There are currently Seven Future Shape working groups looking at how public services could be configured in the future. Whatever the outcome of these meetings it is going to mean change. In the case of Future Shape it could mean significant change for you as staff.

It is no secret that a number of models of service provision are being looked at and ultimately costed.

This should be no surprise to public sector workers. In the 80’s and 90’s we had contracting out of public services under Thatcher & Major. The colour of the government changed but under Blair & Brown (New Labour) we have seen an increase in privatisation of public services. The difference with New Labour is that instead of the using ‘privatisation’ they used ‘outsourcing’ and introduced the friendly cuddly third sector i.e. voluntary bodies and charities. In Barnet we have seen a disastrous model of privatisation using the ‘third sector’. Our older people homes and day services were taken over by Fremantle & Catalyst. Not content with decimating our members’ terms & conditions they have only provided 3 out of the 5 brand new homes they were supposed to provide. To top it off they are in Arbitration over a claim against the Council for £8.672 million!

We expect the Groups will be looking at

•  Privatisation
• Joint Ventures
• Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs)
• Social Enterprises
• In house services

For each service they will look at the above models and see if there is a business case. The Trade Union concerns are how these business cases are costed. This is not rocket science. The biggest cost to all Services are staff costs i.e. your terms & conditions. It is now widely acknowledged that the privatisation has meant a deterioration in terms & conditions and pensions for staff.

We are literally two months away and we have not been able to discuss these issues. We are concerned that if any business cases are presented to Cabinet on 8 June or any other Future Cabinet that they have to include TUPE Plus and Secondment costings.

TUPE does not protect the workforce after transfer which is why we submitted our employment charter to the Council in September last year. 

Make sure you make time to come along to the public  

Lobby of Barnet

Council Cabinet Committee on

8 June 2009

 

You are probably aware that the Council is consulting on Future Shape. It is looking at a ‘new relationship between the council and its residents:’ (for reference click on this link http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/9524940 go to p.g 81 for full article).

Two quotes which stand out

“For Barnet, the real prize is in re-shaping public services across the borough, which is why we are looking at ambitious proposals for the future shape of the council itself.”

This is no ordinary consultation, this is about ALL public services (including NHS, Middlesex University, Barnet College, Police) in Barnet. Before the recession, public sector spending has always been subject of scrutiny and debate. Central government and local government arguing over whether sufficient funding has been allocated.  

The recession is here and whilst we wait to see if the G20 come up with any solutions…public services still need providing.  

One of the obvious savings would be to create a Barnet Public Services organisation which would make efficiencies of scale and may improve Barnet residents experiences of public services.  

 “There have been many voices encouraging us to jump to conclusions too fast over the last six months, which would result in either poorly thought through recommendations or insufficiently radical thinking.” 

This second quote is sober reminder not to rush into big decisions which could have serious ramifications for public services in Barnet. The Trade Unions concerns are that the current proposals need much more time if the Council & their partners want to avoid ‘poorly thought through recommendations..’ 

But what do residents think?

The Trade Unions with the critical support of Professor Dexter Whitfield will be tabling a report for the Future Shape Cabinet Committee on 8 June. Our members want to deliver better services to residents. If this consultation leads to real improvements for residents then it will have been a worthwhile exercise. We believe residents need to be given an opportunity to give their ideas/opinions for such radical proposals.  

If you have ideas on how public services across Barnet could be improved please email the Barnet UNISON branch at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Come along to a ‘Good News’ in house story!

Monday 20 April 12 – 2 pm – Training room 6, Building 2

The story shows you can improve public services without going to the private sector. One of the authors Hilary Wainwright will be here to sign copies of the book £7.99 which we will sell to members for a discounted rate. Hilary will be accompanied by Professor Dexter Whitfield who played a key role working with the Newcastle UNISON branch and the Council to secure a successful in house tender for the back office services.

You can read a short report on Newcastle online here

http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/sites/default/files/The%20Newcastle%20Story.pdf

Dexter has just finished work with Bury UNISON in partnership with conservative controlled Bury (4 Star) Council to look at possible Options for their Support Services. Having looked at the Options; Bury Council has decided to look to an improved/efficient in house service to continue to deliver services.  

