Indeed.ErnstRemarx wrote:They're a Tory council. That's the choice they have made. It has rather more to do with their ideology than the finances. Here in Bury we've suffered a far worse hit - our services are council run and remaining that way. Tory councils will see this as the chance to effectively disband themselves, unconscious to the idea that that will suit fat Eric very well as he takes over their remaining functions. Rule from London - the Tories wet dream for local democracy and accountability.Tubby Isaacs wrote:This is presumably OK with Pickles too.
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Budget cuts of £148 million will result in Northamptonshire County Council ‘outsourcing’ 95 per cent of staff
Always, always remember. Tory councils will stuff their staff and the public because that's their philosophy. Save £2 on council tax for next year, even if it means constantly rising and uncontrollable council tax for every year after that. It's the Tory way.
I think they'll have to row back on this considerably. The planning department can't really be outsourced. Will councillors want the officers doing stuff for them outsourced? Doubt it. There's already precedent four outsourcing the "LEA" (Labour-run Hackney did it) but not something usually done if it's not performing very badly.
Barnet have got in a right mess with their trailblazing privatisation. Outsourced legal advice, without keeping any lawyers in house. Hence nobody in the council could make a judgement on the legal advice.