Unwelcome distraction for voluntary action groups
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
We wrote to AWC on March 24, to set out that in these circumstances our members’ contracts would simply transfer to Brighton Community Works (BCW) as the chosen provider of these services in Worthing and Adur. We also expressed the view that, given the delays, AWC should immediately provide bridging funding to the current providers to ensure the continuity of the important services they provide.
UNISON is relieved that our advice was followed. The anonymous council spokesman quoted in the Herald is mistaken that the AVA or VAW staff are at risk. The council has every intention of coming to agreement with BCW for what is an ongoing contract for services.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTo be clear, the delay in signing contracts with BCW is entirely a result of a fudged procurement process by Adur and Worthing councils.
UNISON believes this episode should be a lesson to ACW that competitive tendering practices are expensive and ill-suited to getting good value for tax payers.
AVA and VAW are rooted in their communities providing vital services to some of the most important charities in the Worthing and Adur areas. This has been an unwelcome and wholly unnecessary distraction to that work.
James Ellis
Branch Negotiations Officer
UNISON West Sussex
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHere are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1) Make our website your homepage at www.worthingherald.co.uk/
2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Worthing.news
3) Follow us on Twitter @Worthing_Herald
4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
The Worthing Herald - always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.