COUNCILLORS in East Ayrshire have given their backing to plans that could see staff at the local authority transferred to an arm's length trust - despite warnings from unions that it could lead to jobs being lost.
The local authority says its plans to cut costs across a range of services are aimed at saving around £27 million over the next two years.
The proposals, if enacted, would see staff in a range of areas, including music tuition, leisure and catering services, transferred to the East Ayrshire Leisure Trust (EALT).
The council says the move is part of a "new direction of travel" aimed at making the authority "more financially sustainable".
The UNISON trade union has already voiced its concern at the proposals, which it claims could put more than 100 jobs at risk.
READ MORE: Range of council jobs in East Ayrshire set to be handed to leisure trust
The proposals include transferring the authority's instrumental music service, Creative Minds, community and corporate catering, and Kilmarnock Leisure Centre Trust to EALT.
East Ayrshire Council says EALT intends to set up an income generating trading arm of its operations as part of these changes, which will help to protect functions and safeguard jobs.
UNISON had urged local councillors to object to the proposals, saying that it could potentially lead to more than 100 East Ayrshire jobs being lost.
Other reviews at the council meeting included a look at children and young people’s services, financial inclusion, employability services and wellbeing..
Prior to the council meeting, UNISON Scotland regional manager Simon Macfarlane warned the authority would "have a fight on their hands" if it pressed ahead with the proposals.
Mr Macfarlane also said unions had "not been properly consulted".
READ MORE: Union claims more than 100 East Ayrshire jobs could be lost
However, the council says that now the proposals have been given backing "in principle" by elected councillors, unions will be consulted in the next stage of the programme.
Council bosses say this first step will allow them to move on to phase two, which will include "a programme of meaningful engagement with staff, communities, trade unions, young people and other relevant stakeholders over the coming weeks".
Eddie Fraser, the local authority's chief executive, added: “We have core duties, to protect and educate our children; to provide adequate social care to meet the needs of older and disabled people; to provide adequate housing for residents; to collect waste and to keep our roads safe.
“But these essential services are experiencing severe budget pressures and there is no way we can continue doing what we’re doing with the resources we have available.
“By removing duplication and being courageous in our leadership and future service delivery, we will ensure these services as sustainable into the future and mitigate any service cuts that would impact on our community.
“The scale of change being proposed within these reviews will stand us in good stead for the future and will ensure we are better placed to tackle poverty and inequality in our communities.
“A significant amount of work has already taken place, but we are aware that further work is still required to get these proposals over the line.
"We will revert back to elected members at the end of October for final decisions."
Adrian Moore, UNISON regional organiser said: “This is not good enough. East Ayrshire Council are proposing to consult unions and the community after they have made the decision to contract-out their services.
“The council admit themselves they are proposing £27m cuts to jobs and services. This will not improve outcomes for local communities.
“UNISON will consider every avenue to challenge this change of direction. Contracting out services will not save money, that’s why councils across Scotland are changing their minds and bringing services back in-house.
“This decision gives councillors less democratic control over the services they were elected to deliver, it will cut jobs and services the most vulnerable people rely on, and have a serious negative affect the East Ayrshire economy.”
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