Hilary & Dexter will be available for questions in

Monday 20th April in Training Room 6 Building 2 between 12 – 2 pm

Do you work for the Council?

Barnet Future Shape Transact Group will be looking at all Council services. Each service will be looked to ascertain whether it is a *Core or Non Core Service. It doesn’t matter if you are a Statutory Service, all services will be examined.  

• Why do we provide the service?
• Can someone else provide the service?
• Is there a market for providing the service?
• Is there opportunity for a ‘Quick win?’
• Is there a need for further investigation?

Each service will have to go through the 9 Future Shape Tests

·         Cost significantly less.

·         Take a different view of need, based on engaging with our population as citizens rather than customers of specific services.

·         Are strategic and integrated, ensuring that resources are targetted to achieve priority outcomes.

·         Facilitate greater self-help and service co-creation amongst members of our community.

·         Are based on a clear contract between the citizens and services.

·         Inspire behavioural change amongst our residents and businesses

·         Can be accessed on the basis of citizen life challenges.

·         Help citizens to achieve better outcomes in their lives

·         Are democratically accountable

This Group is tasked with looking across the whole council which is clearly a mammoth task.

The Group began the work on 24^th March. It is due to finish 20^th April

You can view the Agenda and minutes of all the Group meetings here

http://barnet.headshift.com/display/PROJECTS/Home

You will need your Login details.

We know that lots of our members do not have Login details or have forgotten them. We will try and update our website with the details so members can view the information without the need of a Login. We have asked for hard copies of this information to be provided to staff.

Members please note that this Group will be making recommendations to the Future Shape Cabinet Committee on 8 June 2009.

* We are waiting for a definition of what Core means.

Do you work in the following services?

• Finance
• ICT
• HR
• Procurement
• Communications, design and print
• Performance monitoring
• Facilities management
• Audit
• Legal
• Democratic Services (support elements)
• Fleet Management
• Catering
• Traded services for schools.

These services being looked at in the Future Shape Support Group.

 Each service will have to go through the 9 Future Shape Tests

·         Cost significantly less.

·         Take a different view of need, based on engaging with our population as citizens rather than customers of specific services.

·         Are strategic and integrated, ensuring that resources are targetted to achieve priority outcomes.

·         Facilitate greater self-help and service co-creation amongst members of our community.

·         Are based on a clear contract between the citizens and services.

·         Inspire behavioural change amongst our residents and businesses

·         Can be accessed on the basis of citizen life challenges.

·         Help citizens to achieve better outcomes in their lives

·         Are democratically accountable

This Group began 19 March and is due to finish on 17 April.

You can view the Agenda and minutes of all the Group meetings here

http://barnet.headshift.com/display/PROJECTS/Home

You will need your Login details.

We know that lots of our members do not have Login details or have forgotten them. We will try and update our website with the details so members can view the information without the need of a Login. We have asked for hard copies of this information to be provided to staff.

Members please note that this Group will be making recommendations to the

 

 

Future Shape Cabinet Committee on 8 June 2009.

To view official Press release click on link

 

We are currently busy sending out questionnaires to all our members on Future Shape. We have provided a Pre-paid envelope. Please take some time to complete and return.

You can view questionnaire here online

http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/sites/default/files/Future_Shape_Consultation_pack.pdf

“For Barnet, the real prize is in re-shaping public services across the borough, which is why we are looking at ambitious proposals for the future shape of the council itself.”

“There have been many voices encouraging us to jump to conclusions too fast over the last six months, which would result in either poorly thought through recommendations or insufficiently radical thinking.”

For those of you not wanting to read the whole document scroll down to page 81 to 87 for details on Barnet

http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/9524940

Many of our members watched the ITV West documentary made last year about the IBM take over of Public Services in Somerset. We have just had this link sent to us about IBM

“IBM likely to fire 5,000 US workers; India to benefit”

To view full story click on the link

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123799610031239341-lMyQjAxMDI5MzI3NjkyOTY2Wj.html