FOI Request - Executive Pay Spending Oversight and External Costs

Request 101003759804

Information relating to senior pay, council spending, governance, and associated external costs. Unless otherwise stated, please provide data covering the three most recent financial years available, or indicate if only partial data is held.

•  Please note that I am requesting corporate financial information, public expenditure records, and anonymised remuneration data, all of which are in the public interest and are not protected by exemptions such as personal data or commercial confidentiality.
•  Where exemptions may apply (e.g. Section 33(1)(b) or Section 38), please clearly state the exemption relied upon and provide partial or redacted data where appropriate.
•  If data is already published, please provide a direct link to the relevant webpage or document.

1. Senior Staff  Remuneration
1.1 The total remuneration (gross salary, performance-related pay, allowances, pension contributions, and benefits) for the 10 highest-paid employees in the council, along with:
• Job title and department
• Contract type (permanent, interim, or consultant)
• Length of service in post

1.2   The number of staff in the following gross pay bands:
• £100,000 to £124,999
• £125,000 to £149,999
• £150,000 to £199,999
• £200,000 and above
1.3   Details of any redundancy, early retirement, or severance packages over £50,000:
• Job title of recipient
• Department
• Total value of the payment

2. Councillor Costs

2.1 A breakdown of special responsibility allowances paid to councillors, by individual and role.
2.2 Full details of expenses claimed by councillors, including travel, meals, training, accommodation, and sundries.
2.3 The total cost of councillor overseas or out-of-region travel, including location, attendees, purpose, and cost.

3. External Consultancy and Contracts
3.1 A list of all external consultancy and agency contracts over £10,000, including:
• Supplier name
• Purpose of the contract
• Total cost and duration
• Whether competitively tendered or single-sourced

3.2 Total council spending on PR, marketing, advertising, and social media promotion, including any payments to influencers or external agencies.
3.3 Spending on hospitality, alcohol, and entertainment, broken down by event/item and purpose.
3.4 Details of any corporate away days, retreats, or leadership events including date, location, purpose, and cost.

4. Vehicles, Equipment and Facilities

4.1 List and total cost of all vehicles owned or leased by the council, including any chauffeur or driver services.
4.2 Number and cost of mobile phones, laptops, and tablets issued to councillors and staff.

5. Property, Capital Projects, and ALEOs
5.1 A list of capital projects valued at £500,000 or more which:
• Were cancelled, paused, or closed early
• Ran over budget or schedule
• Are underused or have been mothballed
5.2 A list of council-owned buildings or facilities currently unused or underused, with ongoing maintenance, security, or utility costs.
5.3 Total expenditure (financial and in-kind) on support for Arms-Length External Organisations (ALEOs):
• Funding provided to each ALEO
• Staff time allocated (estimated costs)
• Oversight costs, governance structures, or seconded officers

6. Memberships and External Subscriptions
6.1 The total cost of COSLA membership, including:
• Membership fees
• Staff time or officer support dedicated to COSLA activities
• Travel, accommodation, and event attendance associated with COSLA engagement
6.2 Any other external memberships or subscriptions paid for by the council (e.g. SOLACE, APSE, professional bodies), with costs listed by organisation.

7. Oversight and Governance
7.1 Any internal or external audit reports in the last 3 years highlighting:
• Financial mismanagement
• Lack of value for money
• Recommendations for improving oversight
7.2 Any investigations or disciplinary proceedings involving procurement decisions or financial irregularities.
7..3 The most recent version of the Register of Interests for councillors and sen off