Response 3557521

Response to request for information

Reference

3557521

Response date

23 September 2024

Request

1. How many employees are part of your legal team?
2. Do you use external sources for legal advice and if so, what is the average monthly spend on external resources?
3. Do you use a legal research platform and if so, how much do you spend per month on this platform?
4. Who is responsible for the legal costs associated with the above questions?

Response

1. How many employees are part of your legal team? Three
2. Do you use external sources for legal advice and if so, what is the average monthly spend on external resources?

   Yes, if required. Average monthly spend in 2024/25 to date is £41.00.

3. Do you use a legal research platform and if so, how much do you spend per month on this platform?

   Yes we use Westlaw UK (Thomson Reuters). This is one annual payment of £19,814.88 for 2024/25.

4. Who is responsible for the legal costs associated with the above questions?

   The Council is responsible for such expenditure unless the costs are being paid for by a third party, such as developers in the case of planning agreements to secure contributions to support developments.