See answers to previous information requests

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request the following structured data regarding the council’s corporate Project Management Office (PMO) or equivalent change/transformation delivery functions. To assist you and keep this request within the statutory cost limit, please provide short answers to the following 5 distinct points:

1. PMO Structure: Does the council currently operate a centralized corporate PMO, or are project management functions completely decentralized across individual service directorates?
There is a centralised corporate PMO that manages the council’s corporate programmes and projects and administers the council’s programme and project management framework and methodology. In addition, there are Programme and Project Managers situated outside of the PMO overseeing directorate specific programmes and projects.

2. Staffing Headcount: What is the total current headcount (expressed as Full-Time Equivalents / FTE) of dedicated project managers, programme managers, and PMO analysts directly employed or contracted by the council?
Within the dedicated PMO there is a headcount of 19 FTE.

3. Software Tooling: What specific Project Portfolio Management (PPM) software, work management platforms, or enterprise dashboard tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Monday.com, Jira, Excel) are officially mandated for tracking corporate project risk, budgets, and milestone delivery?
The PMO uses a combination of a PPM Tool (Power Apps) and Microsoft Office to track corporate project risk, budgets, and milestone delivery.

4. Annual Budget: What was the total operational budget allocated specifically to the corporate PMO or central transformation team for the most recent financial year broken into staffing and other costs?
For the Financial year 2025/2026 the Corporate PMO’s total operational budget was £553,080 with Staffing costs being £532,834 and other costs being £20,246.

5. LGR Transition Governance (If Applicable): If the council is currently undergoing or actively preparing for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), has a temporary or dedicated 'Shadow Council' or 'Joint Transition Committee' PMO function been established? If yes, who is the appointed Interim Programme Director or Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) leading that transition?
Wokingham Borough Council is currently not subject to LGR Transition Governance.

6. What is your total annual spend on external consultants, suppliers or technology companies in relation to project management office support.
For the Financial year 2025/2026 the Corporate PMO’s total spend on external consultants, suppliers or technology companies in relation to project management office support was £15,502.