THE FUTURE of key services including Trading Standards have been thrown into doubt after plans to link up with a commercial firm fell through.
Worcestershire Regulatory Services had hoped to partner with Capita in a bid to boost its income by sourcing more work from the public and private sector on top of its legal duties.
But the firm has now pulled out saying they could not deliver what was required within the £3.45million budget set for 2016/17.
The development is a significant blow to the service which has seen financial contributions from Worcestershire County Council and the six district councils, including Redditch Borough, dwindle as a result of budget cuts.
Since 2010 when the service was formed WRS has seen its budget fall from £7.2million to below £5million now. Staff numbers have also fallen from 154 in 2010 to 91.
Of particular concern is Worcestershire County Council’s plans, which contributes 30 per cent of the service’s overall funding. The authority has already slashed its share from £1.7million to £1million and had proposed to reduce that to £250,000 by 2016/17, although revised plans revealed in October are now being considered which could see its contribution increased to £450,000 or £750,000.
Redditch Borough Council is freezing its contribution to WRS for next year at £579,000.
Steve Jorden, head of regulatory services, said Capita’s withdrawal had not come as a complete surprise.
“We have always known it was going to be very challenging for any private sector company to deliver within the £3.45m budget we have for 2016/17.” he said.
“It demonstrates what an efficient and effective service we already have and now it’s a case of business as usual while the service looks at continuing to explore different ways of working to reduce costs and identify ways of generating income to offset our budget, an area we are having some significant success in.”
Mr Jorden recently warned their budget was at ‘tipping point’ with any further cutbacks leaving the county vulnerable to rogue traders and criminals and unable to deal with serious outbreaks of disease such as Foot and Mouth.
A report by councillors also warned any further reduction in funding could see the collapse of the service which also deals with noise complaints, food safety and the dog warden amongst others.
