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.

Filters

Clear filters

  • Keywords filters

  • Year filters

  • Month filters

272 disclosures

  1. Staffing of Planning Department

    I am writing with the following requests for information:

    1. What is the established staffing level of the planning department at full capacity (FTE)?

    2. What is the headcount in each of the following seniority categories at full capacity?

    a. Head of Service / Director

    b. Team Leader / Principal Planner

    c. Senior Planner

    d. Planning Officer

    e. Graduate / Assistant Planner

    f. Technical / Administrative staff

    3. What was the average staff headcount (FTE) of the planning department during the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025?

    4. As at 31 March 2025, how many planning department staff were in each of the following seniority categories (headcount):

    a. Head of Service / Director

    b. Team Leader / Principal Planner

    c. Senior Planner

    d. Planning Officer

    e. Graduate / Assistant Planner

    f. Technical / Administrative staff

    5. As at 31 March 2025, how many staff were:

    a. Directly employed

    b. Agency workers

    6. During the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, what was the average length of engagement of agency workers (weeks)?

    7. What was the total expenditure (£) on agency planning staff between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025?

    8. What was the average planning department headcount (FTE) in the following financial years: a. 2017/18 b. 2019/20 c. 2021/22

    9. Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, how many planning department staff:

    a. Left the department

    b. Were recruited into the department

    10. Of those recruited during this period, how many were appointed: a. To permanent roles b. To fixed-term contract roles

    11. As at 31 March 2025, how many vacant planning department posts existed in each of the following seniority categories (headcount):

    a. Head of Service / Director

    b. Team Leader / Principal Planner

    c. Senior Planner

    d. Planning Officer

    e. Graduate / Assistant Planner

    f. Technical / Administrative staff

    Published: 19 February 2026

  2. Bin collections

    This is an information request relating to scheduled bin collection changes. Please include the following information: * How frequently are bins collected from residential properties? Please provide the frequency for each type of bin and the day its collected * Is the council considering changing the frequency of bin collections? * If so please provide the current frequency as well as the new proposed frequency. * What are the maximum amount of bins/receptacles that are available for collection by the council (i.e. general waste bin, recycle bin, food bin, etc.) This includes bins that residents are charged extra fees to obtain. Please provide a list * How many requests have been made for a larger bin, or an additional bin of the same kind in the current financial year, 2025-26 (to present)?

    Published: 18 February 2026

  3. Systems and contracts

    1. What Financial and HR Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system or systems are currently used by your authority? 2. For each ERP system identified, what are the contract start and contract end dates, including any extension options where known? 3. Was the implementation of the ERP system undertaken directly with the software supplier, or through a third‑party implementation partner? 4. If an implementation partner was used, please provide the name of the partner organisation. 5. How does your authority collect payments from individuals, for example council tax, business rates, fines, rents, waste services, licensing, or similar charges? 6. What payment platform or system is currently used to facilitate these payments? 7. How was the payment platform procured, for example via a public sector framework, open tender, or direct award? 8. What are the contract start and contract end dates for the payment platform, including any extension options where known?

    Published: 18 February 2026

  4. Light Nuisance

    Please provide details of any complaints relating to light nuisance (including artificial light pollution or excessive external lighting) received by the council between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025. For this period, I would be grateful if you could provide: 1. The total number of light nuisance complaints received. 2. A breakdown of complaints by source type, specifically residential buildings (for example, private homes or flats) and commercial buildings or premises (for example, offices, retail, industrial, or hospitality sites)

    Published: 16 February 2026

  5. Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

    Please provide the following information relating to the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) currently used by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council:

    ATS details

    * The name of the Applicant Tracking System currently in use:

    * The supplier/vendor of the system: Contract information

    * The start date of the current ATS contract:

    * The end date of the current ATS contract:

    * Any extension options included within the contract (if applicable):

    * Contract value (£): Future procurement

    * Whether the Council intends to re‑tender for the ATS at the end of the current contract:

    * If known, the anticipated timeframe for any future tender or procurement process: Contract ownership

    * The job title and department of the officer with primary responsibility for managing the current ATS contract: Procurement responsibility

    * The job title and department of the person primarily responsible for procurement of recruitment or HR systems within the Council:

    Published: 16 February 2026

  6. Enforcement Staffing Levels

    This FOI is for the attention of council officers who oversee the private rented sector for the local authority. 1. The total number of officers that work within housing enforcement for the local authority 2. How many Environmental Health Officers work for the local authority whose main job is to enforce standards in the private rented sector? (Full Time) 3. How many officers within the housing enforcement team are employed to resolve tenancy disputes, provide guidance to tenants, ensure that tenancy rights are upheld, and/or prevent homelessness 4. If the local authority plans to recruit additional staff for housing enforcement in the next 12 months.

