been served. (including a number of vessels which have had more multiple nuisances witnessed on them.)
Response	Further to your Freedom of Information request, I write to answer the question raised. The Port Health team here at Stroud D.C. has not witnessed any statutory nuisances in the last two years relating to noise emanating from berthed ships at Sharpness Docks.

04/04/2011

Job Losses

Date responded	05/05/2011
Questions	The current A) full time equivalent, and B) total headcount staffing complement of the authority · The projected A) full time equivalent, and B) total headcount staffing complement of the authority at the end of the financial years 2011-2012, 2012-13 and 2013-14. · The number of planned A) full-time equivalent and B) actual post reductions within the direct employ of the authority in the financial years 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14. · The number of A) voluntary and B) compulsory redundancies predicted from within the direct employ of the authority in the financial years 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14. · Any correspondence between the Chief Executive or Finance Director and the Leader of the authority pertaining to predicted employee reductions or redundancies in the same years.
Response	A) On 1st April 2011 the Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed by the Council was: 361.37 B) Number of staff with contracted hours: 444 The Council's senior management team has adopted a Workforce Plan, effective from 2010-14, which will reduce staffing levels in line with the Medium Term Financial Plan. It is likely there will be a 10% reduction in staffing levels over the 4 year period. .

04/04/2011

Request on Council Assets

Date responded	05/05/2011
Questions	Council properties and land: 1) Can you let me know what properties your council owns? Can you provide a list? 2) Can you also provide me with a valuation of your authority's property portfolio? 3) Does your council have a asset disposal target, if so what is it ?
Response	Please find the response to your FOI request below. 1) Attached is a pdf document listing our principal general fund property holdings at Stroud District Council. This does not include any HRA assets, sheltered dwellings or council estate shops. Please could you specify if these are required. Land holdings are not contained within an asset register list but are held on a mapping system. 2) A valuation of the Stroud District Council portfolio can be found within the 2010/11 Statement of Accounts on the Council website. 3) Stroud District Council does not have an asset disposal target. I hope that this answers your query.
Associated documents	PDF List of Assets (12 KB)

05/04/2011

Budget/CAB/Legal Services 2009/10 - 2011/12

Date responded	05/05/2011
Questions	1) Overall budget: a. What was the budget for your local authority in 2009/10? b. What was the budget for your local authority in 2010/11? c. What is the budget for your local authority in 2011/12? 2) Citizens Advice Bureaux budget: a. What was your budget for Citizens Advice Bureaux in 2009/10? b. What was your budget for Citizens Advice Bureaux in 20010/11? c. What is your budget for Citizens Advice Bureaux in 20011/12? 3) Legal Services budget: a. What was your budget for Legal and other Advice Services in 2009/10? b. What was your budget for Legal and other Advice Services in 2010/11? c. What is your budget for Legal and other Advice Services in 2011/12?
Response	1) Overall budget: a. What was the budget for your local authority in 2009/10? Budget requirement: £14.9m b. What was the budget for your local authority in 2010/11? Budget requirement: £15.2m c. What is the budget for your local authority in 2011/12? Budget requirement: £13.6m 2) Citizens Advice Bureaux budget: a. What was your budget for Citizens Advice Bureaux in 2009/10? £125,000 b. What was your budget for Citizens Advice Bureaux in 20010/11? £125,000 c. What is your budget for Citizens Advice Bureaux in 20011/12? £125,000 3) Legal Services budget: a. What was your budget for Legal and other Advice Services in 2009/10? £0.56m b. What was your budget for Legal and other Advice Services in 2010/11? £0.56m c. What is your budget for Legal and other Advice Services in 2011/12? £0.56m

06/04/2011

106 Agreements - Information for each development over the last five years

Date responded	20/04/2011
Questions	* How much money was agreed as part of Section 106 for each development? * Was the Section 106 money received on time? * How much Section 106 money is outstanding? * How long has this Section 106 money been outstanding? * How much has been received as a result of direct action? * How much Section 106 money has been received in each of the past 5 years under threat of county court recovery action? * What was the Section 106 money intended for? * Has the Section 106 money been used by the Council for that infrastructure?
Response	Thank you for your request for information dated 5th April, received on 5th April, concerning s.106 agreements. This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. From our preliminary assessment, we estimate that compliance with your request would exceed the appropriate costs limit under section 12 of the Freedom of information Act 2000. This is currently £450 based on 18 hours of officer time charged at £25 per hour. However, if you would like some further information on a few specific s.106 agreements we will be happy to assist as far as we can. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Council’s Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction then you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a review.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450

07/04/2011

Data Request

Date responded	08/04/2011
Questions	I would be grateful if you could let me know the following: 2010/11 Net budget? 2011/12 Proposed or approved Net budget? Number of employees in 2010/11?
Response	The information that you have requested is on the Council's website and I have provided the relevant links below. 2010/11 net budget http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag10_MTFP.pdf http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag10_Additional_papers_complete.pdf 2011/12 proposed or approved net budget (the budget was approved at the Cabinet meeting on 6 January 2011 and by full Council on 10 February) http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag8_MTFP.pdf http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Agenda_Item_8_-_Supplementary_Papers.pdf Number of employees in 2010/11 (please refer to pages 4 and 5 below) http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/general_rev_budget1011.pdf

07/04/2011

Fixed Penalty Notice Section 87/88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

Date responded	13/04/2011
Questions	I would like under the freedom of information a copy of your fixed penalty notice that you issue for section 87/88 of the environmental protection act 1990 for depositing litter thanks.
Response	Please see attached documents
Associated documents	PDF FPN Form (811 KB) PDF FPN Form (back) (798 KB)

11/04/2011

Incident on 31 December 2010 by Veolia

Date responded	21/04/2011
Questions	Please send me the registration details and crew roster for the collection in Burma Road on 31/12/10. I understand that I am entitled to this information under the freedom of information act.
Response	I can confirm that a collection vehicle with registration plate VX04 TKA, serviced Burma Road on the date in question. I am unable to disclose personal details, concerning the crew members

12/04/2011

Accounts Receivable Processes

Date responded	05/05/2011
Questions	Please indicate: 1. where the Accounts Receivable team is based and if centralised? 2. which finance system/accounting software is used to process customers invoices/payments? 3. Number of cash allocators and credit controllers employed full time to reconcile cash and match payments to the sales ledger? 4. How many “live” customers do you have? 5. How many payments do you receive per day? 6. volume of remittance slips received per day? Do they come in by post? Are they scanned? 7. how many BACS payments do you receive per day? 8. how many cheque payments do you receive per day? Are the cheques scanned? 9. How long does it take to clear a day’s cash?
Response	1. The raising of sales orders is mainly done by officers around the Council. Cashiers receive payments. Monitoring is in Finance 2. Agresso v5.4 3. Credit control is carried out in the service area that raised the invoice and, if unsuccessful, is passed to the Council Tax Collections Team. Cash allocation is largely automated but 3 people in Financial Services are able to match payments as part of their duties. 4. 10,962 5. Approximately 226 6. Approximately 3 per day via post and email. They are not scanned. 7. Approximately 120 8. Approximately 101. They are scanned at the bank. 9. 24 hours Items 5 - 8 relating to the cash office vary on a day to day basis, and the information supplied for these relates to one day (08/04/11): it is not possible to give a definitive answer as it varies daily.

12/04/2011

The Cross Hands Inn, RIDDOR

Date responded	28/04/2011
Questions	In connection with an accident on 28th July 2007. The accident took place at the Cross Hands Inn, 1 Summer Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 1NX. In light of the RIDDOR requirement to report injuries to members of the public…where they are taken from the scene of an accident to hospital we are seeking disclosure of the report of our clients accident but also accident that occurred in the preceding period. There may be further incidents that we are not currently aware of. I would be grateful for copies of all RIDDOR reports files during the period 01.01.2006 – 01.01.2009.
Response	Thank you for your letter of 11th April 2011. I note from our file records that you wrote to us about the same incident on 11th February 2008. Environmental Health Officer Lisa Wilkes investigated the accident and replied to you on 21st February 2008. **************** accident was not reported under RIDDOR and it is the only accident at this premises that we have any record of. None of the other accidents you refer to were reported by either the proprietor or the injured person so I do not have any copies of report forms I can send you

12/04/2011

Traveller's Sites

Date responded	21/04/2011
Questions	How much has your local authority spent on evicting travellers and gypsies from illegal sites in the past three financial years(2008/9, 2009/10, 2010/11)? Please include all costs, e.g. legal fees, clean up costs, bailiffs etc... Please can you tell me the total cost for each financial year, e.g 2008/9 - £10,000; 2009/10 - £5,000; 2010/11 - £15,000. Please can you also tell me how many illegal sites there were in your local authority area in each of the three financial years, e.g. 2008/9 - three sites; 2009/10 - two sites; 2010/11 - four sites?
Response	I can confirm that no public funds have been spent on evicting Gypsies or Travellers from illegal sites in the years concerned. This Council has a number of planning permissions for gypsy and traveller sites and I believe currently has more spaces than residents. We also have two planning permissions yet to be implemented in Moreton Valance. In addition, Environmental Health carry out a twice yearly count of Gypsy and Traveller sites. At the last count there were 12 sites to which one is believed to be illegal. However, I would stress that Environmental Health does not differentiate between 'legal' and 'illegal' sites.

14/04/2011

Single Status

Date responded	16/05/2011
Questions	1. When did your authority implement single status for staff pay. 2. Approximately what percentage of staff: Stayed the same Had their pay increased as a result of single status had their pay decreased as a result of single status 3. What level of protection was offered to those staff suffering areduction in pay.
Response	1. The Council carried out a pay review in 2005 which was effective from 1 April 2006. 2. The effect of the review on staff salaries was as follows: Pay increased Stayed the same Pay decreased 65% 22% 13% 3. Those staff whose pay decreased were given pay protection (at their former salary) for 1 year.

15/04/2011

Credit Cards

Date responded	17/05/2011
Questions	Please supply me with details of all spending over £500 transacted by the use of credit cards for all council officials and councillors for the last 3 years detailing the item, date and purpose. Where the payments were made by senior council officials or councillors, please also provide the name of the individual.
Response	Please see attached document.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information
Associated documents	PDF Credit Cards (14 KB)

18/04/2011

Student questionnaire with Excel file about Stray Dogs

Date responded	19/04/2011
Questions	I have sent out the questionnaire to 325 local authorities in England since 11th April 2011. I appreciate 66 responses from North 10, Midlands 19, South 19, London 9 and East 9 by 15th April 2011. I would like to resend out the Excel file as an attachment with the online questionnaire. Would it possible to complete my survey by the online or using the Excel document if you are unable to open the online ? I have already had two replies in the Excel file. I would like to deal with the data rightly. Thank you for your cooperation. I am a local government veterinarian in Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan. At the moment I am studying for a Master of Science degree in animal welfare at Writtle College, Essex. I am about to begin my Masters dissertation and would be grateful for your help in collecting data. In 2008, more than 280,000 dogs and cats were put to sleep in Japan (including natural death during detainment). Unfortunately, Fukuoka Prefecture is ranked as one of the local areas with the highest level of euthanasia due to irresponsible pet ownership in the general public and the lack of re-homing services for stray dogs and unwanted animals in governments and animal welfare organizations. The subject of my research is approaches to the reduction in numbers of stray dogs through awareness campaigns in England. I am focusing on the development of knowledge and skills in this area for animal officers. The aim of this questionnaire is to collect and analyze data from animal officers in local councils and the RSPCA with a view to developing strategies of enforcement to promote responsible dog ownership in Fukuoka Prefecture on my return to Japan. I would be very grateful if each officer in your workplace who works with dogs could take the time to fill in my questionnaire by clicking on this link https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGVuTThseXlGcWEyR3l0TmlSQXVYalE6MA or by copying the URL into your browser. The questionnaire should take 10-15 minutes to complete. Please could you complete the questionnaire by 29th April 2011. All respondents will remain anonymous. Your information is key for me as data for my research into improvements in dog control in England. After I have collected and analyzed the data, I would hope to feedback the result to your workplace by the end of August in 2011. I believe that my analysis of the results from questionnaires will be beneficial in improving the poor animal welfare situation in Japan, especially Fukuoka Prefecture. Thank you very much for your help with this study.
Response	PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS FOR COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE
Associated documents	PDF Student questionnaire with Excel file about Stray Dogs (122 KB)

19/04/2011

Consultants

Date responded	10/05/2011
Questions	1. How much money did your authority spend on consultants in the financial year 2010/11? 2. How many days of consultancy did your authority pay for in the financial year 2010/11? 3. What was the highest daily rate that you paid to an individual consultant in the financial year 2010/11? 4. Further to question 3, what was the name of the consultancy firm for whom the highest paid individual consultant works? 5. Further to question 3, what was the name of the consultant? 6.How much was your wage bill for permanent staff in the financial year 2010/11?
Response	1. £510,325.14 (excluding VAT) 2. This information is not held 3. £650.00 per day (excluding VAT) 4. Tribal Consultancy Limited 5. This information is exempt (section 40: personal information) 6. £12,293,656.58 (basic wage/salary + National Insurance and superannuation)
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

20/04/2011

FOI Request: Taxi, Mini Cab and Private Hire

Date responded	28/04/2011
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act please can you provide me with the following information. 1. Please can you provide me with contact details of all taxi, mini cab and private hire companies within your area. Your licensing department should hold this information. I’m looking for the following information: Business Name Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Town/City County Postcode Telephone Number Email Type of business (eg, taxi, private hire etc) Number of Drivers Years Licence Held The type of business, number of drivers and years license held are the most valuable. I believe I am allowed to request the data in a certain way – therefore I have attached a template to this email (with an example) please can you complete the template and email it back to me in the format provided.
Response	I have attached a list of Operators licensed by Stroud District Council as Private Hire Operators. Many of our operators are 'one man operations' who do not actually have a business address. I have included all operators who have a business address or who operate from their home address and have already put this information in the public domain by providing this information on the web. With regard to the number the drivers working for the operator, this changes regularly and we do not have this information to available however I have given an estimation, similarly I have given an estimation of the number of years the current licences have been held. Under licensing legislation taxi vehicles are not required to work under an operators licence and all our vehicle licence holders are individuals who do not have a business address. However we are aware that some of the Private Hire Operators also operate taxis and where this is the case this is indicated in the list. 1st Call 4 Cars J & B's Travel Ltd Five Star Taxis Chandler Private Hire Martins Wotton Executive Martin Weager Chauffeur Services AK Taxis Castle Cars Robertsons Transport Ltd J W Goddard Coombe Valley Private Hire Tim's Transport M.R Private Hire Phil Collett Private Hire Apollo Taxis S. W. Chauffeuring Barnes Transport Frampton Private Hire Chaffeurlogical Omega Private Hire R W Executive Travel Limited Flights Taxis And Private Hire Cornerstones Chaufeur Services Gee-Bee-Travel Galaxy Private Hire Zimmer Private Hire Bob's Line Kall Direct Private Hire

21/04/2011

Conferences and Award Ceremonies

Date responded	25/05/2011
Questions	I am writing to obtain information about council attendance at, or hosting of, ‘award ceremonies’ and ‘conferences’. ‘Award ceremonies’ should include, but not be restricted to, any event attended or held by the council to reward staff for quality of performance etc. ‘Conferences’ should include, but not be restricted to, any event aiming to bring together members of a profession or industry for multiple social engagements, networking and/or professional seminars. To outline my query as clearly as possible: 1. Please provide details relating to your authority’s involvement in, and attendance at, award ceremonies during 2010-11, including the amount paid for each event (or the amount outstanding if not yet paid): a. Total cost b. Cost of attending the event (ticket prices for each member of staff) c. Hotel or other accommodation costs in connection with the event d. Travel costs in connection with the event e. Any other expenditure associated with the event Please also state: f. The number of officers and/or councillors who attended each event g. The name of the event h. The formal agenda of the event, if there was one If there was any cost recouped from ticket sales, food sales etc, please indicate this in the response. 2. Please provide details relating to your authority’s involvement in and attendance at conferences, including or excluding award ceremonies, during 2010-11, including the amount paid for each event (or the amount outstanding if not yet paid): a. Total cost b. Cost of attending the event (ticket prices for each member of staff) c. Hotel or other accommodation costs in connection with the event d. Travel costs in connection with the event e. Any other expenditure associated with the event Please also state: f. The number of officers and/or councillors who attended each event g. The name of the event h. The formal agenda of the event, if there was one If there was any cost recouped from ticket sales, food sales etc, please indicate this in the response. NB: If an award ceremony is part of a wider conference then please state these costs in response to question 2 rather than question 1.
Response	Please see attached documents. Please note these are limited responses as in order to comply with the full request would exceed the statutory limit as stated in section 12 of the Freedom of Information act.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450
Associated documents	PDF Conferences and Awards (11 KB) PDF Civic Office Response (416 KB)

26/04/2011

Staff located in Brussels

Date responded	28/04/2011
Questions	1. Please provide details of how many local authority staff are based in Brussels, at what cost annually, and for what purpose. 2. Please provide the information for the following financial years a) 2008/2009 b) 2009/2010 c) Current financial year If there is any aspect of this request that you wish to discuss further, please call me on 07970953046 or email me at rosie.kinchen@sunday-times.co.uk. If any part of my request is denied, please explain which exemption in the Freedom of Information Act was considered relevant.
Response	The Council has never had any staff that are based in Brussels.

26/04/2011

Trips To Brussels

Date responded	17/05/2011
Questions	1. a) Please provide details of trips made by local authority staff to Brussels b) for what purpose c) At what cost – please include a breakdown for travel, accommodation and expenses 2.Please provide the information for the following financial years a) 2009/2010 b) Current financial year (to date)
Response	April 2009 - 1 Member of Staff Hotel - £220.76 Eurostar - £114 To attend 'European innovative thinking project' conference

26/04/2011

Information on empty commercial properties with rateable value over £40,000

Date responded	20/05/2011
Questions	1.The addresses and a brief description (eg, shop, office, etc),and rateable value of all vacant commercial premises with a current rateable value over £40,000 within the Stroud District Council area. and 2. The names and addresses of the organisation or companies who own the premises referred to in (1).
Response	The information you have requested is on the enclosed spreadsheet
Associated documents	PDF Empty Commercial with RV over £40,000 (8 KB)

26/04/2011

Empty business premises over 12 months and less than 12 months.

Date responded	20/05/2011
Questions	i am requesting the information under the freedom of information act 2000 for commercial properties that have been emptyed for more then 12 months or that are just empty. I would like in my request the address’s including post codes.
Response	I enclose a spreadsheet of all commercial properties that are empty in the District.
Associated documents	PDF NDR FOI Empty Commercial Properties (35 KB)

26/04/2011

MS Licences

Date responded	20/05/2011
Questions	I would be grateful if you could supply me with the following information: 1. Please list the Microsoft products that are currently in use in your organisation including desktop and server based products. 2. Please provide the total licensing fees paid for each of the products that is in use and please also indicate if the fees are inclusive or exclusive of VAT. 3. Please state if the fees are annual or one off and the start and end dates of the current licences.
Response	1. Please list the Microsoft products that are currently in use in your organisation including desktop and server based products. Please see the attached file. 2. Please provide the total licensing fees paid for each of the products that is in use and please also indicate if the fees are inclusive or exclusive of VAT. Compliance with this request would cost the Council more than £450 to process and has therefore been refused in line with Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This would require going back through individual invoices for the past 6 years. 3. Please state if the fees are annual or one off and the start and end dates of the current licences. Those products purchased under Select Agreements are one off. Products purchased under Enterprise Agreements are shown in the attached.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450
Associated documents	PDF Software in use (28 KB)

26/04/2011

Council Web Strategy

Date responded	20/05/2011
Questions	please could you send me a copy of your latest council web strategy?
Response	We do not have a formal web strategy, but are in the process of simplifying the content and navigation.

26/04/2011

Supermarkets and 'planning gain'

Date responded	17/05/2011
Questions	I would like to submit the following Freedom of Information request, regarding details of 'planning gain' as part of supermarket planning applications. Which community/local facilities have planning applicants agreed to fund, or offered to fund, under the broad term of 'planning gain' as part of supermarket planning applications that have been approved within the last five years (or have yet to be resolved, ie 'live' applications)? For each case, which supermarket made the application and how much have they contributed or offered to contribute?
Response	Please find attached a list of planning applications relating to supermarkets received by this authority in the last 5 years. None of these applications are the subject of a section 106 agreement. Planning permission S.07/0318/FUL for the erection of a Sainsbury's supermarket in Dursley does have a condition attached requiring a defined bus lay-by (33) and another requiring a history/information board (40). However, I'm not sure if either of these requirements would come under the definition of 'planning gain'? Similarly, a condition attached to planning permission S.09/0209/FUL for an extension to an existing Sainsbury's supermarket in Stroud requires the provision of a bus shelter (12). I have attached a copy of both decision notices for your information. All of the applications included on the attached list are available to view on our website at the following link http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/planning/planning_application_search.asp
Associated documents	PDF List of planning applications received in the last 5 years (9 KB) PDF Decision notice Sainsbury's Dursley (115 KB) PDF Decision notice Sainsbury's Stroud (56 KB)

26/04/2011

Car boot sales at Aston Down

Date responded	26/05/2011
Questions	Information relating to car boot sales at Aston Down.
Response	Letter sent with enclosures and responses in answer to requestor's Freedom of Information request.

27/04/2011

Frocester Hill - Motocross

Date responded	06/05/2011
Questions	Good afternoon, i hope this email finds you well and well rested after the long weekends break. Im hoping you can help me in what seems to be an esculating problem regarding the usage of my land at Frocester as from my perspective im in some what of an awkward situation. I would ask that you bare in mind the land is part of a 'going concern' business and that the business is in place to generate a stream of cashflow through the assets it owns to provide income for support of the farming division of the commpany. Should you wish to walk around the land at Frocester you will notice over 300 meters of hand layed hedges which has been paid for from funds generated by motocross, could you also appriciate traditional hand layed hedges are more of a natual habitat for wildlife and wildgrasses and that many farmers decisions to use chains to cut back hedges has had a negative impact on the volume of wild bird life and flora and fauna. As land owner i have a duty to ensure any and all activites on my land (whether agricultural or recreational) perscribe to laws and regulations held by local governments and DEFRA et al. To this extent i rely on recommendations on legislation pertaining to the use of land for motocross events. I would be far happier if you could supply me with the information requested in the attached FOI request so i can discuss, with certainty and assurance, approaches me with before agreements are made which could create future alledged noise problems. Having also provided my mobile number to you to be passed to the general public for them to contact me with thier concerns when motocross events are run i feel it only right an proper that i learn and understand both sides of the issue before i can correclty advise either party of their entitlements. To date im unaware of any activity on the land which in any way breeches the served noise abatement notice and would seek to remain in this positive light as i have done since the notice was served in Jan 2008. The decision to not fight the original noise abatement notice was a reflection on funds available rather than what i felt was a poor decision from Stroud District Council as no mediation was offered in the first instance. The above email is not set to cause any prejudice or create any angst. All im trying to create is a situaiton where we can call work in harmony whilst trying to protect my livelihood.
Response	Please see attached documents.
Associated documents	PDF Frocester Hill - Motocross (1,015 KB)

FOI requests for March 2011

Date received

Subject of request

02/03/2011

Council Expenditure

Date responded	29/03/2011
Questions	1) How many members of staff does the council employ to fill trade union posts? Please provide job titles, salaries and, if possible, names for each of these posts. Please state the council's total expenditure on trade union posts in the financial year 2009-10 and so far this financial year. 2) How much money did the council spend on wine and other alcoholic drinks in the financial year 2009/10 and so far this financial year? Please provide a breakdown of each item of expenditure on alcohol. Please provide any documents, memos, letters or emails related to the purchase of alcohol written in the above mentioned period. 3) How much money did the council spend on "twinning" with overseas towns in the financial year 2009/10 and so far this financial year? Please provide a breakdown of all spending on twinning. Please provide any documents, memos, letters or emails related to twinning written in the above mentioned period. 4) What were the council's five highest redundancy payments since March 2010? Please provide the names, job titles and salaries of each member of staff.
Response	Please see the attcahed documents.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information
Associated documents	PDF Question 3 Pt1 (1,151 KB) PDF Question 3 Pt2 (20 KB) PDF Questions 1_2_and_4 (39 KB)

03/03/2011

Charges for Building Regulation Information.

