|
|
 |
| |
Caretakers to get brush-off?
Private firm could take over estate roles
ESTATE caretakers’ jobs across the borough are under threat as Camden Council draw up plans to hand over services to a private company.
Around 46 council staff have been told their jobs could go as multi-national environment company Veolia is sounded out on taking over cleaning duties.
Some unions and tenants say they fear job losses and a fall in standards if the caretakers – most of whom live on the estates where they work – are axed.
But a poll commissioned by the council after a six-month trial by Veolia on estates in Swiss Cottage, Kilburn and West Hampstead shows support for the proposals, according to housing chief Councillor James King.
He said: “I want to offer good quality and good value caretaker and cleaning services, and, while there are some excellent caretakers, there are some estates where residents think they are not giving value for money.”
One caretaker who spoke to the New Journal said Veolia “had sent shivers down the backs of tenants”.
The council’s rules bar him from speaking openly to the press, but the caretaker, who works on a Kentish Town estate, added: “This is just another step on taking away council services run for people and lining the pockets of private companies. These changes do not take into account any of the things caretakers do so well.
“We know our beats, we know our communities. We are on call to clear up things when they happen, not just on a once-a-week rota. When we see kids bunking off school, we know who they are and can speak to their parents. We can keep an eye on elderly people, and we offer a unique and trusted service which will be ruined by this.”
Caretakers believe Veolia “blitzed” the areas involved in the pilot scheme, pouring in extra staff to help win the contract.
But a Veolia spokesman said: “We have allocated the planned number of sweepers appropriately so there will be no decrease in the service.”
Public sector union Unison housing representative Mandy Berger said: “From our discussions with tenants, they want to keep their caretakers and we feel the results of the consultation are flawed.”
Cllr King said he would not make policy based on “ideology” and that he was looking for “evidence-based policy making”.
He added: “There is no way Veolia could do all the jobs but this does not mean there will not be any job losses amongst caretakers.” |
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
