Agency Costs

The total costs for all employee budgets was £900,000 under budget. This was due to not filling many vacant posts and was a deliberate policy to offset pressures identified in other budget areas. Where it was business critical, agency workers and consultants in lieu of staff were used. The total costs for 2006/07 amounted to £8.9m. These costs are included in the total costs for employees quoted above and it is emphasised that employee costs were under budget.

Of the £8.9m, £3.7m was funded from grants i.e. 42%.

As an example across the central departments during 2006/07 there were 422 fte posts. During the year there were 69 fte vacant posts, a 16% vacancy factor. 48 agency workers were employed, showing the central departments managed with 21 posts not covered (5%).

Consultants

A budget of £830,000 was held in 2006/07 for consultants required to work on specific revenue projects. The actual spend was £900,000 as it included PFI work and lobbying.