A waste of everyone's time

This irrelevant group of activists is now being dealt with firmly. The tiny handful of members will soon be substantially depleted in a continuing process of industrial relations cleansing.

"This Branch has campaigned continually to draw the attention of Councillors and senior managers to what it believes are significant drawbacks of a joint venture company to run a range of administrative services for Somerset County Council and others.

This Branch has commissioned independent research work that has provided advice to Councillors about the issues involved. It has advocated this advice to the Council and articulated its views through correspondence, presentations and discussions at Authority officer meetings, industrial relations consultation meetings and at the public speaking times of Council Boards and meetings.

This Branch has sought information from the Council about the proposals but, at all stages, access to information has been restricted such that the Freedom of Information mechanism for obtaining information has had to be used by the Branch.

In addition to considering that the general anxiety of the Branch about the proposals has been disregarded, the Branch believed that it had not been consulted properly over staffing issues at the time that the contract was signed to engage the Council with the joint venture company Southwest One and felt obliged to pursue its concern at an Employment Tribunal.

The Branch has conducted its campaign through its Branch Council of elected Branch Stewards and Officers. The Branch Secretary, as the leading officer of the Branch recognised for industrial relations liaison by the Council, has necessarily had an extremely prominent role in undertaking the campaign of the Branch, with the full support of the Branch endorsed at regular Branch Council and other meetings.

This Branch Council is extremely alarmed at the way in which its Branch Secretary and some Stewards have been treated by the Council since the closure of the Tribunal hearing. It believes that the treatment has been disproportionate and considers that an atmosphere of victimisation and corporate bullying has been created by the Council, so undermining the proper conduct of industrial relations. This conflicts with recent assurances given by senior Human Resources managers to regional and local UNISON officials that they wanted to build good industrial relations.

This Branch Council expresses its whole hearted confidence in its Branch Secretary, that he has undertaken his role in the campaign in good faith, with commitment and to the best of his ability.

This Branch Council anticipates that the regional and national tiers of UNISON will also be alarmed at the impact on industrial relations of an inadequately addressed instance of corporate bullying and instructs its officers to liaise with the South West Regional Secretary to ensure that the position is resolved in accordance with UNISON’s policies. "

If these absurd luddites want to be taken seriously they should behave seriously.

Justice must be swift

I am not prepared to countenance any more pleas for mercy. This time it is vital to make examples of those who have erred. My council did not get where it is today without unswerving loyalty to the Chief. I run a tight ship. It is my duty and responsibility to punish miscreants severely. You have all been warned. My spies are everywhere. This time there will be no hostages.

Congratulations !!

Bexley, Birmingham, Nottingham, Southampton and Walsall are in there with us - but I know in my heart that Somerset County Council deserves the prize. As many of you will now know we have been shortlisted in the prestigious category for public/private partnerships for next year's LGC Awards. And as everyone knows there is no public/private partnership more adventurous and exciting than SouthWest One. Together we have created something fresh and unique in Local Government. And the big pickings are still to come. I confidently expect that the plaudits of the judges will come our way when I travel to London to meet them next month. Last year Somerset Waste Management was among the finalists for the Management awards. But now we are ready for higher things. We have the expertise. We have the experience. We have the makings of a remarkable new IT system. But above all we have a rock-solid base of loyal and hard-working staff. No wonder our good friends at 4Ps are sponsoring this particular award. I see stars in our eyes already.

Goodbye Guantanemo - Hello Somerset

In the heady aftermath of his overwhelming victory I recalled President-elect Obama's firm pledge to scrap the internment camp known as Guantanemo Bay. In view of his aspirations this is a pledge that makes sound common sense. But it leaves an important custodial deficit which must be addressed. I believe that Barrack's loss can be Somerset's gain. We are already well equipped to deal with institutional/organisational terrorists and the development of a secure holding place for Al Quaida terrorists and others is also within our capability and grasp. My colleagues in SouthWest One are already discussing with IBM the technical niceties of keeping these people safely locked up in our excellent county. I have also earmarked a potential site - that disused airfield up on the Blackdown Hills. I will be working tirelessly from now on to win this important new contract. Let me know what you think. This could provide valuable new jobs for Somerset.

SouthWest One Savings - £60 million and rising!

"Great oaks from little acorns grow"




















An old home truth is proving itself in Somerset today.
Earlier in the week the founders of SouthWest One proudly unveiled realistic areas of target savings that will, ultimately, be of huge benefit to all residents by increasing efficiency and reducing council taxes. Already £60 million has been ear-marked, and the plans display enormous imagination and foresight. My picture shows the design for new toilets in council offices. Eagle-eyed watchers will note that there are no doors for the cubicles. This simple savings will cut the amount of time wasted in comfort breaks by 80%. Toilet tissue will also be rationed for staff use. Taken together these essential innovations will save an additional £10 million over the lifetime of the contract, or not as the case may be. Similar economies are also being contemplated in canteen areas for stricter portion control, and staff will be expected to share cutlery and crockery. The identification of such financially astute ideas is critical to the success of this joint venture. I know that everyone will join me in congratulating the team who have spent twelve months finding ways to save money without actually saving any yet.

Away the lads!

I have been taking some important instruction in the matter of the warm and friendly dialect of the North East. Geordies are kind open people with a way of expressing themselves that is unique. My professional future may lie one day somewhere within sniffing distance of the Tyne. It would be folly not to acquaint myself with the language first. Kevin Keegan may be out but Alan Jones could soon be in. The pay is even better than what the good burghers of Somerset are currently shelling out. So watch this space

Beautiful Dreamers

Here's something to cheer us up.











Dream Team Challenge is Somerset's golden opportunity. Our dedicated workforce can show what they are really made of. I've signed up. Have you?