This is an automatic reply. Thank you for your enquiry which has been
passed to the most suitable officer for action.

To meet our customer care standards we will try to reply to you as soon as
possible and provide a full response within 7 working days.

If you have asked for information under the Freedom of Information Act
2000, you should receive a reply from us within 20 working days. Please
look at our website for more details and exceptions to these response
times: [1]http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/council/free...

Please note we are not able to reply to unsolicited emails.

Alternatively, please visit our website for more information on our
service [2]www.elmbridge.gov.uk 

Elmbridge Borough Council

High Street, Civic Centre, Esher

Surrey, KT10 9SD

[3]http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk 

01372 474474

This email, and any attachments, is strictly confidential and may be legally
privileged. It is intended only for use by the addressee. If you are not the
intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or other use of this
communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in
error, please contact the sender and delete it from your system. The opinions
expressed in this email are not necessarily those of Elmbridge Borough Council.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/council/free...
2. http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/
3. http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/

Dear Lady Fleming,

I refer to your freedom of information request (copy below) and apologise
for the delay in reply.

The Council generally issues monthly complaints and holds monthly court
hearings. The total number of summons cases and liability orders issued
each year are:

2014/15:              Total on Complaint: 3,574             Total
Liability Orders obtained:  2,300                     (Limited
Co.                Complaint: 168  Liability Order:  110         )

2015/16:              Total on Complaint: 2,909             Total
Liability Orders obtained:  2,107                     (Limited
Co.                Complaint: 119  Liability Order:  56           )

2016/17:              Total on Complaint: 3,554             Total
Liability Orders obtained:  2,640                     (Limited
Co.                Complaint: 187  Liability Order:  84           )

2017/18:              Total on Complaint: 4,365             Total
Liability Orders obtained:  3,333                     (Limited
Co.                Complaint: 316  Liability Order:  176         )

2018/19:              Total on Complaint: 4,430             Total
Liability Orders obtained:  2,978 (to date)  (Limited Co.               
Complaint: 308  Liability Order:  162         )

In each case up to 21 July 2018, hearing costs of £3.00 per complaint were
payable to the court. This cost was reduced to 50p per complaint case from
21 July 2018.

Costs were awarded to the Council of £64.00 per complaint case. Liability
Order costs of £29.00 were awarded in each case were a Liability Order was
granted. In some instances costs may not have been awarded but I am afraid
individual details of those individual cases are not easily traceable.  In
a number of cases costs may not be recoverable, e.g. where later
information found the summons was incorrect etc. Details on the length of
each hearing and number that defended their case in court are not held.

The costs are awarded by the court. In addition to preparing solely for
each hearing and attendance at the hearing, costs associated with the
application such as ICT system costs and maintenance, all staff time and
associated costs in producing and fielding all enquires, accommodation and
support costs, stationery/postage etc.  would be factors following
instigation of recovery up to the grant of a Liability Order for the
court’s consideration when awarding costs.

The totals For Limited companies (also included in other totals) are shown
above.

The Council operates a presumption of openness in its access to
information.  It provides much information outside the provisions of the
Freedom of Information Act and it will continue to do on a “business as
usual” basis.  Persons do not need to engage the statutory provisions to
access all reasonable information about the Council and its services.

If, for whatever reason, you are unhappy with our response, you have the
right to ask for an internal review.  Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your
original letter and should be addressed to Head of Legal Services,
Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10
9SD. 

Should you then remain dissatisfied at the outcome of that process, you
are entitled to appeal against the decision by contacting:

The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane,
Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. 

Telephone:  0303 123 1113 or 01625 545 745

Website:  [1]www.ico.gov.uk

There is no charge for making an appeal.

Disclaimer: While Elmbridge Borough Council has taken reasonable measures
to check the accuracy and content of the above, we cannot warrant its
completeness or accuracy. The Council cannot accept any responsibility or
liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of
reliance on material contained.

Yours sincerely,

Colin McKay

Revenues Officer

Elmbridge Borough Council

Telephone: 01372 474474

Email: [2][email address]

[3]www.elmbridge.gov.uk

If you have not already done so, why not sign up to receive your bill by
email at [4]www.elmbridge.gov.uk/ebilling

       How do you rate the service we provided in this email?

[5]cid:image001.png@01D31DB7.04B0E980 [6]cid:image002.png@01D31DB7.04B0E980 [7]cid:image003.png@01D31DB7.04B0E980
[8]Good [9]Average [10]Poor

show quoted sections