Is the Council recommending a Joint Venture or a Strategic Partnership for DRS ?

Dear Richard

As you know I attended the Special Meeting, Budget and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee where I listened in amazement to the discussion as to whether a JV had been recommended. I could not believe what I hearing when the Chair asked if any of the councillors had seen the emails and no one admitted they had. 

I am enclosing the emails attachments.

For some reason the councillors at the Special Meeting, Budget and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee seem unaware of a series of events which has brought the issue of a Joint Venture to the attention of councillors, staff and residents. For the sake of transparency and equally important scrutiny I want to refer you back to August 2012 where a number of communications were issued:

 

1. “As a result we have decided to form a Joint Venture organisation with the successful bidder, which provides an effective basis on which the Council can benefit from these opportunities and at the same time it gives the Council greater rights of transparency and control.” 

(Email communication sent to all staff in DRS 17 August 2012)

 

 

2. Barnet Press: “However, Daniel Thomas, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, said that a joint venture had always been an option for the officers and would give the council more control over the DRS.

 

He pointed out that Barnet would be the first council to outsource its regulatory services and officers needed to be cautious. “We are talking about creating a new model for outsourcing,” he said.

 

It doesn’t surprise me that the first vendor for this service would be a shared organisation. It gives the council more control.”

 

(Barnet Press 23 August 2012 http://www.barnet-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=29165&searchword=thomas)

 

 

3. “DRS Joint Venture proposal – Staff Update

 

Following my DRS fortnightly email last week I have set out further details on the joint venture below:-

 

What is the decision making process around the joint venture?

 

The joint venture has been an option considered by the project Board over the last 2 years and has featured in the options appraisal and business case.  Although initially our preference was for a Strategic Partnership, the JV has developed as a progressively more attractive option following detailed discussions with bidders.  As a result the project Board recommended to Corporate Directors Group that this be formally advanced in discussions with bidders and indeed is currently our preferred option.  

(Email communication sent to all DRS staff 24 August 2012)

 

4. On 23 August, I attended a meeting with the DRS senior management. I specifically asked if the reports were true about the recommendation for a Joint Venture option. I was very clearly told the Council was recommending a Joint Venture model for service delivery.

 

At the Budget Overview & Scrutiny Committee 19 September 2012, Agenda Item 8 it was made very clear to all councillors that there was no recommendation for a Joint Venture. I was there and have reviewed the video footage very carefully, which is available to view here http://youtu.be/JZRJIIwjfd0

 

I left that meeting absolutely clear the Joint Venture issue was not being recommended and so informed my members of this decision.

 

Yesterday (20 September 2012) your staff were being informed by senior officers that the JV option is still on. Furthermore the IMPOWER consultant confirmed that the Bidders have been told that their detailed solution must include a JV approach.

 

I now have no idea as to who or what to believe. I would welcome confirmation as to what option is being recommended to the Bidders.

 

Best wishes

John Burgess

Branch Secretary.

Barnet UNISON