FOI Request - Infrastructure and Resourcing Costs

Request 101003815417

This request does not seek information on councillors’ salaries, allowances, or claimable expenses. It focuses solely on the costs directly administered or absorbed by the council in providing office, digital, and logistical support.

Please provide the following information for the most recent full financial year:

1. Office Space and Facilities
a) The estimated cost to the council of providing office or desk space for councillors (including chambers, committee rooms, and councillor offices)
b) Associated costs for heating, lighting, cleaning, and maintenance
c) Costs of providing public and internal video capture, broadcasting, or archiving of council and committee meetings.

2. Digital and Equipment Costs
a) The cost of providing councillors with:
i) Laptops, tablets, or other computing devices
ii) Mobile phones or communication devices
iii) IT support or software licences specifically allocated to councillors
iv) Web connectivity (e.g. home broadband support, VPNs, secure portals)
v) Stationery, printing, and postage costs directly attributable to councillor use

3. Travel and Accommodation (Non-claimable)
a) Any travel or accommodation costs administered and paid directly by the council on behalf of councillors (i.e. not submitted as individual claims)
b) A split between UK travel and accommodation and overseas travel and accommodation

4. Additional Notes
a) If exact figures are not available, please provide best estimates or range values.
b) If your council tracks these costs as part of broader cost centres, please indicate whether they are allocated or absorbed into other departmental budgets.