Date responded	09/03/2011
Questions	I have recently been advised that some Councils have abolished charges for accessing environmental information. For example, Stoke and Herefordshire have stopped charging for accessing Building Regulation information. Under the Environmental Information Regulations and the Freedom of Information Act could you please forward to me all internal and external communication in the Council’s possession showing the material that has been considered and the reviews that the Council have undertaken as to the environmental charges that it has levied. Could you also please advise me of how other Council Departments access building control data and the charges that are levied in respect thereof? Are the charges the same for building control data regardless of whether it is provided to the public or private sector?
Response	Thank you for your Freedom of Information request received in this office on the 3rd March 2011. The Council provides information under the Environmental Information Regulations free of charge. In fact most of the information required is contained on the Council's website, which is freely available. Please see following link: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/planning/bc/BC_application_search.asp Where a requester requires the local planning authority to search for a specific file(s), or provide copies of approvals or completion certificates for example, there remains an administrative charge. However this charge merely covers the cost of providing the information. Our charges can be found at the following link http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/planning/building_control_charges_2011_jan.pdf

06/03/2011

List of Licensed Boarding Kennels and Catteries

Date responded	07/03/2011
Questions	Please would you let me know if the council provides an up-to-date listing of boarding kennels and catteries licensed by the council on their website? If yes, please provide the website link. If no, please provide a list of all boarding premises licensed by the council. including licensee names, business name, address, phone, (and website & email if known). This information is for the new national database of licensed boarding kennels and catteries in the UK - to provide details of licensed premises to the public. Your early involvement is very much appreciated.
Response	Please see attached document
Associated documents	PDF List of Licensed Boarding Kennels and Catteries (42 KB)

07/03/2011

Residential Bulky Waste / Special Collections

Date responded	29/03/2011
Questions	Residential Bulky Waste / Special Collections (if exact figures not known, please provide estimate figures with an 'e' after them to indicate they are estimates) 2009/2010 2010/2011 Q.1 What is your financial year end date? 2010/11 forecast should be calculated for the whole year (eg if you have 9 months data, divide by 9 & multipy by 12 to get the annual estimate) Q.2 Is the service provided by a 3rd party contractor (3PC) or inhouse (DLO) Enter name of 3rd party provider or 'DLO' if undertaken internal by direct labour organisation. Q.3 Number of collections undertaken visits to premises. Q.4 Number of items collected items removed where 1 bag or chair etc = 1 item Q.5 Weight of bulky waste collected tonnes Q.6 Weight of bulky waste diverted from landfill tonnes reused, recycled or sent to waste to energy. Q.7 Weight of bulky waste reused tonnes of waste that was sent for reuse (eg. passed to charities). Q.8 Total cost of providing residential bulky waste collections total of collection, admin, disposal costs & any other costs incurred providing service BUT excluding income from charging residents Q.9 Collection costs if nil enter '0', otherwise enter exact or estimate figures Q.10 Disposal costs if nil enter '0', otherwise enter exact or estimate figures Q.11 Admin costs if nil enter '0', otherwise enter exact or estimate figures Q.12 Other costs if nil enter '0', otherwise enter exact or estimate figures Q.13 Income from charging residents if nil enter '0', otherwise enter exact or estimate figures
Response	A.1 - 31 March 2010 31 March 2011 A.2 - Private Contractor-Veolia Private Contractor-Veolia A.3 - 15105 15396 (expected) Individual requests for collections A.4 - See reference on attached letter A.5 - The Authority does not measure this waste stream separately other than the items that are recycled. A.6 - 157.04 161.02 tonnes reused, recycled or sent to waste to energy A.7 - None None tonnes of waste that was sent for reuse A.8 - See below See below Costs provided includes contractor costs only. This authority is unable to provide admin costs as the processing of this service is covered by a central service centre. Disposal costs are covered by Gloucaestershire County Council. This council operates free of charge collection service. A.9 - £159,455.00 £162,235.00 A.10 - Covered by Gloucestershire County Council - contact details Tony Childs, 01452 425448. A.11 - Service administered through call centre - unable to provide meaningful costs. A.12 - Unsure what other costs you are referring to. A.13 - £767.00 £750 (expected) Predominantly free of charge service - £22 (2010/11) per collection for rechargeable collections ie DIY waste, etc.
Associated documents	PDF Reply for 'NUMBER OF ITEMS COLLECTED' (63 KB)

09/03/2011

Land Charge

Date responded	06/04/2011
Questions	Please provide : All copy documentation to show all the steps the Council are taking to balance their land charge budget. A copy of the accounts (and accompanying reports) for the land charge section showing the profit and loss for they years 2005 to date. All documents, both internally (including management team and committee reports) and that from external bodies (including government departments and the LGA) making representations and suggestions with regard to search fees and the land charge budget
Response	1) As a self financing unit Local Land Charges is always being reviewed to take into account the impact of external market forces. The primary way this has been achieved is through staffing numbers and investigating new ways of working, particularly now investing in self-service functionality. 2) See attached document (lc_budgets.pdf) 3) I have contacted the Land Charges team and as far as I am aware there are no documents specifically relating to search fees and the Local Land Charges budget.
Associated documents	PDF Land Charge Budgets (13 KB)

10/03/2011

Public Services Contracted Out To The Private Sector

Date responded	22/03/2011
Questions	I would like a list of all public services that are currently contracted out to the private sector, for example a number of councils currently contract out their waste management to third parties. I would like to know: - The service which has been contracted out - The name of the company contracted to carry out the council service - The start date of the contract - The value of the contract (total) - The value of the contract (yearly) - The end date of the contract
Response	The information you have requested is publicly available and can be found on the Council’s website at: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/contracts.asp

10/03/2011

Post Office Services

Date responded	05/04/2011
Questions	Identify which services are currently available to consumers through the Post Office network
Response	COUNCIL TAX PAYMENT - Application for concessionary payments - No - Request or submit form for change in circumstances - No COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT - Pick up an application to receive benefit - No - Submit application to receive benefit - No - Confirm or update details - No - Pay back overpayment - No HOUSING BENEFIT - Pick up an application to receive benefit - No - Submit application to receive benefit - NO - Confirm or update details - No -Pay back overpayment - No RESIDENT PARKING APPLICATIONS/VOUCHER SCHEMES - Make payment - No -Submit applications - No PARKING PENALTIES AND FINES - Make payment - No - Submit appeal forms - No GRANT APPLICATIONS EG. DISABLED FACILITIES GRANTS, COMMUNITY GRANTS - Pick up application - No - Submit application - No PLANNING PERMISSION - Pick up forms - NO - Submit forms - No Pay Housing service charges - YES Leaseholder Service Charges Pay major works payment - No Pay allotment Fees - N/A Commercial Waste Service payments - N/A Local culture/leisure card purchases or renewal - No Pay Local Authority rent - YES Advice provision/signposting to other services - No Other form collection - No Other - Invoices from community safety for careline -Yes Otehr - Invoices from Asset Management for commercial Rent, Licences and Insurance -Yes

10/03/2011

Unison business - money and time spent

Date responded	28/03/2011
Questions	1. How many Council employees did you have working full time on trade union business during the 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 financial periods? 2. What was the total salary for Council officials working full time on trade union business for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 financial periods, as well as the total amount budgeted for the 2010-11 financial year? 3. What was the estimated annual cost of resources used by council officials working full time on trade union business (office space, telephone etc.) for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 financial periods, as well as the total amount budgeted for the 2010-11 financial year? 4. Copies of the relevant facilities agreement with each union and the date this was last negotiated.
Response	In response to questions 1,2, & 3, the Council does not have any employees who work full time on trade union business. In answer to question 4, the Council is currently negotiating a facilities agreement with UNISON.

10/03/2011

Executive Salaries and allowances

Date responded	07/04/2011
Questions	1. Senior management salaries to the nearest £1,000 a. Name b. Title. c. Salary d. If appointed in the last five years, Year of appointment e. If salary reviewed in the last five years, i. the date of the review ii. the previous salary f. Number of persons directly reporting to them g. Additional responsibilities - S151 etc 2. Bonuses, profit sharing, market supplements or other benefits paid to senior managers. 3. Lease vehicle, preferential loan golden handshakes or handcuffs or other significant perk or incentives 4. Contracted hours per week 5. Annual holiday entitlement
Response	1. Information in relation to senior salaries is openly available on the Council's website: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/management_structure.asp Questions 1a - 1c - The names, job titles and salaries of senior managers are available following the link provided above. Queston 1d - the following senior managers were appointed within the last 5 years: Job Title Date of Start Canal Project Manager 19th March 2009 Head of Cultural Services 1st August 2007 Strategic Head (Tenant Services) - Contractor 26th February 2009 Question 1e - the following senior managers have been given additional responsibilities within the past 5 years: Date Position Reason 1st September 2008 Head of Accountancy Post redesignated Head of Finance to include the duties of Chief Financial Officer and Section 151 Officer. 4th January 2010 Head of Modernisation & ICT Following a decision not to fill the vacated post Head of Human Resources of Head of Policy & Communications, the duties and responsibilities of this position were divided between the Head of Modernisation & ICT and the Head of Human Resources. The post titles were changed to Head of Communications and Head of Corporate Resources to reflect the additional responsibilities. Question 1f - number of persons directly reporting to senior managers: Post Title Number of persons directly reporting Chief Executive 9 Canal Project Manager 7 Strategic Head - Community Services 5 Strategic Head - Customer Services 6 Strategic Head - Development Services 4 Strategic Head - Tenant Services 4 Head of Asset Management 2 Head of Communications 6 Head of Community Safety 5 Head of Corporate Resources 6 Head of Cultural Services 6 Head of Environmental Health 5 Head of Finance / Section 151 Officer 4 Head of Planning 5 Question 2 - Bonus, profit sharing, market supplements or other benefits paid to senior managers: Bonuses None Profit Sharing None Market Supplement None Other Benefits None Question 3 - Lease vehicle, preferential loan, golden handshakes or handcuffs, or other significant perks or incentives: Lease vehicle None Preferential loan None Golden handshakes or handcuffs None Other significant perks or incentives None Question 4 Standard contracted hours for the Council are 37 hours per week. Details of full-time equivalents relating to senior managers are available on the Council's website, following the link provided. Question 5 Annual leave entitlement for employees with less than five years' cumulative Local Government service 21 days per year Annual leave entitlement for employees with more than five years' cumulative Local Government service 25 days per year Annual leave entitlement for the Chief Executive 30 days per year In addition, all staff are entitled to two nationally agreed extra-statutory holidays and two locally agreed additional holidays.

14/03/2011

Parking revenue

Date responded	05/04/2011
Questions	Q1 What total revenue did you receive i) in the financial year 2009-2010 and ii) what is the budgeted figure for 2010/11 (as set before the year commenced) and iii) 2011/12 for each of: a) Off-street car parks b) On-street parking (meters, pay & display etc) c) Parking permits (residents' and other). d) Other parking charges e) Parking penalties Q2 a) On how many metres (to the nearest 100) of kerbside do you plan to introduce new on-street parking charges and/or permit zones on roads (or sections of roads) during 2011/12? b) By what percentage will this increase the total amount of existing kerbside space that is subject to these restrictions? Q3 a) What was the average charge across your area for two hours' on-street parking using metered and/or pay-and-display spaces? in 2010/11? b) What will the average charge be in 2011/12 based on proposed tariffs?
Response	See attachment
Associated documents	PDF FOI march 2011 parking revenue (12 KB)

15/03/2011

Royal Wedding Street Party Applications & Gifts

Date responded	23/03/2011
Questions	The information I require is as follows: The number of royal wedding street party applications you have received. Details (including total cost) of any wedding presents that will be or have been sent to Prince William and Catherine Middleton on your behalf.
Response	Thank you for your freedom of information request. Our response is as follows: Q1: At this current time we have not received any applications for street party’s nor temporary event notices for the royal wedding but have received 10 application for road closures, 9 of which we have granted. There have been probably 3 more enquiries this week, but no requests in writing as yet. Q2: NIL Kind regards

15/03/2011

Local Authority Survey on Stray Dogs and Dog Breeding Establishments

Date responded	17/03/2011
Questions	Question 1. STAFFING LEVELS Please indicate the number of Dog Warden within your Authority. Full Time Part Time Question 2. STRAY DOGS (a) How many stray dogs were dealt with by your authority in 2010? (b) How many of these dogs were re-united with their owners? (c) Of these dogs were re-homed? (d) How many dogs were re-homed? (e) How many dogs were destroyed? Of the dogs that were destroyed, how many were due to... Ill health / Jury? Behavioural issues? (f) Please list the top five breads that you dealt with in 2010. (a) Breed 1 No. Of Dogs (b) Breed 2 No. Of Dogs (c) Breed 3 No. Of Dogs (d) Breed 4 No. Of Dogs (e) Breed 5 No. Of Dogs (f) Do you have your own kennelling facilities? What is the daily rate? If no in house facilities, do you contract out to (a) Private Kennels? Daily Rate (b) Animal Shelter? Daily Rate Question 3. DOG BREEDING ESTABILSHMENTS (a) How many licensed establishments in your area? (b) How many un-licensed establishments? (c) Are there any establishments had their licence revoked? (d) What is the current charge for a new licence? (e) What is the current charge to renew a licence? Please include any comments, ideas or suggestions here
Response	Question 1. STAFFING LEVELS Please indicate the number of Dog Warden within your Authority. Full Time 1 Part Time 1 Question 2. STRAY DOGS (a) How many stray dogs were dealt with by your authority in 2010? 169 (b) How many of these dogs were re-united with their owners? 130 (c) Of these dogs were re-homed? 53 (d) How many dogs were re-homed? 39 (e) How many dogs were destroyed? 0 Of the dogs that were destroyed, how many were due to... Ill health / injury? n/a Behavioural issues? n/a (f) Please list the top five breads that you dealt with in 2010. (a) Breed 1 Terriers No. Of Dogs 34 (b) Breed 2 Collie X No. Of Dogs 26 (c) Breed 3 Staffies No. Of Dogs 20 (d) Breed 4 Labrador No. Of Dogs 16 (e) Breed 5 Lurchers No. Of Dogs 9 (f) Do you have your own kennelling facilities? No What is the daily rate? n/a If no in house facilities, do you contract out to (a) Private Kennels? No Daily Rate (b) Animal Shelter? Yes Daily Rate £58 for the first day rising by £12 per day or part day there after Question 3. DOG BREEDING ESTABILSHMENTS (a) How many licensed establishments in your area? 1 (b) How many un-licensed establishments? Unknown (c) Are there any establishments had their licence revoked? No (d) What is the current charge for a new licence? No (e) What is the current charge to renew a licence? £58 plus Vets Fees (f) What is the current charge to renew a licence? £58 Please include any comments, ideas or suggestions here

17/03/2011

Britannia Inn, Cossack Square, Nailsworth Food Hygiene Rating

Date responded	18/03/2011
Questions	I understand from the Food Standards Agency website [ http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/webpage/faqsen#elem007a ] that I am entitled to see detailed information about the food safety officer’s inspection report of Wednesday, February 16, 2011 on the Britannia Inn, Cossack Square, Nailsworth, which led to a food hygiene rating of 0 [Urgent improvement necessary]
Response	Please see attached documents.
Associated documents	PDF Response to Britannia Inn (212 KB)

21/03/2011

Fee Structure and access arrangements for property records

Date responded	18/04/2011
Questions	Provide current fees for both refined and unrefined data Include any proposed changed and the dates from which the changes will take place Include turnaround times, plus request and delivery methods including addresses if these are other than directly with the LA. If there are different costs associated with different request and delivery methods, eg electronic, please clarify LLC1 & CON29 LLC1 only CON29 only Copy of Planning Documents Copy of Building Regulations Documents Do you believe that any data used to compile a CON29 and LLC1 is not Environmental Information Will the Council be adding value eg by partially refining data, bundling data sets, supplying data electronically or offering an expedited service
Response	Please see attached response.
Associated documents	PDF Question Responses (16 KB)

21/03/2011

CCTV and Microchips

Date responded	05/04/2011
Questions	CCTV CAMERAS 1) The total number of CCTV cameras controlled by your council on 21st March 2011. CCTV CAMERAS 1) The number of external public facing CCTV cameras controlled by your council on 21st March 2011. 2) The number of internal (inside buildings) CCTV cameras controlled by your council on 21st March 2011. MICROCHIPS IN RUBBISH BINS 1) Does the council conduct weekly or fortnightly rubbish collections? 2) Has the council installed microchips in any of the rubbish containers of its residents? 3) Is the council currently monitoring data provided by microchips installed in the rubbish containers of its residents? If so, how many bins is this? 4) Please provide a figure for how much the council’s bin microchip scheme has cost to either installed and/or operate in the last financial year (1st April 2010 – 21st March 2011). 5) If it exists, please provide a copy of any internal guidance on the council’s rubbish bin microchip scheme
Response	CCTV CAMERA 1 - Total - 155 1 - External -120 2 - Internal - 35 MICROCHIPS IN RUBBISH BINS 1 - Weekly 2 - No 3 - No 4 - N/A 5 - N/A
Associated documents	PDF Further clarification on original request (20 KB)

22/03/2011

Burial Space

Date responded	14/04/2011
Questions	Referring to cemeteries and burial sites for which the council has responsibility: Q.1· How much space is currently in use in the council area for burial? Do you have this information in terms of number of cemeteries, number of graves/plots and total area? Q.2· How much burial space is left in the council area? i.e.; how many burial plots remain in the council area that are unused and available for new burials? Q.3· Key question: How many years does the council estimate that this burial space will last before it reaches burial capacity? Q.4· Does the council have in place – or is the council consulting upon - a scheme to re-use old graves/plots/lairs to bury the newly deceased, and what are the details of this scheme? Q.5 What was the council’s spend for 2009/2010 on the maintenance/management of burial facilities? Q.6 Is there currently land in the council area that was purchased/designated as burial space by the council, but is currently being used for other purposes? Where is this land and what is it currently being used for?
Response	A.1 The council is currently responsible for maintaining three open cemeteries. The cemeteries have the following:- Stroud Cemetery; total area of cemetery is 67,630 Square Metres - to date, 15,500 burials have taken place. Brimscombe Cemetery; total area of cemetery is 2,901 Square Metres - to date, 674 plots have been used. Horsley Cemetery; total area of cemetery is 8,466 Square Metres - to date, 252 plots have been used. A.2 The figures provided below are dependant on ground conditions: Stroud Cemetery - approx 600 remaining plots. Brimscombe Cemetery - approx 100 remaining plots. Horsley Cemetery - approx 140 remaining plots. A3 Stroud Cemetery; 10 - 15 years of use left. Brimscombe Cemetery; 15 - 20 years of use left. Horsley Cemetery; 10 - 15 years of use left. A.4 No. A.5 As of today's date (14th April), this council's net costs for the maintenance and management of its open cemeteries during 2010/11 totalled £73,266. A.6 No.

24/03/2011

Details of car owned by Stroud District Council used for Chairman/Leader of Council's official engagements

Date responded	24/03/2011
Questions	1. Make and model 2. Costs incurred by use of driver/chauffeur 3. Registration number 4. Any relevant correspondence in relation to sale
Response	Stroud District Council does not have a car that is used for official engagements

25/03/2011

Environmental Information Regulations for Slimbridge W&W Trust, Cattle Country, Butterfly House, Prinknash Bird & Deer Park

Date responded	19/04/2011
Questions	Environmental Information Regulations request We write to request, under the Environmental Information Regulations, the following information relating to: Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Cattle Country, Butterfly House, Prinknash Bird & Deer Park: Copies of all reports relating to zoo inspections (including Informal and Special Inspections) carried out under the Zoo Licensing Act since January 2005. A copy of the zoo’s current stock list. A copy of the current zoo license plus any attached conditions.
Response	PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS
Associated documents	PDF Part 1 (2,187 KB) PDF Part 2 (1,926 KB) PDF Part 3 (1,810 KB) PDF Part 4 (1,976 KB) PDF Part 5 (2,146 KB) PDF Part 6 (1,852 KB) PDF Part 7 (1,117 KB) PDF Part 8 (1,705 KB) PDF Part 9 (1,883 KB) PDF Part 10 (1,824 KB) PDF Part 11 (1,315 KB) PDF Part 12 (1,832 KB) PDF Part 13 (1,368 KB) PDF Part 14 (72 KB)

25/03/2011

Please would you be able to provide the fee's and charges for 2011/12 for the following area's

Date responded	11/04/2011
Questions	Service area - Information required Children’s School music – tuition fees, instrument hire Outdoor education fees School meals Adult’s Meals on wheels Adult education tuition fees Home care services rate per hour Day care services rate per hour Archive services Research fees, photocopying and printing charges Library services Overdue charges, hire charges, reservation charges, photocopying charges, internet charges Highways and transport Parking – on street, off street, controlled parking zones permits Traffic regulation orders Licences e.g. skips, scaffolding Road safety education Planning Land searches Development fees e.g. under sections 38, 278 and 106 Registrars Ceremonies fees Copy certificate charges Licences fees for approved premises Venues Venue hire charges Trading standards Licences fees Leisure Charges for leisure activities such as swimming, fitness sessions Bereavement Charges of burials and cremations Environmental Pest control charges Waste charges – replacement bins, bulky waste Allotment costs
Response	Please see attached documents and information below for the services dealt with by Stroud District Council. The information for Land Charge fees, is published on our website at http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/landcharges/fees.asp The Tourist Information Centre has a photocopier in the office for public use. Charges are 10p for an A4 copy and 12p for an A3 copy.
Associated documents	PDF Asset Management Response (6 KB) PDF Building Control Fees (107 KB) PDF Environmental and Bereavement (258 KB) PDF Pest Control Charges (21 KB) PDF Cultural Services (48 KB) PDF Planning Fees (46 KB)

25/03/2011

homelessness applications FOI from Inside Housing

Date responded	29/03/2011
Questions	Please inform me as soon as possible if you hold information of the following information: 1) The number of decisions on homelessness applications made by the council in each of the last five years. 2) The number of successful homelessness applications in each of the last five years. 3) The number of reviews of decisions on homelessness applications carried out in each of the last five years. 4) The number of decisions overturned following review in each of the last five years. 5) The number of appeals against review decisions heard in the county court in each of the last five years. 6) The number of successful appeals in the county court against review decisions in each of the last five years.
Response	PDF attached
Associated documents	PDF FOI Homelessness data 2005-2010 (8 KB)

28/03/2011

Civil Enforcement Officer provision and training

Date responded	31/03/2011
Questions	1. How many Civil Enforcement Officers does your parking department employ for both on-street and CCTV enforcement (including mobile enforcement)? 2. Are these staff employed directly by the local authority or by a contractor? If the latter please provide the name of the contractor, 3. What role specific training has been provided to your on-street and CCTV Civil Enforcement officers since 2006? Please provide the following details: • Name and details of training courses provided • Name of training provider • Was any qualification achieved? 4. How many staff are employed in the parking department to deal with representations, and appeals (Notice Processing)? 5. Are these staff employed directly by the local authority or by a contractor? If the latter please provide the name of the contractor. 6. What role specific training has been provided to your Notice Processing officers for the last three years? Please provide the following details: • Name and details of training courses provided • Name of training provider • Was any qualification achieved?
Response	The FOI response is as follows: 1) Stroud District Council employ’s 3 full time & 2 part time Civil Enforcement Officers, No CCTV enforcement is carried out by Stroud District Council. 2) Stroud District Council employees the above staff directly and does not use a contractor 3) Stroud District Council Civil Enforcement Officers receive the following training: • Level 2 award for Civil Enforcement Officers (parking) • Alpha Parking Ltd • Level 2 4) Please refer to the Cotswold District Council FOI request for the response to these questions.

