Shared services debate continues
at Rushcliffe
At the full meeting of Rushcliffe Borough Council on 18 December 2008, Councillor Rod Jones (Liberal Democrat, Musters Ward), asked the following formal written question:
"How much public money has been spent on the Shared Services Project between its inception and the present time?" "
The reply was that £302,000 had been spent.
Councillor Jones then proposed (and Councillor Karrar Khan - also Liberal Democrat, Musters Ward - seconded) the following motion for debate:
"The Council recognises that the search for short term savings with one private contractor turned out to be unduly risky for staff, services and local democratic control.
The Council resolves to recommend to Cabinet:
(1) that the focus be on running our own services in the most effective and efficient manner with civic pride; and
(2) where there are economies of scale, to run services jointly with, or on behalf of, other publicly accountable authorities."
There was a long debate in which the pros and cons of outsourcing council services to private-sector contractors were fully aired. Opposition (i.e. non-Conservative) councillors were vehement that public is best when it comes to the provision and protection of the best-quality services to the public, especially of core council services such as tax collection and benefit payments.
The Conservative majority voted to defeat the motion. However, the debate on shared services continues. Following the rejection of Liberata at a late stage because of its inability to meet all the conditions of the "best and final offer", a dialogue with the reserve tenderer, Capita, has been re-opened. It is intended that an updated report will be made to the Cabinet meeting on 13 January 2009.
The unique feature of the Rushcliffe Shared Services project has been the proposal to enlist a private contractor to provide services on behalf of two councils (Rushcliffe and Charnwood Borough Councils). The aim of this motion was to encourage partnerships between councils but to do so within the context of keeping staff and resources within the public sector.
