Chief Ministers booklet (FOI)

Request

I have heard that Chief Minister John le Fondre is using his time in office and the support of the civil servants to write a book.

I would like details of any staff time that has been used by him to write the book, and details of any other costs of production. This includes supporting time from communications officers for writing, editing, layout, production and any requests made by the Chief Minister or his direct staff for them to help him.

I want to know about any other costs or requests for costs that have been made by the Chief Minister and turned down including the production or editing of pictures, web sites, social media or interviews that have been done in the time paid for by the tax payer or in the new offices that the tax payer is funding.

Response

The Chief Minister is not writing a book but has instructed officials to create a booklet that can be used as an official gift when meeting dignitaries and other external visitors both on and off-Island.

It is estimated that staff from the Chief Minister’s Private Office and the Communications Directorate have in total spent 70 hours assisting with the project.

The tangible costs of this project are £720 spent on purchasing the rights to seven professional photos, not available in the public domain, and £1,073 spent on printing the first 100 copies of the booklet for distribution.

No other costs have been requested or turned down.