'We're not in the privatisation game' says Highland Council convener
Concerns have been raised about the possibility of council services being privatised as part of a massive shake up.
Highland councillors were given an update on the ongoing re-design work to streamline the local authority, as it battles to plug a budget gap of up to £187 million, but this has led to fears that some things could be transferred to the private sector to save money.
At the latest full council meeting in Inverness, councillors were warned if they do not find new ways to make money they will have to save £40 million per year for the next five years.
A commercial board will be set up to examine ways to generate income, outwith the current fees and charges such as council tax.
But Inverness Central councillor Richard Laird asked for confirmation that privatisation will not be used to cut costs.
"Operating more commercially means different things to different people and I have no problem with it but can I seek an assurance that there will be no proposals coming forward to privatise any council services?" He asked convener Bill Lobban, who has been leading the redesign work.
But Aviemore councillor Lobban disputed this, saying: "As far as I’m led to believe we have no intentions specifically to privatise services but there are a wide range of options across all of the services.
"I don’t think we’re in the privatisation game."
He was backed up by council leader Margaret Davidson who pointed out that services which had previously been outsourced, such as grass cutting, are now being done by the local authority again, although she did not rule out any privatisation.
"Whatever decisions are made will be made in this chamber, by all of us," she said.
"Every time we look at reconfiguring a service we will look at all options and that may include privatisation but that is not the track record of this council.
"We have brought services back in house and I suspect we will do so more, we are even looking at bringing toilet cleaning back in house."
It is also planned to give more powers and control over budgets and decision making to local area committees, under the re-design proposals, which has been widely welcomed by councillors.
Another update is expected to be given to the next full council meeting on September 7.
