Outsourcing
Firm exits council talks at 11th hour
Talks over a new IT contract to replace current arrangements between Gloucester City Council and Civica were at an ‘advanced’ stage, with details agreed in principle until the firm abruptly pulled out.
Scottish census extended amid low completion rate
The Scottish Government has extended the deadline for census returns by four weeks in a bid to boost a completion rate of just 77%.
Council held decade-long contract with dormant firm
Grant Thornton said it exposed a ‘significant weakness’ in Herefordshire Council’s contract management in its report on the council’s 2020-21 accounts.
Inflation to ‘make or break’ council budgets
Councils are facing soaring costs to re-procure outsourced services as new financial pressures begin to bite.
Putting purpose before profit for our children
Dominic Campbell says it’s time to build ventures that can put purpose ahead of profiteering – and fostering is just one of the areas being tackled by a new not-for-profit co-conceived with local authority partners.
Sheffield to fund £7m leisure bailout
Sheffield City Council is to provide a £7m bailout to a charity running its leisure venues.
Social value must not be a tick box exercise
Mo Baines says councils should not simply apply the principles of the Social Value Act to outsourced contracts, but ‘engage in the spirit and intention of the Act, which is to get the very best outcomes from public money’.
Taking the first steps towards re-imagining our services
Until recently, re-procurement of services was the default approach. 'Now we are seeing an increasing appetite for partial or complete insourcing of functions', says Sean Hanson.
Council to bring some services back in-house
Staffordshire CC will bring a small number of services back in-house following a review of its 10-year joint venture with Capita.
Buckinghamshire signs £15m waste contract
Buckinghamshire Council’s deal with FCC Recycling includes an option to extend worth almost £30m.
Council to close ethical debt collection firm
Hammersmith and Fulham LBC is to close its ethical debt collection company after failing to garner sector interest in the concept.
School transport contractor axed over safeguarding concerns
Birmingham City Council said the contract had been terminated following a breach of terms.
Strike action at Ealing ends
There will be no return to the picket lines after an agreement has been reached between the Unite trade union and outsourcer Serco.
Northgate Public Services undergoes name change
The company provides technology for health, housing, police and local government internationally and was acquired by the NEC group in 2018.
Bin lorry driver shortage at ‘crisis point’
A shortage of 100,000 heavy goods vehicle drivers has disrupted bin collections across the country.
Grenfell council's procurement ban on tower block firms
Kensington and Chelsea LBC said it held ‘doubts about the integrity’ of the firms following evidence heard at the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry.
Social care reform depends on market overhaul
Social care reform will ‘fail’ without addressing weaknesses in the provider market, a think-tank has warned.
Labour council pressed to insource service
Neath Port Talbot CBC has been urged to bring its leisure services under direct control as it searches for a new operator.
Sport England to make case for further leisure support
Sport England is to make the case for further support for the leisure sector from the Government, The MJ understands.
Wigan insources leisure services
The council is to bring its leisure centres in-house in a bid to safeguard jobs following the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.