Direct Payments on Cards by Local Authorities

The request was successful.

Dear Blackpool Borough Council,

1) How many of your authority's customers are in receipt of a direct payment for Care Act services, please?

2) What was the combined value of all Care Act budgets delivered through direct payments made in 2020 and 2019, please?

3) What is the median amount of a gross direct payment made on behalf of your organisation?

4) How frequently are direct payments made (i.e., weekly, fortnightly, 28 days or calendar month). Please provide a breakdown, thank you.

5) How many of your direct payment clients receive their payment into a prepaid card or managed account? Please provide a breakdown of the numbers, thank you.

6) Which prepaid card suppliers has your organisation contracted with?

7) What is the applicable contract length with these providers and when do these arrangements come up for renewal?

8) Does your organisation use prepaid cards to disburse funds to other people (i.e., asylum seekers, refugees, homeless). If so, please can you provide a breakdown of the median amount, recipient category, frequency of funds disbursed and the total value of funds made in 2020 and 2019, please?

9) Is your s151 Officer (CFO) aware of the recent £32 million GBP fine levied against Mastercard, allpay and PFS for allegedly operating a cartel in the public sector prepaid card space? Link to PSR article here: https://www.psr.org.uk/news-updates/late...

10) Has your organisation released a statement about these proceedings and if so, please can you provide it, thank you?

Yours faithfully,

John A Gelmini

FOI, Blackpool Borough Council

Dear Mr Gelmini

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 – INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information that we received on 02/09/2021. Your request is being dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

You will receive the information you have requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act, subject to any exemptions that may apply.

Although the Council is aware of its statutory requirements under the FOIA, the UK is in the midst of an unprecedented national emergency due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). This emergency has placed an enormous strain on Local Authorities including high staff absence, mandatory homeworking and resource being redeployed to assist front line services. The Council will endeavour to meet statutory deadlines for requests but please note there is a likelihood of delays. If this is the case please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused and we appreciate your patience during these challenging times.

You should note that the Act defines a number of exemptions that may prevent disclosure of the information you have requested. If any of the exemption categories apply, the information will not be disclosed. If there are references to a third party, they may be consulted prior to a decision being made on whether or not to disclose the information. You will be informed if either of these is applicable, including your rights of appeal.

There may be a fee payable for this information. If this is the case, you will be informed in writing and a ‘Fees Notice’ will be issued. The fee must be paid before the information is processed and disclosed. The 20 working day time limit for responses will commence on receipt of the payment if a fee is applicable.

If appropriate, the information will be provided in paper copy, normal font size. If you require another format, e.g. audio, large print, translation or CD, please let me know.

If you have any queries you can contact me or write to: FOI, PO Box 4, Blackpool, FY1 1NA, or email us at [email address]. Please remember to quote your reference number when you contact us.

Kind regards

Information Governance Team
Governance and Partnerships | Blackpool Council |Number One| Bickerstaffe Square |Talbot Road |Blackpool |FY1 3AH

Post to: Blackpool Council | PO Box 4 | Blackpool | FY1 1NA
T: 01253 477477
E: [Blackpool Council request email]

show quoted sections

FOI, Blackpool Borough Council

1 Attachment

Hello

Please see attached.

Kind Regards

Information Governance Team
Governance and Partnerships | Blackpool Council |Number One| Bickerstaffe Square |Talbot Road |Blackpool |FY1 3AH

Post to: Blackpool Council | PO Box 4 | Blackpool | FY1 1NA
T: 01253 477477
E: [Blackpool Council request email]

show quoted sections