FOI request (FOIR-775106210)

Agency Staffing for Internal and External Communications

Requested Fri 19 December 2025
Responded Tue 13 January 2026

I request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 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:

a. 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.

b. 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).

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

2. 2026/27 Planned Requirements:

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

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

c. 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.

Public Interest and Statutory Compliance: This information is requested to ensure transparency regarding the use of public funds and to assist in confirming the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of council staffing structures. There is a clear and compelling public interest in the disclosure of how local authorities manage their workforce budgets and their reliance on third-party agencies.

Requirement for Third-Party Data If this information is held on your behalf by a third-party recruitment partner or Managed Service Provider (MSP), please note that under Section 3(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, this information is deemed to be held by the public authority. I respectfully request you immediately retrieve this data from your provider to fulfil this request without delay.

Format of Response: Provide this data in a machine-readable format, specifically a Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) or CSV file. Please include separate columns for: 'Role Title', 'Actual Days (YTD)', 'Forecasted Outturn (25/26)', and 'Planned Requirement (26/27)'.

Cost of Compliance: If you estimate the cost of compliance will exceed the statutory limit, please prioritise the data for Section 1 (2025/26). Under Section 16, please advise how I might refine the remainder of the request to bring it within the limit.

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Response

Hastings Borough Council has not used or intending to use agency staff for internal and external communications.