Open data notes

This page provides supplementary information about some of the datasets published in our Open data section.

Payments to suppliers, Contract Register & Invitations To Tender (ITT)

Delivering a more transparent Council

Details of all supplier invoices that exceed £500 have now been published. This information will enable residents to better scrutinise and challenge council spending and to become more involved in the our decision making processes.

Trafford Council is supported by a vast range of supplies, works and services from external suppliers and providers. Our objective is to obtain best value for the procurement of supplies and services for the council. We aim to operate fair and open competition by following transparent and auditable procedures in all tendering and contracting activity.

For information about how to supply to the Council or further details on contracts please visit the STAR procurement website.

Public funeral information disclaimer

Please note the following Freedom of Information (FOI) exemption disclaimer regarding the public funeral information we publish.

Public Health Funerals and Deaths Reported to the Treasury Solicitor

Under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984, when a resident in the area passes away (excluding in hospital) the Council has a duty to make arrangements for the funeral, if living relatives cannot be found or they are unable/unwilling to pay any funeral expenses.

The Council does not publish details of public health funerals but where relevant, information is provided to the Government Legal Department (previously called Treasury Solicitors') and may also be found on the Bona Vacantia website. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), in its Decision Notices (FS50584670 and FS50583220), supports the non disclosure of the personal details of the deceased under the following section:

Section 31(1)(a) FoIA

The Council will not disclose details into the public domain where they relate to the address of the deceased. When tracing relatives it may take several months to complete our enquiries. During this time the property of the deceased can remain unoccupied and fully furnished with all their household possessions, papers and personal effects. Even when relatives have been found a property can remain unoccupied for a considerable time afterwards.

Publicising the address would leave the property vulnerable to crime; including anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, arson, identity fraud and the crimes that can be committed using false documents. Therefore, Section 31(1)(a) FoIA (law enforcement - prevention and detection of crime) will be applied to prevent release of any information which would identify the address of the deceased.

Furthermore, the Council considers that the following exemption to disclosure also applies:

Section 40(2) FoIA

Disclosing the full name and address of the deceased will lead to living relatives being identified; either by people who know the deceased or by someone making further enquiries (such as a search of the Electoral Register). This might identify the spouse, partner or other relative who may (or may not) still reside in the property. We believe that these individuals would not want it made known that they had either declined or were unable to pay for the funeral. This is a private matter and therefore, Section 40(2) FoIA has been applied to protect the personal information of living relatives.

However, we recognise that there is a public interest in understanding the cost to the public purse of such public health funerals and have therefore published this information in our open data public funeral information section.

Social housing asset value

The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 requires that Local authorities must publish details of the value of social housing stock that is held in their Housing Revenue Account. Trafford Council does not own any social housing – all stock was transferred to Trafford Housing Trust in 2004. Further information regarding housing in Trafford, including all registered providers/housing associations, is available in our housing section.

Trade Union Facility Time

Under the Local Government Transparency Code 2015 and the Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations 2017 the Council is required to collate and publish, on an annual basis, a range of data on the amount and cost of union facility time.