    Published: 16 February 2026

  7. Sexual Harassment at Work

    1) Does your council have a policy on sexual harassment in the workplace?

    a. Yes - Please attach a copy of this policy or a copy of a document that includes a policy and procedures on this.

    b. No – Please explain why?

    2) If you answered yes to question 1, are local authority-maintained schools required to adhere to the same policy?

    a. Yes

    b. No

    3) Does your council have training initiatives in place to address and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace?

    a. Yes - Is the training provided:

    1. To all employees? Yes/No

    2. To managers on how to support staff who have reported workplace sexual harassment? Yes/No

    b. No – Please explain why.

    4) If you answered yes to question 2:

    a. Is the training delivered:

    1. Online

    2. In person

    3. Hybrid

    b. Please provide details about who delivers the training on sexual harassment.

    5) For 2023, 2024 and 2025 calendar years, please provide the number of recorded formal and informal complaints made about sexual harassment allegedly perpetrated by council employees against other employees broken down by:

    a. Gender of claimant and alleged perpetrator

    b. The nature of the allegations for example:

    1. Unwelcome verbal/banter of a sexual nature

    2. Unwelcome physical advances of a sexual nature.

    3. Sexual assault

    c. The number of formal and informal complaints that led to the perpetrator being:

    1. Given a warning.

    2. Suspended

    3. Dismissed

    4. Other – please state.

    d. The number of formal and informal complaints that to your knowledge have been referred to:

    1. The police for criminal investigation?

    2. The appropriate professional registration body. e, g Social Work England?

    Published: 16 February 2026

  8. Blue Badges

    I am requesting the following information in relation to Blue Badge misuse and enforcement in your local authority area. For the past five full calendar years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025), please provide: -The number of reports of suspected Blue Badge misuse received from the public or third parties -The number of Blue Badge-related Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued by your authority (including offences for misuse of a Blue Badge, parking in disabled bays without a valid badge, expired badges, etc.) -The number of badges seized by enforcement officers

    Published: 13 February 2026

  9. burial charges for non-residents

    I am seeking details on the charges applied to residents versus non-residents and the income generated from these services. Please provide the following information: 1. Burial Fees and Surcharges · Does the council currently apply a surcharge or increased fee for the burial of individuals who lived outside the borough/council at the time of their death? · If yes, what is the current "Resident" fee vs. the "Non-Resident" fee for: o A standard adult interment (burial). o The purchase of the "Exclusive Right of Burial" (the lease for the plot). · What is the specific criteria used to define a "Non-Resident" (e.g., number of years lived outside the borough)? 2. Financial Data For the most recent completed financial years (2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25), please provide: · The total gross income received by the council from all burial and cemetery-related payments. · The total income specifically generated from the non-resident surcharge (i.e., the "extra" amount paid by non-residents above the standard resident rate). · If the specific surcharge income is not tracked as a separate line item, please provide the total number of non-resident burials conducted in the same financial year. · If you could provide this info in an Excel spreadsheet that would be great. 3. Policy and Rationale · Please provide the date when the current non-resident fee structure was brought in

    Published: 13 February 2026

  10. Bereavement services

    I am requesting the following information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding Bereavement services Please provide the following information (NIL returns are required) The information required to be within this timeframe - January 2016 to January 2026

    1) Has the Council or contractor responsible for preparing graves for interment uncovered human remains while re-excavating a double grave?

    2) Has a burial team (Contractor) breached clauses in a contract which resulted in their removal from the contract? If so, please provide as much detail as possible relating to the incident.

    3) Has any disciplinary action been taken against Council staff following a breach of Burial Law/ICCM regulations/Statutory duties following discovery of human remains during grave preparation.?

    4) Have procedural changes been made following any incident where the Council/contractor has uncovered human remains during grave preparation?

    5) Has any member of staff been disciplined/dismissed due to lack of communication or escalation to senior management or authorities following operational errors during grave preparation? If a sanction was assigned please confirm disciplinary action taken.

    Published: 12 February 2026