West Midlands council bills for websites revealed

Vast differences between the costs of council websites in the West Midlands can be revealed today.

Some authorities are pressing ahead with re-designs despite shedding jobs.

Developing the websites in the first place has cost more than £500,000 in all.

The annual cost of maintenance and licences varies between different local authorities, but comes to £105,840 in total.

Sandwell Council has spent £33,600 so far on a new website since April.

Wolverhampton City Council spent £235,000 on a website it developed in 2001, while Dudley spent £99,182 in 2005 and revealed annual costs of up to £20,000.

Cannock Chase District Council is spending £11,600 a year including maintenance and administration.

South Staffordshire has a £6,300-a-year bill for maintaining its website. Stafford Borough Council spends £4,675 a year updating a website.

Staffordshire County Council spends £12,000 a year on websites that cost £30,000 to set up in 2005.