news around UNISON campaigns
This tax on banks – not you or I – has the power to raise hundreds of billions every year. It could give a vital boost to the NHS, our schools, and the fight against child poverty in the UK – as well as tackling poverty and climate change around the world.
To view click here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYtNwmXKIvM
or here
The Joint Trade Unions are conscious that members are concerned about what is happening in the Regulatory Services Bundle discussions.
To read the first of a series of Briefings which is aimed at staff working in Planning, Housing & Regeneration (PHR) click here.
I am also enclosing the Future Shape Transact Group report which was referred to at Mondays PHR Future Shape presentation.
To view click here
What is the Transact Group?
The Transact Group was one of the Seven Future Shape Groups which included staff, consultants, other public sector partners, consultants and consultants.
The Regulatory Services Bundle are now at the beginning of the Future Shape process.
The concern of members with regards the current position is the transparency.
Staff asked these questions at a PHR staff meeting on Monday 15th February and were referred back to 6th July Future Shape Cabinet report
http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=8265
I am asking members read the Transact reports and let me know what they think of the Options Assessment contained within the report.
On Wednesday 10th February I attended the first Future Shape Overview & Scrutiny Committee along with other trade union colleagues and staff working in Planning, Housing and Regeneration (PHR).
As I listened to the presentation from the Director of PHR it became apparent that we are speaking in different languages.
http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/meetings/meetingdetail.asp?meetingID=5912
Why do I say that?
Because of the language being used in the meeting. I heard phrases such as Options Appraisals (OA), Options, Business Case (BC) Outline Business Case (OBC) but what do they mean and where do they fit into the process?
This is why the Joint Trade Unions submitted a Draft Corporate Procurement Policy. The Policy would help everyone understand the process.
So, have staff and the trade unions ‘jumped the gun?’
I don’t think so.
When the Director of PHR was pushed by councillors about the other Options he responded……
“Yes, we have looked at other models……Salford Urban Vision, this Joint Venture and more recently a management buyout”
I waited…….and waited……..to hear the words all PHR staff wanted to hear ‘and a new improved in house model linked to joint working with other councils’ but it never happened.
No evidence of any work on an in-house Option for Regulatory Services was produced. If this Option is not viable where is the evidence?
I think it is important to be clear that the in-house model we are asking for would not have been the service as is. It would have been a service looking to the future and it would have certainly looked at developing cross borough working with other regulatory services.
What is staggering about the decisions not to put faith in the workforce to come up with a strong in-house option for the Council is that these are services that are providing excellent services some of the best in the region if not the country. They do provide value for money and they are in the top quartile for performance according to Audit Commission.
So why not ask the staff to work up an Option?
It makes no financial or service delivery sense, unless we are dealing with a political dogma that in-house services are bad. I understood we had dealt with this and that each Bundle or Service was going to be given the chance to compete with all the other Options.
On Monday 15th February all PHR staff attended a Future Shape Briefing and were taken through an updated version of the powerpoint presented to the committee last week.
The key question was where is the work on the ‘what about the in-house option?’
staff were referred back to the work of the Transact Group and the reports which went to Cabinet last July
http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=8265
Dallas Theory?
There again……..perhaps I will emerge from my shower tomorrow and all of the above will never happened, we never invaded Iraq, John Smith is the Prime Minister (Tony Blair was never PM!) there is no recession, we don’t know about MPs expenses and Burnley FC are on the top of the Premiership…………..?
Footnote:
Housing Needs and Resources staff I want to draw your attention to slides 13 & 14
“What is ALMO plus?”
One of our biggest challenges is reaching our schools members. Last term we held a school conference and piloted this approach to contacting members. It was a success and we are doing it again our Conference is on Monday 15th February.
Details in our newsletter click here
This evening and next week a number of local reps have agreed to come in to the Barnet UNISON office to ring our members working in schools.
We still need help so if you can come in for a few minutes to help please let the branch know by ringing 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
In the meanwhile our office is buzzing with “good evening, my name is ………”
Slough’s commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal James Swindlehurst (Lab) said:
“With its primary aim achieved, People 1st becomes an expensive organisation to maintain. Significant savings can be achieved by reducing the number of buildings occupied, and reduce duplication of services.
“The council needs to review how to maximize efficiency, reduce unnecessary overheads and ensure that tenants receive value for money and more investment in front line services.”
http://www.lgcplus.com/news/planning-and-housing/unitary-takes-housing-back-in-house/5010663.article
“Do you work in Housing needs and Resources or Barnet Homes?”
“Are you aware of the following consultation?”
Public Consultation on the Housing strategy 2010 – 2025 (draft)
http://www.barnet.gov.uk/index/council-democracy/consultations/housing-strategy-consultation.htm
Consultation ends 26 February 2010
The Trade Unions are going to submit a response. If you have any comments please send them by Friday 19th February to john.burgess@barnetunison.org.uk
http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/sites/default/files/easyCouncil3FEB.pdf
or you can go online and read comments
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/feb/03/mike-freer-easycouncil-interview
Before Total Place started to grab headlines Future Shape was already looking at efficiencies beyond the council’s budget & workforce. It looked at Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP’s) and whether they could be a tool to deliver greater efficiencies across public services whilst at the same time provide better services to residents. The CIPFA document ‘After the downturn’ http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pt/cipfasolace/download/After_the_Downturn.pdf
see page 8.13 which talks about Total Place as a potential option and in 8.6 poses the question
“Are new powers necessary to enable and or incentivise pooling of resources on a significantly more extensive scale in the public interest.”
