A UNISON campaign to keep services in house has paid off with Inverclyde Council deciding not to outsource its entire ICT service along with the jobs of 26 employees.

The Council decided last June to prepare specifications and invite tenders on the basis of the future provision of ICT services. Since then UNISON has been working closely with staff in an effort to have the service retained in-house.

Robin Taggart, Inverclyde Branch service conditions officer, says, "We are obviously delighted that the Council have shown faith and confidence in the current staff group in opting for an in-house solution to the Council's ICT problems.

"The staff now face a massive challenge in delivering the service to the required specification and will be assisted by the appointment of a new senior management team along with additional resources and investment in the infrastructure."

Robin added, "The Council clearly believe that this can be achieved at both strategic and operational levels internally. There is a lot of relief that the tendering process is now over and we believe the committee made the right decision for the Council.

"Public services belong in the public domain with surpluses reinvested back into local services and not to remote private shareholders."

UNISON will now work with the Council in rebuilding an in-house structure which can deliver the contract specification as well as the service level agreements. For further information contact Robin Taggart: 01475 715900 or robin.taggart@inverclyde.gov.uk

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