Proposed by Councillor Iley-Williamson

Labour member motion

The collapse of Carillion has left their workforce fearful of their jobs, wages, and pensions. It has also left the provision of vital services on the brink, with the absurdity of firefighters in Oxfordshire having to be on standby to ensure schoolchildren are fed.

It follows recent press reports of Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire Council, and the Vale of White Horse Council pulling out of outsourcing deals because of poor service delivery.

Another recent case of the dangers of outsourcing is that of Capita, which provides outsourced services in many parts of local government. It has recently announced that it will be closing its defined benefit pension scheme in its Life and Pensions Regulated Services division. This will substantially reduce its employees' expected pensions. 

This Council believes that any organisations which provide services on behalf of the council should reflect the values of the Council, including the Oxford Living Wage as a minimum term of employment and excellent pensions.

Therefore the Council resolves to:

1.     ask the Head of Financial Services to ensure the Council’s procurement process is such that the Council could not undertake any contracts in future with organisations that cannot demonstrate that they treat their employees in line with the Councils aims and values, as Capita’s current practice would not be able to demonstrate,

2.     ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Board and Oxfordshire County Council to urge them to use this opportunity to bring and keep outsourced services back in-house and commit to moving staff to the Oxford Living Wage as a minimum, and

3.     ask the Leader of the Council to write to Oxford’s MPs asking them to lend their support to this motion.

Councillor Landell-Mills left the chamber for the duration of this item, as he was employed by Capita although this motion did not directly impact on his disclosable pecuniary interest.

Councillor Iley-Williamson, seconded by Councillor Ladbrooke, proposed his submitted motion as set out in the agenda and briefing note.

Councillor Simmons , seconded by Councillor Thomas, proposed his submitted motion as set out in the briefing note.

After debate and on being put to the vote, the amendment was declared lost.

After debate and on being put to the vote, the original motion was agreed.

Council resolved to adopt the following motion as originally proposed:

The collapse of Carillion has left their workforce fearful of their jobs, wages, and pensions. It has also left the provision of vital services on the brink, with the absurdity of firefighters in Oxfordshire having to be on standby to ensure schoolchildren are fed.

It follows recent press reports of Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire Council, and the Vale of White Horse Council pulling out of outsourcing deals because of poor service delivery.

Another recent case of the dangers of outsourcing is that of Capita, which provides outsourced services in many parts of local government. It has recently announced that it will be closing its defined benefit pension scheme in its Life and Pensions Regulated Services division. This will substantially reduce its employees' expected pensions. 

This Council believes that any organisations which provide services on behalf of the council should reflect the values of the Council, including the Oxford Living Wage as a minimum term of employment and excellent pensions.

Therefore the Council resolves to:

1.     ask the Head of Financial Services to ensure the Council’s procurement process is such that the Council could not undertake any contracts in future with organisations that cannot demonstrate that they treat their employees in line with the Councils aims and values, as Capita’s current practice would not be able to demonstrate,

2.     ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Board and Oxfordshire County Council to urge them to use this opportunity to bring and keep outsourced services back in-house and commit to moving staff to the Oxford Living Wage as a minimum, and

3.     ask the Leader of the Council to write to Oxford’s MPs asking them to lend their support to this motion.