North Somerset Lib Dem News
return to headline pagePress Release - Lib Dems call in privatisation of council services for scrutiny
PRESS RELEASE
FROM
NORTH SOMERSET COUNCIL LIB DEM GROUP
Release: - Immediate
Contact: Cllr Deborah Yamanaka 01934 862109(Home)
LIB DEMS CALL IN PRIVATISATION OF COUNCIL SERVICES FOR SCRUTINY.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Howell along with Independent Councillor David Shopland has called in the decision by North Somerset Council’s Executive to proceed with the privatisation of council services. The call in will be dealt with by the Finance and Performance policy panel on Thursday 2nd July at 4.30pm.
North Somerset Council's ruling Conservative Executive agreed to start the process of privatisation of some Council services including human resources, finance, information technology and transport for schools and adult social services.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Finance Cllr Chris Howell said “I called in the Executive members’ decision to privatise transport services for schools and adult social services because the whole process has been very secretive. At a no point has any information gone before a scrutiny panel for backbench councillors to investigate the decision further. I also decided to call in the decision on privatising the other services to ensure that the Council is able to give a better service while still making the savings we need. Other Councils have privatised services and been disappointed by the results, so it is important to look at this very carefully.”
Lib Dem Leader Cllr Deborah Yamanaka 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 also been inadequate examination of whether in fact we could get a better service at a lower cost by making internal changes instead of going to outside companies.”
“What matters is that the public should not have to put up with a lower standard of service and that local jobs are not lost. The call in will ensure that the Council and the unions are able to work together to achieve the best results for the residents of North Somerset.”
ENDS