The news last week that Labour councillors in Worcestershire have refused to take part in commissioning youth services caught my eye. I have a particular interest with a background in youth work and also having served as a local councillor. So, were I a councillor in Worcestershire I may well have been the only person reasonably qualified for the task. However, I have to say I support the Labour group's position on this for a number of reasons.
Firstly, local councillors are there to represent their community and set policy - NOT to deliver it. They may well take a view on HOW they want to deliver in terms of values and principles. For example, I am old enough to remember a time when the Labour Party would have totally rejected the delivery of public services by private companies. But once the decision on budgets, along with the services to be delivered, have been taken, they have paid officers whose job it is to ensure the delivery of said services.
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