Author: admin

For the last 7 days I have been trying to get to the bottom of the sudden change in direction for the DRS One Barnet project. Everyone working across DRS should have seen the council committee discussion, if not I suggest you take a look here.  As you can see in the exchange in emails with the Deputy Leader here it is patently obvious the service delivery model for DRS will be a Joint Venture. UNISON has provided two briefings on Joint Ventures for councillors which you can view online here and here.  

“A disaster and a waste of money, Southwest One was the firm set up five years ago in conjunction with computer giant IBM, but there has been a bitter & expensive falling out, the company has just begun legal action against the council..”(BBC news 18 September 2012. To view click here)

This Joint Venture was raised by Conservative MP Ian Liddell Grainger speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday 18 September 2012 (you can read the Hansard transcript here scroll down to 3.6 pm.

“It gives me no pleasure to rise to talk about a failed procurement project that has cost every citizen in Somerset a great deal of wasted money and time. Southwest One is a joint venture between Somerset county council, Taunton Deane council, Avon and Somerset police and IBM—one of the world’s biggest IT firms. It is a classic example of how not to do public procurement.”

He finished off by saying:

“This is a national, not a local, scandal. The district auditor gave Southwest One glowing reports. The Audit Commission whitewashed the lot. There is now overwhelming evidence to prove that the auditors were grossly negligent. Southwest One should be—must be—examined properly by the National Audit Office..” 

There has been one meeting with management so far with another scheduled for Tuesday 2 October. We are encouraging feedback from our members and will continue to update as and when information is provided.

To view the report click here

Dear Councillors

Please find enclosed Briefing Number 8 entitled ‘How Joint Ventures Work’ (to view click here)

Please note the 5 questions at the end of the briefing which I have submitted to the senior officers for a response.

I would like to leave you with the words of Conservative MP Ian Liddell Grainger speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday 18 September 2012 (you can read the Hansard transcript here scroll down to 3.6 pm

“It gives me no pleasure to rise to talk about a failed procurement project that has cost every citizen in Somerset a great deal of wasted money and time. Southwest One is a joint venture between Somerset county council, Taunton Deane council, Avon and Somerset police and IBM—one of the world’s biggest IT firms. It is a classic example of how not to do public procurement.”

As ever if there is a point of clarification or concern please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes

John Burgess

Branch Secretary.

Barnet UNISON

Couincil Committee Cabinet Resources

Hendon Town Hall

The Burroughs

NW4

Starts 7pm

The sequel of the “Tale of Two Barnets”

Starts 6pm

Showing 6.30pm

Phoenix Cinema

Over the last four weeks there has been concern about what is going on with the DRS One Barnet project. Senior officers are openly recommending a Joint Venture and councillors are clearly not.

Below is the latest email response to a series of emails sent to the Leader of Barnet Council on this important matter.

To view the full email trail click here 

 

 

Dear John,

This seeking of information by ‘megaphone’ and copying-in of many members is quite unnecessary especially when you have regular meetings with officers and officers have updated staff at key milestones.

Regarding this request, have you pursued the proper and first port of call of i.e. sought clarification from the relevant officers and is my intervention really needed? If so, please e-mail me the times of those requests directly, I’m aware some colleagues do not wish to be included in this correspondence. If you have not received a clear response and have allowed a reasonable time for a response then I will intervene.

My previous reply regarding the status of joint venture discussions was clear and I have nothing to add to it.

Regarding wider discussion, the scrutiny meeting last week dealt with a member’s item regarding joint ventures in the manner it deemed appropriate and the position was again outlined. It was for the members present to decide what questions to ask.

Additionally, there will be scrutiny of the proposal and I have also asked for group briefings so that members are fully informed.

Kind regards,

Cllr Daniel Thomas

Finchley Church End Ward

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance

London Borough of Barnet

Dear Councillors

 

Please find enclosed Briefing Number 7 entitled “One Barnet contract monitoring or thin client which is it to be?” (To view click here)

 

Whether the Council is considering a Strategic Outsourcing or a Joint Venture, it still needs to have in place a robust means of not only monitoring the contracts but being able to ensure compliance.

 

To view a more detailed briefing please click here.

 

I hope you will take time to read our briefings, furthermore if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Best wishes

John Burgess

Branch Secretary.

Barnet UNISON

To view current policy click here

To view report click here