Council Spends - Find a freedom of information request

1) The amount of money in pounds (£) that your Local Authority has spent on maintaining Mayoral memorabilia (i.e.. the Mayoral chains) in each of the financial years

a) 2019-20,

b) 2020-21,

c) 2021-22,

d) 2022-23,

e) 2023-24

2) The amount of money in pounds (£) was spent on your Local Authorities communications department (i.e. staff costs) in each of the financial years

a) 2019-20,

b) 2020-21,

c) 2021-22,

d) 2022-23,

e) 2023-24

3) The amount of money in pounds (£) was spent on travel cost for Councillors elected to your Local Authority (i.e. taxi costs) in each of the financial years

a) 2019-20,

b) 2020-21,

c) 2021-22,

d) 2022-23,

e) 2023-24

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. 

1) For clarity, the information provided is in reference to the office of Chairman of Lincolnshire County Council. The figures provided include maintenance, cleaning, engraving, additional chain links and insurances.

 2) 

The amount of money in pounds (£) spent on the Local Authorities

communications department (i.e. staff costs) in each of the financial years

2019/20 = £699,039

2020/21 = £721,904

2021/22 = £709,946

2022/23 = £797,265

2023/24 = £931,654

Actual cost details are shown for the previous five complete financial years with relevant staff expenses such as mileage costs claimed included. The council’s communications team cover a range of activities, including corporate and strategic communications for all service areas, internal staff and member communications, publications such as three yearly issues of County News and many others, events and meetings co-ordination for all service areas plus key yearly presence at the Lincolnshire Show, digital communications (website overview and social media), photography and video production, and print and design overview.

3)

 Through the development and greater usage of technology the Council has taken significant steps to reduce the miles that Members have to undertake to fulfil their roles – holding online meetings where appropriate and possible. This change is evidenced in the reduction of spend for the 2022/23 financial year when compared to the pre-pandemic costs incurred in 2019/20.