Please provide the following information:
1. The total cost to Devon County Council of the libraries consultation process to date.
£10,745.71
2. A breakdown of those costs, including but not limited to:
a. External consultancy fees
£6,301.92
b. Staff time
Devon County Council does not hold this information. This is because staff time is not recorded against individual projects. As such, it is not possible to provide a specific cost associated with this consultation.
c. Public relations and communications costs
Devon County Council does not hold this information. This is because these activities were undertaken internally. No separate external costs were incurred.
d. Advertising and promotional material
£1,458.42
e. Venue hire and public engagement events
Devon County Council does not hold this information. This is because no venue hire or separate public engagement events were undertaken by Devon County Council as part of this consultation.
f. Printing and postage
£2,985.37 for printing. Postage not recorded. Most physical copies of surveys were distributed by hand, via libraries.
g. Data analysis and reporting
Devon County Council does not hold this information. This is because this work was completed internally. As staff time is not recorded against individual projects, a specific cost cannot be provided.
h. Copies of any internal assessments, briefings or reports produced before or during the consultation which indicated that reductions to library opening hours or services were considered unlikely or not recommended.
Devon County Council does not hold this information. This is because no internal assessments were produced that predetermined or recommended an outcome regarding reductions to library opening hours or services. Outcomes were not considered until all consultation responses had been received and analysed. Relevant information is available within the published Cabinet papers.
i. The number of responses received to the consultation.
This information is published within Cabinet Papers.
j. The estimated total staff hours dedicated to the consultation process.
Devon County Council does not hold this information. This is because staff time is not recorded against specific projects; therefore, it is not possible to provide an estimate of total staff hours.