Swindon Commercial Services Ltd to shed 70 jobs
9:30am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in Latest News
Council contractor is to shed 70 jobs
UP TO 70 jobs could go at the firm which provides the bulk of services for Swindon Council as it strives to deal with reduced income.
Swindon Commercial Services Ltd (SCS), which employs about 770 people, has started a staff consultation on plans to restructure to cope with expected ongoing reduced funding from Swindon Council, its main client, as well as other public sector clients.
The firm, based at Waterside Park, at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, provides Swindon Council’s Streetsmart services, such as waste and recycling collection, highways maintenance, and grass-cutting, and also maintains council houses and a construction division that builds facilities such as schools.
SCS managing director Bill Fisher said the firm would review posts across the board, including managers and office support staff, with the aim of the new structure coming into operation on April 1.
He said: “If Swindon Borough Council is under financial pressure it does rub off on its delivery partners and we’re one of their biggest, so if they have less to spend we have less income to pay staff. So there’s a knock-on effect of public service pressures.
“As an independent company, we’re working out there to replace this historic income – local government income – by meeting new customers out there and trying to offer them all of our services.”
Mr Fisher said an official consultation with staff and unions started last week and he was personally aiming to explain the situation to all staff in groups of about 50 to 60 over the next few days.
He said one key point of discussion would be the process in which the reductions should come about, adding: “We will do it in the least damaging way, firstly to my staff, secondly to my customers – so in that respect Swindon Borough Council is a customer – and lastly we will do it in the least damaging way to the public.
“So we won’t see roads go ungritted or anything like that.”
Mr Fisher said the review was about ensuring the firm was best placed to meet the needs of customers, not about achieving savings to plug a budget gap, adding that the firm is still profitable.
Coun Des Moffatt, the Labour group’s finance lead, said he would speak to his colleagues and senior council officers to prevent some of the possible job losses, adding that Swindon needed more redundancies “like a hole in the head”.
He said: “In particular I’m very concerned we’re losing 70.
“These aren’t pen-pushers, they’re the real people who fix buildings, who mend holes in the road, who collect rubbish, who cut grass and hedges. That’s very, very disappointing.”
Comments(43)
twasadawf
says...
9:42am Tue 29 Jan 13
Miss Jools
says...
10:04am Tue 29 Jan 13
Bobby Wright
says...
10:04am Tue 29 Jan 13
The grass cutter leaving a total mess of the pavements as they swan around on their motormowers like big kids on a go kart track.
For too long these former council employees have been on a gravy train of perks and practices where a hard days work is something they only laugh at.
Lets see a few more of these Tea Boys go and maybe we’ll get some decent contractors providing better services for the money we pay in council tax.
Davey Gravey
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10:15am Tue 29 Jan 13
Tim Newroman
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10:21am Tue 29 Jan 13
Sadly, if their customers don't need their services to the required level, they have to shed staff.
It's not pleasant, of course, and nobody likes to see people lose their jobs, but artificially employing people based on taxpayers propping up failing business models is not the answer.
Des Moffatt's comments really serve to highlight how out of touch he is. Those he sneeringly refer to as 'pen pushers' (who, apparently, he doesn't see as being 'real' people) often do invaluable jobs... and these days they're often the ones generating actual revenue. But when you're the likes of Des Moffatt, you don't believe in working for a living, you just force people who do work to hand you more of their money through taxes or union subscriptions. And it's precisely that attitude that's landed the UK in the economic mess it's currently in.
candid friend
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10:21am Tue 29 Jan 13
The Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man
says...
10:22am Tue 29 Jan 13
Davey Gravey wrote:Yeah, but they blamed the weather for that....
More cuts to vital services. Was bad enough last year with upto 8 weeks between grass getting cut on verges. A poor service now to get even worse.
Tim Newroman
says...
10:32am Tue 29 Jan 13
Davey Gravey wrote:If Labour hadn't spent all the money, maybe it wouldn't be quite so bad.
More cuts to vital services. Was bad enough last year with upto 8 weeks between grass getting cut on verges. A poor service now to get even worse.
Although, if grass not being cut on verges for 8 weeks is what's considered a hardship...
cherryblossom
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11:12am Tue 29 Jan 13
Erm Aplogise now you silly man.....what an idiotic thing to say...so because some people push pens and dont do manual labour that means they are not real people??? Cretin!
A.Baron-Cohen
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11:32am Tue 29 Jan 13
The main issue is that we have greatly underestimated the role of Central/local/Public spending in the Private Economy.
Now we are seeing the real impact of Government spending cuts on the private sector Economy and jobs.
Davey Gravey
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12:04pm Tue 29 Jan 13
peatmoor pirate
says...
12:49pm Tue 29 Jan 13
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:It's true that much "public expenditure" is made in the private sector and this has dropped dramatically in the last few years affecting private sector jobs. It's a shame for those losng their jobs and ultimately a shame for everyone.This is another group of people who will be trying to get employment in an already crowded market.
Considering the lack of Growth and the increasing level of debts this government is now commanding, it is inevitable to expect budget cuts at council level.
The main issue is that we have greatly underestimated the role of Central/local/Public spending in the Private Economy.
