Interpreters Cost

1. How much did Cheshire Constabulary spend on face to face interpreters in the financial year 2007-2008? Please also state whether this expenditure includes VAT.
2. What is the minimum payment to the intermediary that supplies face to face interpreters to Cheshire Constabulary during office hours Monday to Friday?
3. What is the minimum payment during unsociable hours/weekends/holidays?
4. How much does cheshire constabulary pay for travel time during office hours?
5. How much is travel time during weekends/holidays?
6. How much did Cheshire Constabulary spend on face to face interpreters before it outsourced the provision to a commercial intermediary?
7. How much was spent on telephone interpreting provided by language line in the financial year 2007-2008?

In accordance with section 1(1) (b) of the Act our response is provided below;

Questions 1 and 7

As previously set out in various email responses to your requests. For the period mentioned the provision of interpreter's was included in a PFI contract between Cheshire Police Authority and GSL for the provision of custody services, there is no separate figure for the cost of interpreter's. (Emails 03/04/2008 & 29/04/2008)

Questions 2, 3, 4 and 5

This information is reasonably accessible to you by other means therefore is exempt under Section 21 of the FOI Act.

Please see our Interpreters and Translators

Response 24th September 2008

• Interpreter / translation services are currently outsourced by the Constabulary to two separate companies. One provides face to face interpreters whilst the other provides a telephone service, the current charges are as follows:
• Face to Face Interpreting
• Between office hours 8 am to 6 pm £68 per hour + £34 per hour travelling time + expenses
• Out of office hours 6 pm to 8 am £88 per hour + £44 per hour travelling time + expenses
• Booking charges will be for a minimum of 3 hours
• British Sign Language Interpreters - £199 + vat per hour (Minimum charge 3 hours ) this includes all travel costs
• Telephone interpreting services are charged at approx 2K per month.

Question 6

The figures shown below are costs for Interpreters from financial years 2000 to 2004/05. We are unable to break down those figures within the cost threshold of FOI as to do so would exceed the appropriate limit. The appropriate limit is defined in the Data Protection and Freedom of Information (Fees and Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004, which is covered by statutory Instrument Number 3244 of 2004. Furthermore, section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows a public authority to refuse to respond to a request for information where the cost of compliance would exceed the appropriate limit as defined by the above mentioned regulations.

• 2004-05 - £70k
• 2003-04 - £52k
• 2002-03 - £29k
• 2001-02 - £31k
• 2000-01 - £28k