Wirral parks and open spaces to go private under council plans

Jul 21 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL Council is pressing ahead with cost-cutting plans to turn over management of parks, countryside and open spaces to a private company.

On Thursday councillors will consider a report which recommends that the management, administration and operation of the services be transferred to a single provider.

The council would retain ownership and would remain responsible fpr maintaining standards.

The services included are parks, golf courses, cemeteries and crematoriums, rangers, beach lifeguards, allotments, maintenance of highway verges and trees and war memorials.

It could see 230 staff – including rangers – transferring to another organisation.

Councillors are being told the switch could save the council up to £10million, dependent on other efficiency savings, over the next decade.

Councillor David Elderton, cabinet member for Culture, Tourism & Leisure, called the controversial plans a “tremendous opportunity to achieve a real change for the better”.

He said: “The proposed new contract will deliver increased service quality and a real opportunity for local people to influence the management of these valuable assets.

“We know that our services are only as good as the staff who deliver them which is why we are committed to ensuring staff are fully engaged in our discussions regarding the new contract as we move forward.

“There are excellent opportunities for staff working in this area – for example the contract will deliver better training and staff development in the future than we have been able to provide.

“It is important to stress that the contracts of employment for all staff who do move to a new employer will be transferred.

“No staff will be disadvantaged and all will have the opportunity to be part of the renewal of the services they care so much about.”