29/03/2011

South West:- Freedom of Information Act Request - Food Premises Information

Date responded	18/04/2011
Questions	I wish to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000/ Freedom of Information Act (Scotland) 2002 Details of all businesses held on your Food Premises Register. This is the register used by your Food Safety/Environmental Health teams to carry out inspections of these premises. I am only requesting information regarding restaurants, hotels, public houses, takeaway outlets & cafe's in electronic format (excel/word/text/csv) I am not interested in schools, hospitals, registered childminders, carers or children's homes. However I am happy to remove these records
Response	Thank you for your query. I attach a complete list of food premises on our database. The spreadsheet identifies premises by type so you can select the categories you are interested in. This information is published on the FSA's food hygiene rating scheme web-site www.food.gov.uk/ratings you can use the advanced search facility to select categories of premises in the District. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT
Associated documents	PDF South West:- Freedom of Information Act Request - Food Premises Information (114 KB)

29/03/2011

LGA Subscriptions

Date responded	28/04/2011
Questions	On the 4 February 2011 Amber Valley Council decided to leave the Local Government Association. It decided other council activities had a higher priority. The LGA has stated that its fees are being reduced "as part of our commitment to reflect the unprecedented financial position our members are facing.” Under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations I should be grateful if you would supply the following information: 1. The reduction in LGA fees for the coming financial year. 2. It is noted that many councils such as Bromley, Torridge, North Somerset, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk have withdrawn from the LGA. A further nine councils have said they are leaving. I would be obliged to receive the appropriate Committee report showing how the Council have considered the merits and value of continued LGA membership. 3. On the 23 November 2010, 30 Local Government leaders wrote to the Times stating that the LGA’s Chief Executive’s £ 70K pay rise was unacceptable. The following day the LGA’s Chief Executive agreed a £200K salary reduction. Could you please advise me on the position your Council /leader took on the proposed salary increase? 4. All extracts from Council documents showing specific examples of the value the LGA have brought to the Council, commensurate with the fee you pay. 5. The LGA subscription fee you pay if this is not identified in the report. 6. All fees you have paid the LGA in addition to your subscription during the last 5 years and details of what these fees related to.
Response	1. The reduction in fee from 2010/11 is £1,540.00 (excluding VAT) 2. and 3.The Council does not have this information. 4. Details are provided in the attached document from the LGA. In addition membership of the LGA entitles Stroud District Council to discounts on products and services. Please also refer to the reports and minutes at the following links: Cabinet 10 June 2010 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag10_Iceland_report.pdf Cabinet Minutes 10 June 2010 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Cabmins_10_June__2010.pdf and paragraph 45 in the following report: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag_8a_TM_Strategy_2011-12__2_.pdf 5. The fee paid for 2011/12 is £11,310.00 (excluding VAT) 6. Please refer to the attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Benefits of LGA Membership (61 KB) PDF LGA Fees (12 KB)

31/03/2011

Total number of hot/takeaway food retails within your area

Date responded	31/03/2011
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act, please can you provide me with the following information: 1. Please provide me with the total number of hot/takeaway food retails within your area. Food retailers include restaurants, takeaways, café, sandwich shops etc. Please exclude supermarkets and newsagents. Thank you for your help.
Response	Thank you for your query. At present there are 120 small retailers; 125 Restaurants/cafes and canteens and 54 takeaways. This information is published on the FSA's food hygiene rating scheme web-site www.food.gov.uk/ratings you can use the advanced search facility to monitor the profile of premises in the District.

31/03/2011

Workplace Safety Inspections

Date responded	03/06/2011
Questions	I would like to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act. · How many full-time equivalent council officers were employed to enforce health and safety in workplaces in your local authority area as of April 1, 2011 · How many were employed as of April 1, 2010 · How many are expected to be employed at 1 April 2012. · How many inspections were undertaken for each of the last three years specifically for workplace health and safety purposes? Please identify how many where proactive and how many were reactive inspections. · How many other inspections were undertaken for each of the last three years in which workplace health and safety was one of the issues under consideration? · How many workplace health and safety inspections undertaken in each of the last three years resulted in enforcement action for breaches of workplace health and safety law? · How many a) prosecutions and b) convictions for breaches of health and safety at work did the authority bring in each of the last three years? If possible I would like these broken down to identify the nature of the breach. · What other enforcement activity was undertaken for breaches of health and safety at work, broken down by prohibition notices, enforcement notices, voluntary cessations of work and other (please specify). · How did the authority perform against its performance indicators for the last three years for inspecting business rated in highest risk categories (A-B1)? · How did the authority perform against its performance indicators for the last three years for inspecting business rated in lowest risk categories (B2 and below) · What is the budget allocation for enforcing health and safety in workplaces for 2011/12 and what was that budget last year?
Response	Thank you for your query. Unfortunately we are having difficulties running some of the reports on our computer system. I am not able to answer some questions. · How many full-time equivalent council officers were employed to enforce health and safety in workplaces in your local authority area as of April 1, 2011 · How many were employed as of April 1, 2010 · How many are expected to be employed at 1 April 2012. We currently have 4.5 inspectors enforcing health and safety legislation along with other duties. At any given time approximately 1 FTE is engaged in this activity. On 1st April 2011 one post was vacant but has since been filled. We expect the situation to be unchanged at 1st April 2012. · How many inspections were undertaken for each of the last three years specifically for workplace health and safety purposes? Please identify how many where proactive and how many were reactive inspections. 2008/09: We were unable to calculate activity figures for 2008/09 as we changed computer systems during the year. 2009/10: 234 + 39 reactive 2010/11: 122 · How many other inspections were undertaken for each of the last three years in which workplace health and safety was one of the issues under consideration? 2009/10 = 266 2010/11 = not currently available. · How many workplace health and safety inspections undertaken in each of the last three years resulted in enforcement action for breaches of workplace health and safety law? 2009/10 = 39. 2010/11 = not currently available. · How many a) prosecutions and b) convictions for breaches of health and safety at work did the authority bring in each of the last three years? If possible I would like these broken down to identify the nature of the breach. last 3 years = Nil. · What other enforcement activity was undertaken for breaches of health and safety at work, broken down by prohibition notices, enforcement notices, voluntary cessations of work and other (please specify). PN's = 0; IN's = 2 · How did the authority perform against its performance indicators for the last three years for inspecting business rated in highest risk categories (A-B1)? We do not have performance indicators for health and safety inspection. · How did the authority perform against its performance indicators for the last three years for inspecting business rated in lowest risk categories (B2 and below) We do not have performance indicators for health and safety inspection. · What is the budget allocation for enforcing health and safety in workplaces for 2011/12 and what was that budget last year? 2010/11 = £143,300 2011/12 = £149,400

FOI requests for February 2011

Date received

Subject of request

01/02/2011

FOI/Charges

Date responded	01/03/2011
Questions	1. The charges set/to be set for searches of the Local Land Charges Register 1.4.11. to 31.3.12. 2. How the proposed percentage increase/decrease in charges for environmental information compares with increases in other Council budgets i.e. above or below the going rate. 3. The assumptions/projections that informed your decisions on environmental charges, including the annual budget. 4. Reports and minutes of Committee and Management meetings on charge setting. 5. You will be aware that you are unable to charge for a personal search under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2005. Could you please advise me how the Council coped with this sudden loss of an income stream whilst meeting its statutory duty to balance the land charge budget? It seems a difficult task not helped by the downturn in the property market. If you have not yet reached a decision, please inform me of current deliberations and when a decision will be reached. The assumption built into the FOI is, of course, that to disclose information is itself of value and in the public interest in order to promote transparency and accountability in relation to the activities of public authorities. There is a particular public interest benefit in openness concerning financial matters.
Response	1. There is no current intention to amend the current charges with effect 1st April 2011. Therefore the charges are the same as those currently posted on the council's website at http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/landcharges/fees.asp. 2. Overall the council budget will decrease whilst LLC charges will at present remain the same. 3. The LLC charges will be reviewed post year end following a cost based analysis. 4. None, this is delegated to Senior officer decision as part of the authority's Constitution. 5. The council has taken the position of providing where possible environmental information free online e.g. planning history, and other more efficient ways of working so that costs that were originally met by the personal search fees may be mitigated.

01/02/2011

Mileage Claims

Date responded	28/02/2011
Questions	I am writing to obtain information about how much council employees can claim per mile for using their car, motorbike or bicycle, and for how much the council pays out in mileage allowances per year. To outline my query as clearly as possible, I am requesting: 1. How much council staff can claim per mile for using their vehicle. Please provide the rate for each of the financial years: 2008-09, 2009-10 and the current 2010-11 year. If applicable please break this down by type of user or use, and please provide the rates for different types of transportation. 2. Please also provide the different rates if a threshold exists, for example, if the rates are different for the first 10,000 miles and thereafter. 3. The total amount paid out in mileage allowance payments for “casual users”, broken down by financial years, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 to date. 4. The total amount paid out in mileage allowance payments for “essential users”, broken down by financial years, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 to date. Please also break these totals down into lump sum payments and claim reimbursements.
Response	The information is provided in the 2 attached documents. Please note that, from April 2006, the Council's employee handbook has stated that, whenever practicable and sensible in terms of travel time etc, employees should endeavour to travel by public transport.
Associated documents	PDF Mileage allowances questions 1 and 2 (13 KB) PDF Mileage allowances questions 3 and 4 (9 KB)

02/02/2011

Council Cars

Date responded	24/02/2011
Questions	1. Please could you provide details of any cars leased or bought for use by council members or employees in the last five years. Please include the following information: make and model of car, whether it was leased or bought, when it was leased or bought and for how long the contract is for, and for what purpose the car is kept. If the car was bought, please also provide details of what happened/will happen when it is no longer required by the council. Has a council member or council employee ever been allowed to keep a car that was purchased by the council? 2. Please also provide details of how many staff are employed as drivers, at what cost annually, and for what purpose.
Response	Please see attached
Associated documents	PDF 20110202Cars Response (15 KB)

02/02/2011

Employee Absenteeism

Date responded	21/02/2011
Questions	employee absenteeism, specifically the figures for the levels of sickness absence in your organisation for the past 2 years (e.g. 2008/9 & 2009/10) as well as both the total head count of employees and the total number of FTE's for the same years? And school based, if not let her know where the information can be gained.
Response	Date FTE Days lost due to sickness Headcount at 31st March FTE 2008-9 8.77 462 370.85 2009-10 8.56 431 364.49 Stroud District Council does not have responsibility for schools. This information can be obtained from Gloucestershire County Council. Please contact customerservices@gloucestershire.gov.uk

03/02/2011

Waste Data for 2009 - 2010

Date responded	10/02/2011
Questions	Please tell me the data for 2009/10 for: NI 191: residual household waste:_______ kg NI192 household waste recycled and composted: _______ % NI 193 municipal waste landfilled ______ %
Response	Waste data for 2009/10: A1. NI 191: residual household waste: 534 kg A2. NI192 household waste recycled and composted: 25.73 % A3. NI 193 municipal waste landfilled 74.49 %

03/02/2011

Celebrity Appearances

Date responded	24/02/2011
Questions	1. How much has the council spent hiring celebrities for council events, campaigns or training from Jan 2008 to date? By ‘celebrity’, I mean someone who could reasonably be deemed a well known personality, not simply pop stars etc. 2. Please provide a full list of each celebrity booking, giving the following information: name, reason for booking (and what he/she did - i.e. did he/she speak? teach? open a new facility? etc etc), event, fee paid, venue, date. 3. Please also note in each case if food, accommodation was paid for by the council, and if so where did he or she dine and stay and what did the bills come to?
Response	No celebrities have been hired by the council.

04/02/2011

Bin Fines to Feb 2011

Date responded	25/02/2011
Questions	1. How many warning letters were issued to households in relation to presentation of household waste (eg overfilling wheelie bins, leaving out too many bags, putting residual waste or recycling out at the wrong time etc)... a) since 1 May 2010 b) in the financial year 09/10 2. How many statutory notices were issued in relation to presentation of household waste (eg overfilling wheelie bins, leaving out too many bags, putting residual waste or recycling out at the wrong time etc)... a) since 1 May 2010 b) in the financial year 09/10 3. How many fines or fixed penalty notices were issued in relation to presentation of household waste (eg overfilling wheelie bins, leaving out too many bags, putting residual waste or recycling out at the wrong time etc)... a) since 1 May 2010 b) in the financial year 09/10 4. What was the total value of those fines and fixed penalty notices issued a) since 1 May 2010 b) in the financial year 09/10 5. How many prosecutions were sought for non-payment of the fines a) since 1 May 2010 b) in the financial year 09/10 6. What was the outcome of each of the prosecutions listed in 5a), and for what reason were the relevant original fines/fixed penalties issued in each case?
Response	ANSWER 1 - NONE ANSWER 2 - NONE ANSWER 3 - NONE ANSWER 4 - N/A ANSWER 5 - N/A ANSWER 6 - N/A

04/02/2011

Government Spending Councils - University Piece

Date responded	23/02/2011
Questions	1. How many IT Staff are employed within the council (approx) 2. The budget spent on IT last year, and expenditure so far this year. With breakdowns of this expenditure. 3. The name of the councils IT Director & contact details 4. When suppliers work with a council is there any special process's the council has to go through in terms of legislation? 5. Many UK councils have a £10,000 spending limit where no research is done on a supplier. Then after that councils have to get 3 quotes from different suppliers & research the supplier, is this the same for your council?
Response	1. 12. 2. Please find attached the IT spend for the whole of the Council for last year and the spend to date for this year. These figures do not include the costs associated with staff or buildings. 3. Mr Nick Watkins, nick.watkins@stroud.gov.uk. 4. Please can you provide more information with regard to this question. [No response received] 5. Stroud District Council’s Financial Regulations, section 8.7, stipulates that “where the cost of goods or services is expected to exceed £5,000 the officer must obtain at least three written competitive tenders which have been subject to the proper tendering procedures laid down by the appropriate Director in agreement with the Director of Corporate Services.”
Associated documents	PDF Council IT costs (29 KB)

04/02/2011

Empty Council owned properties (amended request)

Date responded	24/02/2011
Questions	-The number of abandoned/empty/vacant building (buildings that have been vacant for more than six months) owned by the council giving the type (commercial or residential) and area of each. And for each: -The number of years the building has been empty. -Where applicable, the amount of money per quarter OR year spent maintaining and/or leasing the building (please specify the nature of the costs).
Response	Please see attached.
Associated documents	PDF Housing (8 KB) PDF Commercial (13 KB)

07/02/2011

Household Waste

Date responded	25/02/2011
Questions	Tonnage of Household Waste collected - 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 (est) Cost (net of any income) of Household Waste Collection - 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 (est) Cost of collection of Household Waste per year per household - 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 (est)
Response	Population (number) 111,100 - residents Households (number) 49,528 - households HOUSEHOLD WASTE COLLECTION actual actual estimate budget 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Tonnage of Household Waste collected 36,231 35,301 35,200 35,100 Cost (net of any income) of Household Waste Collection 2,149,766 2,150,640 2,361,600 2,432,448 Cost of collection of Household Waste per year per household 43.75 43.77 47.68 49 Please note that the cost details for 2010/11 are based on budgeted figures.

07/02/2011

Council grants

Date responded	04/03/2011
Questions	I would like a list of all the grants that were made by the council for social enterprise/mobility/improvement e.g. Health Agencies, Elder Associations, Youth Groups, Scout Associations, Group centres, Training organisations etc from April 2009 to March 2010 I would like the information in EXCEL and with the name of the group and the amount.
Response	Please see attached documents.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information
Associated documents	PDF Finance (45 KB) PDF Cultural and Tenant Services (14 KB)

07/02/2011

Completion notices issued to commercial premises

Date responded	24/02/2011
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would be grateful if you could provide me with details of all commercial properties within your area where a completion notice has been served within the past ten years in order that the property may be entered into the Rating List. Please provide electronic copies of all notices along with any correspondance relating to said notices.
Response	Thank you fro your request under the Freedom of Information Act. Unfortunately I do not keep a record of instances where completion notices have been issued, but as a copy is sent to the Valuation Office, they may be able to provide you with the information. Their address is: Valuation Office Agency, Ley Court, Barnett Way, Gloucester. GL4 7RT. westerngroup.vo@voa.gsi.gov.uk

08/02/2011

Housing Benefits and Homeless.

Date responded	03/03/2011
Questions	Please provide details of the following: How many households in your local authority area will see a reduction in their housing benefit in January 2012? What proportion of housing benefit claimants who become homeless because of a shortfall between their housing benefit payments and rents does the council currently house within the borough? What proportion of housing benefit claimants who become homeless because of a shortfall between their housing benefit payments and rents does the council currently house outside the borough? From January 2012, what proportion of homeless housing benefit claimants does the council plan to house within the borough? From January 2012, what proportion of homeless housing benefit claimants does the council plan to house outside the borough? Is the council expecting a rise in the number of housing benefit claimants entering the borough from other local authority areas from April 2011 and January 2012?
Response	1. how many households in your local authority area will see a reduction in their housing benefit in January 2012 1/3/11 There are 2064 private sector households currently receiving housing benefit. 2. What proportion of housing benefit claimants who become homeless because of a shortfall between their housing benefit payments and rents does the council currently house within the borough? In 2009-10 we had homeless applications from 3 households who were in an AST. So far in 2010-11 this figure has increased to 10. None of these would have had the homelessness caused by the HB shortfall as such. We work on a homeless prevention agenda so very few homeless applications are taken. We resolve housing need for those threatened with homeless mostly either by offering a property from out own stock or using our funds to set up a private sector tenancy within LHA levels. 3. What proportion of housing benefit claimants who become homeless because of a shortfall between their housing benefit payments and rents does the council currently house outside the borough? 0 4. From January 2012, what proportion of homeless housing benefit claimants does the council plan to house within the borough? It is impossible to estimate how many will be affected. We will aim to prevent homelessness as 2 above but if we are unable to secure private sector as an option for those on benefits or there is a lack of properties available within LHA level the result will be a huge increase in homelessness application. Our private sector market is very buoyant and there are plenty of other applications not in receipt of benefit who might formerly have aspired to buy who are privately renting. This keeps the rent levels high and landlords can be very selective – ask for 6 weeks deposit and 6 weeks rent in advance on top of the agency fee and a guarantor. Many will simply refuse to consider anyone in receipt of benefits. From April 2011 it is estimated that only 10% of advertised private sector properties in this district will be within LHA level. This is because we are linked with Gloucester City Council area where there is a supply of private sector properties with much lower rents than in Stroud district. We have appealed against this linking of 2 such very different private sector markets without success. The LHA is therefore reasonable in Gloucester and will cover more than 30% of their properties and unreasonably low in Stroud district and going to cause us increasing homelessness problems from April 2011. 5. From January 2012, what proportion of the homeless housing benefit claimants does the council pan to house outside the borough? 0 6. Is the council expecting a rise in the number of housing benefit claimants entering the borough from other local authority areas from April 2011 and January 2012? No – see answer to 4 above.

08/02/2011

Motorsport / Noise Abatement Notices

Date responded	02/03/2011
Questions	I request the following information under the FOI Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004: (1) How many Noise Abatement Notices against motor sport/motocross have been issued within the Stroud District since 2000? Please provide copies of all the Abatement Notices. (2) Please supply copies of SDC guidelines with regard to motor sport activities within the area of Stroud District Council issued between 2000 and present date. (3) With regard to question (1) above which Noise Abatement Notices were appealed? (4) With regard to question (1) above which Noise Abatement appeals were settled without a court hearing and on what basis? Please supply copies. (5) Which Noise Abatement appeals were heard, then subsequently decided, by the Magistrates/Judge and please supply a copy of the decision(s).
Response	Please see attached documents.
Associated documents	PDF Motorsport / Noise Abatement Notices (4,707 KB)

10/02/2011

Empty Council Properties

Date responded	11/02/2011
Questions	Please can you provide me with the following information under the Freedom Of Information Act 2000; A. Addresses of all "long term (6 month and over)" empty Residential premises that are within the Council Area; and B. The names of the owners of those properties referred to in A,
Response	The information you have requested is exempt. Releasing information about empty properties is more likely to prejudice the prevention of crime as it would make it easier to identify them. If you wish to make a complaint in respect of an unsuccessful request made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 31 - Law enforcement

12/02/2011

Job Losses

Date responded	11/03/2011
Questions	* The number of job losses expected over the next 12 months. * The sum of money expected to be spent on redundancy packages. If the decision on how to balance the budget following this year's cuts are yet to be made, please refrain from responding to this FOI until the decision has been made.
Response	The Council’s Workforce Plan 2010–14 shows a planned reduction in the workforce of 45 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) by 31 March 2014. The target of 9.5 FTE within 2010-11 leaves a projected reduction of 35 FTE between 2011 and 2014. The aim is to minimise compulsory redundancies and disruption to service delivery. This will be achieved where possible by using natural staff turnover and any other measures available, whilst retaining the necessary knowledge, experience and skills to preserve a balance within the workforce. If it is necessary to declare any compulsory redundancies during this period, compensation for loss of employment will be in accordance with the statutory entitlement laid down in The Employment Rights Act 1996.

12/02/2011

Statement of Persons Nominated/Notice of Poll

Date responded	01/03/2011
Questions	The Statement of Persons Nominated/Notice of Poll for the constituency of Stroud for the Parliamentary Elections held on: (a) 1 May, 1997; (b) 7 June, 2001; and (c) 5 May, 2005.
Response	Please find a link to all previous election results, Unfortunately we cannot supply the information for 1997, as we do not have these records. http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/democ/past_elections.asp

15/02/2011

Youth Service funding and provision

Date responded	01/03/2011
Questions	Please could you provide UNISON with the following information? 1 For the financial year 2010-11: a. What revisions did your local authority make to the budget for young people's services following the announcement of 'in-year' reductions by the Chancellor of he Exchequer on 24 May 2010 b. What was the overallr eductioni n expenditure( to the nearest( £'000) for i) local authority provided youth services and ii) voluntary sector provided youth services c. What was the overall reduction( Part time/Full time) in the number of directly employed youth workers d. What was the overall reduction in i) the number of youth centres; ii)the number of places available and iii)outreach provision 2 For the financial year 2011-12 and beyond: a. What proposals affecting the provision for young people are under consideration as part of the budget making process b. Under these proposals i. What is the proposed overall reduction in expenditure (to the nearest (£'000)for i) local authority provided youth services and ii)voluntary sector provided youth services ii. What is the proposed overall reduction (in Part time/Full time) in the number of directly employed youth workers iii. What is the proposed overall reduction in i) the number of youth centres ii )the number of places available and ii)outreach provision 3. What is the current balance of expenditure on young people's services(in £000s) between local authority and voluntary sector provision 4 Please supply a copy of the current youth service staffing structure showing the grade and rate of pay, gender and race for each post 5 Please state whether youth workers are employed on JNC terms and conditions or other ( please specify). e -maitlo YouthFOl2010@unison.co.uk
Response	The Youth Service is run by the County Council rather than the District Council so none of these questions are applicable to Stroud District Council. However Stroud District Council funds and hosts a Hear by Right Senior Youth Officer who co-ordinates the Stroud District Youth Council. The costs of this post are: 2010-2011 Hear by Right Budget - £44,600 Budget for Youth Council running costs: £6,100 Youth Council grants: £4,600 2011-2012 Hear by right budget - £44,800 Budget for Youth Council running costs - £5,000 Youth Council grants - £800

15/02/2011

Information about GIS used within the authority.

Date responded	01/03/2011
Questions	1. Is GIS used within your authority - Yes / No 2. If yes, please provide details of the primary uses - please list. 3. How many users approximately use the GIS system - Less than 30, between 31- 60, Over 60 4. Which GIS system is currently used:- ESRI / Map Info / Other - please state. 5. What is the annual cost of maintenance for the GIS system(s) - Under £10K, between £10-25K, £25-£40k, £40k and over. Please select one of these options if you prefer not to state exact amounts. 6. How many officers are within the GIS team? Please state number. 7. Which section/department does your GIS team sit within? 7. Have you got an LLPG (Local Land and Property Gazetteer) - Yes / No 8. If yes, is your LLPG integrated into the GIS system or are separate layers loaded on an ad-hoc basis
Response	1. Yes 2. LLPG, Development Control, Internet/Intranet Mapping, Community Safety, Asset Managment, Public Spaces 3. Over 60 4. ESRI 5. between £10-25K 6. 1 7. Modernisation & ICT 8. Yes 9. Integrated

15/02/2011

Councillors expenses and allowances

Date responded	11/03/2011
Questions	1. What is the total amount councillors will receive in expenses and allowances for 2010/11? 2. What was the figure for 2005/06? 3. How much is the council leader being paid in 2010/11? 4. How much was the council leader paid in 2005/06? 5. How much are cabinet/executive members being paid in 2010/11? 6. How much were they paid in 2005/06? 7. What is the average councillor’s allowance in 2010/11? 8. What was the average councillor’s allowance in 2005/06? 9. Is an increase in allowance for any member(s) planned for the financial year 2011/12? 10. Are councillors taking an allowance cut to contribute towards local authority savings? 11. If you could provide a statement of explanation for your council’s figures from your council’s leader, that would also be welcomed.
Response	1. It is not possible to answer this question as the Civic Year runs until May, and Councillors can submit a claim up to two months after the date of the last meeting. The Council's website http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/opendata.asp breaks down all costs associated with a Councillor performing his/her duties. The Leader of Stroud District Council is Frances Roden. 2. £340,330, this is the total amount of allowances and expenses paid to Councillors in 05/06. 3. Please refer to the Council's website for information on the basic allowances that members are entitled to receive. Part 6 of the Council's Constitution provides a breakdown of all roles and associated allowances. http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/constitution/Part_6_Members_Allowances_Scheme_07_10.pdf Additional expenses cannot be ratified for this year, as Councillors can submit a claim up to two months after the date of the last meeting, however payments made up to the end of January for each member can be found on the Council's website at http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/councillors.asp 4. The allowance paid to the Leader was £22,215.00, this included a basic allowance of £4,074, Leaders Allowance £15,127, plus a Special Responsibility allowance of £3,014.00. 5. Cabinet Member allowances are published on the Council's website. Please see http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/constitution/Part_6_Members_Allowances_Scheme_07_10.pdf for details. 6. Cabinet Member allowances in 05/06 was £9,099, this would be in addition to their basic members allowance. 7. Please refer to the Council's website for information on the basic allowances that members are entitled to receive. Part 6 of the Council's Constitution provides a breakdown of all roles and associated allowances, please see attached link. http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/constitution/Part_6_Members_Allowances_Scheme_07_10.pdf Additional expenses cannot be ratified for this year, as Councillors can submit a claim up to two months after the date of the last meeting, however payments made upto the end of January for each member can be found on the Council's website at http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/councillors.asp 8. The basic members allowance in 05/06 was £4,074. 9. There is no planned increase for any members for the financial year 2011/12. 10. No. 11. The Council's website provides a complete breakdown of all costs and allowances. These can be found at http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/constitution/Part_6_Members_Allowances_Scheme_07_10.pdf

16/02/2011

Guest Speakers

Date responded	24/02/2011
Questions	* Please list all the celebrity speakers paid to attend council functions for the years: 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/2008, 2009/2010, 2010/2011. * For each of those celebrity speakers, please provide details of how much was paid to the speaker or to his or her agency/agent for their attendance.
Response	No celebrities have been paid by the council.

