CONTROVERSIAL plans to part privatise Warrington Borough Council’s planning and development control service are to be considered tomorrow.
A special report will go to committee outlining four options for the future of the service.
They are to establish a commercial partnership, join up with other local authorities, trade as a commercial body- or stay the same as at present.
The proposal, revealed by Warrington Worldwide last summer following a leaked email, involves establishing a “commercial partnership” between the council and a private firm.
It was suggested that other authorities would be interested in “buying in” Warrington’s expertise if the borough council’s planning department was part privatised.
Coun Bob Barr (pictured), the council’s executive member for Planning, Regeneration and Housing, suggested that setting up a commercial partnership between the council and a private firm would also offer planning staff more career opportunities.
The executive unanimously agreed a recommendation to investigate a partnership and to seek expressions of interest from potential partners.
At the time the proposal was condemned by some as a “short-sighted attempt to save money.” But those in favour thought it was a more effective way of delivering council services.
The report, by the environment and regeneration executive director, will be considered on Tuesday by the special joint Economy and Resources and Environment and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
