Falkirk Council Building Team Jobs Could Potentially Move to Private Sector After Review
A recent review of Falkirk Council’s team responsible for maintaining their 17,000 houses has suggested that some staff could be transferred to the private sector, although there will be no compulsory redundancies. The council’s Building and Maintenance Division (BMD) has faced challenges such as staff shortages, high sickness rates, and an ageing workforce, as highlighted in a report from last year.
External consultants, ARK, conducted a thorough review of the service and recommended moving the stores staff from the council to utilise the private sector’s “high-tech managed stores.” While this shift is proposed, it clarifies that any redundancies would be voluntary, allowing staff to choose between transferring while maintaining their pay and conditions or transitioning to another role within the council. Negotiations with staff and trade unions will be established in this process.
The Building and Maintenance division has been struggling to fill vacancies due to a high demand for tradespeople in the building sector, where wages are typically 15-25% higher in other sectors. With approximately 40 full-time equivalent positions unfilled, the service has had to prioritize turning around empty council houses quickly to address the housing shortage.
Falkirk Council’s Scrutiny Committee is set to deliberate on the report in early December, aiming to implement the new arrangement by October 2025. The meeting will also be available for viewing on Falkirk Council’s YouTube channel.
In conclusion, the potential move of Falkirk Council’s building team jobs to the private sector highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local authorities in maintaining their infrastructure. The proposed voluntary transfer of staff underscores the council’s commitment to finding innovative solutions to improve service delivery while ensuring employees are supported through the transition. The focus on addressing workforce shortages and streamlining operations reflects the need for flexible and sustainable approaches in the public sector.