Conservative County Councillors Respond to Union-Commissioned Report
Staffordshire’s Conservative Party County Councillors have reacted to a union-commissioned report about county council plans to protect thousands of jobs and safeguard education support services.
Speaking about a report by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), Ian Parry Cabinet Member for Education, Finance and Transformation said, “We understand union concerns and we appreciate being given the report, which has been put together by a local government funded body with an interest in public sector delivery of services. At first glance, we feel confident that all the issues raised have already been addressed, but we will obviously look at it in more detail before the final decision is made.
“But on the face of it, the report does not seem to raise anything new. We have been working on this project for over a year and since the very beginning have been working to make sure we listen to the views of our employees, schools, residents, unions and staff.
“We have already carried out a strategic options appraisal as the report suggests, which has informed every stage of the project. The findings of this appraisal will be discussed at our public county council cabinet meeting in December.
“In addition, our business case was independently scrutinised by KPMG, and it speaks volumes that two of the biggest companies in the UK, Carillion and Capita, following their own thorough assessment of the business and the proposed model are interested and excited enough to bid.
“This is about safeguarding jobs and protecting services so we can continue to provide the best education for the county’s children and young people now and in the future. We have said all along that this joint venture will be based in Staffordshire, and will bring jobs and prosperity to Staffordshire people.
“We are fully aware of the size and scale of this project, which is why once it comes to fruition; it will have taken the best part of 2 years. The risks of this project have been scrutinised at every step, with the project on the agenda of no less than 5 public council meetings since the announcement in March.
“We will not be pausing this process. We have full confidence in the business case and remain committed to deliver an innovative solution that will ultimately safeguard jobs in Staffordshire in the future. By combining our knowledge and expertise in delivering services to schools with the commercial acumen of the private sector we will be better able to compete in the marketplace and to ensure the very best services for the children, young people and schools of Staffordshire.”