Liberton residents say they are very alarmed by the likelihood that ‘core services’ run by The City of Edinburgh Council may be farmed out to private contractors in the near future.

They have decided to hold a meeting to consider the issue in Valley Park Community Centre, 37 Southhouse Road, EH17 8EU starting at 7 pm on 11 August 2011.

A panel, consisting of community activists, elected officials and one or more union representatives will provide an overview of the current situation and take questions from the floor. The meeting aims to provide an opportunity for people in the area and from elsewhere to express their views and concerns about the ‘alternative business case’ .

This public meeting is one of several being held across the city to highlight the nature and extent of the present and proposed Ā outsourcing of Ā vital services Ā and the perceived dangers posed by placing statutory responsibilities into the market place.

Alternative solutions to this problem will be discussed and proposed at the meeting.

Chris Hampton, Secretary of Liberton and District Community Council said:- “Whatever one’s personal Ā view on these matters may be, it seems important that policy decisions reached by the City Council Ā should be generally understood and agreed to by those who are most likely to benefit or suffer from their consequences.”

Privatisation, at least Ā on the alleged scale being proposed, clearly has implications for all Edinburgh residents.

Anyone who would like more information on the proposals is invited to attend the meeting.

+ posts