Freedom of information (FOI) releases from TWBC

This is a disclosure log of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's responses to freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) requests that might be of wider public interest.

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46 disclosures

  1. FOI Request – Temporary Accommodation Demand and Availability

    1. How many households has your local authority placed in temporary accommodation in each of the past 3 years (broken down by year)?

    2. Of these, how many were placed: ○ Council Owned temporary Accommodation ○ Bed and Breakfast Accommodation ○ In Housing Association temporary Accommodation ○ In Private Sector Accommodation ○ Out of Borough

    3. How many units of temporary accommodation does your authority currently have available?

    4. Does your authority consider its current stock sufficient to meet demand? Please explain.

    5. How does the Local Authority commission Temporary Accommodation currently? 1

    6. Are you currently seeking additional providers of temporary or emergency accommodation (e.g. hotels, private landlords, supported housing)?

    7. What are the main challenges your local authority faces in securing adequate temporary accommodation?

    8. Which client groups do you find hardest to secure suitable temporary accommodation for?

    9. What is the average length of stay in temporary accommodation for households in your area over the past 12 months?

    10. How many households have remained in temporary accommodation for more than: ○ 6 months ○ 12 months ○ 18 months

    11. What was the total spend by your local authority on temporary accommodation in the past financial year?

    12. What are your lowest paid nightly rates for bed and breakfast accommodation: ○ Single Room - Shared Facilities ○ Double Room - Shared Facilities ○ Family Room - Shared Facilities ○ Single Room - Ensuite ○ Double Room - Ensuite ○ Family Room - Ensuite

    13. What are your lowest paid nightly rates for properties: ○ Studio ○ 1 Bedroom ○ 2 Bedroom ○ 3 Bedroom ○ 4 Bedroom ○ 5 Bedroom +

    Published: 12 June 2025

  2. FOI Request - Prevent Strategy Funding

    This is a freedom of information request surrounding the Prevent Strategy programme in the 2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22 and 2020-21 financial years. Please provide me with the following: How much did your organisation receive in Prevent Strategy programme funding in each of the following financial years: 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25? A breakdown of where this money was spent by your organisation in each of the following financial years: 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25. Which council department is responsible for administering Prevent Strategy spending (please list all applicable). By ‘where this money was spent’ please provide the organisation names that you gave money to, how much each received and what reasons/projects they were given it for.

    Published: 10 June 2025

  3. Crematorium cost breakdown

    - The number of cremations processed annually from 2015-24. - The number of cremators in the crematorium from 2015-24. - The total annual energy costs for the crematorium from 2015-24. - The total annual staff costs for the crematorium from 2015-24. - The total annual maintenance costs for the crematorium from 2015-24. - Any recent capital investments, e.g. expansion of a new cremator, and the corresponding total costs here. - The average price for a direct cremation charged to 3rd party funeral directors and also to larger corporations by the crematorium. - A list of 3rd party funeral directors and direct cremation specialists who use your crematorium. If this information is unavailable, please can we receive a breakdown of the cost structure of the crematorium in as much granularity as possible. If the information for these date are not available, please provide the most recent data.

    Published: 9 June 2025

  4. Freedom of Information request - Citizen Engagement Platform

    1) Do you use a Citizen Engagement platform? 2) If so, what tools do you use? 3) How much do you spend annually on a Citizen Engagement tool? 4) Which month & year does your contract with your supplier end? A citizen engagement platform is a digital tool or system designed to facilitate communication, interaction, and participation between citizens and government or public organisations. Its goal is to make civic involvement easier, more transparent, and more effective. These platforms can be used by governments, cities, or organisations to: - Collect feedback on policies, services, or community issues - Conduct surveys and polls - Enable reporting of local issues, like potholes or graffiti - Share updates, news, and documents with the public - Encourage participatory budgeting or co-creation of solutions Examples include tools like Granicus, CitizenLab, or Commonplace.

