A Report went to Cabinet earlier this week on “Changing the Relationship between the Citizen and the State”. It’s wrapped up in high-level language but the intent is clear – “The Council will need to grow as an enabler and facilitator of services” and “to take this policy forward, services will need to develop “roadmaps” for each service area. This will need to …..map out where the service currently is on the “Core Council to self-reliance” continuum and assess how it can be moved to co-produced with citizens and communities and develop further self-resilience”.Recent speeches by leading Barnsley Councillors make it clear that the controlling group has swallowed the Tory Governments “Big Society” Agenda hook, line and sinker! We can expect more initiatives to out-source jobs and services to the private sector, not to deliver a better or more cost-effective service to our communities but purely on ideological grounds. If these initiatives go unchecked Barnsley will soon be a flagship Authority for the Government!
UNISON will continue to challenge these threats to our member’s jobs and terms and conditions. We have not been involved in the work that has taken place to date – even as observers – and were only shown the Cabinet Report after publication. We therefore ask all members to be vigilant and to liaise with your local Steward/Convenor wherever practicable.