Council must come clean over contract

From: Coun Rob Murphy, Sheffield Green Group, Sheffield City Council.

ONE of the problems of Sheffield’s Highways PFI contract has been well documented, but other less publicised decisions have shown how unsustainable Sheffield Council’s current position is.

Recent decisions to make cuts to litter clearance and roadside maintenance have been added to by an admission that the Labour administration cannot afford the current debt repayments related to the contract. They are now extending the payback period until 2057 – 20 years after the end of the contract.

Their argument that our roads now have an expected lifespan of 40 years is looking extremely optimistic with some of the newly repaired roads already breaking up. The understaffing of the contract client team means quality control is obviously suffering and residents are not getting value for money.

Unfortunately the secrecy surrounding the deal means the public, and the vast majority of elected councillors, have no access to the contract signed in their name. Full disclosure is in the public interest and the only way to ensure value for money by letting us all know what has been promised on both sides.

Unfortunately, the harsh lessons on the need for scrutiny and open government in Sheffield have not been learnt by the City Region. Public meetings are inaccessible rubberstamping exercises.

This culture of secrecy is familiar to followers of local government across South Yorkshire, but must change if our region is to reach its potential.