Now we are seeing the real impact of Government spending cuts on the private sector Economy and jobs.
Davey Gravey
says...
1:13pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Tim Newroman wrote:Pointless me responding to you as you then complain to the site moderator. Pathetic.
Davey Gravey wrote:If Labour hadn't spent all the money, maybe it wouldn't be quite so bad.
More cuts to vital services. Was bad enough last year with upto 8 weeks between grass getting cut on verges. A poor service now to get even worse.
Although, if grass not being cut on verges for 8 weeks is what's considered a hardship...
house on the hill
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1:43pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Idiot!
roberto5
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2:27pm Tue 29 Jan 13
The Real Librarian
says...
3:00pm Tue 29 Jan 13
cherryblossom wrote:What he means is that literate people who can think to a certain standard are too bright to vote Labour, so he doesn't care about them
Des Moffatt says: “These aren’t pen-pushers, they’re the real people who fix buildings, who mend holes in the road, who collect rubbish, who cut grass and hedges. That’s very, very disappointing.” Erm Aplogise now you silly man.....what an idiotic thing to say...so because some people push pens and dont do manual labour that means they are not real people??? Cretin!
twasadawf
says...
3:55pm Tue 29 Jan 13
twasadawf
says...
3:55pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Bobfm ,
says...
4:21pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Davey Gravey wrote:Yes I agree. Interesting that my comment highlighting Oliver's alleged multiple trollings (summarised by '13 years of labour blah blah blah) got deleted too.
Site moderator. How about reading what is said before deleting it and sending out warnings? What was offensive in what i said? Maybe you should ignore petty complaints and sort out the abuse that goes on here? The girl whose car got damaged insulted,and the young mum with a damp flat abused and insulted. Sort out the real problems with this site,not give into pathetic whines from fools.
Thought you hated censorship?
semitonic
says...
5:42pm Tue 29 Jan 13
The Real Librarian wrote:"Labour supporters are cleverer than Tories, Canadian study claims
cherryblossom wrote:What he means is that literate people who can think to a certain standard are too bright to vote Labour, so he doesn't care about them
Des Moffatt says: “These aren’t pen-pushers, they’re the real people who fix buildings, who mend holes in the road, who collect rubbish, who cut grass and hedges. That’s very, very disappointing.” Erm Aplogise now you silly man.....what an idiotic thing to say...so because some people push pens and dont do manual labour that means they are not real people??? Cretin!
If you are clever, you vote for Labour and Ed Miliband. But if you are not so bright the chances are you will back the Tories.
That is the conclusion of experts who studied research comparing childhood intelligence with political views in adulthood in 15,000 people.
They found that intelligence, rather than education, wealth or social status, decides whether people are narrow-minded or bigoted in later life."
Pillock.
SAM2WIN
says...
5:47pm Tue 29 Jan 13
True but SBC is the 100% shareholder of SCS.
SCS is committed to pay a dividend of about £3.000.000.to SBC for 2012/2013 ! (See last year's council tax leaflet.) If SCS survive it will be interesting to see the dividend required by SBC for the coming year
faatmaan
says...
5:55pm Tue 29 Jan 13
LordAshOfTheBrake
says...
6:31pm Tue 29 Jan 13
semitonic wrote:I guess that explains why more people vote labour are in receipt of benefits than those who don't......
The Real Librarian wrote:"Labour supporters are cleverer than Tories, Canadian study claims
cherryblossom wrote:What he means is that literate people who can think to a certain standard are too bright to vote Labour, so he doesn't care about them
Des Moffatt says: “These aren’t pen-pushers, they’re the real people who fix buildings, who mend holes in the road, who collect rubbish, who cut grass and hedges. That’s very, very disappointing.” Erm Aplogise now you silly man.....what an idiotic thing to say...so because some people push pens and dont do manual labour that means they are not real people??? Cretin!
If you are clever, you vote for Labour and Ed Miliband. But if you are not so bright the chances are you will back the Tories.
That is the conclusion of experts who studied research comparing childhood intelligence with political views in adulthood in 15,000 people.
They found that intelligence, rather than education, wealth or social status, decides whether people are narrow-minded or bigoted in later life."
Pillock.
I know a few people who changed their party based purely on the fact they will get more out of labour in benefits.
Oooo...... Could there be a correlation there about voting patterns and whether people are contributors or receivers.
KojaktheWarg
says...
6:37pm Tue 29 Jan 13
"These aren’t pen-pushers, they’re the real people who fix buildings, who mend holes in the road"
If so, he clearly doesnt have "pen-pushers" voting for him unless they like being talked about like that. I would argue he isn't a real person either coming out with ill-thought comments like that.
Tim Newroman
says...
7:18pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Bobfm , wrote:'Muliple trollings'? Now then, who do we know who's practically written the bible as far as that's concerned? Must admit, I didn't know (until the above post) that you use the Bobfm , login AS WELL as all your others.
Davey Gravey wrote:Yes I agree. Interesting that my comment highlighting Oliver's alleged multiple trollings (summarised by '13 years of labour blah blah blah) got deleted too.
