News and events

Latest News and Events

New Labours Attack on Public Services: Modernisation by Marketisation? by Dexter Whitfield

This book charts the way in which public services are being marketised through commissioning, competition, contestability and the creation of a contract culture. It examines the impact of these policies and alternative strategies to transform public services. Published in 2006, it has been reprinted and is more relevant than ever. Download the Introduction and read reviews. Order direct from Spokesman Books.

2009-05-30 11:07:54

Strategic Service-delivery Partnerships stopped in Bury

Over the last two years Bury UNISON, with the support of ESSU, has opposed the possible outsourcing of corporate services to a Strategic Service-delivery Partnership with a private contractor. This has included involvement in Council working groups to assess current performance, evidence to Overview and Scrutiny and producing briefings for staff and elected members. The Council has decided continue current plans to develop and improve services and not commence procurement.

2009-03-26 10:52:47

Successful in-house bid for hospital nursery

The in-house bid of the First Steps Day Nursery, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been successful following a procurement process and bids from private nurseries. The 89-place nursery moves into new accommodation in the PFI hospital development in May with a five year contract with a possible two year extension. ESSU advised UNISON and staff in the preparation of the bid. Jobs, terms and conditions have been retained.

2009-03-26 08:55:16

Marketisation of Education

Presentation at University & College Union North West conference on Marketisation of Education, Manchester, January 2009. Download copy of slides.

2009-02-22 14:08:00

2009

News and Events from the Centre for Public Services from 2009.

2009-01-03 18:25:42

Shaping the future on failed policies

A featured article in eGov Monitor which argues that Barnet Council's ‘strategic council’ proposals are rooted in the same policies and ideology that led to the current financial crisis. “We do not need to reinvent local government but reinstate public sector principles, rethink organisational structures, service delivery and adopt progressive strategies using evidence, transparent language, honesty and the genuine involvement of staff, service users and residents.”

2008-12-16 09:27:53

Economic Impact of Prisons in Rural Areas: A Review of the Issues, Dexter Whitfield

The South Australian State Government is proposing five PPPs for the future development of the State’s correctional facilities by moving men’s and women’s prisons, a youth training centre and a pre-release centre to Murray Bridge. The Public Service Association commissioned the Australian Institute for Social Research (AISR), University of Adelaide, to identify the indirect and/or hidden social/economic costs associated with the relocations. The European Services Strategy Unit literature review focuses on the economic, social and employment impact of locating prisons in rural areas, drawing particularly on US evidence. In October 2008 the South Australian State Government announced that funding for the new prisons will delayed until 2013-14 because of the current economic climate. A preliminary analysis of direct and indirect costs associated with the relocation of prison facilities to the Murray Bridge district by AISR is available at www.cpsu.asn.au/~sa/webnews/Final_Report_30_10_08.pdf

2008-12-08 10:12:17

Future Shape of the Council: The Flaws in Barnet’s Commissioning and Procurement Policy

A review of the London Borough of Barnet Council’s commissioning and procurement policies. The Future Shape of the Council project is likely to consider large-scale outsourcing/privatisation to ‘shrink the council’, yet there are serious failings and shortcomings in procurement which make its policies and practice ‘not fit for purpose’. This could expose the Council to serious financial and service risks. The report is published by UNISON, GMB, NUT and NASUWT and makes a series of recommendations on commissioning and procurement, employment options and contract management and monitoring.

2008-12-04 11:12:38

Failure to Assess Options for Future Shape of the Council

A critique of the London Borough of Barnet proposals to radically change the responsibilities, role and functions of the Council for UNISON, GMB, NUT and NASUWT. It shows how the Council has failed to undertake options appraisal of proposals to create a Joint Venture Company and service delivery vehicles for all public services in the borough. It would create a new contract bureaucracy which would undermine the council’s successful city suburb plans; threaten jobs, terms and conditions and pensions; and is based on a flawed approach to achieve value for money. Download report. See series of six Briefings on the Future Shape programme.

2008-12-01 12:03:38

Updated PPP Database

The PPP Database has been updated to include the South Tyneside MBC contract with BT which commenced on 1 October 2008. This has resulted in changes to the regional, employment and market share tables.

2008-10-03 09:09:29