See answers to previous information requests

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and, where applicable, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). I ask that you consider this request under whichever regime is most appropriate, given that some of the information requested may relate to environmental matters including the management of waste vehicles under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978. Please provide the following information relating to abandoned vehicles:

1. The total number of reports of abandoned vehicles received by the council for each of the last seven financial years (2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26).
Data not held prior to 2022 when service came back in house. Data held for abandoned vehicles investigated:
2022/23: 220
2023/24: 379
2024/25: 590
2025/26: 497

2. The total expenditure incurred by the council in the removal, storage or disposal of abandoned vehicles for each of the same seven financial years.
2022 onwards - £9,812

3. Whether the council has a contract in place with a private provider for the removal of abandoned vehicles. If so, please provide:
a) The name of the contractor: AA
b) The annual payment made to that contractor for each of the last seven financial years.
2022-23: £2818
2023-24: £3240
2024-25: £3754
2025-26: £3754
c) The start and end date of the current contract: New contractor AA contract start date Feb 2023 - rolling contract

4. The specific statutory powers used by the council to authorise the removal of abandoned vehicles (for example, the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or other legislation).
The Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978

5. Whether the council is a registered DVLA Power Partner for the purpose of accessing vehicle keeper data in connection with abandoned vehicle enforcement or untaxed vehicles.
No

6. For each of the last seven financial years, the average and maximum number of days elapsed between an initial report of an abandoned vehicle being received and the vehicle being removed or the case being closed.
Data not recorded

7. For each of the last seven financial years:
a) The number of reported vehicles that were found to be untaxed (no valid Vehicle Excise Duty) at the time of inspection: Data not recorded
b) The number of reports that were assessed and subsequently closed on the basis that the vehicle did not meet the criteria to be classed as abandoned: Data not recorded