Freedom of information response

I would like to request under the Freedom of Information act data held by Thurrock Council relating to the amount of money paid out by the council concerning damage caused by potholes since 2016.

Total Paid for Public Liability claims that were received between 01/04/2016 to 29/03/2023 from Motorists who suffered damage to a vehicle/motorcycle due to ‘Potholes – Carriageway’ (please note this figure does not include any personal injury claims): £2,279.37

I would also like to receive the number of claims made against Thurrock Council and the number which have been settled.

Total number of Public Liability claims received between 01/04/2016 to 29/03/2023 from Motorists who suffered damage to a vehicle/motorcycle due to ‘Potholes- Carriageway’ (please note this figure does not include any personal injury claims): 165

Total of these claims which have been closed & settled: 9

I would also like to know the number of outstanding cases against Thurrock Council.

Total of the above claims which are currently open/outstanding (i.e. not yet closed with a confirmed decision on liability) as of 29/03/2023: 13

I would appreciate it if this data could be broken down into damages/compensation paid to motorists and the amount the council has spent on legal costs.

Total paid to Motorists who suffered damage to a vehicle/motorcycle due to ‘Potholes – Carriageway’ (please note this figure does not include any payments relating to personal injury claims): £2,279.37

Total paid for Own Solicitor costs for claims where Motorists have suffered damage to a vehicle/motorcycle due to ‘Potholes – Carriageway’ (please note this figure does not include any payments relating to personal injury claims): £0

Total paid to Third Party Solicitors for claims where Motorists have suffered damage to a vehicle/motorcycle due to ‘Potholes – Carriageway’ (please note this figure does not include any payments relating to personal injury claims): £0

I would also like information on the number of potholes Thurrock Council has awaiting repair on this date.

75 potholes awaiting repair as of 30th March 2023, however, the number of potholes “outstanding” changes on a daily basis and is only really accurate at a single point in time.

We are repairing potholes on a daily basis – but equally new ones are being recorded, reported, inspected and identified every day.

You are free to use any information supplied to you for your own use, including non-commercial research purposes. However, any other type of re-use, for example, by publishing the information or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner.

Where the copyright is owned by Thurrock Council, you must apply to the Council to re-use the information. Please email information.matters@thurrock.gov.uk if you wish to re-use the information you have been supplied. For information where the copyright is owned by another person or organisation, you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the council have managed your FOI request you can pursue an Internal Review by contacting us using the above email address. An internal review must be submitted within 40 working days of your original reply. Your request will be considered by a senior member of the Information Management Team who will update you with the outcome of the review.

If you remain unhappy following the outcome of your Internal Review you may wish to refer your case to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and details of this organisation can be found at www.ico.org.uk . Please be advised that the ICO will not consider your case until they have confirmation that you have already been through the Internal Review stage with the council.