Concern at council outsource plan

Social care could be one of the services to be privatised

A trade union has expressed concern over draft proposals to outsource many services provided by Bath and North East Somerset Council (Banes).

The plan suggests Banes takes a purely strategic role with other functions being provided by private companies.

Chris Howe, regional organiser of the union Unison, said he was concerned that outsourced services would prove more expensive and less accountable.

A Banes spokesman said no proposals had been finalised yet.

The council would fully consult with its staff and the public before it made any changes, he added.

The draft policy document, The Future Council, says: "The future council should be strategic rather than operational - focused on convening and working with its partners to prioritise and commission public services rather than delivering services itself."

Expense worry

Mr Howe said that in other councils that have gone down this route, services that had been privatised included home care, sheltered housing and social services.

"We, as a trade union, want to preserve the whole concept of public service.

"Companies that take over council provisions aren't doing it to provide a service to the public, they are concerned about their balance sheets."

Mr Howe was also worried about the expense of putting council contracts out to tender.

Banes is under no overall political control, but the Conservatives form the largest group on the council.

They have said the authority needs to make 5% efficiency gains in the coming year.