See answers to previous information requests

1. What is the spend for agency staff within the Housing dept for 2024 and 2025
Wokingham Borough Council have a contract in place with Matrix SCM for the provision of agency workers. Matrix SCM have reported a spend of £15,210.27 for the financial year 2024/25 and £71,635.54 for the financial year 2025 to date for roles under the Housing category of the contact.

2. What role titles and current charge rates for these positions?
Matrix SCM have confirmed that the following roles were included within the Housing category of the contract for the period 2024/25 and 2025 to date. Please note that pay rates have been provided rather than charge rates due to commercial sensitivity.
Job Title Ltd Pay Rate
Building Surveyor – Grade 9 * £350.00 per day
Damp and Mould Coordinator – Grade 6 £21.21 per hour
Homelessness Prevention Officer – Grade 7* £35.74 per hour
Housing Needs Specialist Rent Officer – Grade 7* £30.00 per hour
Housing Officer – Grade 7* £33.01 per hour
Housing Services Officer – Grade 5 £15.60 per hour
Maintenance Support Officer – Grade 6-8* £26.00 per hour
Resident Access Support Officer – Grade 4* £27.00 per hour
Specialist Building Surveyor (Repairs) - Grade 9* £42.00 per hour
Specialist Building Surveyor (Repairs) - Grade 9* £427.38 per day
Specialist Grants Officer - Grade 8 £24.49 per hour
Temporary Accommodation Resettlement Officer - Grade 7 £22.86 per hour
Housing Officer - Grade 7 £20.72 per hour

3. Which budget does this cost come from?
Funding comes from Housing department budgets.

4. Could you justify why agency staff are chosen over permanent staff when the council is looking to save costs?
The justification to use agency staff over permanent staff would be in the instances of positions that are variably difficult to recruit to, interim cover for unforeseen circumstances, and but not limited to specialised project work.