16/02/2011

FOI request: cost of upgrades/ refurbishment to council buildings

Date responded	11/03/2011
Questions	Dear FOI Officer Please provide a breakdown under the Freedom of Information Act of the amount spent in each of the following years on refurbishing and upgrading council buildings eg, the town hall, office buildings Years: 2007-8; 2008-9; 2009-10 2010- to date For each item of expenditure in each year please provide state a. the location b. what the refurbishments/upgrades covered eg upgrade to toilets, replacing carpets, new furniture etc c. the cost of the refurbishment/upgrades 2. Please also provide a breakdown of any future refurbishment/upgrade projects which have been approved detailing a. the location b. what the refurbishments/upgrades cover eg upgrade to toilets, replacing carpets etc c. the cost of the refurbishment/upgrades NB If you anticipate that this request will exceed the cost limit, please limit it in the following ways: i. please provide information for 2009-20010 first and work backwards until the cost limit is reached ii. please omit question 2
Response	1 a,b & c: Details attached in PDF document 2: No approved future projects known NB Please note that collating this information took 21 hours of officer time
Associated documents	PDF Council buildings refurbishment /upgrades (34 KB)

18/02/2011

New posts created

Date responded	16/03/2011
Questions	how many new staff posts your council has created since 1st May 2010? (Please note, just for the sake of clarity, that I am only interested in NEWLY-CREATED posts, not cases where staff have left and their vacancy has been filled.) Please provide the job title and salary / banding in each newly-created post. In each case, please also indicate whether the post has been filled or is still vacant. Finally, please could you provide me with a headcount for the total number of staff employed by your council on 1st May 2010 and 1st February 2011.
Response	Since 1st May 2010, newly created posts were those shown below which were either externally funded or temporary posts: Canal Project - 23/12/10 Business Support Assistant (post filled) Salary £8415 per annum (18.5hrs per week) - post temporary for two years Canal Project - 27/9/10 Volunteer Assistant & Office Administrator (post filled) Salary £11372 per annum (25hrs per week) - externally funded under the Poppy Factory supported employment scheme – temporary for up to 12 months Elections - 24/1/11 Business Support Assistant (post filled) Salary £16,830 per annum (temporary for six months) Planning - 4/1/11 Data Management Officer (post filled) Salary £19,621 per annum (temporary internal secondment for six months) There was also a complete restructure of Tenant Services effective 1 July 2010, and a more recent Sheltered Housing restructure. There were changes to posts and numbers of posts which resulted in a staff saving of 5% in financial terms. Headcount for the total number of staff employed by SDC on 1st May 2010 = 534 (including casuals) Headcount for the total number of staff employed by SDC on 1st February 2011 = 519 (including casuals)

21/02/2011

Grants to voluntary and community sector organisations

Date responded	10/03/2011
Questions	1. The amount in £ of your total expenditure through grants to voluntary and community sector organisations for the year 2010/11 2. The amount in £ of your total expenditure through contracts to voluntary and community sector organisations for the year 2010/11 3. The overall percentage of your total budget expenditure through grants and contracts to voluntary and community sector organisations for the year 2010/11 4. The anticipated amount in £ of your total expenditure through grants to voluntary and community sector organisations for the year 2011/12 5. The anticipated amount in £ of your total expenditure through contracts to voluntary and community sector organisations for the year 2011/12 6. The anticipated overall percentage of your total budget expenditure through grants and contracts to voluntary and community sector organisations for the year 2011/12 7. The total numbers of grants issued to voluntary and community sector organisations during the year 2010/11 8. The total number of contracts issued to voluntary and community sector organisations during the year 2010/11 9. The anticipated number of grants issued to voluntary and community sector organisations during the year 2011/12 10. The anticipated number of contracts issued to voluntary and community sector organisations during the year 2011/12
Response	Community Safety 1. £1,752.00 2. Nil 3. 23% 4. Unknown as we do not as yet know our budget 5. Nil 6. Unknown as we do not as yet know our budget 7. 7 8. Nil 9. Unknown as we do not as yet know our budget 10.Nil Tenant Services 1. £6425 2. £8400 3. 15.6% 4. £7600 5. £11200 6. 19.8% 7. 20 grants = £3337 8. 1 contract = £11200 9. 20 grants = £3337 10.1 contract = £11200 Cultural Services Q1 £328,250 Q2 We do not have contracts. We have Service Level Agreements - the amount is £317,250 Q3 The figure in Q1 represents the grant budget for the voluntary and community sector Q4 £316,250 Q5 We do not have contracts. We have Service Level Agreements - the amount is £305,250 Q6 The figure in Q4 represents the grant budget for the voluntary and community sector Q7 17 Q8 We do not have contracts. We have Service Level Agreements - the figure is 14 Q9 17 Q10 We do not have contract. We have Service Level Agreements - the figure is 14

21/02/2011

Documents subject to legal professional privilege

Date responded	18/03/2011
Questions	Under the Environmental Information Regulations and the Freedom of Information Act could you please detail all firms and organisations with whom the Council have enjoyed a solicitor/client relationship since 2004 or received documents subject to legal professional privilege? Could you please detail: 1. The date of the appointment and the nature of the work in question 2. The fees paid by the Council and the budget meeting the cost of the expenditure 3. The Committee minutes authorising the appointment 4. The procedure interview/tendering etc that led to the appointment 5. The duration of the instructions 6. The reason it was determined the work could not be undertaken in house 7. Any relevant background papers.
Response	It will take in excess of 18 hours to respond to the request, due to the very broad nature of the information sought. The Council therefore refuses the request in line with section 12(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you can reduce the scope of your requests, we will of course reconsider it. However, in order to assist you, I can provide the following information:- The Council engages external firms of solicitors and also Counsel to provide specialised work on indiviual projects. Please see the following link to the Council's website where you will find the details of a similar (but more narrow) request for information. This link provides the details of the external legal firms that the Council has engaged, a brief description of the work undertaken and the cost of the services provided in the year 2009/10. http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/foi.asp?#foi1011
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450

21/02/2011

Nappies

Date responded	02/03/2011
Questions	I would like to request details of any schemes run or supported by the council which promote the use of reusable (non-disposable) nappies, eg. by providing vouchers or trial packs to mothers. Q.1 Firstly, please give details of any such initiatives which the council has run or supported over the past decade, including how long they have been running. Q.2 Secondly, please give details of any companies which contribute to the cost of running such schemes, or which run them in association with the council, including how much they contribute financially per year and whether they profit from the arrangement. Q.3 Thirdly, if you have a reusable nappy scheme, please give a yearly break-down showing the following: i. The number of people who have used it ii. What they received under the scheme (eg. £50 cash-back on reusable nappy purchases) iii. The total cost to the council per year of running the scheme.
Response	A.1 During the period October 2007 to April 2009, Stroud undertook a trial waste scheme in the 'Stanleys' ward which involved an incentive for residents in the trial area to use real nappies; the incentive was for residents to receive an introductory pack of nappies valued at £30, for free. Although forty four residents showed initial interest, only one resident took up the council's offer. A.2 N/A A.3 N/A

21/02/2011

communicate the impact of public spending cuts on third sector organisations

Date responded	02/03/2011
Questions	Dear Sir/Madam Due to the very severe public spending cuts facing local authorities, it’s likely that your organisation is being forced to make some very difficult decisions about what is funded and what is not. I am writing on behalf of MyCommunityRIP.org – a new organisation that aims to collect, collate and communicate the impact of public spending cuts on third sector organisations. This is a freedom of information request under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) that seeks disclosure on the impact that these funding decisions will have on Third Sector Organisations (defined as charity, voluntary, social enterprise and community organisations or voluntary and community groups) in your area. Current project and / or grant funding: I would be grateful if you could disclose: 1. A full list of Third Sector Organisations that received either grant or project funding during financial year April 2010 – March 2011 2. The value of that funding, by organisation/project 3. By organisation, whether the grant or project funding will cease or be reduced during FY April 2010 – March 2011 (in-year cuts). If the funding is to be reduced/ceased, the extent of that reduction. 4. By organisation, whether the grant or project funding will cease or be reduced for FY April 2011 – March 2012. If the funding is to be reduced, the extent of that reduction. 5. The date that any reduction or cessation is due to take effect/ was introduced 6. What these Third Sector Organisations do* 7. Which section of the community they support* 8. What the grant is for/what the project funding is/was for* 9. A contact e-mail for the organisations involved ( such as might be reasonably expected to be available in the public domain ) * This information should be provided in the format/extent that is most straightforward to action for the council as we seek to avoid exceeding the appropriate limited prescribed in the Regulations Notes: 1. Should or part of your grant/community projects programme be outsourced to a third party (for example, to a local voluntary society), please provide the appropriate contact details to pursue this enquiry 2. If you have not yet decided on the Third Sector project funding allocations for FY April 2011 – March 2012, please let me know what date you will have decided this and we will re-submit this request
Response	See attached below
Associated documents	PDF Response to community funding impact (11 KB)

22/02/2011

Primates Licensed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976

Date responded	22/02/2011
Questions	Under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, each Local Authority in England, Scotland and Wales is responsible for issuing (or denying) licenses to private keepers of certain wild animals, including most primates, and renewing (or not) such licenses every two years. Because the government does not keep a central record of these licenses, it is difficult to know for certain how many of each type of animal is being kept in the UK, and it is difficult to know whether the conditions in which they are kept conform to any standard, such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006. As a primate welfare organisation, Wild Futures endeavours to keep track of how many primates are licensed from year to year in the UK, and the terms under which they were licensed. To this end, would you please provide the following information? As of 1 February 2011: 1) How many DWA licenses are issued in your area? 2) How many of these licenses are issued for primates (monkeys, apes or prosimians such as lemurs)? 3) What is the cost of obtaining a DWA license in your area? 4) What is the cost of renewing a DWA license in your area? 5) In April 2010, Defra’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-Human Primates came into force. When inspecting properties for licensing or renewal, are the requirements laid out in this Code taken into consideration? 6) Are there any breeders or dealers of primates licensed under the Pet Animals Act 1951 in your area? If there are any primates licensed in your area, please provide the following additional information: For each license issued for a primate / primates, please provide the following information: a) How many individuals and of what species (please provide Latin name: i.e. Cebus apella) are covered? b) Is the license issued for specific individuals or for a set number of any given species (i.e. if a licensed monkey dies, may the owner replace the monkey with another of the same species without applying for a new license)? c) Is there a restriction placed on breeding? If not, does the license automatically cover the offspring? d) What is the age and sex of each licensed primate? e) Where were the primate / primates obtained?
Response	Thank you for your email, our responses are as follows: 1) There are currently 2 DWA licences issued in this area. 2) None are for primates. 3) £96 + the veterinary inspectors costs. 4) Same as question 3. 5) N/A 6) None If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Many Thanks

24/02/2011

Amounts paid under any grants, consultancies or contracts

Date responded	21/03/2011
Questions	I would like to know how much money your authority has paid to The Electoral Reform Society Limited (and its subsidiaries and associated companies Electoral Reform Services Ltd, Electoral Reform International Services Ltd, Membership Engagement Services Ltd and Xpress Software Solutions Ltd). I would like to know the analysed amounts for the years 2008/9, 20009/10 and 2010/11. I would like to see copies of any surrounding documentation.
Response	XPRESS SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS LTD 2008/9 £9,954.00 Annual Licence Fee £352.50 Training £458.25 User Group £1,032.83 CORE electoral registration data 2009/10 £10,229.38 Annual Licence Fee £448.50 User Group £172.50 Training 2010/11 £10,765.30 Annual Licence Fee £881.25 Training ELECTORAL REFORM SERVICES 2008/09 £1,363.03 Fees for 6972 Complete Registration 2009/10 £75.27 Phone and Internet Registration 2010/11 £1,490.33 Phone and Internet Registration £65.52 Canvas 2010 Electronic Registration There is no surrounding documentation other than invoices and these have been analysed in the attached spreadsheet.
Associated documents	PDF Cost Analysis (29 KB)

28/02/2011

funding to voluntary and community sector organisations

Date responded	07/03/2011
Questions	The average amount of notice given to changes of funding to voluntary and community sector organisations – either to grants or contracts - so far during 2010/11 The total number of changes to funding to voluntary and community sector organisations – either to grants or contracts – which were made without issuing a formal consultation so far during 2010/11 The average number of responses to consultations concerning changes of funding to voluntary and community sector organisations so far – either through grants or contracts - during 2010/11
Response	A1 Voluntary and community groups were notified n February 2009 of reduced levels of funding. Many of these groups were advised of their indicative funding for the following three years to allow time to plan alternatives. A2 The funding programme for the volunatary and community sector was agreed in February 2009 for a four year period. Consultation has been ongoing. A3 Consultation has taken place as part of the six monthly review process for Service Level Agreements. This equates to 14 voluntary sector organisations.

28/02/2011

Funding to the voluntary and community sector

Date responded	07/03/2011
Questions	. A full list of Third Sector Organisations that received either grant or project funding during financial year April 2010 – March 2011 2. The value of that funding, by organisation/project 3. By organisation, whether the grant or project funding will cease or be reduced during FY April 2010 – March 2011 (in-year cuts). If the funding is to be reduced/ceased, the extent of that reduction. 4. By organisation, whether the grant or project funding will cease or be reduced for FY April 2011 – March 2012. If the funding is to be reduced, the extent of that reduction. 5. The date that any reduction or cessation is due to take effect/ was introduced 6. What these Third Sector Organisations do* 7. Which section of the community they support* 8. What the grant is for/what the project funding is/was for* 9. A contact e-mail for the organisations involved ( such as might be reasonably expected to be available in the public domain ) * This information should be provided in the format/extent that is most straightforward to action for the council as we seek to avoid exceeding the appropriate limited prescribed in the Regulations Notes: 1. Should or part of your grant/community projects programme be outsourced to a third party (for example, to a local voluntary society), please provide the appropriate contact details to pursue this enquiry 2. If you have not yet decided on the Third Sector project funding allocations for FY April 2011 – March 2012, please let me know what date you will have decided this and we will re-submit this request
Response	Please find attached a schedule of funding which will answer Q1 - Q8. Regarding Q9 - contact email addresses for the organisations can be found on their individual websites.
Associated documents	PDF Schedule RCIS Core 1011with 0910 (28 KB)

FOI requests for January 2011

Date received

Subject of request

04/01/2011

Provision of Children's Play Areas

Date responded	19/01/2011
Questions	Q1. Name of Local Authority Q2. Details of Person returning this Enquiry. Q3. Does the authority own/maintain public children's play areas? Q3a If Yes How many? Q3b If Yes, how many constructed in last decade? Q4. How many play areas are of the following types? Laps. Leaps Neaps Q5. How many funded using central government funds under initiatives by the previous Labour Government? Q6. Have any such play areas projected under these initiatives now been cancelled because of withdrawal of such funding by the Coalition Government? Q7. Have any such been reprieved by use of other funding? Yes. No Q8. Estimate of total acreage of all public play areas maintained by the authority. Q9. Are you aware of any other public play areas in your authority area run by eg Parish/Town Councils. Q10. If Yes to previous question, How many? Q11. Finally please give the correct Freedom of Information email address for your Authority * We found difficulty in accessing FOI email addresses for many authorities. Thank you for your time and help.
Response	A1. Stroud District Council - District non-Unitary A2. Public Space Officer, 01453 754405 - Public Space Service A3. Yes. A3a 32 A3b 7 New, 4 Refurbished A4. Laps x 8. Leaps x 16 Neaps x 8. A5. 3 for Stroud District Council. 2 for Parish Councils - refurbished (not included in refurbished number above) A6. No A7. Yes - one. A8. 28 acres - Equipped play space. A9. Yes. A10. 80. A11. FOI@stroud.gov.uk

04/01/2011

Damp and mould growth

Date responded	31/01/2011
Questions	We would like you to send us any copies of correspondence between yourself and Brian Smith Property Management in respect of the Freedom of Information Act, and support us with a letter that recognises that his property is in fact not suitable as living accommodation due to it’s currant internal condition.
Response	Please see attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Damp and Mould Growth (30 KB)

05/01/2011

Bin Collection Frequency

Date responded	19/01/2011
Questions	1 How many households in total receive the council's waste collection services? 2a) As of January 2011, does the authority collect refuse from those households "fortnightly", "weekly" or "more than weekly" (categories used by WRAP/Defra)? 2b) What was the answer as at April 2010? 3a) If the authority collects refuse in more than one category, how many households are served "fortnightly", how many "weekly" and how many "more than weekly" as of January 2011? 3b) What were the same figures in each of those categories at April 2010?
Response	1. 49,528. 2(a) Weekly. 2(b) Weekly. 3(a) N/A. 3(b). N/A.

05/01/2011

FOIA, request names, addresses and number of dogs licensed for all Licensed Dog Breeding Establishments under your jurisdiction.

Date responded	07/01/2011
Questions	May I please, under the FOIA, request names, addresses and number of dogs licensed for all Licensed Dog Breeding Establishments under your jurisdiction. I would also under the same FOIA request particularly like to know if Mr and Mrs Davies Hagloe House Farm Awre Road Blakeney Gloucester GL15 4AA are currently licensed and if so for how many dogs and breeds if known. I would also like to request a copy of the latest inspection report for this establishment if they are licensed breeders. Can I also learn if they hold a Dealer's license and or Pet Shop License.
Response	I can confirm that this authority currently licence one dog breeding establishment. Details are as follows:- Ms J Brown & Mr T Hutchings, Winuwuk Cottage, Heathfield, Alkington, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, GL13 9PN. Currently licenced for 10 dogs. This Authority does not cover the Blakeney area.

06/01/2011

Council Tax Arrears

Date responded	21/01/2011
Questions	1. How much Council Tax has remained uncollected by your local authority for the last financial year? 2. What are your local authority's total arrears, going back to 1993 (the date when Council Tax was brought in)?
Response	figures as at 03/01/2011 1. How much council tax has remained uncollected by your local authority for the last financial year? £351,327.05 2. What are your local authority’s total arrears, going back to 1993 (the date when council tax was brought in)? £669,077.56

07/01/2011

Cost of MS Licences, use of opensource software/free alternatives

Date responded	17/01/2011
Questions	1. The number of computers that you operate, desktops, laptops and net books, not servers. 2. The amount of money that your council has spent on Microsoft products (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). 3. The amount of money that your council has spent on other software (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). 4 .Whether or not your council has tried any free alternatives to what it is currently using.
Response	1. As of January 2011: Laptops (50), Desktops (340) and no netbooks. 2 & 3. We do not record the purchase of software by manufacturer and therefore cannot provide this information. 4. We have not, as yet, tried any free alternatives, but plan to look at this option towards the end of this year.

07/01/2011

Environmental Information Regulations

Date responded	04/02/2011
Questions	The Council's response to the LGA e-mail 21.6.10 requesting “estimates of potential liability” for personal search fees wrongly charged
Response	Actual Number of Statutory Personal Searches & Income for 2009/10 : 1799, £39,5778 Actual Number of Statutory Personal Searches & Income for 01/04/10 - 31/05/10 : 348, £7,656 Actual Number of Official LLC1 Searches & Income for 2009/10 : 160, £4,000 Actual Number of Official LLC1 Searches & Income for 01/04/10 - 31/05/10 : 27, £675 However in collecting this information we noticed that the Statutory Personal Searches & Income for 2009/10 was overstated due to the change from £11 to £22, and as such the correct amount is £24,101.

07/01/2011

Annual totals for current employees/ex employees

Date responded	31/01/2011
Questions	Annual totals for current employees/ex employees who have signed compromise agreements re disputes/grievences/internal and external investigations or whistleblowing Plus any who sign to forgo their right to approach Council in future with FOI and/or DPA subject Access requests under the relevant Acts Figures required for 2006,2007,2008,2010
Response	Dear Mr Cardin Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. In answer to your queries. 1. Annual figures for total of current employees / ex-employees who have signed compromise agreements; 2004/5 - 1 2005/6 - 4 2006/7 - 1 Our leave and financial year runs from 1st April - 31st March We have no records of any additional compromise agreements. 2. There are no current or ex-employees that have signed to forgo their right to approach the Council in future with Freedom of Information and or DPA Subject Access Requests under the relevant Acts. Yours sincerely Simon Spencer Senior HR Officer Stroud District Council Tel: 01453 754271

10/01/2011

Empty Council Owned Properties

Date responded	04/02/2011
Questions	-The name and/or address and/or type (commercial/residential) of each council-owned abandoned/empty/vacant building that has been empty for more than six months as of end of November 2010. And for each: -The number of years the building has been empty. -Where applicable, the amount of money per quarter OR year spent maintaining and/or leasing the building (please specify the nature of the costs).
Response	The information you have requested is exempt. Releasing information about empty properties is more likely to prejudice the prevention of crime as it would make it easier to identify them. If you wish to make a complaint in respect of an unsuccessful request made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please write to the Legal Services Manager who will undertake a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 31 - Law enforcement

11/01/2011

Use of Language

Date responded	07/02/2011
Questions	have staff been given guidance of the use of language when dealing with colleagues or the public, including list of words or language deemed "offensive" or "inappropriate".
Response	As part of the Council's induction process every new employee is required to read a publication called Respect for People produced by Grassroots ( http://www.grassroots.uk.com/web/guest/diversity-awareness-training ). 'Respect for People' is a diversity workbook. The workbook is designed to make learning about equality and diversity as straightforward as possible including explaining what may be constituted as being discriminatory, offensive and inappropriate language. All new employees are then required to undertake a brief test based on the information in the workbook and must pass the test as this comprises one of the components of successfully completing the employee's probationary period. Guidance is available to staff on the Council's intranet and external website ( http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/plain_talking.pdf ) on plain talking specifically with regards to use of language around disability.

