FOI Request - Nuisance Smell Complaints

Request 101003532110

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the number of nuisance smell complaints received by the council for the following periods:

1st Jan 2024-29th February 2024
1st Jan 2023-31st December 2023
1st Jan 2022- 31st December 2022
1st Jan 2021- 31st December 2021

To be clear, I am referring to complaints made about nuisance smells that could be a ‘statutory nuisance’ (covered by the Environmental Protection Act 1990) as defined in this guidance from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nuisance-smells-how-councils-deal-with-complaints

If possible, please could you break down the number of odour complaints, by type.

Response 12-04-2024

1st Jan 2024-29th February 2024 - 7
1st Jan 2023-31st December 2023 - 63
1st Jan 2022- 31st December 2022 - 62
1st Jan 2021- 31st December 2021 - 78

Please note, the above is what is recorded for 'smells and odours'. In order to find out details the body of complaints would need to be searched manually. This task would cost the Council in excess of £600 of staff time. In accordance with section 12 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (excessive cost), we are therefore unable to comply with this part of the request.