Norfolk Council spent £129k on home working equipment since 2022

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 06:05 · Archive

Norfolk County Council has spent £128,944 on desks, chairs and other equipment since 2022/23 to support home working staff and councillors. The spending was disclosed as Reform leaders, now controlling the council, scrutinise its work-from-home culture. Officials admitted they did not know how many staff regularly worked remotely before the review was ordered in July.

The council defends the expenditure, saying flexible working allows it to make 'significant savings' on office space and running costs. A spokesman said: 'We provide staff with the equipment they need to do their job, whether they are working from an office or from home. The relatively modest cost of that equipment is far outweighed by the significant savings that flexible working allows us to make on office space and running costs.' The authority says it routinely reuses and recycles equipment and has reduced its office footprint by renting out three of County Hall's ten floors.

The highest annual cost came in 2024/25, when the council spent £43,378.50. More than half was spent on 155 high-back operator chairs with adjustable arms, which have been the biggest expense during the five-year period at £74,711.58 total. So far this year, the council has spent £13,150 on equipment.

How it is being reported

• Council spends £129k on staff equipment while review of home working policy continuesNorfolk County Council has spent nearly £130,000 kitting out staff and councillors so they can work from home, it has emerged.Eastern Daily Press · 14 Oct, 05:00
• Council spends £129k on staff equipment while review of home working policy continuesNorfolk County Council has spent nearly £130,000 kitting out staff and councillors so they can work from home, it has emerged.Norwich Evening News · 14 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Norfolk County Council · Reform · Norfolk

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