UNIONS representing Town Hall workers at Warrington have accused the borough council of having a “hidden agenda” to outsource adult provider services.
They claim the council is embarking on a “so-called” investigation into setting up a social enterprise company to deliver adult provider services to some of the most vulnerable residents of the town.
UNISON spokesman Jason Horan said: “Management will be contacting staff in the near future to sell the idea
of a social enterprise and want the support of the Trade Unions.
“We will not be supporting any proposal that will see the mass outsourcing of local authority services.
“Council officers are being far from truthful with staff. The Trade Unions are fully aware of budget proposals that include the outsourcing of day centres, such detail being excluded from information shared with the general public.”
Mr Horan said the council had secured government funding to develop a business case for a social enterprise which would be an independent organisation.
He said: “This would be nothing more than a private sector run company – not the local authority.”
He said the Government had no appetite for local authority run services, which was proven by continuous cuts to funding being delivered by a Labour party running the council.
“Perhaps the funds issued by government to develop business cases to outsource services should be put back in to local councils to keep the services run by local authorities.
“One of Labour’s pledges is to protect the most vulnerable. Let me make it clear that these proposals to outsource day services to a social enterprise will not protect the most vulnerable.
“It’s about time that Labour councillors stood up and fought against the Conservative policy of abolishing local council services. There are other ways to save money that are not being considered and outsourcing is not one of them.”
There was also opposition to the proposals from the GMB union.
Spokesman Bob Pinnock said: “Outsourcing doesn’t save money. Once the services are gone they will never be brought back in house. You will end up with a social enterprise that will only be interested in putting profits before clients’ care.”
Steve Reddy, assistant director of adult social care at Warrington Borough Council said: “The council is looking into the possibility of a creating a not for profit co-operative to run some of its neighbourhood and community services. These investigations are about looking at alternative ways of delivering the same high quality care in a way that is sustainable given the increasingly challenging financial picture. In other areas these types of staff mutuals have demonstrated they are able to increase their available resources by tendering for additional business and applying for specific funding not available to local authorities.
“Staff, carers and users of our services alike will have an opportunity to shape the new organisation if plans go forward however there are still further investigations to be done and no formal decisions have yet been made.”
8 Comments
If decisions have not already been made why is it that £450,000 is already included in savings proposals, highlighted as development of a social enterprise in the councils executive board report on the budget, which is to be ratified shortly?????? If this proposal is not moved forward how else will this amount of money be saved?
Outsourcing is a short term saving, a reduction in standards and services and a long term increase in cost. That’s one of the reasons we are in such a mess. I wonder how many consultants are being used for this?
Surely the definition of a “social enterprise” is a not for profit organisation, therefore they are not going to put profit before the care of clients….in fact with a social enterprise they may be better at reacting to individual needs than a large council service. This social responsibility model is certainly something that has worked well in North America and WBC should be congratulated for taking such this approach.
Typical scaremongering nonsense and a complete lack of basic fundamentals about finance, from unison
Did you spout the same rubbish when the recent Social and Leisure trusts were formed? How do you feel about them now they have happened?
You really must get your head out of the 1970’s and realise that things have to change. This is a LOOK to see if this is social enterprise has a viable business case and one way or another, the savings have to be made
Just shouting militant claptrap without actually knowing the facts just goes to show your capacity for evolving wioth modern times
Ask Unison how much it’s costing for their office and facilities agreement.If they want to save money for the town perhaps they should sacrifice these arrangements they don’t spout about to the press
Nothing from America should be followed. Outsourcing will provide a very short term saving for the Council but will very definitely give a reduction in standards and could increase costs long term. I agree that it is time that local Councillors stood up to the Coalition Government. They know that WBC is run by Labour and therefore give a proportionally higher reduction in grant aid to ensure that this kind of discussion and decision takes place. We don’t need to look at the recently set up Leisure Trust as guidance. Have you been to any of our Leisure facilites lately where standards are abysmal and costs have increased!
Please understand that this decision has already been made in the Budget Process and no amount of criticism will change that.
I have been a member at Broomfieldsa GYm since it was in the council and havent seen an increase in any costs or a redcuction of standards.
As somebody else states wake up Unison, take a look at the bigger picture and what other councils elsewhere are doing, the only route is cut, cut, cut until nothing is left. Surely whoever decided to explore these options are looking to secure jobs for staff who have no doubt already experienced cuts and looking at continuing to provide high quality services ;delivered by highly trained staff; with more scope for development and more personalised care provision.
Unison have you bothered to speak to any of the staff you represent? Or are you more concerned about your own futures in this? Maybe they could save money getting rid of trouble shooters like yourselves as suggested, as it appears there is less consultation with staff from yourselves than there is from WBC.