A UNION wants to see the paperwork on Bournemouth’s controversial outsourcing deal for its own investigation.
Unison wants to hire Adrian Waite, former president of the Institute of Public Sector Management, to look into the Mouchel deals.
The firm took over four council departments last year and is due to take over two more – but it is £87million in debt.
The council’s chief accountant Stephen Parker was suspended earlier this month after emailing councillors with criticisms of the deals. He alleged the savings were not as high as originally claimed – and said there was a bias against the in-house staff bids.
David Higgins, Unison branch secretary, wrote to the chief executive: “I believe it is more important than ever that we find out whether or not our partnership with Mouchel is offering taxpayers value for money... I must therefore ask that Adrian Waite is allowed access to whatever information he requires to perform this task...
“I am sure you and the current leadership cannot possibly be enjoying the current publicity and feel an expert analysis by someone recommended by Unison would help quell a lot of the anxiety.”
Mr Higgins told the Echo yesterday he now has a meeting with the chief executive planned for November 4.
Mr Waite is a former member of the national council for the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Chief executive Pam Donnellan said: “As requested by the Audit and Governance Committee we are currently considering Unison’s request, along with all other available options.
“We realise staff are feeling anxious and would like to reassure them we will be taking a prudent approach in undertaking the risk assessment before a decision is made.”
The cabinet has green-lighted the Mouchel second deal to transfer 100 staff from HR and finance, subject to a risk assessment by KPMG, on December 1.
Cllr Roger West said: “We have been offered a lifeline by Unison so that quickly we can take control of our finances.”
