Page 12 - link magazine

12 swindonlink.com • June 2011
How accountable should council

related services be?
Swindon Council is currently consulting on a report about bringing it closer
to the community and making it more transparent and accountable. In
the first of two articles Des Morgan picks it apart.
FREE Box Of all the words contained in the voluntary or private sector at less
on your Council report ‘Stronger Together cost, that is the way it should be
first order An Organisational Commitment done. We all know that price is not
to One Swindon,’ 18 should cause the only important consideration
every resident, taxpayer and voter when buying a product or service.
to shudder. It says the reduction The belief that public is good,
in the council’s finances “makes it private is bad must be challenged.
impossible to sustain the same level We assume the council will
and variety of services we currently obtain value for money, a wholly
offer to Swindon residents.” justified expectation founded on
This is the precursor to an initia- the belief that council officers are
tive making fundamental changes professionals. However, many
to the way services will be provided services are provided against tender
and the structure of the council, specifications, or on a partnership
issues affecting everybody. basis, often less flexible to change
Traditional perception of council than directly provided services.
functions centre on collection of Loss of flexibility is a key factor
waste, roads maintenance, educa- in the decision process and when
tion and libraries - a sad reflection ignored the result is often a poorer
on the council’s communication service albeit at a lower cost.
skills that many residents do not Allied to performance and flex-
know the full range of services for ibility there is a need for monitoring
which the council is responsible. and scrutiny. In commissioning ser-
Few know the services that the vices to the voluntary and private
council has a statutory duty to fulfil sectors there is a danger that those
against those which it chooses to who pore over information and
offer. Our knowledge and under- hold their local councils to account,
standing of council activity is not people referred to as ‘armchair audi-
complete, leading to incorrect as- tors’ will be neutered and frustrated
sumptions being made regarding as councillors refer them to the
responsibility and accountability. service providers for information.
Many feel there are activities There is evidence to suggest that
which should be managed by third once a service is outsourced the
party providers and even devolved council hides behind an impervious
to local communities. Yet having cloak of commercial expediency to
become used to a service provided avoid answering tough questions.
by the council we find it difficult to There is a need to accept and
accept that it could be provided by embrace change in service provi-
a charity or voluntary organisation, sion. What the people of Swindon
Helping you make your house a home or worse, by the private sector or want is to be engaged in the debate
community groups. Such argu- and party to the decisions made.
Beautiful • Oak • Pine • Painted Furniture ments must be properly debated; Councillors and officers should
Plus: Many lovely accessories for your home it is wrong to believe that because not be allowed to determine what
a service is currently provided by is in the supposed best interest of
Open: Mon to Sat 9.30am – 5.30pm Sun 10.30am – 4.30pm the council it cannot be provided Swindon. Recent history does not
Willoby's Furniture Co. 34 Wood Street Old Town Swindon Wiltshire SN1 4AB just as well by other means. suggest the political elite or their
Equally it is wrong for the coun- officer corps have demonstrated a
Tel: 01793 693696 cil to claim that simply because real empathy with the electorate.
[email protected] www.willobysfurniture.co.uk a service can be provided by the They ignore the people at their peril.

Mansfield

Established 1987 Begbie
Associates Ltd

Swindon 772779

e: [email protected] www.mansfieldbegbie.co.uk

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