FOI Request - Council Payments Questionnaire

Request 101003800955

I am writing to submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding the council’s use of Direct Payments, prepaid cards, cash, and voucher options across services provided to Residents, Service Users, and Staff.
This request pertains to (but is not limited to) the following service areas:
• Direct Payments
• Client Financial Affairs (where the Council acts as Corporate Appointee or Property & Affairs Deputy)
• No Recourse to Public Funds
• Finance – Petty Cash Cards
• Care Agencies – In-house or External
• Adult or Children’s Social Care – Emergency Cards
• Household Support Payments
1. PrePaid Card Info
a) Do you currently use a PrePaid card or other type of card provider, and if so what is the provider's name?
b) What date does the current contract expire?
c) What is the name, E-Mail Address & phone number of the person and team that manages the Contract?
d) How much does each card cost?
e) How much do replacement cards cost ?
f) What transaction costs are there and how much are they?

2. Client Bank Accounts
a) Do you manage individual bank accounts for your clients, if so who with?
b) Are these on a contract and can you let us know the end date ?

3. Direct Payment Managed Accounts
a) Does the Council use a third party to manage Direct Payment Managed accounts, if so who?
b) What Services do they provide on behalf of the council?
c) When does the contract end?
d) What is the name, E-Mail Address & phone number of the person and team that manages the Contract?
e) How much does each service cost?
f) What is the annual cost or upper limit to the council?

4. Payroll Services
a) Does the Council offer payroll services for Direct Payment employers and their employees?
b) What is the name, E-Mail Address & Contact number of the person and team that is the lead?
c) How many staff deal with the payroll?
d) What annual cost is there to the council for the payroll staff?
e) Cost Band (Select)
i) £50,000 - £60,000 /
ii) £60,000 - £70,000 /
iii) £70,000 - £80,000 /
iv) £80,000 - £90,000 /
v) Other
5. Outsourced Deputyship Services
a) Does the Council use a Third Party (Parties) to manage Deputyship clients? If so, who?
b) Does the Council use their own prepaid card provider, to supply cards via these outsourced deputyship partners.

Clarification sought 13-06-2025