I request the following aggregate data on diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) expenditure. This includes all costs related to fulfilling Equality Act 2010 duties, such as dedicated programs, training, and embedded activities. The purpose is public interest transparency on resource allocation and value for money from council tax-funded spending. For financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25 (to date):

1. Please provide the total number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) roles mainly/exclusively focused on DEI, including:
Pay bands or combined total salaries.
Plans for new hires in the next 18 months (roles/pay bands).
2023-24: 1 FTE at Grade 10 (up to January 2024) with salary band £47,573 - £52,664 and 1 FTE at Grade 8 with salary band £36,298 - £40,478.
2024-25: 1 FTE at Grade 10 (from May 2024) with salary band £50,788 - £56,075.
2025-26 (to date): 1 FTE at Grade 10 (vacant since May 2025, position regraded) with salary band £52,414 - £57,870.
New hire planned: 1 FTE at Grade 8 (from early 2026) – Policy Officer role with salary band £40,778 - £45,092.

2. Please provide total staff time committed to DEI activities including:
training courses (include the names and durations of any courses and specify whether those courses were internally or externally organised).
Zero externally organised courses. All staff complete mandatory e-learning on EDI on joining the organisation

As inclusion is embedded in the organisation and its policies and practices, it would be impossible to quantify how much staff time has been committed specifically to EDI activities.

3. Please provide costs arising from external providers e.g.,
i) Consultants/contractors for DEI training/advice.
No external contractors used for training or advice.

ii)Memberships/charters (e.g., Stonewall Diversity Champions).
None.

4. Please provide costs of DEI in procurement. How is it included (e.g., weighting in tenders);
Weighting in tenders is considered on a case by case basis and this will include considerations of Equality Diversity and Inclusion where relevant.

5. Please provide the overall total DEI spend as well as funding sources (i.e central government grants and local government funds).
2023/24: £10,185 (WBC funded)
2024/25: £30,894 (WBC funded)
2025/26 YTD: £57,390 (WBC funded)