12/01/2011

Building Control Approvals

Date responded	12/01/2011
Questions	In accordance with the Freedom of information act would you please provide the decision notices / reasons for rejection if appropriate together with any outstanding conditions or requirements for the following property applications following our conversation a few moments ago. Name Property Postcode Position Outstanding Requirements Beavan 49 Lisbon Ave TW2 5HR Approved ? Burstow 3 Stanley Gardens Road TW11 8SY Conditionally Approved ? Cayford 144 Studland Rd W7 3QZ Pending Skora 64 Downs Ave HA5 5AT Rejected ? Cooley 282 Staines Rd TW2 5AS Conditionally Approved ? Lee 7 Ember Lane KT10 8DZ Conditionally Approved ? Fullerton/Coopey 4 / 2 Tudor Ave Do you have an update on this yet?
Response	Copies have been sent to the requestor

14/01/2011

Access to officer papers on planning application S.10/1573

Date responded	14/01/2011
Questions	I am involved with opposing S.10/1573 - which has now been deferred to February. To help me understand the SDC position I have asked [The Officer] for a copy of the documentation he made when completing as assessment of the trees against BS5837:2005 Attachment 'email MH-Dursley trees' showing [The Officer] had done the assessment in his of 9.26am 10 1 11 and my request for a copy in mine of 13.01 of 10.1.11 Despite being promised the copy docs at a meeting at Ebley Mill with Mark and Darryl Rogers at 1pm on 11 1 11 they have not arrived. I reminded [The Officer] of this today but have met with no success. Attachment 'Refusal [The Officer]-to release docs' shows the various emails exchanged today which have led to this impasse. Prior to the 11 January planning meeting [The Officer] found these trees not suitable for retention and I simply want copies of the documentation he created when doing the assessment against the BS - how else do I know how he formed his opinion at that time? To me this seems an extremely simple matter of attaching a couple of pages to an email. I do not understand why I am being treated as if I am trying to pinch the crown jewels. I would like to resolve this matter soon and would be grateful for your assistance under the FOI Act.
Response	Dear Sir. I have read the file and spoken with the officer concerned. I can reassure you that the email you received contained all the pertinent information you required. The officer you have been in contact with is a respected arboriculturist and has met with you on many occasions. It has never been our intention to withhold information, merely to give you the best possible advice and our professional opinion. The officer transcribed his hand written site notes into the email so that they could be more readily conveyed to you. There is NO formal officer report which deals with the British Standards appraisal and as such there is no document I can provide. The officer’s opinion, having followed the guidance in the British Standard, has been provided in the committee report. I have attached a scanned version of the officer’s notes taken at the time of the inspection. It should be noted that whilst the British Standard provides guidance on how such matters should be considered there is no requirement for such a review to be in writing or in a standard format. It should also be noted that officers do not make snap decisions; their opinion forming over the duration of the application, and will be influenced by the responses to consultation. The site notes, the consultation responses and reports submitted by the applicant, formed the basis of the report to Development Control Committee. The determination of this application is not a delegated matter, and as such the officer report provided to members is the authoritative document to which you should refer. If you have a different opinion as to the health and wellbeing of the trees, you are encouraged to make a representation to the Committee. The matter is set for committee on 8 February 2011. Any information or views you wish to submit should be provided to the Council in good time.
Associated documents	PDF Officer notes (89 KB)

17/01/2011

Information regarding Online Payment System

Date responded	09/02/2011
Questions	I would like to request for any reports, consultation documents, minutes of meetings and business case data related to the Council's online payment system (the online payment system is the electronic system where the members of the public use this system to pay their council tax). I would appreciate if you could confirm safe receipt of this email and send these documents over to me by email.
Response	I have responded to a almost identical request from you forwarded to us by Gloucestershire County Council. If I can be of further help please contact me directly. Thanks.

17/01/2011

Business Rates

Date responded	21/01/2011
Questions	Details of all 2010 business premises with rateable value in excess of £20,000 and all 2005 rateing list reductions where the original RV was greater than £15,000 and where the 2000 rateable value hasn't been certified. Collection rates for 2010 and % of bills to get to the ratepayers.
Response	Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act. I confirm that I do not hold the information as requested. The valuation office may be able to help you. If you wish to make a complaint in respect of an unsuccessful request made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please write to the Head of Legal Services who will undertake a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your complete satisfaction, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision.

17/01/2011

Fly-tipping

Date responded	18/01/2011
Questions	1. Details of policy for dealing with fly-tipping by various groups 2. Date policy was introduced 3. How many FPNs and warnings given. Detail of recipients of FPNs.
Response	1. Full details of Factor 4 policy for fly-posting can be found on SDC website. 2. Policy introduced in August 2004. 3. No FPNs have been issued for fly-posting.

17/01/2011

Advertising

Date responded	02/02/2011
Questions	Please could you provide the council’s most recent annual spending on leaflets/posters? If this data is not held separately from the advertising budget, then please provide that.
Response	Information about the Council's spending on leaflets/posters is not kept separately. However, the response to a similar request received on 10 November 2010 for details about the Council's advertising is available at the following link to the Freedom of Information Register on the web site under the heading "FOI requests for November 2010": Advertising Costs http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/foi.asp#s=sectioncontent2&p=nov2010&r=foi1051

18/01/2011

Online Payments

Date responded	09/02/2011
Questions	I would like to request the documents which contain the following: 1) Business case to improve the current online payment system to collect domestic council tax 2) How much savings have been made/have been anticipated by relying on the online payment system to collect domestic council tax, as opposed to taking the payments by phone or in-person? 3) Any marketing campaigns or publicities to encourage the people to use the online payment system? 4) Any marketing campaigns or publicities to encourage the people who pay the council tax by phone or in-person to use shift to the cheaper channel of payment (channel migration)? The time period will be from 2006 until present.
Response	1) Business case to improve the current online payment system to collect domestic council tax We currently use Santander Billpay and the main drivers for promoting the service has been giving the customer choice and the transaction being secure, quick and efficient. 2) How much savings have been made/have been anticipated by relying on the online payment system to collect domestic council tax, as opposed to taking the payments by phone or in-person? The take up has been slow so the main benefit has been to be able to offer the customer choice. The preferred payment option still remains by phone. 3) Any marketing campaigns or publicities to encourage the people to use the online payment system? Telephone number added to all letters & leaflets advertising new payment line & message delivered to customers by all staff during phone conversations. Website updated with new payments page 4) Any marketing campaigns or publicities to encourage the people who pay the council tax by phone or in-person to use shift to the cheaper channel of payment (channel migration)? Campaign planned during 11/12 to target post office payers Direct Debit campaign during March along side annual billing

18/01/2011

Request for Corgi Inspector's Report

Date responded	27/01/2011
Questions	Copy of Corgi Inspector's Report mentioned in site inspection notes for the 20/01/09.
Response	The Council is not in possession of such a report (see attached document).
Associated documents	PDF Reply (259 KB)

19/01/2011

CEO pay

Date responded	14/02/2011
Questions	* What was the renumeration package for the council's chief executive in: 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2010/2011? * What will the chief executive's renumeration package be for 2011/2012?
Response	Details of the Chief Eexcutive's remuneration package are openly available on the Council's website at the following location: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/cx/The_Chief_Executive_Remuneration.pdf The Chief Executive's remuneration will remain at the rate detailed on the website for 2011/2012.

19/01/2011

Traffic Enforcement Officer posts and parking ticket costs

Date responded	24/01/2011
Questions	* How many traffic enforcement officers were employed by the council in 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2009/2010, as of 1 April, and what was the undiscounted price of a parking ticket and what was the discounted price. * What plans are there for the reduction or addition to the number of traffic enforcement officers for the years 2011/2012? * What will the price be for a parking ticket in the financial year 2011/12?
Response	2006/2007 – SDC employed two parking attendants for off street enforcement only 2007/2008 – SDC contracted to provide 4 full time Civil Enforcement Officer posts for both on & off street enforcement, ticket prices were as follows: Higher charge £70 or £35 if paid within 14 days Lower Charge £50 or £25 if paid within 14 days 2008/2009 – SDC contracted to provide 4 full time Civil Enforcement Officer posts for both on & off street enforcement, ticket prices were as follows: Higher charge £70 or £35 if paid within 14 days Lower Charge £50 or £25 if paid within 14 days 2009/2010 – SDC contracted to provide 4 full time Civil Enforcement Officer posts for both on & off street enforcement, ticket prices were as follows: Higher charge £70 or £35 if paid within 14 days Lower Charge £50 or £25 if paid within 14 days 2011/2012 – SDC remain contracted to provide 4 full time Civil Enforcement Officer posts for both on & off street enforcement, there are no plans to increase or decrease the number of officers or the the ticket prices, therefore ticket prices are as follows: Higher charge £70 or £35 if paid within 14 days Lower Charge £50 or £25 if paid within 14 days
Associated documents	PDF Reply CEO info 19 Jan 2011 (18 KB)

19/01/2011

Child Protection

Date responded	02/02/2011
Questions	The standard letter from the Department of Education states: "The law is clear: children should live with their parents wherever possible and, when necessary, families should be given extra support to help keep them together. In most cases, support from the local authority enables any concerns to be addressed and children remain with their families." S17 of the Children Act places a duty on Children's Services to assist families in need. Please could you provide a year by year breakdown since 2003 of how much of your budget has been allocated for assisting families in need and give general information as to what that budget is spent on. Please could you further provide a year by year breakdown of how much of your budget is allocated to families subject to 'care proceedings'. Please confirm you abide by the following laws: 1. All families subject to care proceedings have had the benefit of a Residential Family Assessment before the child's permanent removal in accordance with L (A Child) and H (A Child) [2007] EWCA Civ 213 which held: "before removing children from their natural families and placing them for adoption with strangers the court should be astute to ensure that the case had been fully investigated and that all the relevant evidence necessary for the decision was in Place, Art 6 of the ECHR required it…..There would of course be cases in which a s38(6) assessment would be a waste of public funds: parents who had inflicted injuries on their child but had failed to acknowledge their responsibility or a woman who did not accept that a paedophile partner was a risk to the child" 2. All parents who are guilty of abusing/neglecting their children to the extent that nothing short of removal from the parents will protect the children from SIGNIFICANT HARM have been convicted of a criminal offence for abuse/neglect and have been referred to the Independent Safeguarding Authority. Please provide a positive or negative affirmation in relation to the following statements: 3. That since removal of children from the parents no child in the care of the Local Authority has: a. Suffered sexual abuse b. Suffered physical abuse. c. Suffered emotional abuse. (In this respect data referring to convictions/complaints of misconduct of social workers/foster carers/care workers and statistics relating to child suicides/children running away would provide the relevant assertion as to whether or not children were suffering 'in care') 4. That since removal of the children from the parents no child in the care of the Local Authority has been used for medical testing or registered on any program by the NIHR, MRCN or any other medical research program without the explicit consent from the biological parent. 5. That since removal of the children from the parents the children have been raised in the same faith they would have been raised in if they had not been removed from their parents. 6. That no child has been returned to the care of the local authority post adoption. 7. That no child in the care of the Local Authority has been criminalised, ie gained a criminal record having not previously had a criminal record while in the care of their biological parents.
Response	As Stroud District Council does not have responsibility for children's services it provides no specific financial support to children or families in need. However, as a local authority the Council acts as an agent of central Government for Council Tax and Housing Benefit, which would have an indirect effect on supporting families in need.

20/01/2011

Food Standards and Food Hygiene Reports

Date responded	07/02/2011
Questions	I would like copies of the most recent food standards and food hygiene reports carried out for all the hospitals within your area. My question relates to NHS hospitals and private hospitals. It does not include care homes, hospices or other small premises. I am after the main inpatient hospitals in the area. As a rule of thumb, they should be producing more than 30 meals in a mealtime. Exactly which premises you include and exclude I leave largely to your discretion based on local knowledge and the expertise of those working in food hygiene. I would like you to provide me with the reports under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Should you have difficulties releasing the data under the EU rules, then please consider the Freedom of Information Act 2000. For clarification, where there are several venues on the same site (eg Marks & Spencers within the hospital, staff cafeteria, public cafeteria and patient kitchens) it is the patient facilities I am interested in. I am not concerned with the food normally consumed by staff or the public. If it is hard to distinguish between the different facilities without carrying out a detailed manual trawl of the data, then send them all. Extra data above and beyond what I am after is better than not enough. I am not after ‘scores on the doors’ – this does not give sufficient information and is already in the public domain. I am after full copies of the reports.
Response	Please see attached documents
Associated documents	PDF Premises Inspection Reports (179 KB)

20/01/2011

Parking Enforcement and Tickets

Date responded	02/02/2011
Questions	* How many traffic enforcement officers were employed by the council in 2006/2007 and what was the undiscounted price of a parking ticket and what was the discounted price. * How many traffic enforcement officers were employed by the council in 2007/2008 and what was the undiscounted price of a parking ticket and what was the discounted price. * How many traffic enforcement officers were employed by the council in 2008/2009 and what was the undiscounted price of a parking ticket and what was the discounted price. How many traffic enforcement officers were employed by the council in 2009/2010 and what was the undiscounted price of a parking ticket and what was the discounted price. * How many traffic enforcement officers were employed by the council for the year 2009/2010, as of 1 April, and what was the undiscounted price of a parking ticket and what was the discounted price. * What plans are there for the reduction or addition to the number of traffic enforcement officers for the years 2011/2012? * What will the price be for a parking ticket in the financial year 2011/12?
Response	The information requested is available on the Council's Freedom of Information Register at the following link to its web site under the heading " FOI requests for January 2011", date received 19/01/2011: Traffic Enforcement Officer posts and parking ticket costs http://www.stroud.gov.uk/opendata/foi.asp

20/01/2011

Home Adaptations

Date responded	10/02/2011
Questions	We request details of the number of home adaptations carried out in the following: Housing Stock: 1) The number of home adaptations carried out in your housing stock in 2009? 2) The number of home adaptations carried out in your housing stock in 2010? 3) The number of applications for home adaptations which were placed on the waiting list in 2009? 4) The number of applications awaiting home adaptations in 2010 (the length of your current waiting list for home adaptations)? Through DFGs: 5) The number of home adaptations carried out through DFGs in 2009? 6) The number of home adaptations carried out through DFGs in 2010? 7) The number of applications for home adaptations through DFG which were placed on the waiting list in 2009? 8) The number of applications awaiting home adaptations through DFG in 2010 (the length of your current waiting list for home adaptations through DFG)?
Response	Housing Stock: 1) The number of home adaptations carried out in your housing stock in 2009? = 481 this is for 2009/10 financial year 2) The number of home adaptations carried out in your housing stock in 2010? = 346 thus far 2010/11 financial year 3) The number of applications for home adaptations which were placed on the waiting list in 2009? = 48 2009/10 financial year 4) The number of applications awaiting home adaptations in 2010 (the length of your current waiting list for home adaptations)? Waiting list length – 2 months Through DFGs: 5) The number of home adaptations carried out through DFGs in 2009? 34 6) The number of home adaptations carried out through DFGs in 2010? 48 7) The number of applications for home adaptations through DFG which were placed on the waiting list in 2009? No waiting list 8) The number of applications awaiting home adaptations through DFG in 2010 (the length of your current waiting list for home adaptations through DFG)? No waiting list

21/01/2011

Past Service Reserves in Council pension fund

Date responded	02/02/2011
Questions	Please provide me with the value of the top 25 past service reserves for current staff in your council pension fund (i.e. the value of the pension pot to date). PLUS: How much does each individual accrue annually? What is his/her basic salary? It will be in the following format: officer 1 ---- PSR value (e.g. £600,000) ---- basic salary ----- annual employer's contribution (e.g. £15,000) officer 2 ---- PSR value (e.g. £600,000) ---- basic salary ----- annual employer's contribution (e.g. £15,000)
Response	The Council does not have the requested information as the pension scheme is managed by Gloucestershire County Council. However, the County Council also does not hold Past Service Reserves (PSRs) for individuals as it is not a statutory requirement to do so and to obtain PSRs would require the intervention of the actuary, thereby involving significant costs. If you wish to pursue this please contact Gloucestershire County Council direct, whose contact details are at the following link to the web site: http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/pensions

21/01/2011

Funding for the voluntary and community sector 2010/2011

Date responded	09/02/2011
Questions	1) How much money did you allocate to charities and voluntary organisations in your area in this financial year (2010/11)? 2) How much money have you allocated / do you plan to allocate to charities and voluntary organisations in your area in the financial year 2011/12? 3) If you have reduced your level of spending to charities and voluntary organisations in your area for the next financial year, do you envisage maintaining a reduced level of spending beyond this period (e.g. for the next 3-5 years)?
Response	A1 - £328.250 A2 - £316.250 A3 - YES - SDC will continue to review on an annual basis in line with efficiency savings. SDC started a process of budget reduction in 2009/2010 which sought to 'step down' funding for organisations rather than implementing radical cuts which gave organisations no time to prepare or seek to replace this funding in other ways.

24/01/2011

Details of virtualisation and licensing

Date responded	28/01/2011
Questions	1.What manufacturers centralised storage do you use? 2.What percentage of your Servers are virtualised? 3.What is the total amount of storage you have and its percentage utilisation? 4.What server virtualisation projects have been identified within the next 12 months? 5.What software is used to backup your virtual infrastructure? 6.Have you implemented data de-duplication? If yes which vendors solutions do you use? 7.What Antivirus software do you currently use? 8.When is this due for renewal (month & year)? 9.What Email system do you have installed? 10.Do you archive email or data? If yes which product do you use? 11.Do you use hierarchical storage management? If yes which manufacturers? 12.What amount of storage does your email consume? 13.Do you Virtualise Applications? If yes which Vendor solutions do you use? 14.Do you provide Virtualised Desktops? If yes which Vendor solutions do you use? 15.Are you considering desktop virtualisation? If yes over what time frame? 16.What desktop\application virtualisation projects have been identified within the next 12 months? 17.Do you electronically audit your PCs for installed software? If yes what application do you use? 18.Do you use a third party company to manage your Software Licenses? If yes who? 19.Do you reconcile your installed software and licenses owned? If yes how frequently? 20.What is version of Microsoft Windows is your standard and how many Windows devices do you manage? 21.How do intend to procure Microsoft licenses now the centralised NHS enterprise agreement has ended? (Select, Enterprise Agreement etc) 22.If you already hold a Microsoft License agreement, when is this due for renewal? 23.Do you have plans to adopt Windows 7 in the next 12 months? 24.If yes, how are you looking to deploy Windows 7? 25.Are you considering hosting your servers externally as part of a Private Cloud infrastructure? 26.Who, including name, job title and contact details, is responsible for IT Procurement Contracts relating to IT Infrastructure? 27.What IT functions do you have outsourced and to whom? 28.If you have Oracle licenses, when was the last time they were audited and by whom? 29.Please identify what IT related projects you have scheduled for the next 12 months?
Response	1. HP 2. 71% 3. 19TB & 80% 4. None 5. Veem 6. No 7. The provision of this information may prejudice the security of our network, therefore the answers to these questions are exempt from the right of access under the FOI Act, section 43 (Commercial Interest), Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it). 8. Apr-11 9. MS Exchange 2010 10.No 11.No 12.84GB 13.No 14.Citrix 15.We are undergoing a Citrix rollout at present. 16.See above 17.No 18.Bytes 19.Annually 20.XP, 450 21.We are unaffected by these changes as we are not part of the NHS. 22.2 years left to run 23.No 24.N/A 25.No 26.Pauline Bird, Infrastructure Manager, pauline.bird@stroud.gov.uk 27.None 28.They were audited in 2010, by the software vendor and Oracle 29.Upgrade to Financial System; rollout of thin client through out the organisation; review of open source software.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 43 - Commercial interest

25/01/2011

Premises in your area that have been granted a Music Licence

Date responded	26/01/2011
Questions	Please could you let me have a copy of all the premises in your area that have been granted a Music Licence, IE places that can have live bands as entertainment
Response	The information requested is attached - it is lists of all premises and club premises that have live music permitted on their licences or certificates.
Associated documents	PDF Club Premises Licences (76 KB) PDF Premises Licences (595 KB)

26/01/2011

Redundancy pay

Date responded	31/01/2011
Questions	1. In the financial year to date, how many employees received redundancy payments in the following bands: a) £100,000 - £150,000 b) £150,000 - £200,000 c) £200,000 - £250,000 d) £250,000 - £300,000 e) £300,000 - £350,000 f) £350,000 - £400,000 g) £400,000 - £450,000 h) £450,000 - £500,000 i) over £500,000 2. What has been the highest multiple of salary paid out by the council to an employee made redundant? What was the salary and what was the final pay out? Many thanks for all your help. I can be contacted on 07786 230144 with any questions, or on this address. I have made more than one freedom of information request to you in the past - PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU REPLY TO THIS ADDRESS! It is redundancy.pay.foi@gmail.com.
Response	In answer to the two questions above; 1/ In the financial year to date no employees have received redundancy payments in any of the bands listed. 2/ Assuming that the question relates to the current financial year the highest redundancy payment made was to an employee whose annual salary was £28,636 p.a. with a final redundancy payment of £11,400. The Council's policy on redundancy is in line with statutory redundancy payment entitlement.

28/01/2011

Parking and Resident permit costs

Date responded	28/01/2011
Questions	To whom it may concern, Under the Freedom of Information Act, please provide the following information: 1. The current annual price for a residents permit within your area. 2. Any proposed increase in the price of a residents permit. 3. The previous year's annual price for a residents permit. 4. The current cost of a parking within council car parks or by the side of the street 5. Any proposed increase in the cost of parking within council car parks or by the side of the street.
Response	1. All information can be found on SDC website (www.stroud.gov.uk) 2. Set by Gloucestershire County Council 3. Set by Gloucestershire County Council 4. All information can be found on SDC website 5. None at present

28/01/2011

In-house Graphic Design and Printing

Date responded	08/02/2011
Questions	1 Do you have an in-house 'Graphic design' facility - yes/no If yes, how FTE many staff does the department employ and what is the turnover? If No, how do you source graphic design? 2 Do you have an in-house 'Printing' facility - yes/no If yes, how FTE many staff does the department employ and what is the turnover? If No, how do you source printing? 3 Does the in-house facility manage the MFD or Photocopy contracts - yes/no If yes, how FTE many staff does the department employ and what is the turnover? If No, how do you source photocopying?
Response	1. No - Freelancers used on ad hoc basis according to job requirements. 2. No - Outsourced according to job requirements. 3. N/A - We have photocopiers for day-to-day photocopying. Large amounts of printing/copying is contracted out as per 2.

28/01/2011

Engagement and costs of engagement with the Muslim community

Date responded	02/02/2011
Questions	To whom it may concern, Under the Freedom of Information Act, please provide the following information: * From 1 April 2011, what programmes designed to engage specifically with the Muslim community will be funded by the council? * What amount of funding will be provided for these programmes? * What programmes designed to engage with the Muslim community were funded by the council between 1 April 2010 until now? * What amount of funding was set aside for these programmes? * What programmes designed to engage with the Muslim community were funded by the council between 1 April 2009 and 1 April 2010? * What funding was set aside for these programmes? * What programmes designed to engage with the Muslim community were funded by the council between 1 April 2008 and 1 April 2009? * What funding was set aside for these programmes?
Response	From 1 April 2011, what programmes designed to engage specifically with the Muslim community will be funded by the council? - NONE What amount of funding will be provided for these programmes? - N/A What programmes designed to engage with the Muslim community were funded by the council between 1 April 2010 until now? - NONE What amount of funding was set aside for these programmes? - N/A What programmes designed to engage with the Muslim community were funded by the council between 1 April 2009 and 1 April 2010? - NONE What funding was set aside for these programmes? - N/A What programmes designed to engage with the Muslim community were funded by the council between 1 April 2008 and 1 April 2009? - NONE What funding was set aside for these programmes? N/A

31/01/2011

Third Party Debt Recovery

Date responded	09/02/2011
Questions	I am writing to obtain information amount of times Stroud council has used third party debt-recovery agencies in the past three years. I would like the figures for the municipal years 2007 to 2008, 2008 to 2009 and 2009 to 2010. To outline my query as clearly as possible, I am requesting: 1) The total number of residents whose details have been passed to third-party debt recovery agencies for non-payment of council tax. 2) The total number of residents whose details have been passed to third-party debt recovery agencies for non-payment of fines arising from parking infringements in areas under the jurisdiction of the council.
Response	1) The total number of residents whose details have been passed to third-party debt recovery agencies for non-payment of council tax. 07/08 653 08/09 717 09/10 606 2) The total number of residents whose details have been passed to third-party debt recovery agencies for non-payment of fines arising from parking infringements in areas under the jurisdiction of the council. 2008-9 = 341 cases 2009-10 = 343 cases No other information is available.

