See answers to previous information requests

I am writing as a Council Tax payer and resident of this borough to submit a formal request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This letter also serves as a formal notice that I, along with a growing number of residents, am placing this council on record regarding its duty of transparency and its obligation to demonstrate value for public money.

THE CONTEXT: A 54% RISE. DECLINING SERVICES. NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
Since 2016, Council Tax in this area has risen by approximately 54%. The proposed further increase of 4.95% compounds an already unsustainable burden on residents who are simultaneously navigating a cost of living crisis affecting food, fuel, energy, and housing.
What have residents received in return? Roads in disrepair. Reduced bin collections. Closed amenities. Restricted recycling access. The gap between what residents are asked to pay and what they visibly receive is no longer a matter of perception. It is a matter of public record, and it demands a public answer.
Meanwhile, credible concerns have been raised about council spending priorities including capital expenditure on council buildings, reliance on high-cost recruitment consultants, a growing number of six-figure salary roles, and expenditure on events, hospitality, and councillor provisions. These concerns are not fringe complaints. They represent a systemic pattern observed across local authorities nationally, and residents deserve to know whether this council is implicated.
I am therefore formally requesting full disclosure of the following:

PART ONE: COUNCIL EXPENDITURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES

SECTION 1: FULL EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN
A complete, itemised breakdown of all Council Tax expenditure for the most recent complete financial year, including departmental allocations and all spending categories.

SECTION 2: SPECIFIC AREAS OF CONCERN
Detailed figures relating to:
All expenditure on council buildings, including headquarters, refurbishments, and capital projects, with total costs and justifications.
Total spending on external recruitment consultants and agencies, with a breakdown by contract or supplier where possible.
The number of employees earning £100,000 or more, their job titles, and the total salary cost of these roles to the public purse.
All expenditure on events, hospitality, catering, food, drink, and provisions for councillors and officers, itemised by occasion or category.

SECTION 3: CORE PUBLIC SERVICE EXPENDITURE
A clear breakdown of spending on services that directly affect residents:
Road maintenance and pothole repair, including the number of reported defects versus repairs completed.
Waste collection, including any changes to collection frequency in the past two financial years and any associated cost savings.
Maintenance, investment in, or closure of public parks and play areas.
Recycling centre operations, including any reductions in opening hours or accessibility.

SECTION 4: COST-SAVING MEASURES
Full details of any cost-saving measures implemented by the council in the two financial years prior to the decision to increase Council Tax, including what savings were achieved and how they were reinvested into front-line services.

SECTION 5: JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROPOSED INCREASE
Copies of, or direct access to, any internal reports, financial assessments, impact analyses, or documented justifications used to support the proposed Council Tax increase, including projected outcomes for residents and any performance metrics or service improvement targets attached to this increase.

PART TWO: SENIOR MANAGEMENT COSTS
SECTION 6: SENIOR EMPLOYEE SALARIES
6a. The total number of council employees currently earning a salary of 100,000 pounds or more per annum, inclusive of all contractual allowances and supplements but excluding pension contributions.
6b. A breakdown of those roles by job title, salary band, and department.
6c. The total combined salary cost of all roles earning 100,000 pounds or more, for each of the last three complete financial years.
6d. The number of roles earning 100,000 pounds or more that have been created or newly filled in each of the last three complete financial years.

SECTION 7: EMPLOYER PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS ON HIGH-EARNING ROLES
7a. The total employer pension contributions paid in respect of all employees earning 100,000 pounds or more per annum, for each of the last three complete financial years.
7b. The employer pension contribution rate applied to these roles.

SECTION 8: INTERIM, AGENCY AND CONTRACTED SENIOR APPOINTMENTS
This section concerns individuals engaged to perform senior management or director level functions who are not directly employed by the council, including those engaged through personal service companies, staffing agencies, or other intermediary arrangements.
8a. The total number of interim, agency, or contracted individuals performing director level or senior management functions at any point during each of the last three complete financial years.
8b. For each such engagement: the job title or function performed, the daily or hourly rate paid, the duration of the engagement, and the total cost to the public purse.
8c. The total combined spend on interim, agency, and contracted senior management in each of the last three complete financial years.
8d. Whether any such individuals were subsequently offered or accepted permanent employment with this council following their interim engagement, and if so, in what role.

SECTION 9: SEVERANCE, REDUNDANCY AND COMPROMISE AGREEMENTS
9a. The total number of severance, redundancy, or compromise agreement payments made to employees earning 50,000 pounds or more per annum, in each of the last three complete financial years.
9b. The total combined value of all such payments in each of those years.
9c. The highest single severance or compromise agreement payment made during this period, stated without identifying the individual recipient.
9d. Whether any individual who received a severance or compromise agreement payment subsequently returned to work for this council in any capacity, including as an interim or contractor, within 24 months of their departure. If so, how many such instances occurred.

SECTION 10: RECRUITMENT COSTS FOR SENIOR ROLES
10a. The total spend on external recruitment consultants and agencies specifically for the recruitment of roles paying 75,000 pounds or more, in each of the last three complete financial years.
10b. The names of any external recruitment firms used for these appointments, and the total fees paid to each.
10c. The average cost of recruiting a single senior appointment of 75,000 pounds or above via external recruitment, where this data is held.

SECTION 11: TOTAL SENIOR LEADERSHIP COST
A consolidated figure representing the total cost to the public purse of the council's senior leadership, defined as all employees and contractors performing at director level or above, for the most recent complete financial year. This should include salaries, employer National Insurance contributions, employer pension contributions, car allowances, and any other contractual benefits.

NOTICE TO THIS COUNCIL
Residents across this country are no longer willing to accept rising costs without visible accountability. This request is not hostile. It is democratic. It is the mechanism by which a citizen holds public office to account, and I expect it to be treated accordingly.
I am sharing this request with other residents and intend to make the council's response, or any failure to respond, part of an ongoing public accountability effort. If this information is already publicly available, please provide direct links to the precise documents rather than directing me to a general website.
If any part of this request is refused, please cite the specific exemption under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 that applies, and explain clearly why it applies in this instance.
I am entitled to a response within 20 working days as required by law. I expect that deadline to be met.