Essex CC has reached agreement with Unison over plans to make £200m of savings over the next three years. The council met with members of the public sector union on 2 April to discuss proposals for £200m cuts from back-office and process costs. And, agreement was reached that the current proposals would not be a prelude to extensive outsourcing of council services or movement of jobs to elsewhere in the country or abroad by the council. Unison expressed reservations about the county council's use of external companies for ‘competitive dialogue', but welcomed council leader Lord Hanningfield's assurances. It urged the council to consult fully with staff, service-users and stakeholder organisations before significant decisions were made. Lord Hanningfield said: ‘With shrinking budgets and rising demands, the status quo is not an option. Local government and the rest of the public sector have to change, if they are to deliver on what is important to people. ‘By working together, we will modernise our operation, channelling £200m of savings into frontline services. ‘And we are committed to ensuring that all involved will be fully consulted along the way.'