Warwickshire PLC? No thank you, say Labour councillors

Councillors voted on December 13 to support a three-year “transformation” plan, which will review all the authority’s functions over the next three years.

Among recommendations are an assumption that current services do not provide the best possible value, developing the capacity to commission services, engaging with ‘providers’ to develop “innovative, effective and good value solutions” and decommissioning services “where necessary”.

Labour councillors warned that becoming a “business-led commissioning body” would leave elected members with no voice and no role.

Labour group leader Cllr June Tandy (Nuneaton Wem Brook) poured scorn on suggestions about ‘narrowing the gap’, citing figures from the Warwickshire Observatory.

She added: “There is no narrowing the gap. The gap is getting wider.

“We’ve received assurances that this isn’t selling off services to the private sector but when I hear members of the administration calling us Warwickshire PLC it worries me a little.”

Cllr Barry Longdon (Lab, Arbury and Stockingford) was dismayed at talk of a ‘corporate board’ of directors.

He said: “We’re going to have one meeting a year to determine who the contractor is going to be and that will be it.

“Member involvement is being diminished every day. We’re being sidelined.”

Council leader Cllr Alan Farnell (Con, Nuneaton Weddington) said he made no apology for using the phrase Warwickshire PLC, adding many services would have gone bust if they had been run as private businesses.

But he pledged to involve members in scrutinising decisions and making business cases.

He said: “We have to push for quality and cost-effectiveness in every single service. If it can be provided better by another organisation, so be it.”

Cllr Colin Hayfield (Con, Arley) said he looked at ‘Warwickshire PLC’ differently, citing the heritage service marketing its services.

He added: “It’s how we try to maximise the income we have for the services we provide.”