There were extraordinary scenes at Purbeck District Council tonight (12/11/13), as leader of the Council Gary Suttle led a near unanimous vote against his own big idea to merge council services with neighbouring councils.
LibDem Councillors had to tear up the opposition speeches they had prepared as Cllr Suttle’s volte-face became apparent. The council were considering the business case for a proposal that he initiated – to enter a shared services partnership with East Dorset District Council and Christchurch Borough Council. In the end nearly every Councillor voted against the proposal. One councillor abstained – it is believed Cllr Holmes wanted a stronger motion against the proposal than the one eventually put forward.
Suttle’s big idea was to join in with the merger that is already underway with East Dorset and Christchurch Councils. “Such an approach is very much in line with the Government’s strategy for improving efficiency in local government” claims the report prepared by all three councils. The proposal will have led to just one set of council staff answerable to three different sets of councillors (there was no proposal to change the number of councils or councillors). According to the business case that had been prepared, this change would realise financial savings and provide more influence for funding opportunities. The problem with the business case was that the savings were very unclear, but likely to be quite small. Purbeck’s finances are currently regarded as secure to 2019, so there was very little reason to support change, unless it was ideological.
Councillors acknowledged during this evening’s meeting that the public were largely unaware that they were considering a proposal for such a major change in the way that council services are provided. In the end, there was no enthusiasm for the big idea. Whether Gary Suttle led the vote against his idea because he had changed his mind, or in order to temper his humiliation remains unclear.
So after all this risky manoeuvring and retraction, what has been gained for Purbeck residents? It is unlikely East Dorset or Christchurch will look favourably at any future collaborations. Demoralised council staff felt under threat – especially when a columnist in Swanage’s right wing press boasted how many jobs will be shed. What remains of Suttle’s credibility amongst fellow councillors or amongst his electorate, only time will tell.
For further information on the proposal to merge all three sets of council staff, the business case is here. Purbeck council’s report to members is here.
David Hodd
