Governance and meetings

Disclosure Log

  • Request for information on how Local Planning Authorities are implementing BNG and other ecological considerations within the planning process

    Request for Information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004

    Thank you for your request for information, received on 12 June 2025, which we have processed under the above legislation.

    As the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority is not a Local Planning Authority (LPA), we can confirm that the requested information is not held, in accordance with the terms laid out within Section 12(4)(a) of the Regulations.

    The LPA function usually falls under the remit of district, city and unitary councils, so you may wish to redirect your request accordingly.  Contact details for neighbouring authorities in Devon can be found by following the link provided.

  • Request for information about the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Advisory Groups

    Request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000

    8th April 2025

    1. Business Advisory Group – the names of the members and the organisations each represents

    A membership list for the Business Advisory Group is available upon request

    Additional request received for a membership list for the Skills and Employment Advisory Group, which is available upon request.

    1. The number of members who are representative of Equality Act protected characteristics

    The CCA acknowledges that Equal Opportunity (EO) forms were issued at the start of the recruitment process for monitoring purposes. However, not all participants chose to complete these forms, and some of those who did, opted not to answer certain questions. Consequently, the data collected is incomplete and does not provide an accurate representation of individuals who may possess protected characteristics. 

    With specific reference to the protected characteristics data held by the CCA which constitutes special category data as defined by Article 9(1) of the UK GDPR, applicants who completed the EO forms were assured that their data would be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The CCA views this assurance as establishing a Duty of Confidentiality towards these individuals and therefore considers this information exempt from disclosure under Section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – ‘Information provided in confidence’ 

    Additionally, given the low number of individuals concerned, this information is also deemed exempt from disclosure under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000  – ‘Personal Information’ as the data could potentially be directly linked to the individuals concerned (particularly as they have been named in response to question 1), and its release could be considered ‘unfair’ under the terms of the first data protection principle at Chapter 2 – Article 5 (a) of the UK GDPR. 

    However, we can advise that there is a general expectation that members of all Advisory Groups would be cognisant of the duties that arise from the Equality Act and given that Groups are supported by officers of the CCA and each Constituent Council, we are satisfied that those duties will be adhered to. 

    1. The process by which invitations to apply for membership was publicised

    A recruitment process was undertaken in 2024, the recruitment pack is available upon request.

    1. The specific selection criteria used in making appointments

    The specific criteria are contained within the Final Recruitment Pack provided in response to question 3.

    1. An explanation of whether the provision “Leaders of the Constituent Councils will also have the flexibility to adjust the membership of the board” refers to individual members or the categories of membership

    This provision relates to both categories of membership and individual members.

    1. Information on (a) whether advisory group meetings can be attended by press and public and (b) whether agendas will be published (and if so, how) in advance of a meeting.

    Advisory Group meetings are held in private and are designed to inform decision making of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Board. Advisory Groups are none decision making and there is no provision for attendance by the press and public.

    1. Transport Advisory Group, the source of funding for the executive support to the group (this is not evident from the budget provided to the CCA board last week)

    Officer support for the Transport Advisory Group will be provided from within the existing resources of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, Devon County Council and Torbay Council.