31/01/2011

Water and Sewer Maintenance

Date responded	21/02/2011
Questions	1. Could you please provide a list of names and contact details for the Council Officers that are responsible for managing the repair and maintenance of water-mains and sewers on/within all council properties/premises. 2. Does the Council have a contractor(s) in place to deliver your statutory duties with respect to the following activities: a. Mitigating water loss from mains on/within all council properties/premises, including offices, housing depots etc. (The Water Authorities undergo leakage detection exercises and have powers to insist leaks are repaired without delay); b. Preventing pollution of groundwater from poorly maintained and leaking sewers on council land (recent laws place the burden for any pollution event upon the polluter – polluter pays); c. Maintaining appropriate levels of water quality within private mains networks at council owned premises, such as housing stock areas, office premises etc. (legislation places various obligations on network owners for maintaining the quality of water on their premises and to get the appropriate approvals before upgrading/maintenance works are carried out). 3. Can you please provide the name and address of the contractor(s) currently undertaking the works activities listed in point 2 above? 4. Can you please confirm the nature of the contract that you have with these contractors and when the contract(s) is/are due to be renewed?
Response	Commercial Properties 1.Brian McGough responsible for the upkeep of sewers (that are not the responsibility of Severn Trent Water Ltd) on General Fund Premises 2.No 3.None in place 4. None in place Housing Stock 1. Dave Stables - 01453 754162 dave.stables@stroud.gov.uk and Hannah Mawson - 01453 754079 hannah.mawson@stroud.gov.uk 2a. Yes - Lovell Partnerships handle repairs to water supply pipes and sewers. Specialist contractors deal with replacement supplies. 2b. As above 2c. As above in connection with Severn Trent Water. 3. Lovell Respond - 3, 3B Business Village, Alexandra Road, Handsworth, Birmingham B21 0PD 4. TPC 2005 Partnership Contract due for renewal October 2015 - 2020. 5 Year partnership with option to extend for up to another 5 years

FOI requests for December 2010

Date received

Subject of request

01/12/2010

Bailiff service contract renewal

Date responded	09/12/2010
Questions	Please can you provide me with the date that your bailiff services contract next comes up for renewal for both the enforcement of PCN’s under the TMA and the enforcement of Council Tax and Non Domestic Rate Liability Orders contracts and where you intend to advertise this information.
Response	The Gloucestershire Revenues Partnership has recently appointed Bristow & Sutor as sole supplier to collect Council Tax and Business Rates. The contract was awarded in June 2010 after a formal tender process. It is valid for 5 years with an option to extend. There are currently no plans as to where it would be advertised. The Gloucestershire Revenues Partnership represents all six (6) Councils in Gloucestershire, namely: Cheltenham Borough Council Cotswold District Council Forest of Dean District Council Gloucester City Council Stroud District Council Tewkesbury Borough Council PCN's are not currently part of the above bailiff agreement, but are dealt with through other channels within a partnering agreement.

01/12/2010

Selling personal details

Date responded	05/01/2011
Questions	I would like to request answers to the following questions under the Freedom of Information Act. 1. How much money did the local authority make from selling personal details of its residents to third party organisations in the 2008/09 financial year? 2. How much money did the local authority make from selling personal details of its residents to third party organisations in the 2009/10 financial year? 3. How much money did the local authority spend on buying people’s personal details from third party organisations in the 2008/09 financial year? 4. How much money did the local authority spend on buying people’s personal details from third party organisations in the 2009/10 financial year?
Response	1. £1,551.00 - Requests are made for the sale of edited registers and other registers and the Council supplies them where legally obliged to do so. 2. £1,907.20 - Requests are made for the sale of edited registers and other registers and the Council supplies them where legally obliged to do so. 3. None, we do not buy personal details 4. None, we do not buy personal details

03/12/2010

Questions about IT equipment and infrastructure

Date responded	03/12/2010
Questions	1. How many Staff (full head-count rather than full-time equivalents) are employed in IT functions? 2. Do you have an internal Information Technology team or is Information Technology TOTALLY Outsourced? If Outsourced, to which Company? 3. Is your Information Technology Infrastructure managed internally or outsourced? If Outsourced, to which Company? 4. Are your Desktop computers managed internally or outsourced? If Outsourced, to which Company? 5. Is your Systems Development/Applications Management managed internally or Outsourced? If Outsourced, to which Company? 6. How many Desktop Computers are in use? 7. How many Laptop Computers are in use? 8. Which Server Platform(s) do you use? • IBM/PCM Mainframe: (Please state which Operating System(s) – z/OS, z/VM, z/VSE) • UNIX: (Please state which Operating System(s) – e.g. Sun Solaris, AIX etc.) • Microsoft Windows: • System I: • Others (Please be kind enough to state): 9. How many Physical Servers are in use? 10. How many VIRTUAL Servers are in use?
Response	1. 12 2. Internal 3. Internal 4. Internal 5. Internal 6. 350 7. 30 8. HP & IBM • AS/400 running OS/400 • N/A • XP, • N/A 9. 18 10. 47

03/12/2010

Housing Targets

Date responded	13/12/2010
Questions	(1) What annual (a) affordable (b) market housing target was being used to inform planning decisions in your local authority area on (i) 1st May 2010 (ii) 1st November 2010 (iii) 1st December 2010, and what was the source of each of these targets? (2) Has the council updated its Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) since January 2010 and, if so, what is the new assessment of affordable housing required? (3) Is your local authority currently determining or consulting on new annual housing targets and, if so, what are these draft targets? Please provide a copy of any consultation documents.
Response	(1) Affordable housing target being used to inform planning decisions in SDC area remains at 30% for 1st May 2010, 1st November 2010 and 1st December 2010. Market housing target remains at 9,100 for 2006 – 2026 as per the RSS for these dates. (2) No, the SHMA has not been updated since January 2010. (3) SDC is currently determining new housing targets but no draft target figure has yet been reached and consultation has not commenced.

07/12/2010

Business Rates

Date responded	10/12/2010
Questions	Specifically we require the details of all owners (as defined by the Local Government Finance Act 1998) of properties which have a rateable value in excess of £100,000 on a ‘qualifying industrial hereditament’ (as defined by The Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (England) Regulations 2008), who are currently liable to pay Empty Rates. The information that we require in respect of each matching record is as follows: -Address of the property which is empty and liable to empty rates -Rateable value of the property -Name of the ratepayer -Address to which rates bills are sent -Date from which the property became vacant
Response	The information that you have requested is exempt from disclosure under section 40 (personal information) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

07/12/2010

Display Energy Certificates

Date responded	23/12/2010
Questions	I am therefore making a request under the Freedom of lnformation Act for a full list of all those buildings within your local authority area that meet the criteria specified in the Regulation as requiring them to have a DEC. In summary a, "DEC and advisory report are required for buildings with a total useful floor area over 1,000m 'that are occupied in whole or part by public a thorities and by institution providing public services to a large number of persons and therefore frequently visited by those persons.
Response	As per attached PDF document
Associated documents	PDF DECS FOI (32 KB)

07/12/2010

Civil Enforcement costs

Date responded	12/01/2011
Questions	1) how much money the council received in parking fines (under the Traffic Management Act 2004) between 31st March 2008 and 30th March 2009 2) how much money the council received in parking fines (under the Traffic Management Act 2004) between 31st March 2009 and 30th March 2010 3) how much money the council spent on Civil Enforcement Officers between 31st March 2008 and 30th March 2009 4) how much money the council spent on Civil Enforcement Officers between 31st March 2009 and 30th March 2010 5) how many Civil Enforcement Officers the council employed between 31st March 2008 and 30th March 2009 6) how many Civil Enforcement Officers the council employed between 31st March 2009 and 30th March 2010
Response	The information is attached as a pdf, showing total and separate figures for on-street and car park enforcement. The employee costs are for 0.6 full time equivalent (FTE) Parking Manager and 4 FTE Civil Enforcement Officers for both 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Associated documents	PDF Car Parking Enforcement 2008/09 and 2009/10 (17 KB)

08/12/2010

How much money has been made from selling personal data.

Date responded	23/12/2010
Questions	I would like to know: a) How much money has the council made from selling personal details in the last two financial years? b) To which companies has the data been sold?
Response	Please find the reply to your Freedom of Information request below. a) How much money has the council made from selling personal details in the last two financial years? 2008/09 £1551.00 2009/10 £1907.20 b) To which companies has the data been sold? 2008/09 Data Trans LTD Liberal Democrats 2009/10 Stroud Labour Party Liberal Democrats Labour Candidate Conservative Agent Stroud Labour Party Liberal Democrats Hatton Court Hotel

10/12/2010

Structure, names, email addresses of ICT and IT Security person

Date responded	14/01/2011
Questions	I would like to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act for a departmental structure of the IT department within the council. Please can you confirm Names, Email addresses and where possible Telephone numbers including the person who deals with the councils IT Security.
Response	Attached is a structure chart for the Modernisation & ICT service as of December 2010. With the exception of the Head of Service, the Council declines to provide the names, email addresses and telephone numbers of staff, citing Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Action, in which requests for personal information is exempt. The Head of Service is responsible for IT security.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information
Associated documents	PDF Structure Chart (7 KB)

10/12/2010

Number of property searches, Con29 Forms and LLC1 Forms issued in years 2001-2010

Date responded	13/01/2011
Questions	I would like details of the changes in the property search market since the introduction of the new Form CON29 in mid 2002. I wish to establish how the market in the area of your local authority has changed over the period April 2001 to March 2011 (or to date). The number of official searches and Forms Con 29 issued/undertaken in each year The number of Forms LLC1 issued in each year The number of personal searches undertaken in each year The number of NLIS searches undertaken in each year Can you please itemise for each year 2001-2010 and make clear whether the figures relate to a financial or calendar year
Response	Please see the attached file which details the response. Please note unfortunately we are unable to breakdown the exact number of NLIS searches in the data.
Associated documents	PDF Search Data (151 KB)

10/12/2010

Costs of Telecommunications/Wide Area Network (WAN)

Date responded	17/12/2010
Questions	• What was the Telecommunications/Wide Area Network (WAN) spend for the 09/10 financial year? • When are the current telecoms/network contracts due to end? • Who are the current contract providers? • Which individual within the council is the main point of contact or has responsibility for Networks/Public Sector Networks (PSN)?
Response	The cost of the Telecommunications/WAN spend for the 09/10 financial year was £12,000 The contractor is Redstone, The contract is due to end Jan 2012 Pauline Bird

13/12/2010

Food Hygiene Rating's

Date responded	23/12/2010
Questions	1. The names of and addresses of all restaurants and food outlets currently rated (or rated in the most recent inspection) zero in the food hygiene star ratings system, based on the Food Law Code of Practice issued by the Food Standards Agency. 2. For each outlet rated as zero, full details of the inspection in which they were given the zero rating, stating the date of inspection and all details of the report findings, including the risk rating. 3. A copy of the full inspection reports.
Response	Thank you for your query. I understand *************** from Transparency Data has explained how you can identify these premises using the "scores on the doors" web-site. Do let me know if you require further information about any premises in the Stroud District. From 1st January 2011 we will be migrating data to the Food Standards Agency's National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. There will be a period of about 2 months when we will not be able to publish data on either web-site.

13/12/2010

POSTAL SERVICES

Date responded	24/12/2010
Questions	In order to enable us to potentially enable your organisation achieve such savings, we are, under the Freedom of Information Act, requesting the following information from you. 1. Your postal spend in 2009 and 2010 on the following - exact costs where possible or if unavailable please provide estimated costs – - 1st class post including number of items - 2nd class post including number of items - Other postal spend 2. How do you process your mail ? – stamps, franking, Postage Paid Impressions ( PPI ), Down Stream Access ( DSA ) , DX or if any other service please specify 3. If DSA please indicate service provider and agreed current rates – e.g. OGC pricing or bespoke / machine readable letters and non machine readable letters 4. If using a postal franking system, please specify supplier and model 5. Is the equipment owned or leased through supplier / 3rd party finance house 6. If equipment is owned outright , the month, year and cost of purchase plus the annual maintenance costs 7. If leased, the month, year and term of lease plus quarterly / annual costs including maintenance 8. Does the outgoing mail need to be reconciled to show breakdown of departmental spend ? 9. If so, for how many cost centres are utilised ? 10. Will the 2011 budget be an increase on the 2010 spend ? If so what is the estimated 2011 postal budget ? 11. What is the reduction, as a percentage, that your postal services will be tasked with in 2011? 12. What is the typical decision process within your organisation for postal services ? 13. Who is ultimately responsible for making decisions such as the allocation of contracts for postal and affiliated services for your organisation ?
Response	As per the attached document.
Associated documents	PDF POSTALFOI 122010 (13 KB)

19/12/2010

Buildings owned by the Council

Date responded	13/01/2011
Questions	In terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please can you provide a list of:- 1. All buildings (including piers, land and other freehold property) owned by the Council as of today's date? 2. All buildings owned by the Council that are currently for sale or lease as of today's date? 3. All buildings owned by the Council that are being considered to be placed for sale within the next 12 months? 4. All buildings owned by the Council that are currently laying empty and/or unused as of today's date? PLEASE do NOT send an 'xls' attachment email. They crash my computer and I cannot open these. Jpeg, pdf and ' word' files are fine. Old fashioned Royal Mail post is preferred.
Response	Thank you for your request. Below are answers to your questions: 1. See pdf document attached 2. Units 3 & 4 Brunel Mall, London Road, Stroud District Council 3. 11/11a May Lane, Dursley 4. 11/11a May Lane and Chapel Street, Cam
Associated documents	PDF List of assets 07.01.11 (37 KB)

21/12/2010

Council Tax arrears at 20 December 2010

Date responded	17/01/2011
Questions	what is the current value of the outstanding council tax arrears owed to your authority?
Response	Previous years arrears for Council Tax are £685,289

21/12/2010

Equality Impact Assessment

Date responded	27/01/2011
Questions	1. I would like to know if the council will be carrying out Equality Impact Asessment (EIA), as defined under equalities legislation, on its proposed budget for 2010/2012. 2. If the Council is carrying out an EIA on its budget, I would like a copy of its terms of reference. 3. If any EIA has been carried out on the budget proposals for next year I would like a copy please.
Response	1. Stroud District Council is committed to carrying out EIAs on any significant changes in service delivery affecting those groups covered by equality legislation. Stroud has just completed a major review of its sheltered housing provision. The full report and background papers, including the EqIA are available on the website. http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Shelt_Hsg_Review_Dec_10_complete.pdf The process has included full consultation with relevant stakeholders, as detailed in the documentation. Stroud, along with the other districts and the county council, is also in the process of reviewing concessionary fares in Gloucestershire. A series of face to face consultation events have been arranged covering the north and south of the district; all those in receipt of travel tokens have been written to personally; the consultation survey is available on-line and in hard-copy. A full EIA is being carried out as part of this review. The Council's budget was reported to Cabinet on 6 January 2011: The "General Fund Revenue Budget 2011/12 and MTFP 2011/12-2014/15". The following links to the web site show the report (page 13, paragraphs 87 and 88 refer to Equalities Impact Assessments): http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag8_MTFP.pdf and supplementary documents: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Agenda_Item_8_-_Supplementary_Papers.pdf The report and Cabinet's recommendations will be considered by a full Council meeting on 10 February 2011. Service managers are responsible for undertaking Equalities Impact Assessments for any changes they make to any services they provide and where appropriate, EIAs have been undertaken. The following link to the Council's web site provides more information about Equalities and Diversity: http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/equalities.asp Stroud District Council officers and members follow the guidance provided by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission's guidance. 2. The terms of reference are attached. 3. Changes are proposed in the provision of the following services, for which the appropriate Equality Impact Assessments are attached: - Gardening Assistance Scheme - Cash Desk - Discretionary Travel Token Scheme - Maidenhill / Thomas Keble / Wotton Sports Centre - Nailsworth Recreation Centre - Vale of Berkeley Sports Centre - Dursley / Wotton Pool and Sports Centre
Associated documents	PDF EIA - Cash Desk Closure (55 KB) PDF EIA - Travel Token Scheme (42 KB) PDF EIA - Gardening Assistance Scheme (33 KB) PDF EIA - Vale of Berkeley (73 KB) PDF EIA - Nailsworth Sports Centre (71 KB) PDF EIA - Maidenhill Sports Centre (75 KB) PDF EIA - Wotton Sports Centre (94 KB) PDF EIA - Terms of Reference (51 KB)

22/12/2010

Caravan Parks owned or operated by Stroud District Council

Date responded	05/01/2011
Questions	We kindly request details of all caraven parks owned or operated by SDC. In particular we request: The site anem and address of each caravan park Whether residential or holiday Whether owned or operated (or both) by Stroud District Council.
Response	Dear Sir Reference your request for information on the above Stroud District Council neither owns or operates any caravan site

24/12/2010

Food Business within this Councils Area

Date responded	24/12/2010
Questions	I would like a list of every food business within your council area, currently in operation. On this list I would like the following information on each business: 1. Name 2. Address and postcode 3. Date of last inspection 4. Score of last inspection 5. Class use of business (a1 or a3) 6. Brief description of business I would appreciate this information in the form of an excel spread sheet.
Response	Please see attached document
Associated documents	PDF Food Business and there rating's (1,923 KB)

30/12/2010

Total number of fixed penalty notices issued by Stroud District Council for environmental crimes

Date responded	21/01/2011
Questions	I would like to request details of the total number of fixed penalty notices issued by Stroud District Council for environmental crimes, during the financial years 2008-09, and 2009-10, for (a) dog fouling (b) littering (c) fly-posting and (d) graffiti. Please further provide the total value of these fixed penalty notices, and the number of the fixed penalty notices which were not paid. In the event of a FPN not being paid, what is the council’s policy for further action? Furthermore, how many Dog Wardens/Animal Health Officers does your authority employ?
Response	No fixed penalty notices were issued in 2008/09. A total of 6 notices have been served for Environmental crimes, predominantly for littering in 2009/10, The total value was £530.00, all were paid. We prosecute for the original offence if unpaid We have 1 Dog Warden and 1 Animal Welfare Officer.

FOI requests for November 2010

Date received

Subject of request

03/11/2010

Investigatory Powers

Date responded	04/11/2010
Questions	1. How many times has the council authorised use of investigatory powers covered by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act since May 12th, 2010? 2. Please provide details of each authorisation in the following format: - date authorised - purpose - length of investigation - number of people under investigation - outcome - were investigators given extra authorisation to acquire/access confidential information?
Response	How many times has the council authorised use of investigatory powers covered by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act since May 12th, 2010? - None. Please provide details of each authorisation in the following format: date authorised – purpose – length of investigation – number of people under investigation – outcome – were investigators given extra authorisation to acquire/access confidential information? - N/A

03/11/2010

Number & Cost of leased lines linking buildings

Date responded	09/11/2010
Questions	Please advise the total number of leased (communication) lines linking buildings within the council's remit, including educational establishments. Please also advise the total cost, in the last financial year, of the communication links.
Response	There are 2 leased lines operating between buildings within Stroud District Council. They cost £6000 each

04/11/2010

Rail Fares

Date responded	30/11/2010
Questions	1. Did your organisation permit any spending on first class rail fares for staff as of November 3, 2010? 2. If so, how many staff were permitted to travel first class? What restrictions, if any, were there on the circumstances in which those staff could travel first class? Please also provide all information contained within any policies or guidance your organisation had as of November 3, 2010 on this topic. 3. If not, when was the most recent date any of your staff were allowed to travel first class on trains? As of that date, how many staff were permitted to travel first class? What restrictions, if any, were there on the circumstances in which those staff could travel first class? Please also provide all information contained within any policies or guidance your organisation had as of that date on this topic. 4. How much has your organisation spent on first class rail fares in the current financial year (2010/11)? How much has your organisation spent on first class rail fares in each of the last three full financial years? (2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10)? This information is specifically required to relate to financial not calendar years. If your accounting system does not work on that basis, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss a mutually acceptable form in which the relevant information can be disclosed.
Response	1. No. 2. From April 2006 the Council's employee handbook has stated: PUBLIC TRANSPORT Whenever practicable and sensible in terms of travel time etc, employees should endeavour to travel by public transport. Exceptions can be agreed by line managers if a benefit to the office can be shown for example because of the time taken to complete the journey; difficulty of carrying substantial paperwork and equipment or if there is a concern for safety which is a paramount consideration (e.g. someone travelling alone late at night). Sometimes it may be necessary for officers to take this action without prior approval, in which case they must exercise judgement and discuss with their line manager on return to the office. For travel by rail ALL employees should travel standard class unless: i. to do so would hinder the ability to work e.g. because of the need to undertake work of a sensitive nature ii. there are no seats available in standard iii. because of any health or other exceptional reasons. Agreement to travel first class should be sought from the appropriate Strategic Team Member before purchasing the ticket. When travelling by public transport tickets should be booked as far in advance as possible in order to access reduced fares. Although the above specifically mentions employees it also applies to Councillors. 4. Nil.

05/11/2010

Zoos, Wildlife Parks, Animal Sanctuaries or similar such establishments licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act

Date responded	09/11/2010
Questions	My query relates to any zoos, wildlife parks, animal sanctuaries or similar such establishments licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act by your authority Please could you provide me with a list of animals kept by these establishments which have been put down / euthanised since 1st Jan 2007, which you as the licensing authority have been informed of. In each case, please state the establishment, the type of animal, and the reason it was euthanised. Please ensure that your response includes - but is not limited to - any cases where animals are put down because they are surplus to stock, where overcrowding compromises the welfare of animals, or where a decision to euthanise is taken under the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) guidelines.
Response	I write further to your Freedom of Information request regarding notification to Stroud District Council (as the licensing authority) of the number of animals euthanised or culled by licensed Zoo premises within its area. Information regarding euthanasia and culling of collection animals is kept by the Zoo itself within individual animal records. These are, of course, reviewed as part of both the informal and formal inspection regimes for licensed Zoo premises. Thus, with respect to your specific request regarding animals put down that we “as the licensing authority have been informed of”, Stroud District Council has neither required nor received such information. In line with the Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, the Zoo must provide the licensing authority with an annual stocklist by no later than 1st April of the succeeding year. This list must include (in addition to other requirements) the number of deaths within the collection during the year in question, including culls. However, this notification requirement (enshrined as a Condition of Licence) provides only a total number of deaths over the year and does not break it down into euthanasia, culls, etc.

08/11/2010

Expenditure for attending events

Date responded	30/11/2010
Questions	1. The number of days employees of Stroud District Council have attended conferences and trade events in the current financial year. 2. The cost of clothing or uniform purchased to attend the events. This is a revised request (original request dated 7th October - FOI Ref No. 1029).
Response	1. The number of days employees of Stroud District Council have attended conferences and trade events in the current financial year. Answer: 66 days 2. The cost of clothing or uniform purchased to attend the events. Answer: Nil

08/11/2010

Use of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme

Date responded	25/11/2010
Questions	1. Does Stroud District Council provide guidance on Office of Government Commerce Common Minimum Standards to staff responsible for contracting construction projects, and if so, does this include information on the Construction Skills Certification Scheme? a) Yes b) No c) Sometimes (please provide details) 2. Does Stroud District Council state in tender documentation that bidders should require all members of contractors supply teams who are workers on or regular visitors to a construction site are registered on the Construction Skills Certification Scheme or are able to prove competence in some other appropriate way? a) Yes b) No c) Sometimes (please provide details) 3. Does Stroud District Council include a clause in construction contracts requiring that all members of contractors supply teams who are workers on or regular visitors to a construction site are registered on the Construction Skills Certification Scheme or are able to prove competence in some other appropriate way? a) Yes b) No c) Sometimes (please provide details)
Response	Please see attached table.
Associated documents	PDF Response re FOI on use of Construction Skills Certification Scheme (29 KB)

08/11/2010

Pensions

Date responded	30/11/2010
Questions	1. What are the % contributions of employers and employees to council pensions? 2. What is the cost of the council pensions in real terms and as a percentage of expenditure? 3. How is 1 and 2 expected to change over the next4/5 years?
Response	1. 24.5% employers 5.5% - 7.5% employees 2. £1.9m and 2.25% of gross revenue expenditure 3. Employers 24.5% is expected to increase by 1% per year

08/11/2010

Current Staff in receipt of pension.

Date responded	01/12/2010
Questions	The number of currently employed staff who are receiving both a salary and a public pension payout. The top five staff members employed by the authority, in terms of total payout re. Question 1, including both salary and pension figures.
Response	Dear Mr Hackwell The Council has two staff that are receiving both a salary and under flexible retirement are drawing their local government pensions through the Gloucestershire County Council Pensions fund. There may be other staff members who are employed that are drawing public sector pensions from other providers however as an authority we do not have the detail of this. With regards to your second point both the above employees are paid at £23.708 pro rata per annum and both work 18.5 hours per week. The Council does not have the detail as to their pension figures as this is worked out by the County Council.

