Thomas Bridge 12 January 2015

Council backs new joint venture company despite privatisation fears

A Cheshire council’s decision to back a new joint venture company has been blasted as ‘wrong in every respect’ by opposition councillors.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s executive gave unanimous support to plans that will see a new company delivering customer and integrated workplace management services at the town hall.

A partnership with UK business Cofely will involve the transfer of 304 local authority employees to the new company. Cofely has pledged to keep the council’s contact centre in Cheshire West and Chester, alongside making £3.1m investments in IT.

In line with the council’s four other joint ventures, the move is expected to cut costs, improve services and potentially deliver profits.

However opposition Labour leader Cllr Samantha Dixon warned the reputational risk of the move would be ‘entirely’ the council’s, despite the town hall only holding 49% of the new company.

Labour councillor Mark Henesy also branded the decision to ‘privatise’ the front face of the council as ‘wrong in every respect’.

Yet Cllr Eveleigh Moore Dutton, executive member for resources refuted claims that the move was ‘total privatisation’, adding that the town hall was meeting its priorities to ‘modernise’, ‘improve’ and ‘save as efficiently as possible’.

Cllr Lynn Riley, executive member for localities, said: ‘We have been careful to approach this in a prudent and considered way. Learning lessons from joint ventures elsewhere, this joint venture company will develop and grow in a phased way based on track record and improved performance.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Virtual School Inclusion Support Officer

Essex County Council
£32768.0000 - £38550.0000 per annum
Virtual School Inclusion Support OfficerPermanent, Term Time£32,768 to £38,550 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Business Development Officer

Essex County Council
£36341.0000 - £42754.0000 per annum
Senior Business Development Officer - Integrated Passenger Transport UnitFixed Term, Full Time£36,341 to £42,754 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interview dates
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Investment Marketing and Web Officer CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
The postholder should be experienced in planning social media activity, refreshing web content and analysing their impact. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner