Barnet Council’s Future Shape programme has concluded that a single ‘vehicle’ for the delivery of all Council service was is not feasible. The Council now plans a three-stage process of consolidation, commissioning and provision under a ‘one Barnet public sector’ approach. This report is the joint trade union response to the second phase two Future…

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…

A highly critical overview of the London Borough of Barnet’s outsourcing and privatisation transformation programme. Identifies the risks and failures in the preparation for procurement. A second report examines the One Barnet Framework showing how it uses disingenuous language to conceal the Council’s real agenda and distorts estimated transformation ‘savings’ (November, 2010).

UNISON has called on the London Borough of Barnet to immediately abandon its plan to become a Commissioning Council. The report by the European Services Strategy Unit (ESSU) documents the fundamental weaknesses in each stage of the procurement process for two large strategic partnerships of up to £1billion value and nearly 1,000 staff. The report…

Covers general principles and policy background, engagement in service reviews and options appraisals, access to information and workforce issues (January 2010).

A series of questions directed at the Council on options appraisal, democratic governance, opportunities for innovation, employment, evidence based policy and the evaluation process and criteria (June 2010).

A comprehensive report organised in 18 appendices, following a strategic introduction, detailing best practice in all stages of procurement (October, 2009)

A response to the Council’s proposal for Future Shape ‘quick win’ to commence procurement of a partnership for Cemeteries and crematoria, based on a options appraisal undertaken by a Capita subsidiary. The report demonstrated that the options appraisal had serious flaws. The proposal was withdrawn at Cabinet and a new options appraisal process launched to…

The London Borough of Barnet has commenced a new wave of outsourcing commencing with education and skills services to schools. This analysis of the Councils options appraisal for Barnet UNISON exposes how commercial values and market ideology have been used to reject an in-house option. It is highly probable that the sector will perceive that…

This paper for the National Coalition for Independent Action’s Inquiry examines neoliberal ideology and objectives and their role in the transformation of public services and the welfare state. The paper highlights ways in which voluntary sector organisations are being drawn into the commercialisation and marketisation of public services and the effects of a contract culture.