FOI request (FOI-99419535)

I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000/Environmental Information Regulations.

Would you please tell me how many in-house ecological experts are currently employed by the council either on a full-time or part-time basis? Please can you define 'ecological expert' as someone who is a chartered ecologist.

As a second part of this request can you please tell me how many ecological experts have been employed in-house by the council over the past five years starting from 1 January 2013 to the present day. Where possible please break this down on an annual basis.