09/11/2010

Housing Benefit payments to Landlords

Date responded	23/11/2010
Questions	1. Identify 10 landlords who received highest total payments of HB in 2009/10. How much they received and how many properties. 2. As above but for year 2008/09 3.As in 1, but for current year to date. 4.Identify the biggest payment for a single property in a) 2008/09 b) 2009/10 c) current year to date. Provide a description of the property, (no of bedrooms and address) and how were payments made for this address
Response	Re questions 1, 2 and 3: The information you have requested contains personal data and consequently the Council considers it exempt from disclosure under the exemption set out in Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If you have any complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, or if you require a review of the decision not to disclose this information, please write to the Council’s Interim Monitoring Officer Colin Spencer. 4(a) £326.54 pw (5 bed house) 4(b) £326.54 pw (5 bed house) 4(c) £358.5 pw (room in hotel [cannot provide address as per paras. 1 to 3 above])] Payment made by BACS
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

10/11/2010

Away Days

Date responded	01/12/2010
Questions	1. State the number of "away days" and external team building sessions for officers and members (and sessions involving both members and officers) in the financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11 to date, broken down by financial year. If possible I would also like to know the date of each away day. 2. State the venue of each of those away days/team building sessions and the reasons for holding them. 3. State the total cost of each of those away days and team building sessions. 4. Include a breakdown of the cost for the following: a) Accommodation b) Food and drink c) Cost of external consultants/advisers for each of those away days d) Cost of any activities associated with the away day e) Cost of travel
Response	See attached table.
Associated documents	PDF Response to Away Days FOI (20 KB)

10/11/2010

Advertising Costs

Date responded	01/12/2010
Questions	1 For each of 2009/10 and 2010/11 (to 31 October 2010) and separately for: • advertisements and notices placed in consequence of a statutory requirement • advertisements and notices placed at the discretion of the council ie not in consequence of a statutory requirement please set out the expenditure incurred by the council with: • national newspapers • national broadcast media • specialist local government or professional media • regional newspapers • regional broadcast media • local newspapers and magazines • local broadcast media 2 For each of 2009/10 and 2010/11 (to 31 October 2010), what has been the net expenditure by the council on council newspapers and magazines?
Response	Please refer to the attached spreadsheet for items 1 and 2. No national newspaper has been used. Individuals' names have been redacted as an exemption under Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act.
Associated documents	PDF Advertising (48 KB)

10/11/2010

Evalulation of arts projects

Date responded	03/12/2010
Questions	I write under the Freedom of Information Act to request the following information. I would like as much information as you can give me on the evaluation of arts projects (including, but not limited to, public art, art workshops, music, plays, cinema, festivals and other such projects) that the local council has funded since 2007. What I am looking for is specific information about how much the council gave to each project, what the brief was, when the project took place and its name, and the council's evaluation of the project once it finished. If this information is covered by an annual report from a specific officer or department (or similar), I would like to request copies of those since 2007. Alternatively, I would like copies of spreadsheets or however else the council has kept its analysis and evaluation of projects it has funded.
Response	Please see attached PDF document
Associated documents	PDF freedom of infomation171110 (557 KB)

10/11/2010

NON-DOMESTIC RATES/BUSINESS RATES

Date responded	23/11/2010
Questions	I hereby request a list of Business Rate accounts that meet the following criteria: 1. Current overpayment/credit shown if credit balance hasn’t been carried forward 2. Accounts where a ‘write on’ has been used since 1st April 2000 to cancel an overpayment which has not since been reversed I would request that the list contains the following information: • Ratepayer name * • Address of property concerned • Amount of overpayment/write on • If possible, the period/financial year relating to overpayment/credit/write on *Information is only requested where the ratepayer is a company and not an individual as I appreciate this is limited by the Data Protection Acts.
Response	The information has already been provided and is available on our web site.

10/11/2010

How Councils use public and commercial databases to improve operational efficiences, reduce costs and increase revenues

Date responded	02/12/2010
Questions	a. Which departments have a debt collection function? b. All the databases and information services that each department use to trace debtors. In particular, does each department use: · Council tax database · Edited or Full Electoral Register (please specify which) · Royal Mail Postal Address File (i..e. "PAF" products, such as Quick Address software) · Directory Enquiry services · Commercial online tracing services · Data supplied by credit reference agencies · Any other databases c. For each database how does the council access the database (i.e. on the Intranet, XML, or by reference to another department) d. Details of the type of debt that is being traced by each department, such as unpaid parking fines, or council tax. e. How much debt has been recovered by each department in the last 12 months and how much debt have the council been unable to collect.
Response	See attached document.
Associated documents	PDF Response to Parliamentary Brief FOI (43 KB)

13/11/2010

Further information requested about the answers provided about carbon reduction

Date responded	23/11/2010
Questions	One of your responses leads me to ask a follow up question - you answered that you do indeed use Lean IT techniques to identify and eliminate waste in ICT. Could you please let me know what specific Lean IT techniques you have employed (e.g. Kaizen) and what types of wasteful activities have been identified and eliminated?
Response	The Council uses Systems Thinking (by Vanguard) to review and redesign services to improve efficiency and reduce waste. This has proved especially beneficial in helping ICT improve its internal operations. One example is a redesigned HelpDesk function requiring two less people in conjunction with a Citrix thin client deployment, reducing costs and carbon.

15/11/2010

Freedom of Information/Environmental Information Requests: Property Searches

Date responded	13/12/2010
Questions	1. On the 27 July 2010 DEFRA advised your Chief Executive of the need to bring the potential refund (for unlawfully charging personal searchers for EI information) to the attention of those who had been wrongly charged. Can you please produce the written report to show how this has been addressed by the Council 2. On the 16 July 2009 the LGA sought legal guidance on whether there was an entitlement to Charges fir EU being refunded. Please advise the date this advice was actioned by the Council and provide a copy of the written record of the decision. 3. On the 16 July 2009 the LGA advised authorities that they could avoid following the ICO’s guidance regarding environmental information charges being unlawful pending their own legal opinion or the legal opinion the LGA was seeking. The LGA have confirmed that legal consensus exists regarding environmental information. Please provide the record of the decision the Council took to act contrary thereto 4. On the 11 August 2010 the LGA reported the existence of a fighting fund. 114 authorities had shown their willingness to contribute thereto. Please show me your response to the LGA request and all papers showing how the decision to contribute (or not) was made 5. On the 11 August 2010 the LGA reported on its survey of 156 authorities whose personal search income totalled £4.2 Million in 2009/10.Please advise me of your input into that survey 6. On the 16 July 2009 the LGA wrote to all Heads of Legal and Directors of Finance about seeking authoritative legal advice from a leading QC in this specialist area. Please provide all written records to show your acceptance or rejection of that advice. Please provide copies of any further written advice/guidance on the subject 7. Please provide me with a copy of all Council reports on the issue of searches and the EIR from 2004 to date 8. Please provide me with copies of all correspondence you have had with the LGA on the subject of property searches and environmental information. If you believe communications from and to the Local Government Association regarding property search issues are exempt under Section 41 (confidential information) please advise me of: - The specific information you believe falls within the s41 exemption - Why all LGA information is considered to have the necessary degree of confidence - The circumstances in which all the LGA information gives rise to an obligation of confidence - Details of why disclosure would be detrimental to the LGA - Why disclosure of all the material would be actionable by the LGA
Response	1., 2., 3., 4. and 6 - The Council does not hold this information. 5. As far as I am aware the Council did not input into the survey. 7. The Council's reports can be accessed on its' website, www.stroud.gov.uk , but in particular please see the following link to the a report to Cabinet dated 30th September 2010 and entitled ‘Local Land Charges Income’ - http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag_7__Local_Land_Charges_Income.pdf 8. Under section 17(4) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Council neither confirms nor denies whether it holds the information you have requested.

16/11/2010

Public Space Projects

Date responded	13/12/2010
Questions	1) How many public space projects did the Council fund, or part-fund, in 2008, 2009 and 2010? For each year please tell me the total cost of the projects. 2) How many public space projects does the Council plan to fund, or part-fund, in 2011, 2012, and 2013? For each year please tell me the total cost of the projects. 3) How many public space projects funded under Section 106 agreements were granted planning permission by the Council, in 2008, 2009 and 2010? For each year please tell me the total cost of the projects. Please take "public space projects" to mean: parks, playgrounds, recreation grounds, squares, streets, gardens, wildlife reserves, and waterfronts. Please exclude routine engineering works, maintenance or minor projects costing less than £20,000. Please take "Council" to mean either Council, Borough or Local Authority, as appropriate. If you are unable to answer my request in full I ask that you provide as much information as possible
Response	A1. There has only been one Public Space project funded directly by Stroud District Council; this entailed the following contributions for the Playarea at Summer Crescent, Stroud: £29,000 SDC Housing, £10,000 Stroud Town Council and £9,000 Playbuilder. A2. The Council currently have no plans to fund or part fund public space projects beyond the £20,000 ceiling during the years 2011, 12 and 13. A3. There have been no public space projects funded under Section 106 agreements for developments that have been granted planning permission by the Council during 2008, 2009 and 2010.

16/11/2010

Bottle Green Drinks Co

Date responded	30/11/2010
Questions	May I request a copy of Miss H internal report detailing the matter of the noise appraisal undertaken by Stroud District Council concerning the Bottle Green Co generator. I also require an extract from the Environment Act detailing the pursuit of a problem through the Magistrates Court.
Response	Please see attached documents
Associated documents	PDF Response to Bottle Green Freedom of Information (269 KB)

17/11/2010

Purchase of Nintendo

Date responded	01/12/2010
Questions	1) How many Nintendo DSs or DS Lites have the Local Authority purchased in each year from 2004? 2) Which pieces of software, i.e. Nintendo DS or DS Lite games, have been purchased by the Local Authority?
Response	1. None. 2. None. The only Nintendo related equipment that the Council has purchased since 2004 is a Nintendo Stylus Kit in August 2009. This was purchased to provide spare styli for use with the sound level meters used by environmental health officers as these were much cheaper than those available from the meter manufacturer.

17/11/2010

Nintendos

Date responded	01/12/2010
Questions	How much money has the Local Authority spent, in each year from 2004 onwards, on 1) Nintendo DSs or Nintendo DS Lites 2) Other Nintendo Products 3) Nintendo Software, i.e. games for the Nintendo DS or DS Lite
Response	1. Nil. 2. The only Nintendo related equipment that the Council has purchased since 2004 is a Nintendo Stylus Kit for £5.99 in August 2009. This was purchased to provide spare styli for use with the sound level meters used by environmental health officers as these were much cheaper than those available from the meter manufacturer. 3. Nil.

18/11/2010

Refunds

Date responded	02/12/2010
Questions	I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Please provide details of the proposed contingent liability in your Council’s Statement of Accounts to cover refunds to those persons/organisations charged by you for the following: Personal search fees LLC1 fees Traffic scheme information Building control information Highway information Charges made for planning documentation in excess of the Markinson rate Commons Registration fees LLC1 fees where restrictions were imposed on our members as to the number of personal searches they could conduct and they were forced to undertake LLC1s All other Ei’s I should be grateful if you would also provide a copy of the relevant Committee Report detailing how you accepted or rejected the principle of a contingency fund. A local Council has a Committee Report that has recommended such a fund, so I assume that it is becoming common practice. Central
Response	There has not been a specific report presented to committee relating to a contingency liability and hence there is not a specific Contingent Liabiilty contained in the latest Statement of Accounts 2009/10 in respect of this FOI request.

19/11/2010

Empty Housing List

Date responded	10/12/2010
Questions	Under the Freedom of Information Act I hereby request a list of the vacant property in the Stroud/Gloucestershire area.
Response	Legislation: Freedom of Information Act 2000 Subject: Request for empty property list. Following your recent request for the above information, I can now advise that the information is exempt under section 40 ‘personal data’ as it is possible that owners could be identified from the addresses (i.e. a land reg search combined with the addresses we would provide may give details about the owners). If you have a complaint about the way in which your request for information has been handled, please write to the Legal Services Manager for a review. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction then you can of course write to the Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

20/11/2010

Stray Dog Complaint

Date responded	26/11/2010
Questions	In this letter you have alleged that our dog was found as a stray and returned to us by a group of runners. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I now formally request that you supply me with all the information relating to this case forthwith so that we can examine the evidence upon which you have made your judgement and has driven to write your letter. We wish to examine this information for the facts that it contains and whether or not these can be substantiated in the light of the strength of the comments contained in your letter.
Response	I am replying to your recent correspondence in which you made a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for information relating to your dog being found as a stray. I have enclosed the information you have requested. In summary the matter of your dog straying and the concerns arising from that were brought to the attention of the Councils Dog Warden by a member of the running club that found it. It is clear that you have taken exception to the letter sent you in relation to your dog having been found straying. I have now had the opportunity to look into this matter and I am sorry that you found the letter threatening or upsetting as that was clearly not her intention. The Council takes the matter of stray dogs very seriously as they have been known to be the cause of serious road traffic incidents and to foul on public land/playing fields etc. which is of particular concern in relation to young children. A proactive approach is therefore taken in relation to the issue of stray/roaming dogs as it is considered important that owners are aware of all the relevant legislation and the potential consequences if the situation continues. The letter you received was therefore of a standardised format containing the information referred to above. The letter is strongly worded in order to convey the seriousness of the issue but I do not agree that it is threatening or constitutes harassment. On reflection I do believe the sentence containing information on the collar and tag requirements may not have been necessary as although your dogs tag did not contain all the information strictly required by the legislation it is clear it was wearing a collar and tag. The letter does not however allege that it was not. In order to hopefully clarify the issue, the Council is not threatening to prosecute you in relation to this matter but is simply bringing your attention the potential consequences should your dog continue to stray.
Associated documents	PDF Stray Dog Job Sheet (37 KB)

23/11/2010

Cost of IT and where is data stored

Date responded	17/12/2010
Questions	1. Provide me with a figure (or estimation) of how much was spent on your IT last year. 2. How and where the council stores its data; whether this is stored in-house or off site.
Response	1. £373,000 on staff costs £133,000 on direct expenditure by the IT department. To produce further analysis of IT expenditure across all departments would involve more than 18 hours work and consquently the council refuses to disclose this information. If you can limit your request to particular items within I.T. expenditure then we will reassess it and will provide you with all disclosable information if it will take less than the 18 hour limit. 2. Provision of this information may prejudice the security of our network, therefore having considered the public interest in disclosure the council thinks that the balance is in favour of withholding the information. The answers to these questions are exempt from the right of access under the FOI Act, section 43 (Commercial Interest), Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 43 - Commercial interest

23/11/2010

headcounts for years 2009 - 2015

Date responded	03/12/2010
Questions	headcount for 1 April 09 headcount for 1 april 10 expected headcount for 1 April 11 expected headcount for 1 April 15
Response	Dear Mr Brady Thank you for your Freedom of Information Request. In response to your specific queries; The total employee headcount for 1 April 2009 was 462 employees. The total employee headcount for 1 April 2010 was 431 employees. Under the Council's Workforce Plan there is a planned reduction of 10% of the workforce by 31/03/14 or 45 WTE (Whole Time Equivalent) employees. This includes a reduction of 9.5 FTE employees by the end of year 2010 -11 (31st March 2011).

FOI requests for October 2010

Date received

Subject of request

04/10/2010

Vehicle Information

Date responded	01/11/2010
Questions	REQUEST 1 The Local Authority is requested to provide a list of motor vehicles owned or leased to the council; currently licensed with the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority ("the DVLA") where the Registered Keeper of the vehicle is that of the Local Authority in the following format: 1.. Registration Mark of each motor vehicle; 2.. Fleet number allocated (if any); 3.. Chassis Make and Model; 4.. Type of Body fitted; 5.. Date new or date of acquisition. REQUEST 2 1 Details of vehicles sold recently by the council (if this information is still available)
Response	REQUEST 1 Vehicle Reg Mark Chassis Make Model Type of body fitted Date new/date of acquisition VE02MYT Vauxhall Astra DTI Estate (car) 12/07/2002 VE04VVX Peugeot Expert Van 09/06/2004 VK05ZDG Vauxhall Astra DTI Estate (car) 28/04/2005 VN55RDY Renault Clio Dynamique Car 28/09/2005 VO06ZWA Vauxhall Astra Van 11/04/2006 VU04UAJ Vauxhall Astra Estate (car) 03/03/2004 VX03PYH Vauxhall Astra Estate (car) 19/06/2003 VX03RJJ Vauxhall Astra Estate (car) 15/04/2003 WR04AYA Suzuki Jimny Van 27/04/2004 WU07XSE Suzuki Jimny Van 07/03/2007 WU07XSF Suzuki Jimny Van 07/03/2007 WV57HBC Suzuki Jimny Van 30/09/2007 EO58VSN Ford Transit Connect Long wheel base van 17/12/2008 E058FZJ Ford Transit Connect Long wheel base van 09/06/2004 BG58FBJ Ford Transit Connect Short wheel base van 17/12/2008 BG58FGZ Ford Transit Connect Short wheel base van 17/12/2008 DK57 HZX Mitsubishi Fuso Refuse disposal 15/05/2010 None of the above vehicles has a fleet number. All of the Council's direct service operations, such as refuse collection, grounds maintenance and housing repairs, are contracted out to private sector operators and the Council, therefore, owns/leases a relatively small number of vehicles. REQUEST 2 No vehicles have been sold recently.

05/10/2010

Telecommunication equipment post 1985

Date responded	11/10/2010
Questions	Please excuse me if this email has come to the wrong address within your organisation. Please can you refer this email to the correct department if so. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 I would like to request information relating to records of planning applications for telecommunications equipment/ masts made since 1985 in the area administered by your authority. I would like to know the following information relating to each planning application and for this purpose I have attached an Excel spreadsheet for the following fields: Application Reference No. - Standard Reference Given By your Authority Name/ Organisation Of Applicant - (Not Representative Of Applicant) Current Decision/ Status - (Lookup for Codes used would be useful) Date Of Decision - Date of decision (Day, month, year) Easting (X Coordinate) - Standard 6 digit OS Coordinate Northing (Y Coordinate) - Same as above (different axis though) Application Proposal - This field can hold notes relating to the application but more useful would be a description field if one is available. Address - Full address listed for site of application Postcode - Postcode of application site (if available) [Please see attached spreadsheet for Table format] If the information requested can be returned in the provided spreadsheet I would be most grateful. If you are in need of any further clarification of my request please do not hesitate to get back in touch with me.
Response	Sent by email The Council’s records prior to 2005 are in an unstructured PDF format and for the Council to locate, retrieve and supply this information would take more than eighteen hours. On this basis under Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Council will not comply with this part of your request for information as compliance with it would exceed the appropriate limit. Information on telecomunication masts and equipment from 2005 is held on our website at http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/planning/planning_application_search.asp? Please type "TEL" in the application reference search box. All the fields you need are on the decision notice. the grid reference follows the parish name.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 21 - Information reasonably accessible to the applicant by other means

06/10/2010

Local Authority Powers under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System

Date responded	26/10/2010
Questions	1)How many referrals were received, and how many inspections carried out, under the HHSRS in 2007/8: 2008/9 and 2009/10? 2)How many inspections were carried out in a) privately owned properties b) social rented properties and c) privately rented properties in each year 2007/8, 2008/9 and 2009/10? 3)How many inspections resulted in hazards being identified in each ratings category, (broken down by tenure) for: i)Crowding and space ii)Excess Cold iii)Damp and Mould iv)Falling/trip hazards In each year 2007/8, 2008/9 and 2009/10? 4)How many: i)Prohibition orders ii)Improvement notices iii)Requests for remedial action iv)Hazard awareness notices Were issued in each year 2007/8, 2008/9 and 2009/10, in each tenure category? 5)How many times did your authority take informal action following inspections? 6)How many prosecutions have been initiated for breach of Prohibition orders or Improvement notices, by tenure in each year? 7)On how many occasions has your authority carried out work in default of the landlord’s duties in each year since 2007?
Response	Please see attached document for response
Associated documents	PDF Local Authority Powers under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (27 KB)

08/10/2010

Electoral Registers 2011

Date responded	20/10/2010
Questions	For each of the last four years (calendar or financial, whichever you use to record the data), please release: a) the companies / third part organisations that bought electoral register data from the council b) for each agreement with each company / third party organisation, please say i) how much they paid, ii) what information they received (please be specific) iii) what purpose they gave for wanting the information. So hopefully your response will be something like this: 2006 Experian spent £8,000 buying the names and addresses of people residing at 18,000 households in Ward x between streets Y and X. They said they needed it for .... Tesco spent £17,000 buying the names and addresses of people residing at two households in Ward A between streets B and C. They needed it for.... The Department for Work and Pensions spent ..... Sony spent.... Alan Titchmarsh Ltd spent.... 2007 etc
Response	Under Section 3(2) of the FoI the Council considers that this information falls outside of the scope of the Act as the Council holds the Electoral Register and associated information on behalf of the Returning Officer.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 3(2) - Falls outside of the scope of the Act

08/10/2010

Conferences and Trade events attended by SDC officers

Date responded	29/10/2010
Questions	Information for the current financial year 2010/11 & 2009/10. 1. Total number of conferences and trade events that have been attended by officers of your organisation 2. Reason for attending the event & description of the benefit to the tax payer 3. Total cost to the council of attending, broken down into the following categories... - Transportation (also state method of transport) - Number of working days attending, including cost of this time in pounds - Cost of food or drink (including alcohol) - Cost of any accommodation, including number of people & nights stayed 4. Cost of any promotional items purchased for the event or conference, please also state if all these items were used or returned 5. Cost of any clothing or uniform purchased to attend the event 6. If a supplier contributed to any conference or event please state how much was paid and what benefit the council would have received in order to justify their expenditure. Please note I would like the total cost of any event or conference, regardless of whether the cost was paid wholly or partly paid for by your authority. The preferred method of supplying the information is via email, and should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to your reply within 20 working days.
Response	Compliance with this request would cost the Council more than £450 to process and has therefore been refused in line with Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Exempt	Exempt
Exempt reason	Section 12 - Cost to the Council would exceed the statutory limit of £450

12/10/2010

Request for information about SDC officer

Date responded	05/11/2010
Questions	Details of a particular job description (Tenant Participation Officer) and other associated questions Number of council properties in 1990 and 2010
Response	Job description of Tenant Participation Officer and Housing Officer attached Number of council properties 1990 - 6652 2010 - 5218
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

18/10/2010

Request for details on the number of bins that residents use and the amout collected from fines

Date responded	27/10/2010
Questions	1. The total amount of money collected from fines in the financial years 2008-09 and 2009-10 relating to bins and incidents involving bins. These figures should be broken down by the reasons for the fines. If this is not possible then please continue to provide figures for: the total amount collected from fines; a list of the reasons for which it is possible to be fined; and how much the fine is for each of the reasons listed. 2. The maximum number of bins that the council provides for a household, broken down by intended use. 3. The average number of bins that the council provides for a household, broken down by intended use.
Response	Answer to question 1 - Nil. This Council has not issued any fines to householders for failing to use the correct container for their waste Answer to question 2 - Householders are provided with one black sack per week for their refuse and one 55 Litre green plastic box for their recycling materials. Answer to question 3 - See answer to question 2

19/10/2010

Pre-Application Discussion Meeting Minutes

Date responded	19/10/2010
Questions	Request for a copy of minutes and meeting notes.
Response	Please find attached the minutes and meeting notes as requested.
Associated documents	PDF PRE APP Meeting Notes 05 Feb 2010 (43 KB) PDF PRE APP Meeting Notes 19 April 2010 (47 KB)

22/10/2010

Waste Benchmarking Exercise

Date responded	27/10/2010
Questions	1 Who your contractor is for your waste service? 2 How many households you collect from? 3 Frequency of your collection, is it fortnightly etc?
Response	Answer 1 - 'Veolia ES Ltd' Answer 2 - 49,521 Answer 3 - Residual waste weekly and Kerbside Recycling Fortnightly

25/10/2010

Outsourcing of Council services

Date responded	19/11/2010
Questions	1 What proportion of all council services did you or are you planning to put out to tender or outsource in 2010-2011? Please specify this as both a total amount in financial terms and as a % of total council budget/spend. 2 Please could you also give the figures for the year 2000-2001 in terms of the total amount of activity outsourced in financial terms and what % of total council spend this represents. 3 In respect of the services currently outsourced, please can you state what proportion has gone to: a. Private, for profit, organisations b. Non-profit social enterprises/voluntary agencies/third sector c. Joint ventures with the Council and private sector bodies d. Other (please specify) 4 In your council area, which company is the largest provider of formerly local government services?
Response	Compliance with this request would cost the Council more than £450 to process and has therefore been refused in line with Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

27/10/2010

Reducing Carbon Emissions specifically associated with the provision of internal ICT/IT Services

