Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 anyone can request recorded information from us provided it is not already published in our Publication Scheme. The Publication Scheme details the information that we hold, the way we intend to publish this and whether a charge will be made for requested information.
You can also request information about yourself - this is called a Subject Access Request under GDPR.
What to do next
To make a request for information please fill in the online enquiry form or write to the Senior Governance Officer, South Norfolk Council, South Norfolk House, Cygnet Court, Long Stratton, Norwich, NR15 2XE. You should clearly outline the information you would like, providing a return address, which can be an email address. You do not need to say why you are requesting the information.
Please be aware:
- A fee may be payable to cover the costs of printing or photocopying the information you request. We will inform you if a fee is due and you will need to pay the fee before we can process your request. In most cases you will not be asked to pay a fee
- In some cases we may be unable to provide you with the information for legal reasons. If this applies we will explain why
- You may be able to find the information you need on our website. We are committed to being transparent and open and we want you to be able to access information easily and quickly, without the need to submit a request. To help you do this, we have provided information and links to pages that contain information that is frequently requested. This information is also published in line with the Local Government Transparency Code.
Frequently requested information
- Staff in post at end December 2019 (this information is available quarterly):
- Headcount: 478
- Full time equivalent: 422.11
- Sickness from 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2019 cumulatively, not including long term absence: 4.36 days per full time equivalent (FTE).
- Senior structure chart and responsibilities
- View the senior staff pay, roles and responsibilities information.
2018/19:
- Total number of staff who are Union Representatives: 6 (5.3 FTE)
- Percentage of time spent on facility time: Two employees who devote between 1% and 50% of their time
- Trade Unions represented: UNISON for full consultation purposes and ALACE
- Paid Trade Union Activities: 5.06 hours
- Percentage of paybill spent on facility time: 0.05%
Trade Unions are recognised by South Norfolk Council however no member has allocated time for these duties due to the limited requirement. Therefore we have taken an average of the 2 active officials of 4 hours per week each. Most hours are undertaken in their own time therefore this is a fair reflection of the previous years work. If there is an organisational need either employer or employee led this will be reviewed.
An increase in the time spent has been seen from April 2019 to aid the support of ‘One Team Structure’, with a minimum of 2.5 days being funded from the organisation to assist with this. This will be reflected in the 2019/20 figures.
- View our Local Spending Data to see how much we spend on suppliers and details grants given to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.
- View our Contracts Register to see contracts we have entered over £5,000,
- Our current and future opportunities shows invitations to tender over £5,000.
- View our Budgets and Statement of Accounts.
- View information relating to animal premises licenses, including catteries, dog breeding establishments, dog boarding establishments, pet shops and wild animals.
- View planning applications including comments submitted, plans and officer reports.
- See our Licensing Register for information relating to taxi, alcohol and premises licenses.
- View details of council owned car parks including the number of owned car parks and marked out spaces, and breakdowns of income and expenditure 16/17. you can also view breakdowns of income and expenditure 15/16
- Details of all land and building assets owned by South Norfolk Council can be accessed through My South Norfolk.
- Access details about all business rates accounts and details relating to business rates accounts in credit and Credit Written on.
Since 1 April 2015 all potential Housing Benefit fraud issues have been referred to the DWP’s Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS) who have assumed sole responsibility for all investigative matters, which is reflected in the figures shown below. The DWP does not report to South Norfolk Council outcomes or financial results of cases.
South Norfolk Council maintains an officer, who is the single point of contact with SFIS and for the investigation of corporate fraud prevention and investigation, as well as other duties within the authority.
This information covers the period 1st January 2018 - 31st October 2019.
- Number of occasions we use powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud (Power to Require Information) (England) Regulations 2014, or similar powers: 0 requests for information from employers, banks and utility companies.
- Total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud: 0
- Total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists: 0
- Total amount spent by the authority on the investigation and prosecution of fraud: £3,330 (anti- fraud memberships and fees).
The total number of fraud cases investigated, referred and amounts identified are shown below.
| Month | Fraud cases referred |
|---|---|
| January 2018 | 2 |
| February | 9 |
| March | 9 |
| April | 7 |
| May | 8 |
| June | 1 |
| July | 2 |
| August | 1 |
| September | 10 |
| October | 5 |
| November | 4 |
| December | 1 |
| January 2019 | 0 |
| February | 0 |
| March | 3 |
| April | 1 |
| May | 1 |
| June | 5 |
| July | 11 |
| August | 3 |
| September | 0 |
| October | 9 |
| November | |
| December | |
| January 2020 |
See details of national assistance funerals organised by us and whether any details were passed to the Treasury Solicitor.
See details of the amount that councillors receive in allowances and expenses.
The information we have provided is in accordance with the licensing arrangements set out in the Open Government License.