| Topic: | Re:Chiswick Library to be rebuilt? | |
| Posted by: | Carol Lofthouse | |
| Date/Time: | 13/06/08 16:52:00 |
| See letters Hounslow & Brentford Times this week: Are middle-men really needed to run public services? Sir - Gone are the days when councillors in local government got things done in the traditional role of public servant; now they get in blue-chip developers to run ‘portfolios of services’, and they seem to have taken to the glamorous role of client like ducks to water. In the biggest contracting exercise for Hounslow Council for years, the selection of the new providers of leisure and cultural services has now been announced. Hounslow council has appointed two suppliers, John Laing Integrated Services (a part of John Laing plc the developer) and Fusion Lifestyles. Councillor Peter Thompson is clear in what the council is trying to achieve. ‘People want us to use the local taxes we collect wisely, and to invest their money to improve local services, local facilities and the quality of life for everyone in the borough: people want good quality parks, leisure centres and libraries, and we will see that they get it’, he says. While not many rate-payers would disagree with this, they may well be wondering if these high-powered ‘middle-men’ are really necessary to help run cemeteries, parks, allotments and libraries. According to Councillor Lee, both John Laing Integrated Services and Fusion Lifestyles have a proven track record of delivering excellence and innovation in delivery service. Excellence is always good to hear about. But the memory of the recent ‘initiative’ to sell off the freehold of the library building (the family home the Sanderson family bequethed to Chiswick community in perpetuity) will no doubt make Chiswick rate-payers feel rather nervous to hear words like ‘innovation’ when it comes to the community services they value most. Carol Lofthouse |