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

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner