North Somerset Lib Dem News
return to headline pageLIB DEMS CONCERNED AT SECRETIVE PROCESS OVER PRIVATISATION OF COUNCIL SERVICES.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM
NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL LIB DEM GROUP
Release: - Immediate
Contact: Cllr Deborah Yamanaka 01934 862109(Home)
LIB DEMS CONCERNED AT SECRETIVE PROCESS OVER PRIVATISATION OF COUNCIL SERVICES.
Liberal Democrat Councillors on North Somerset are concerned at the decision by North Somerset Council’s Executive to proceed with the privatisation of council services without proper consultation with elected members of the Council.
Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Deborah Yamanaka said “The Executive members propose to privatise transport services for schools and adult social services. This whole process has been very secretive. At a no point has any information gone before a scrutiny panel for elected backbench councillors to investigate the decision further.”
Deborah added “On the privatisation of Human Resources, Payroll, Finance and ICT, experience from other parts of the country has not been good. Some Councils which have taken similar decisions have seen jobs move outside their area to other parts of the country. We would like the Executive to ensure that jobs are kept within the district.”
North Somerset Council's ruling Conservative Executive agreed to to start the process of privatisating some Council services including human resources, finance, information technology and transport for schools and adult social services, .
Lib Dem spokesperson for Finance and Resources Cllr Chris Howell said "It is important that staff are consulted on the proposed changes to their employment. At no point have the results of the staff consultation been published by the Executive councillors. There has been inadequate examination of whether internal changes could give a better service while still making the savings needed to balance the books.”
“It is important that the Council retain jobs locally and that the public do not have to put up with a lower standard of service. I call on the Council to work with elected members and the unions to achieve the best results for the residents of North Somerset.”
ENDS