Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, 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).

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).

3. Please provide costs arising from external providers e.g.,
i) Consultants/contractors for DEI training/advice .
ii)Memberships/charters (e.g., Stonewall Diversity Champions).

4. Please provide costs of DEI in procurement. How is it included (e.g., weighting in tenders);

5. Please provide the overall total DEI spend as well as funding sources (i.e central government grants and local government funds).