Date responded	10/11/2010
Questions	1. Do you currently identify and measure the Carbon Footprint that results specifically from the use and support of ICT within the Council (this includes the energy used to power all the centralised and distributed IT equipment (PCs, laptops etc) , data centre cooling / air conditioning systems etc - and the emissions produced by the overall ICT Support organisation – e.g. in dealing with Incidents, Changes, and undertaking day to day support activities)? 2. If you do identify and measure the ICT related Carbon Footprint what are your latest figures (and also do you have any previous (annual?) figures)? 3. Do you have a stated target for the reduction of your ICT related Carbon Footprint? If you do – what is the target? (If these targets are based on a % reduction over time could you please clearly state your baseline and ‘target’ year). 4. Do you have a stated target for the reduction of the overall Carbon Footprint (not ICT specific) of the Council? If you do – what is the target? (If these targets are based on a % reduction over time could you please clearly state your baseline and ‘target’ year). 5. Do you have a Green IT strategy and / or does Green IT / Carbon reduction aims feature in your current IT / ICT strategy? If you do – could you e-mail the relevant document(s)? 6. Do your ICT / IT Division have visibility of ALL ICT related energy costs (e.g. does you’re IT / ICT Division see the electricity bill for the Desktop computers, laptops and other IT devices used by the Council employees)? 7. Does your ICT / IT Division has responsibility for funding ALL ICT related energy costs (e.g. does your IT / ICT Division ‘pay’ the electricity bill for the Desktop computers, laptops and other IT devices used by the Council employees)? 8. If you have outsourced your primary IT / ICT activities to a 3rd party supplier, do you have any energy efficiency / Carbon Reduction targets specific within the contract? 9. Central Government has a stated target of ensuring that the energy consumption of Government ICT will be Carbon Neutral by 2012. Is this something you are also trying to achieve? 10. Which of the following ICT energy saving / Carbon Reduction initiatives have you undertaken? • Server Virtualisation • Data Centre Power / Cooling optimisation • Desktop Power Saving (automatic power off, removal of screensavers, etc) • Replacement of individual Printers, scanners etc with MFDs: • Desktop Virtualisation / Thin Client implementation • User Education initiatives (e.g. promotion of switch off, do not print, etc awareness): • Extended Lifecycle of hardware equipment • Use of Lean IT techniques to identify and eliminate waste • Other – please specify 11. Is Green IT and the reduction of your ICT related Carbon Footprint seen as either a high, medium or low priority for the Council.
Response	1. Yes, as part of a wider project to consolidate infrastucture and to reduce carbon footprint. Each area that is examined is subject to calculations at that time. 2. We don't calculate annually. We calculate at the point a project is scoped. 3. Yes. We would like to be carbon neutral through our use of ICT by 2012. 4. 35% by end 2010/11 against a 2007/08 baseline 5. Green IT is part of our Carbon Management Programme first published in March 2009 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/cab-12mar09-Ag18CarbonRedProg.pdf And a reviewed in June 2010 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/info/members/cms_documentation/Ag_6_Carbon_Management_Programme.pdf 6. No 7. No 8. Not outsourced 9. Yes. 10. All of the above 11. Reducing the Carbon footprint of Council operations which includes ICT is a high priority for Stroud District Council

28/10/2010

Voluntary Sector

Date responded	18/11/2010
Questions	I am requesting the following information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding changes to local authority funding for the voluntary sector. 1. Where the local authority has reduced a voluntary sector funding stream, grant or contract for 2010/11 compared to 2009/10, as a result of or in relation to funding cuts imposed by central government, I am requesting: a) the name of each third sector organisation that had its funding reduced in 2010/11 compared to 2009/10; its funding level in 2009/10; its funding level in 2010/11 (including ‘zero’ where it received no funding); and the name of the funding stream or grant/contract under which it was funded b) where an entire funding stream has been reduced: the name of each funding stream; its size in 2009/10; and its reduced size in 2010/11 (including ‘zero’ where it was cancelled) c) point b) above only applies where the funding stream consists solely of funding for third sector organisations; point a) applies to all funding streams d) where a funding cut for 2010/11 has been proposed but not yet confirmed or rejected, please provide responses for a), b) and c) using the proposed figures where applicable This request does not apply to third sector organisations that received local authority funding in 2009/10 but did not apply for funding from the local authority in 2010/11. Where the local authority is not able for whatever reason to determine which third sector organisations did and did not apply for funding in 2010/11, the authority should state this in its response and include all third sector organisations whose funding was reduced in 2010/11. 2. I am requesting details of any proposed or confirmed reductions in funding for third sector organisations after 2010/11 that are the result of or relate to funding cuts imposed by central government. 3. I am requesting outline information relating to any increase in funding or contracting opportunities for third sector organisations that the local authority has implemented in 2010/11 or is considering for future years. Please state whether each initiative will be specifically restricted to third sector organisations, or alternatively will require third sector organisations to compete with the for-profit sector. 4. Any confirmed or proposed plan to shorten the length of an existing funding contract with a third sector organisation. With regards to the entirety of this request, ‘third sector organisations’ and the ‘voluntary sector’ both incorporate the following: charities, voluntary organisations, community organisations, non-profits, social enterprises, and other similar classes of organisation that the authority considers funding from its third sector funding streams; within that, I leave it to the local authority’s discretion to decide which of the organisations it funds fall within the scope of this request. Where the local authority has taken a funding decision in response to tightened economic circumstances, internal savings targets, or central government funding cuts predating the election of the present government, this decision should be considered to be ‘as a result of or in relation to funding cuts imposed by central government’ for the purposes of the entirety of this request. I am aware that the authority may have received an FOI request regarding voluntary sector cuts in mid-August and have registered its response in its FOI disclosure log. However, my request is for current information – many authorities had not taken any firm decisions on budget cuts by mid-August – and concerns the impact on individual third sector organisations rather than simply overall funding streams. Please be aware that it will not necessarily be apparent to outsiders such as myself whether and where the local authority has already published the requested information; if the information has already been published, please identify the relevant document/weblink (and if possible, which page thereof). Where the local authority does not have all the information requested, please provide however much of the requested information you do have. Please let me know if you have any questions or require any clarifications. I would like the information in electronic format. Please acknowledge receipt of this request within five working days.
Response	As per attached document
Associated documents	PDF RCIS Cors 1011 with 0910 with 0910(2) (35 KB)

29/10/2010

Stroud District Council Property Portfolio

Date responded	17/11/2010
Questions	I am interested in information relating to Stroud District Council's property portfolio. A list of all the ‘plots’, including parks and other land, council buildings, and all commercial property assets. I would also like you to provide me with the council’s estimated value of each property and individual plot.
Response	I have attached a link to the Council’s Statement of Accounts below which should contain the information you are asking for. Paragraph 20 summarises the Council’s fixed assets. http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/statement_of_accounts.asp

FOI requests for September 2010

Date received

Subject of request

06/09/2010

Refreshments

Date responded	04/10/2010
Questions	I am writing to obtain details of the amount of money spent on refreshments. This would include things such as snacks, alcohol and biscuits that are given for free to councillors before or after meetings. It would also include instances where food and drink was provided for entertaining purposes. It would not therefore include cases where food was brought in to be sold. Specifically I would like to know: 1) The amount spent on refreshments 2) The type of refreshments this includes e.g. food, biscuits, alcohol 3) If possible details of which brands etc are bought. I would like this broken down for the last five financial years
Response	1) The amount spent on refreshments over the past 5 financial years is: 2005/06 £4,826.18 2006/07 £3,905.03 2007/08 £4,255.71 2008/09 £7,786.50 2009/10 £4,601.31 2) The types of refreshments include: Lunches Biscuits Breakfasts Chocolate Crisps Fruit Sandwiches Cakes Canapes Coffee Other drinks of various kinds Milk Sundry items such as napkins, plates, cups, etc 3) Information is not available about which brands are bought as receipts/invoices would state a generic description, e.g. tea, coffee, rather than a brand. Since 2008/09 the Council has not provided refreshments for Councillors before, during, or after meetings (other than water).

09/09/2010

Cost of Services

Date responded	30/09/2010
Questions	Provide the actual cost of the following services for the financial year 2009/10. a) Purchase Ledger b) Sales Ledger c) Accountancy d) Legal e) IT f) Human Resources g) Payroll h) Estates Management
Response	a) Purchase Ledger £109,000 b) Sales Ledger £27,000 c) Accountancy £499,000 d) Legal £486,000 e) IT £837,000 f) Human Resources £288,000 g) Payroll £88,000 h) Estates Management £384,000

13/09/2010

Contractors, Freelancers and Interim Managers

Date responded	20/10/2010
Questions	“Contractors, freelancers and interim managers” includes individuals who work for your Council, either fulltime or part-time, in your Council’s premises or remotely, but are not on your Council’s permanent payroll. To outline my query as clearly as possible, I am requesting: 1. For each financial year 2008-09 and 2009-10, and as per the definition given in the above paragraph, the number of contractors, freelancers and interim managers employed by your Council. 2. For each financial year 2008-09 and 2009-10, the number of permanent staff your Council had on its payroll.
Response	In 2008 - 09 there were 36 contractors, interims and freelancers In 2009 -10 there were 28 contractors, interims and freeelancers In 2008 - 09 there were 472 staff with contracted hours as at 1st Jan 2009. In 2009 - 10 there were 456 staff with contracted hours as at 1st Jan 2010.

14/09/2010

Translation and interpretation services

Date responded	16/09/2010
Questions	· How much money was spent by your District Council on all translation and interpretation services (excluding British Sign Language if separable) in each of the last five years; · How many, and which, languages your day-to-day leaflets, forms and documents are available in; · The top five languages required to be translated and interpreted; · Number of translators contracted to provide services in each of the last five years.
Response	· How much money was spent by your District Council on all translation and interpretation services (excluding British Sign Language if separable) in each of the last five years; 2005/6 = Nil 2006-7 = £31.35 2007/8 = £125.15 2008/9 = Nil 2009/10 = £91.83 · How many, and which, languages your day-to-day leaflets, forms and documents are available in; Documents are available in English only with the facility to translate in to 'any' language offered · The top five languages required to be translated and interpreted; Polish only · Number of translators contracted to provide services in each of the last five years. Have only one provider, no annual fees, only pay per translation or interpretation

16/09/2010

Legal Team information

Date responded	07/10/2010
Questions	What is the current structure of Stroud District Council's in-house Legal team? What is the annual spend on outsourcing to legal firms?
Response	With regard to our annual spend on outsourcing to legal firms: Area of Law Net spend Sept 09 - 10 Firm - SOLICITORS RICKERBYS EMPLOYMENT/CONTRACT ADVICE £17,071.62 WRAGGE & CO CULTURAL SERVICES £3,750.00 BPE SOLICITORS ADVICE – COTSWOLD CANALS £500.00 BEVAN BRITTAN LLP ADVICE – COTSWOLD CANALS £972.50 PENLEYS LLP CONVEYANCING £1,000.00 Firm - COUNSEL No 5 CHAMBERS PLANNING £11,935.00 FINERS STEPHENS JUDICIAL REVIEW £3,992.29 KBW FREEDOM OF INFORMATION £825.00 GARDEN CRT CHAMBERS HOUSING £3,325.00 CONSULTANT SOLICITOR PLANNING £5,793.35 ST JOHNS CHAMBERS PLANNING £17,489.88 Total for year £66,654.64
Associated documents	PDF Legal Services Structure Chart (7 KB)

17/09/2010

Climate Change Staff

Date responded	11/10/2010
Questions	- The number of staff employed by your local authority in any of the following roles: climate change officer / worker / champion, global warming officer / worker / champion, carbon emissions officer / worker / champion low carbon officer / worker / champion carbon offsetting officer / worker / champion sustainability officer / worker / champion Please also include in your response staff members whose exact job titles I may not have included above but who perform a similar role - ie, any staff with a specific responsibility for climate change / global warming / carbon reduction / environmental issues. Could you ensure that any staff with the words "climate change" and "global warming" in their job title are included. Please note that I do not request details on those workers whose primary duty is in recycling or wildlife issues. If you have any doubt whether to include a particular staff role in your response, please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below for clarification. - Please specify the employee's job title and provide a brief description of their role and responsibilities. - Please could you also indicate when the post was first created. - Please could you also provide the salary banding for each role that is included in your response. - Please indicate whether any of these workers have a car allowance.
Response	FOI Request Climate Change Staff Senior Sustainable Energy Officer Part time 25 hours per week £28,636 pro rata per annum plus pension This post is a casual car user Created March 2005 Key Duties * To lead on the work relating to the development and implementation of a climate change strategy for the Council, and be instrumental in developing measures and projects for further improving home energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy * To develop bids for external funding in relation to sustainable energy and co-ordinate special projects where external funding has been secured. * Work with partner organisations to increase awareness of sustainable energy issues, represent the council on national, regional and local groups and devise and facilitate consultation events as required. * Undertake research on specific issues relating to sustainable energy and fuel poverty as appropriate and review and promote alternative energy sources to improve affordable warmth and further reduce th Sustainable Energy Officer Part time 18.5 hours per week £23,708 pro rata per annum plus pension This post is an essential car user Created January 2006 Key Duties * To assist on the work relating to the development and implementation of a climate change strategy for the Council, and development of measures and projects for further improving home energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. * To assist in the delivery of special sustainable energy projects where external funding has been secured. * To provide advice in relation to development proposals on appropriate renewable energy technologies. * Work with partner organisations to increase awareness of sustainable energy issues and assist in facilitating consultation events as required. * Undertake research on specific issues relating to sustainable energy and fuel poverty as required, give advice on renewable energy and review and promote alternative energy sources to improve affordable warmth and further reduce the effect on the environment. * Participate as required in the organisation and delivery of promotional and educational events and seminars. * Maintain accurate records of all work and maintain relevant computer records and databases in accordance with agreed procedures and produce reports as required. * Carry out detailed energy efficiency surveys of premises, provide detailed technical advice, prepare appropriate schedules of work and consult and liase with other agencies and bodies as required.

20/09/2010

Tree related insurance claims

Date responded	04/10/2010
Questions	Please can you provide me with the following information: 1) The total sum paid out for Council owned tree related insurance claims for each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. 2) In the same years please provide the largest single sum paid out for tree related insurance claims. 3) Are your tree related insurance claims investigated by a tree officer or an outside company acting on your behalf.
Response	1) 2006 £7,500 2007 Nil 2008 Nil 2009 Nil 2) 2006 £7,500 3) Claims are investigated by a tree officer

21/09/2010

Mis-fuelling of motor vehicles

Date responded	18/10/2010
Questions	Q1. Provide the number of diesel vehicles currently operated by the Council. Q2. The number of occasions any of these vehicles have been misfilled with petrol requiring unscheduled servicing during each of the last two years. Q3. Please provide the total direct cost associated with the mis-fuelling events. Q4. If the motor vehicles are owned/maintained by a leasing company please provide the name of the leasing company.
Response	Q1. 12. Q2. Nil. Q3. Nil. Q4. Environmental Health Services vehicles - Lloyds TSB.

22/09/2010

Planning appeals involving the erection of wind turbines

Date responded	23/09/2010
Questions	- The number of appeals against planning decisions on applications involving the erection of wind turbines with a greater than 50kw nameplate capacity that your council has fought, contested or disputed. - The number of those appeals your council has won. - The number of those appeals your council has lost. - For those appeals that you have lost, the amount of costs incurred by your Council. - For those appeals that you have lost, any documents which specify the number of man hours your staff have worked relating to that appeal – e.g. project plans etc. - The average hourly wage of your junior planning officers.
Response	Our ref: FOI/1003 I refer to your Freedom of Information request regarding planning appeals for wind turbines larger than 50kw. We have had two appeals for wind turbines greater than 50kw. One appeal was allowed (S.9638/F) with no costs and one appeal was withdrawn (00/1628). The appeal allowed was so long ago we do not have any man hours data recorded. The hourly rate for a scale 4 planner is: £16.22

23/09/2010

Staff and Sickness Absence

Date responded	22/10/2010
Questions	1. Can you provide me with the number of current members of staff who are signed off work for a period of longer than 6 weeks. 2. Can you provide me with a breakdown of the reasons given for their "sick leave". 3. Can you provide details of the number of people signed off on sick leave for a period of longer than 6 weeks for every year since 2005. 4. Can you provide the answer to the above request broken down to give yearly figures. 5. Can you give me a breakdown of the number of staff employed by the authority for every year since 2005 and the current figure of the total amount of staff currently working for the authority. 6. Out of the total current staff - how many are currently in positions which are either temporary or they are acting up.
Response	1. There are currently 6 employees that have been off work for more than 6 weeks. 2. The Council considers this information exempt under Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which covers personal data. 3. We do not have this information available. 4. as above 5. The figures here related to the end of the second quarter for each financial year (i.e. end September) 2005 = 469, 2006 = 480, 2007 = 496, 2008 = 472, 2009 = 451, 2010 = 446 6. The establishment currently shows 17 employees with temporary contracts.
Exempt	Partially exempt
Exempt reason	Section 40 - Personal Information

24/09/2010

Foreign trips made by councillors and council staff

Date responded	19/10/2010
Questions	Please provide details of the number of foreign trips, if any, taken by councillors and council staff on official council business since 1st January 2007. In each case, please could you state: 1. The destination? 2. The purpose of the visit? 3. The length of the visit? 4. Which councillors and staff attended? 5. The cost, and how it was funded (ie, whether it was solely funded by the council. if it was part-funded by other bodies, please explain)? 6. Where possible, could you also indicate the accommodation used by the councillors and staff?
Response
Associated documents	PDF Foreign trips made by Councillors and Council staff (24 KB)

27/09/2010

Wood purchases made by Stroud District Council during October 2009 - September 2010

Date responded	20/10/2010
Questions	Information on sourcing of the following product types, including whether or not any such products have been procured directly or indirectly by SDC during the period in question and if so, the precise details of all individual purchases, including the quantity, description (including product name and brand, and whether or not the product is independent certified sustainable or verified legal under an established scheme) and the name of the supplier company: - external hardwood timber decking - internal wood flooring (solid wood or engineered wood flooring, not including laminate) - wooden FD60 internal firedoors - solid hardwood external timber doors
Response	Stroud District Council does not purchase any of the wood products listed.

27/09/2010

Waste and Recycling

Date responded	19/10/2010
Questions	I wish to acquire the following information please: 1. How many domestic properties do SDC collect waste from? 2. Please state the latest estimated population of total citizenship within Stroud. Please give date and details of estimation? 3. How much domestic waste is collected each year? 4. How much of this waste is taken to landfill? 5. For domestic waste; how much does it cost per household to collect per annum? 6. For domestic waste; how much does it cost per household to collect and dispose of landfill waste per annum? 7. For domestic waste, is this waste collected in-house or by outside contractor? 8. If an outside contractor is involved, when does the contract expire; and how much is the annual contracted cost? Are there any circumstance that would vary this cost? 9. If run in-house, what are the annual running costs? 10. For in-house costs, what is the split between direct cost and overhead? 11. What are the collection methods, eg bin, wheelie bin, sack. Of the methods which are used for recycled waste and which for landfill. Of these methods what are the proportions collected by bin, wheelie bin sack, etc.? 12. What proportion of properties are deemed to be rural, urban or high density urban? 13. How do you define high density urban? 14. Of the total properties collected from what proportions can be allocated to rural, urban or high density urban? 15. For domestic waste collection can you state; how many vehicles are used; how many FTE's are involved directly in collecting waste; and indirectly in managing; and any additional FTE overhead on top? For all of the above, what are the equivalent costs per annum? 16. Who is in charge of both domestic waste management? Please supply contact details? 17. Who is the elected member responsible for domestic waste management? Please supply contact details? 18. Are there any plans in place to substantially change any of the above for next year or beyond?
Response	A1. 49,135 Properties (2009/10) A2. The population number used is 114649. Information was sourced through the Gloucestershire Council Council website (page no longer available) A3. 35,301.06 Tonnes of domestic waste were collected by Stroud District Council in 2009/10 A4. Of the total household waste collected during 2009/10, 26,402.86 Tonnes were landfilled A5. £44.18 per household per annum for the year 2009/10 A6. Approximately £34.57 per household per annum A7. Outside Contractor ‘Veolia ES Ltd’ A8. The contract expires on the 31st March 2016. The annual contracted cost for the whole of the Council’s waste services for 2009/10 was £2,478,699.29. The number of service requests i.e. bulky household waste collections etc may alter payments to the contractor A9. N/A A10. N/A A11. Sack collection for residual waste with the exception of industrial wheeled bins used for small number of blocks of flats and sheltered housing units. Residents use a 55 Litre box for the kerbside recycling service. There are approx 50 ‘Bring bank facilities, approximately 10 of which are located at sheltered housing units. A12. This is not a calculation that has been made by the Council. Google mapping may provide you with a rough estimate. A13. No such distinction is made by this authority for the provision of its waste services. A14. Please see answers to previous questions. This authority is unable to break down the information to this level. A15. Domestic refuse and commercial waste are collected commingled. It is not possible therefore to provide a very accurate picture in terms of purely domestic collection resource allocations. Total number of operational staff used for waste (to landfill) collection including supervision – Refuse 39 – Recycling 28 – Both services are directly overseen by an Operational Manager. This Council can provide no detailed information on overhead FTEs or equivalent costs. A16. Carlos Novoth is the Officer overseeing the provision of the Council’s waste services. Contact can be made either by email on ‘carlos.novoth@stroud.gov.uk’ or by ringing 01453 754406 A17. The elected Member responsible for the Council’s waste services is Cllr Elizabeth Bird. Contact details can be found on the Council’s website A18. There are potential changes to the Council’s waste services – these are to be discussed over the coming months and will form part of the budget setting process.

28/09/2010

TPAS advisory service costs for Sheltered Housing Review

Date responded	25/10/2010
Questions	How much has the Council paid TPAS for: 1. Housing consultancy? 2. Cost of brochures on the Council's website? 3. Work currently undertaken regarding sheltered housing for the elderly?
Response	As per attached letter
Associated documents	PDF TPAS advisory service costs for Sheltered Housing Review (10 KB)

29/09/2010

Information Technology

Date responded	27/10/2010
Questions	1. What is the name & official title of the Director responsible for Information Technology deployments? 2. What is the name & official title of the person responsible for defining your Data, Voice, Video and Conferencing requirements? Data; Voice; Video; Conferencing; ICT Security: 3. Will plans to rationalize buildings drive changes to your communications infrastructure during the next 12 months? 4. What is your Unified Communications Strategy? 5. If you have a separate PBX (Traditional Voice) network, what is your strategy to replace it? 6. How much are you paying for moves, adds & changes to your telephony system on a monthly basis? 7. What VoIP projects have been identified within the next 12 months? 8. How many connected users do you have and how many sites are these users distributed over? 9. What software based solutions are you considering for future voice requirements? 10. How much are you paying for Bandwidth provision per annum and with which provider? 11. Who is your primary Data Network (LAN/WAN) vendor? 12. Do you plan to refresh your Data Network in the next 12 months? 13. What is the value of your support contract for your Data Network and when is the renewal date? 14. Have you any plans to deploy Wireless LAN or a Contact Centre within your current infrastructure? 15. When is the support contact renewal date for your managed Firewalls for security? 16. If you outsource audio conferencing to a 3rd Party, what is your monthly cost incurred?
Response	1 SDC does not have a director responsible for IT deployments, the function lies within the remit of Nick Watkins, Head of Communications 2 As for question 1. 3 There are no agreed plans to rationalize buildings at the this stage 4 Our current approach meets our needs and is financially beneficial. We have no plans currently to develop a strategy as change is not required. 5 There are no plans to change the PBX 6 SDC does not incur any costs for moves and changes 7 Use of VOIP within the DR site, should invocation be required. 8 Cc 420 across 4 sites 35 across 30 sites 9 None 10 We pay £15K for adsl provision split between Demon & Star Internet 11 We are in the process of migrating ISP to Opal 12 No 13 £8.8K @annum, renewal was Sept 2010 14 The organization already has a Contact Centre and there are no plans to deploy a wireless LAN 15 N/A 16 N/A

29/09/2010

Business Rate credit balance

Date responded	12/10/2010
Questions	Breakdown of credit balances accrued since your earliest records, for the amounts owing to all "incorporated" companies within the authorities billing area, including * The name of each business in respect of which Non-Domestice Rate credity balances remain payable * The value of overpayment in each case which remains unclaimed * The year(s) in which overpayment was made; and * the hereditament address
Response	See attached document
Associated documents	PDF Outstanding Credit, Business Rates (17 KB)

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