Repair workers employed by Somerset Council will lobby councillors today (Wednesday) over plans to outsource maintenance of the authority’s homes, says UNISON.
They are concerned about the track record of one of the private contractors being considered, MD Group. The council has previously issued ‘red cards’ over concerns about the quality and safety of its work.
Staff from Somerset Council’s housing trades team, who carry out repairs to local authority properties across the county, will raise their concerns with councillors as they meet to consider moving the service out of direct control.
UNISON says staff and tenants have been left with serious questions about why the contractor has been selected and how the decision was reached. The involvement of MD Group was not clearly communicated during earlier consultations with staff and tenants, adds the union.
UNISON Somerset Local Government and Community branch secretary Micheál Duffy said: “Handing this service to a contractor the council has already ‘red-carded’ raises serious questions.
“These staff keep Somerset’s council homes safe and well maintained. They deserve clarity about their future, and tenants deserve confidence that repairs will be done properly and on time
“Councillors should pause this decision and look again at other options that keep the service accountable to tenants and under proper public oversight.”
