A TRADE union representing Bournemouth council workers has questioned what bosses have to hide after it was denied information about the council’s outsourcing plans.

Unison wants to know what former Section 151 officer Judith Martin – who until recently had the task of ensuring the council acted legally and properly – thought of the proposals to outsource the work of four key departments.

But its Freedom of Information request was turned down and it has now lodged a formal complaint about the council’s failure to disclose this information.

Ms Martin, understood to have been critical of the outsourcing plans, was made redundant in July, to the shock and disappointment of many councillors.

The role of Section 151 officer was passed to Mike Forrester, one of the leading officers behind the outsourcing proposals.

David Higgins, Bournemouth Unison branch secretary, said: “We need to see all the information to work out whether or not it is in Bournemouth’s best interests to go down this road.

“We have submitted two Freedom of Information requests but they have both been turned down. We cannot see why – we have chosen our preferred partner, there is nothing to prejudice.”

He pointed out that a recent investigation into Liverpool City Council’s contract with BT concluded the council was being overcharged £10 million a year and could save £23m by terminating the contract.

“If we go ahead with this deal, we will be tied to it for at least 10 years and if that turns out to be a bad decision we will lose far more than any potential gain.

“That’s why we need to see the Section 151 officer’s report,” he said.

But Tony Williams, executive director for environment and economic services, said outsourcing would result in improved services and attract more than 600 jobs to the area.

He said there had been regular internal staff briefings, which the unions had been able to attend and ask questions at.

“Clarification discussions with our preferred partner are still in progress and the project is at a critical stage. Therefore, disclosure of information now could potentially prejudice the decision making process and damage the council’s commercial interests,” he said.

“However once the final business case has been completed this will be taken to the overview and management panel, including the comments of the chief accountant (deputy 151 officer).”