THIS week, Bournemouth council’s cabinet agreed to bring back in-house the services currently provided by our partner, Kier (Mouchel).

They say a week’s a long time in politics and Over the past five years, the difficulties facing local government finances has moved astonishingly quickly.

It seems like prehistoric times of plenty since Mr Fudge was the council’s 'chancellor', which is probably why he doesn’t always understand today’s imperatives.

In 2010, before austerity hit the country, we formed an excellent partnership with Mouchel, which has not only saved the taxpayers of Bournemouth over more than £10million and helped to create 175 local jobs, but has also helped us to transform the way we do business in a number of key areas, all of which are essential to running an efficient and modern council.

Since then, times have changed rapidly and the amount of grant the government gives us is massively reducing year by year – and will cease altogether by 2020.

Bournemouth council is committed to continue delivering the most important services that our residents value and rely upon every day. So, After thorough investigation we have decided this is the right time to make this decision.

In response to Mr Fudge’s query regarding the As for the 'cost of getting out of the contract', there was an agreed break clause from December 2015.

I can assure him There will be no penalties or loss-of-profit payments and, while there are likely to be costs associated with this transition, they will be evidence-based and thoroughly challenged.

The council took the right decision at the right time to form our partnership back in 2010 and it has taken exactly the right decision to withdraw now.

COUNCILLOR ANNE FILER

Bournemouth town hall

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