FOI002492 FOI HR People Services

Request for Information: I request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (or the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002) regarding recruitment agency usage for communications roles.

Definition of Scope: For the purposes of this request, "communications" refers to the general department or function that encompasses:

Internal or external communications functions;

The press office or media relations;

Social media management;

Marketing functions (where these sit within the communications structure).

Please provide the following data:

1. 2025/26 Actuals and Outturn Forecast

1a. Provide the total number of days a temporary worker was employed via an agency for the communications roles defined above from 6 April 2025 to the date of this request.

1b. Provide the council’s current projected year-end outturn for the total number of agency days for these roles for the full 2025/26 financial year (ending 31 March 2026).

1c. Provide a breakdown of these days (actual and forecast) by job grade or title (e.g., Communications Officer, Senior Communications Officer, Communications Manager).

2. 2026/27 Planned Requirements

2a. Provide the total number of days currently budgeted or forecasted for agency-provided communications staff for the 2026/27 financial year.

2b. Provide a breakdown of this requirement by job grade or title.

2c. Financial Qualifier: Note that I am requesting the currently held financial forecasts and draft budget allocations for 2026/27 as they exist at the time of this request. If these forecasts do not yet segment requirements by specific job title, please provide the department's overall forecasted budget or total "headcount days" for temporary agency workers within the communications function.