Cllr Randall

Brighton and Hove Green councillors are refusing to support the restructuring of the city council and will not take part in the selection process for the four new directors that begins this week as part of the proposed changes.
 
Green Party Convenor Bill Randall said:
“We have become increasingly concerned about the proposed commissioning structure as more details have emerged.
 
“We accept Chief Executive John Barradell’s good intentions in wishing to reorganise the way the council works.  However, we believe the proposals would provide a platform for service cuts and the privatisation of services at a time when a Conservative-led government is cutting budgets and services with relish and beyond necessity.
 
“Furthermore, we fear the outsourcing of services would remove them far from the democratic control of elected councillors, result in poorer public services, and lead to reduced working conditions and pay for employees.  We recognise that the structure might offer opportunities for third sector providers. In most cases, however, we fear they would find it difficult to compete with large private sector organisations, meaning residents won’t see the localised services and jobs they are promised.
 
"Experience of commissioning in the NHS, for example, has shown that the complex and time-consuming bidding process favours large corporate players to the detriment of smaller local community groups and organisations.
 
“Brighton and Hove is, of course, a four-star authority. We believe we should build on what we’ve got. A new structure is not needed to strengthen the senior management team, if that is felt necessary. Two of the six director posts in the current structure are vacant.  Filling them offers the opportunity to bring in new faces, although we do not believe the directors’ salaries should be increased to the levels proposed for the new structure.
 
“We will, of course, work and co-operate fully with any officers appointed, but by taking part in the selection process we feel we would be validating proposals for reorganisation we do not support.”

Lib Dem Group Leader Paul Elgood said:
"The easy option is to walk away from this. We have fought these changes, but simply won't let them have a free hand in making these appointments.  We will continue to fight from within the system to try and minimise the impact of these changes."

Chief executive John Barradell said:
“My responsibility is to ensure the council is organised to deliver the priorities set by elected councillors in the most efficient and effective way.
 
“From my first day I have been clear and transparent about the need for a restructure to improve our services, make them more responsive to the public and to manage the impending funding constraints. In January, I presented a paper on this issue, setting out this need and how I proposed to address it – and the process is now well advanced.
 
“I have answered the questions and concerns of the political group leaders at public council meetings and private meetings of councillors. I have also been absolutely clear that the re-organisation I am proposing will result in a saving on the costs of senior officers, alongside the improvements it will make to service-provision.
 
“A delay at this point, as suggested, would make it unlikely we could restructure until the spring of 2012 at the earliest. Meanwhile, the need to manage constrained budgets while meeting rising demands is already upon us. For these reasons, I cannot recommend a delay to members.”

For more information about the Greens view:
www.brightonhovegreens.org