Scotland's biggest public service union has voiced fears of privatisation under the executive's ‘shared services agenda'. Unison's Scottish Council met in Glasgow last Friday (9 February) to debate a motion critical of the potential impact of the strategy on democracy, jobs and services. A Unison spokesman said: ‘The main concern is it could lead to the removal of democratic accountability. ‘There was quite a heated debate and the motion was carried.' Reports on how services are being affected at local branches will be brought back to the union's Scottish Council at its April meeting. Unison's Scottish secretary, Matt Smith, said: ‘While Unison members are committed to the efficient provision of services, we don't believe this is likely to happen if services are removed from the influence of the communities they serve. ‘The threatened move of all Glasgow's cultural and leisure function from elected control to a private trust shows how easily authorities can move services away from the control of people in the city.' The shared services strategy was put forward by the executive for consultation last year, and a number of projects has already begun between public bodies. Many councils have already started to share some back-office functions, such as IT, and others, including Glasgow, have begun partnership work with other public bodies such as the police. But Unison raised concerns about the plans during the consultation stage, warning of centralisation of services and loss of democratic accountability.