The easyCouncil sound bite continues to capture media attention and had provoked a debate about the future of public services. But what does it mean for residents and staff?
If it is not your job it could be your partners, wife, husband, family, friends working in public services.
BUT it doesn’t stop there ……
losing jobs in public services has a knock on effect…………contractors delivering services for public sector will lose work and have to make cuts so more redundancies.
BUT it doesn’t stop there…..
Local businesses will lose business as unemployment soars in their community and people spend less……..
BUT it doesn’t stop there….
Escalating unemployment creates massive uptake in benefits…………..creates pressure on government, who will be taking less taxes and national insurance……less take up of occupational pensions……creating a massive dependency on future governments in pension credits……
BUT it doesn’t stop there ……………
As result of less income from business community, Councils will be forced to increase council tax…or cut more services?
BUT it doesn’t stop there……………..
No money, no jobs, poor prospects will see enormous rise in the number of people reaching mortgage arrears and forced to sell, leading to a demand for housing…….which will lead to an increase in Housing Benefit claims. Who pays for Housing Benefit?…ultimately it is the tax payer. Those lucky enough to work will be asked to pay more as pressure mounts on government to find funding to keep all these people unemployed!
DISCLAIMER
Financial Arrmageddon is based upon the opinions of financial ‘experts’ (and where were they before the global recession hit?) who are pushing the Armageddon scenario for Public Services. They claim the government must claw back £Billions from the Public Sector in order to clear the massive debt built up supporting the global collapse of the financial institutions!
If you want to read what the experts are saying click here http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pt/cipfasolace/download/After_the_Downturn.pdf
What do you think?
Barnet is freezing…..and it looks like there could be some disruption to services of the rest of the week.
Staff should keep an eye on the council web site http://www.barnet.gov.uk/highlights.htm
We are getting lots of calls about getting in to work. Staff should make sure they ring their line manager if they are experiencing problems.
Last September the council agreed in September 2009 an Emergency Civil Emergency Plan which you can download on the council web site here
http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/meetings/meetingdetail.asp?meetingid=5286
or here
Aaaaaarghhhhh…….over the break I had the please of dealing with a private sector organisation as my phone line went dead before Christmas. I am really, really sensitive about customer services now particularly as it is something Future Shape has identified as some thing that needs to be improving.
We are being told we need to compare ourselves with the private sector as they set the new standards……I can’t speak for anyone else but I have not been impressed by customer services for some of the biggest providers in particular, the public utilities that used to be under public ownership but have now been sold off to large multi national companies based outside the UK.
I had to ring a 0845 number with my mobile, which concerned me and I had to make several calls all of which ended up in me hanging u p because I was going mad listening to the background music!
I am sure this is familiar experience for many of you:
Press 1 for ……….
Press 2 for…………….
Press 3 for …………….
Press 4 for…………….
Thank you, in order to help us (?) help you please choose from the following
Press 1 for ……….
Press 2 for …………..
Press 3 for ………………………..
Thank you, we really want to help you, but first can you check you have done the following,
To help us (?) help you please choose from the following
Press 1 for …….
Press 2 for……
Press 3 for……
Or hold and a customer services operator will deal with you shortly……
Next you hear these dreaded words…
“We are experiencing high volume of calls and waiting times could be up to 30 minutes………in the meanwhile…….why not listen to some music while you wait….”
To listen to classical music Press1
To listen to jazz music Press 2
To listen to drum & bass music Press 3
To listen to easy listening music Press 4
I eventually spoke to a real human being after choosing the option I was interested in purchasing their service (a potential new customer).
Two visits from an engineer later I now have my phone back and a promise that I will not be paying for my phone for the next two months. I also took the opportunity to provide feedback on their customer services. I pointed out that all I want is a number to ring. I want someone to pick up the phone and sort my problems out. I added that I don’t want or like pushing option buttons and to be honest I have not met anyone who thinks this is good idea. My question is what customer feedback determined this is what we wanted? I have never been asked if I want this sort of customer service and that is for all services I pay for in the private sector.
I ask this question knowing that this year will see the creation of a Customer Service Organisation see page 99 of the Future Shape Cabinet report
http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=8580
I have been asked by council staff
“Which services or staff will be going into this Organisation?”
I don’t know. I am expecting a meeting to be arranged to discuss sometime soon, but I would guess it could mean all staff who deal directly with customers/residents/citizens for their service. This obviously has implications not just for those staff but also for the service they leave.
Lots and lots of questions which I hope we will be able to work through this year……………….
For those of you interested in this issue here are few links
1. Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/07/steve-bundred-public-service
2. Video’s
http://www.thesystemsthinkingreview.co.uk/index.php?pg=18&backto=1&utwkstoryid=177
Do you need to outsource?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=558zb9ihT1E&feature=related
Downside of outsourcing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJa7ZMs7KSg&feature=related
