Shropshire Council approves private company plans
Shropshire Council has approved plans to create a new private trading company which will run some of its services.
The council’s performance and strategy scrutiny committee yesterday approved the plans which will see work start on preparing full business cases for the transfer to the company of the resources and staff of Shire Services (catering, cleaning and facilities management), and Shared Support Services (finance, personnel and IT), along with legal services and print services.
The name of the new company is ip&e (group) limited, which stands for “Inspiring Partnerships and Enterprise”, reflecting the core values that will underpin the work that will be carried out by the new organisation.
Shropshire Council says the name is also intended to demonstrate that the new organisation will be a true partnership, as it will work with a wide range of partners and local providers to ensure that services are delivered by those best equipped to do so.
Once established the company would be one of the largest employers in Shropshire, with its service areas employing over 1,700 staff and spending £36 million a year.
Final decisions on the company will be made later in the year, when the second block of services to be transferred in 2013 will also be identified.
