Campaigns | Action for Somerset | UNISON South West

A4S - Action for Somerset

What's happening in Somerset and why should I care?

Services in Somerset are under threat as the County Council has plans to sell of services piece by piece. After its unsuccessful collaboration with SouthWest One, lessons still haven't been learned.

The latest proposal is outsourcing Learning Disability Services in Somerset, leaving those most vulnerable to the mercy of private organisations who main focus is to provide out of whatever services they provide. The Council themselves have admitted that this won't save any money, so 'why are they recommending this?' you might ask yourself. Anyone living in Somerset, paying Council tax or paying tax through their salary should care. This is your money, your services, your county. You may need these services one day and if you don't stand up and protect these services now, they may not be there when you or someone you know and love need them.

"The County Plan" conference

UNISON wants to ask the same question and may more. UNISON has arranged a conference to provide those affected, and the residents of Somerset, the chance to put their questions forward and support the campaign to stop privatisation of services. "The County Plan" Conference is taking place at Somerset College, in Taunton on Friday 27 April 2012. If you care about your services, if you have questions you want answering, you want to make a difference then call 01823 356136 for more information or click HERE to register your interest in attending. Full details of the conference will be sent after registration.

What else can I do?

Apart from going to the conference you can do several things:-

Join the Save Our Services lobby of the Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 24 April at 9.30am outside Block A, County Hall, Taunton
Tell us your story - if you've been affected by the privatisation of write to us and tell us what you think - don't forget include your name, a contact number and let us know if you've been affected by the privatisation or cutting of services in Somerset, if you'll be directly affected, or if you have any friends or family who might be affected by or have any concerns about any changes to existing services
Contact the UNISON Somerset County Branch and ask to be added to the Action For Somerset campaign list
After reading this page and the press release, write to the Somerset Gazette's postbag and tell them what you think

More information

Read the press release issued on 13 April 2012 - Service Users Need Stability Not Selling Off
Read the press release issued on 24 April 2012 - Questions about Privatisation of Learning Disabilities Services in Somerset Left Unanswered!
Documents and reports relating to outsourcing proposals for the Learning Disablities services, produced by Somerset County, are available on-line