The Lib Dem motion opposing the part privatisation of the Probation Service was backed by the majority of elected members at today’s Full Council meeting. The Council Leader  has been asked to write to Warwickshire MPs, the minister concerned and Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner asking for their support for the Council’s view that privatisation as outlined does not go ahead.

An attempted “wrecking” amendment by the Conservative Deputy Leader was defeated easily.

Cllr Jenny Fradgley (Lib Dem, Stratford South), who proposed the motion, said after the vote:

“It was a thorough and thoughtful debate raising issues of community safety, value for money, governance and  IT  provision.  Grave concern was expressed across the Council that the time scale for change was unrealistic and that privatisation might well be detrimental to the proper running of the service.  It was acknowledged that Warwickshire Probation Trust is performance is excellent, as judged by The National Offender Management Service.

“We are now looking forward to the letter the Leader will send, and that this headlong rush is questioned and hopefully stopped so that proper consideration can be given to the future of the Service.  Why allow private sector business such as G4S and Serco, with problematic track records, bid to run these services while The Probation Trusts , experts with a good track record, are debarred from bidding?  This Government does not have a good track record of successful privatisation of offender management services. So take some time to think this through before more money is wasted.”