EACH month, we will peruse the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to see what questions people have been asking and outlining the responses.
Needless to say, Thurrock Council is the recipient for a lot of questions and on some occasions, the answers often raise more questions.
Forcible Adoptions
In Thurrock there were 30 children adopted without parental consent between Nov 2006 to August 2010.
ICT Expenditure
Budget Year 2008-9: Total payments for 2008/9: £3,456,041
Budget Year 2009-10: Total payments for 2009/10 £4,475,248
Planned budget figure 2010-2011:
“Our planned budget is £1,062,758 plus inflation, plus a separate budget for E-Government of approximately £300,000”.
Homeless Strategy
The total amount paid to the Consultants, for work carried out in relation to the Homeless Strategy, is £11,597.82.
Proceeds of Crime Act: Action Taken & Offences Committed
Request: “I would like information about actions the council has taken under the Proceeds of Crime Act. I require only details of actions from November 1 2009 onwards which have been made without the involvement of the police.
“From last November onwards, local authorities have been able to exercise powers under the Act using their own Accredited Financial Investigators. Where these powers have been used, can you tell me:
Benefit Fraud Team
Between 15th December 2009 and 22nd June 2010 the team have issued 32 production orders. On 22nd June 2010 they issued two restraint orders, freezing 4 bank accounts. These orders all relate to an alleged benefit fraud case. (No one has been charged at this time). This followed the search of one property. No money was found on the premises.
Trading Standards Team
The team have 2 cases that are about to come to court and will, subject to conviction, be asking for a POCA investigation. Although we have seized items and gained a warrant etc.. these were obtained under our specific legislation and not POCA.
