Could you please release details of how Cambridge City Council has
worked with the probation service to offer "community payback" work
for those sentenced to community service.

I would like to specifically request:

* a list of projects (past, present and future), including the
number of hours worked and what has been, or is to be, achieved in
relation to each project.

* details of arrangements relating to who pays for materials,
tools, protective clothing etc. and the amount the council has
spent on such items in relation to "community payback" projects.

* details of any publicity carried out highlighting the community
payback work.

* copies of any reports on the community payback program; either
internal reports or reports to councillors.

I hope this is a straightforward request, and would like to suggest
this kind of information be published routinely on the council's
website.

--

Richard Taylor

Cambridge

http://www.rtaylor.co.uk

FAO: Ceri Littlechild,

Many thanks for your email which you sent to my personal private
email address.

I would like to note that I made my freedom of information
requesting using the website WhatDoTheyKnow.com and the address for
correspondence I provided was an @whatdotheyknow.com address. I
would prefer you to reply via that address, one reason is so that
information released is automatically made publically available on
the internet for anyone who is interested to view.

Turning to your clarification request. I was anticipating that the
number of projects carried out since the scheme began would be
small enough such that the information I requested could be
provided within the cost limits for responding to FOI requests
without having to limit the request to a particular time period.

I would like to ask you to first consider my request without
restriction to a specific time period. If you determine you are
unable to comply with the request because the cost limit would be
reached, I would then appreciate your advice on how I could reduce
the scope of my request to bring it within the cost limit.

Many thanks,

--

Richard Taylor

Cambridge

http://www.rtaylor.co.uk

Dear Mr Taylor

In response to your request;

Within City Services, Customer and Business Support (namely, the Rangers service) is the only section to offer community payback/service work. However, our records do not distinguish between work undertaken as community service or community payback. I have therefore attached a list of work undertaken with the Probation Service up to the date of your request (July 09) for your information. In addition to those listed, some work has been undertaken on garden clearances for elderly or infirm residents amounting to 192 hours.

The majority of the jobs the Probation Service do on our behalf costs very little or nothing at all, though exact details are unknown. The Probation Service provides their own tools and protective clothing. Materials for painting jobs are normally provided by the client (i.e. City Homes) and the Rangers pick up truck use and time is contributed to by City Homes South, but the Ranger's attendance is considered part of their duty and is at no additional cost.

Some of the work may be mentioned in the City Ranger Newsletters, which are distributed to schools, the police, Councillors and residents associations. An example is attached. This is the only example of publicity for the community service/payback projects.

Reports - no reports have been made on the community payback/service projects.

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Ceri Littlechild
PA to the Director of City Services

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