Laura Sharman 12 April 2016

School closures highlight danger of outsourcing warns union

Councils should stop subcontracting out routine work on housing and properties and ensure work is being done by in-house staff, said a trade union following the closure of ‘unsafe’ schools in Edinburgh.

The City of Edinburgh Council has been forced to close 17 schools after the body responsible for managing them was unable to guarantee they were safe to use.

Unite Scotland said the situation raises ‘serious concerns’ over the standard of work being carried out under public private partnerships (PPP) and private finance initiative (PFI) projects.

Mary Alexander, Unite deputy Scottish secretary, said: ‘For years trade unions have highlighted the financial burden caused by PPP/PFI and the potential for cost-cutting measures by contractors as they try to skim-off as much cream as possible from the taxpayer.’

Ms Alexander added: ‘For some period of time our representatives at the City of Edinburgh Council have been raising concerns about the running of Edinburgh Building Services. We believe that in-house staff should be carrying out all routine works in both housing and non-housing council property. Instead, we find that the council is spending millions every year in subcontracting out routine work.’

The union is calling for a national review of PPPs and PFIs to ensure contractors are not using cost-cutting materials and compromising health and safety.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

North Northamptonshire Council
£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Capital Delivery Manager

South Wales Trunk Road Agent
£50,788 - £52,805
To be responsible for the implementation of Welsh Government’s Renewal and Upgrade programme. Baglan, Port Talbot
Recuriter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Engineer x 2

Hounslow London Borough Council
£47,532 –£55,620 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI ChelmsfordFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 Per Annum, Full Time EquivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of SEN Assessment & Resolution

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£77136 - £88230 per annum
Shape a fairer future for children with special educational needs.As Head of SEN Assessment and Resolution at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chel England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner