Response 1084162

Response to request for information

Reference

1084162

Response date

5 May 2023

Request

Would you be so kind as to please answer the following questions:

1. How much has it cost RBC to apply for this award? Please can you break this down in terms of the application itself (i.e. how many hours of work it took, stationary costs, etc), as well as travel expenses to London.
2. What is the estimated cost to the taxpayer of attending the ceremony? Presumably there will be travel and hotel costs?
3. Could you please explain why it is appropriate for such an announcement to be made during the pre-election period? Do you not consider it to be confusing for voters, who may not be able to distinguish the performance of RBC's various departments (run by neutral civil servants) and the fact that the council is Conservative-led? I have already had voters say to me on the doorstep that the Conservatives have been nominated for council of the year.
4. Please can you furnish me with information on the judging panel? How many people did it consist of? What are their qualifications?

Response

1. How much has it cost RBC to apply for this award? Please can you break this down in terms of the application itself (i.e. how many hours of work it took, stationary costs, etc), as well as travel expenses to London.

   • At the Council we avoid unnecessary bureaucracy which includes detailed time recording for all staff. Our employees are extremely dedicated and professional often spending longer than their required hours in undertaking their duties; and this includes the completion of our submission. It is an electronic submission and there are no stationary costs. Costs for the presentation amounted to £1,074.05 (this was for travel and hotel costs in relation to 3 individuals). Overnight accommodation was deemed necessary due to the threat of industrial action by the railways.

2. What is the estimated cost to the taxpayer of attending the ceremony? Presumably there will be travel and hotel costs?

   • There is no overnight stay. Ceremony and travel costs are estimated at around £8,000. This is considered a small cost given the added value reputationally to the Council of being shortlisted for the local authority of the year; and being the only district or borough Council shortlisted.

3. Could you please explain why it is appropriate for such an announcement to be made during the pre-election period? Do you not consider it to be confusing for voters, who may not be able to distinguish the performance of RBC's various departments (run by neutral civil servants) and the fact that the council is Conservative-led? I have already had voters say to me on the doorstep that the Conservatives have been nominated for council of the year.

   • Nomination for Local Authority of the Year in the MJ Awards 2023 is a credit to all political parties within Rushcliffe. It is not considered to be a political issue and therefore we are comfortable with our communications on this matter. The Awards are a national event and publicity would have taken place whether we did our own or not. The winners will not be known until after the election – all Rushcliffe Borough Councillors and residents should be proud of this achievement.

4. Please can you furnish me with information on the judging panel? How many people did it consist of? What are their qualifications?

   • The judging panel was made up of the following individuals (all with significant senior local authority and public sector experience and expertise):

     • Monica Fogarty, Chief Executive, Warwickshire County Council.

     • Theresa Grant, Interim Chief Executive, Liverpool City Council.

     • Ali Grif­in, Chief Executive, London Councils. Neil Lupin, Managing Partner, Green Park Interim & Executive Search.

     • Matt Prosser, Chief Executive, Dorset Council.

     • Mark Rogers, Chief Executive, Leadership Centre.

     • David Sidaway, Chief Executive, Telford and Wrekin Council.

       We do not have access to any further information regarding the judging panel.