1. Total consultancy spending
The total amount spent by the council on consultancy services for each financial year.
By ‘consultancy spending,’ we refer to payments made to organisations or individuals brought in to provide expert advice or support in implementing specific projects or initiatives.
2. Breakdown by firm
A breakdown by firm of consultancy payments made by the council in each financial year. If providing details for each firm exceeds the cost limit, please provide whatever information can be provided within the limit, such as by focusing on firms with total payments exceeding £10,000.
In response to questions 1 and 2, please see the table below:
| Year | ||||
| Consultancy Firm | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Total |
| Capron Associates Limited | £ 4,275 | £ – | £ – | £ 4,275 |
| Direct Engagement | £ – | £ – | £ 10,485 | £ 10,485 |
| Everest Cloud (WM) Limited | £ 45,990 | £ – | £ – | £ 45,990 |
| GRI | £ 166,391 | £ – | £ – | £ 166,391 |
| Hampton Resources | £ 37,812 | £ – | £ – | £ 37,812 |
| Harvist Associates | £ – | £ – | £ 13,355 | £ 13,355 |
| KDMG Limited | £ – | £ 132,828 | £ – | £ 132,828 |
| Kevin Crompton Solutions Limited | £ 5,868 | £ – | £ – | £ 5,868 |
| N K Interim Management Limited | £ 15,400 | £ – | £ – | £ 15,400 |
| NC Consultancy | £ 32,206 | £ 103,200 | £ – | £ 135,406 |
| Odgers Interim (IRG Advisors) | £ – | £ 125,581 | £ 115,326 | £ 240,907 |
| Peter Hay Consultancy | £ – | £ – | £ 2,555 | £ 2,555 |
| TCD & Associates | £ – | £ 16,000 | £ 36,000 | £ 52,000 |
| Tile Hill | £ – | £ 225,658 | £ – | £ 225,658 |
| Paul Williamson Consultancy | £ – | £ – | £ 38,250 | £ 38,250 |
| A V Outcomes Limited | £ 11,000 | £ – | £ – | £ 11,000 |
| Ferguson Mike Consultancy Limited | £ 14,850 | £ – | £ – | £ 14,850 |
| Methods Advisory Limited | £ 4,960 | £ 10,000 | £ – | £ 14,960 |
| Total | £ 338,752 | £ 613,267 | £ 215,971 | £1,167,990 |
3. Council policy on consultancy payments
A copy or summary of the council’s policy, if one exists, regarding limits or guidelines on payments to external consultants, including rate caps or other criteria used to determine acceptable consultancy costs.
Devon County Council’s constitution provides the guidance in respect of financial regulations. The financial regulations are key to the councils governance and accountability for public funds. Upholding the regulations is part of the officers’ code of conduct and members must adhere to the regulations as part of the members’ code of conduct. The financial regulations has a section on the use of consultants.
4. Highest individual consultancy payments
The highest individual payments made to consultants. Please provide:
– The largest total payment(s) made to an individual consultant or consultancy firm in each financial year.
– The highest hourly or daily rate paid to an individual consultant or firm during each financial year. If feasible, please specify the context (such as the nature of the work or project) for these highest rates.
| 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | |
| Highest individual payments per year | £101,168 | £147,658 | £115,326 |
| Highest daily rate | £125 per hour | £1,000 | £1,000 |