Complaints, data breaches and compensation paid out - Find a freedom of information request

1. How many complaints has the council received from members of the public in the last three years (2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24)?

2. How many data breaches has the council suffered in the past three years (2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24) and which departments did they affect?

3. How much has the council paid out in compensation as a result of personal injuries suffered on roads and pavements during the past three years (2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24)?

4. How many union reps work at the council and how much paid time off did they receive during the past three years (2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24)?

5. How much has the council spent on external consultants during the past three years (2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24)?

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1. 2021/22 - 1231 complaints received.

2022/23 - 1575 complaints received.

2023/24 - 1413 complaints received.

2. The numbers reported below are data breaches concerning all types of information including personal data, other sensitive data, and routine data.

It may also be helpful to know that data breaches are recorded even when the level of risk is negligible.

2021/22 - Number of data breaches recorded - 232.

Departments affected (known in the Council as Directorates) - Adult Care and Community Wellbeing; Children's Services; Commercial; Corporate Services; Resources; Place; Fire, Rescue, and Public Protection

2022/23 - Number of data breaches recorded - 261.

Departments affected (known in the Council as Directorates) - Adult Care and Community Wellbeing; Children's Services; Commercial; Corporate Services; Resources; Place; Fire, Rescue, and Public Protection

2023/24 - Number of data breaches recorded - 294

Departments affected (known in the Council as Directorates) -Adult Care and Community Wellbeing; Children's Services; Commercial; Corporate Services; Resources; Place; Fire, Rescue, and Public Protection

3. 2021/22 - £219,519.99

    2022/23 - £203,503.69

    2023/24 - £150,041.51

4. This information is published on the Council’s website: lincolnshire/dataset/trade-union-facility-time

As such, this information is exempt from disclosure in accordance with the exemption set out at Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which provides that a public authority need not comply with a request for disclosure under the Act where that information is reasonably accessible by other means.

5. 2021/22 - £4,080,380.45

    2022/23 - £3,573,337.61

    2023/24 - £4,083,824.56