    Published: 9 June 2025

  5. Private rented complaints

    1. The number of complaints received per year by tenants related to private rented sector housing for the following years: 2023/2024 2024/2025 2. The number of complaints received per year by tenants related to social housing for the following years: 2023/2024 2024/2025 3. The number of Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) inspections carried out per year on PRS properties for the following years: 2023/2024 2024/2025 If applicable: 3a) The total number of property licensing (selective and/or additional) inspections carried out per year on PRS properties for the following years: 2023/2024 2024/2025 4. How many improvement notices have been served in relation to Category 1 and/or Category 2 hazards on PRS properties per year for the following years: 2023/2024 2024/2025 If possible, please list the total number of Improvement Notices served exclusively because of category 1 hazards. 5. The total number of formal enforcement notices served: Overcrowding Notices (Housing Act 2004 Part 2) on properties in the PRS for the following years: 2023/2024 2024/2025 6. Please state the year in which your local authority last carried out a Stock Condition Survey. 7. How many housing units in your local authority do you estimate to be in the Private Rented Sector?

    Published: 3 June 2025

  6. BBQ-Related Fines and Enforcement

    Time Period: January 2022 to the most recent available month in 2025 Breakdown: Monthly, if possible 1. The number of fines or penalties issued related to the use of BBQs, including: - BBQs in prohibited public spaces (e.g., parks) - Environmental or safety violations connected to BBQ usage Please specify the types of offences (e.g., breach of park by-laws, fire bans, littering) and, if possible, include the location (e.g., park or postcode area).

    Published: 30 May 2025

  7. Japanese knotweed in domestic gardens

    1.How many complaints related to Japanese Knotweed in domestic gardens did the council receive in the following years; 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020. 2. Of the above complaints relating to Japanese knotweed in domestic gardens, how many of the following actions were taken in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020. a. Community Protection Notice under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 3. Please provide a link or attachment of any policy or procedure related to Japanese knotweed complaints the local authority utilises when investigating the plant in domestic gardens.

    Published: 30 May 2025

  8. Council Tax discounts

    1. What percentage of households currently receive any form of Council Tax discount in the 2025/26 financial year? Please include all discount types (e.g. single person discount, low income-based reductions, disability-related discounts, student exemptions, etc.). 2. What percentage of households received Council Tax discounts in the 2024/25 financial year? 3. Have any Council Tax discounts or exemptions been reduced, removed, or otherwise changed in 2025/26 compared to 2024/25? If so: o Please specify the types of changes made (e.g. eligibility rules, discount rates, categories affected). o The effective date(s) of these changes. 4. Of the households that received any Council Tax discount in 2024/25, how many (and what percentage) are receiving a reduced discount or no discount in 2025/26? If possible, please provide this by discount type (e.g. single person, low income, disability-related, etc.). 5. If available, please provide any impact assessments, internal reports, consultation documents, or equality impact assessments related to these changes.

    Published: 30 May 2025

  9. Confidential waste

    Confidential Waste Destruction Contract The details I require are: * Has confidential waste been procured via tender or framework, or another means, if other means, please confirm how you procured your confidential waste. * If a framework, could you confirm the name of the framework please? * Actual contract values of each framework/contract (& any sub lots) * Start date (month and year) & duration of contract * Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension, along with the final possible contract end date? * Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s) are being either extended or renewed? * Who is the procurement officer responsible for this contract and could you provide their email address and phone number please? * Do you have a generic email address for your procurement department, for example procurement@organisation.com, if so could you confirm this? Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract and could you provide their email address and phone number please? * Who is the current supplier? * If your current supplier is a Facilities Management/Waste/Cleaning Company, which sub-contractor services your organisation? E.g., which company’s staff actually collect your confidential waste? * Will this request and response be published on your website>? If so, could you provide a link?

    Published: 23 May 2025

  10. Valuation scheme ref 623458

    Under the freedom of information act, please can you tell me how many vacant premises in your vicinity fall into valuation scheme reference 623458.

    Published: 23 May 2025