Bournemouth council is soon to be making one of the most important decisions in its history, to vote on proposals to outsource three of its departments – facilities management, IT, and revenues and benefits.

The staff working in the Town Hall and in these three services haven’t had a real opportunity to find different ways of working and to find savings.

The majority of staff who work for Bournemouth council do so because they really want to be in Bournemouth and are committed to the town and making a difference. Will an outsource firm? No, I don’t think so.

In reality many of the council staff work far and beyond their job descriptions and are happy to do so.

I urge all the Tory councillors to really study their papers and not be told which way to vote by their leaders, who want to steamroller this through. Come and listen and join in the debate with the unions on Monday at 2.30pm at the Town Hall. It is a public meeting and will go on until after 7pm most likely.

Cllr Anne Rey, leader of the Independent Group, Bournemouth council