Outsourcing services can be of great benefit

It was interesting to read Cllr Simon Werner’s letter in last week’s Express.

Cllr Werner may be ideologically attracted to insourcing but in reviewing contracts the Conservative administration would consider all options such as working to gain enhanced performance from existing contractors, changing contractors, shared services with other councils as well as bringing services in house.

In March 2020, just before the lockdown, the council commissioned the Chartered Institute of Public Accountancy to provide an independent review of delivery options for both Achieving for Children and Optalis.

The council part-own these companies and they deliver children’s and adult social care respectively, representing over 60 per cent of the council’s spend.

These reviews were published in June and recommended retaining these contractual arrangements. This advice is supported by the fact that following inspections, Ofsted rated Children’s Services Good in May and our Youth Offending Team Good in November 2020.

It is also worth noting that comparative data shows that whilst delivering good services, the cost of children’s care in 2018/19, the most up-to-date information available, was the seventh lowest of 60 unitary authorities.

This Conservative administration’s reputation for making good business decisions is in no doubt.

Cllr DAVID HILTON Royal Borough lead member for finance and Ascot