Shropshire Council backs plans to change services

Shropshire Council backs plans to change services Shropshire Council has approved plans to produce a private company to run some services in a bid to make them more efficient and generate a profit. The services involved control a combined budget of £36m, which would make the council-owned company one of the biggest employers in the county. "Like all things the ones who start first will be in a better position to derive a benefit from it. Other services could also follow in 2013. "I'm told we've got 20 percent capacity [in IT, personnel and finance], which we can now sell across different sectors and start making a profit. Council services such as catering, cleaning, facilities management, printing, finance, personnel, legal and IT are all expected to be affected. He added that the plan, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, followed recent changes to legislation which allowed local authorities to make a profit. He added that any profit would be returned to the council, to spend on other services or projects, and would help to secure jobs. The first staff are due to transfer to the holding company Inspiring Partnerships and Enterprise (IPlittle effect" on staff or their terms of employment, including pensions. The plans mean that the services could use extra capacity in staffing and staff time to bid for contracts from other public or private organisations. A 90-day consultation is due to be held with staff and unions. After a full business case is put together the plans are due to be scrutinised by a cross-party group, before they return to cabinet. Mr Barrow said Shropshire would be well-placed to sell services to councils across the country, to police forces, fire services and other public bodies. Telford and Wrekin Council is fined more than £70,000 by the Information Commissioner's Office for revealing information about vulnerable children. Shropshire Council backs plans to change services Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 07/06/2012