Site moderator. How about reading what is said before deleting it and sending out warnings? What was offensive in what i said? Maybe you should ignore petty complaints and sort out the abuse that goes on here? The girl whose car got damaged insulted,and the young mum with a damp flat abused and insulted. Sort out the real problems with this site,not give into pathetic whines from fools.
Thought you hated censorship?
As for reporting posts - well, you can hardly whinge about it when it's something you yourself make an artform of.
RichardR1
says...
7:19pm Tue 29 Jan 13
As for SCS why do I get the impression that rate payers will again be paying the redundancy payments even though they are not supposed to be direct council employees.
Davey Gravey
says...
8:36pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Tim Newroman wrote:I have no interest in your feud. Why you complained about my post I don't know. Maybe the Internet isn't for you if you are so fragile and easily offended. The moderator should have ignored your petty whining.
Bobfm , wrote:'Muliple trollings'? Now then, who do we know who's practically written the bible as far as that's concerned? Must admit, I didn't know (until the above post) that you use the Bobfm , login AS WELL as all your others.
Davey Gravey wrote:Yes I agree. Interesting that my comment highlighting Oliver's alleged multiple trollings (summarised by '13 years of labour blah blah blah) got deleted too.
Site moderator. How about reading what is said before deleting it and sending out warnings? What was offensive in what i said? Maybe you should ignore petty complaints and sort out the abuse that goes on here? The girl whose car got damaged insulted,and the young mum with a damp flat abused and insulted. Sort out the real problems with this site,not give into pathetic whines from fools.
Thought you hated censorship?
As for reporting posts - well, you can hardly whinge about it when it's something you yourself make an artform of.
LocalBob80
says...
11:20pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Especially as Rod Bluh assured us that Swindon was bucking the trend
LocalBob80
says...
11:30pm Tue 29 Jan 13
LocalBob80
says...
11:32pm Tue 29 Jan 13
LocalBob80
says...
11:40pm Tue 29 Jan 13
7:18pm Tue 29 Jan 13
'Muliple trollings'? Now then, who do we know who's practically written the bible as far as that's concerned? Must admit, I didn't know (until the above post) that you use the Bobfm , login AS WELL as all your others.
As for reporting posts - well, you can hardly whinge about it when it's something you yourself make an artform of.
RichardR1 says...
7:19pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Just one minute later
Bobfm seems to be a lot of invoking the report button, it seems some can give it out but can't take it.
Are you two sharing a keyboard or do you phone each other to respond
house on the hill
says...
8:18am Wed 30 Jan 13
An archaic organisation that is well past its sell by date. But then being linked to SBC that isnt entirely surprising.
As for the idiot who says that pen pushers equals jobs worths, firstly every business needs admin staff (pen pushers) to survive and secondly jobsworths are limited to the public sector, the private sector knows what a waste of money they are and got rid of them years ago.
RichardR1
says...
8:49am Wed 30 Jan 13
Now I may be slow, but I don't think I could change logins and make another post all within one minute.
I posted what I did because when I logged in I clearly got the same message from the moderators as others did.
It has long been established that Bobfm is not Robfm, who some delusionally think I am.
I could of course have pressed the report comment button but I am not a wimp like some clearly are.
LocalBob80
says...
9:22am Wed 30 Jan 13
8:49am Wed 30 Jan 13
LocalBob80 how truly pathetic, so I'm now Bobfm, because our posts highlight the same problem and are a minute apart.
err.... No!
Nowhere in that comment do I accuse you of being Bobfm
Tim Newroman
says...
9:31am Wed 30 Jan 13
LocalBob80 wrote:What are you even talking about?
Tim Newroman says...
7:18pm Tue 29 Jan 13
'Muliple trollings'? Now then, who do we know who's practically written the bible as far as that's concerned? Must admit, I didn't know (until the above post) that you use the Bobfm , login AS WELL as all your others.
As for reporting posts - well, you can hardly whinge about it when it's something you yourself make an artform of.
RichardR1 says...
7:19pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Just one minute later
Bobfm seems to be a lot of invoking the report button, it seems some can give it out but can't take it.
Are you two sharing a keyboard or do you phone each other to respond
There is only one person who continually makes these utterly non-sequitor leaps of imagination and thinks that any other people in a thread must be the same person because they post on it at similar times.
Still, now we know you ALSO use the LocalBob80 login. No wonder you think everyone else on the thread is the same person because you use so many yourself.
And we also know that you use these different logins to report people who don't toe your increasingly bizarre line. Sad.
Davey Gravey
says...
10:10am Wed 30 Jan 13
Tim Newroman wrote:What's your excuse then? Rather hypocritical don't you think? You went crying to mods yourself over nothing. Many of you on here are pathetic. If you cannot counter things you don't like with reasonable arguement rather than complaining to mods then Internet debate isn't for you.
LocalBob80 wrote:What are you even talking about?
Tim Newroman says...
7:18pm Tue 29 Jan 13
'Muliple trollings'? Now then, who do we know who's practically written the bible as far as that's concerned? Must admit, I didn't know (until the above post) that you use the Bobfm , login AS WELL as all your others.
As for reporting posts - well, you can hardly whinge about it when it's something you yourself make an artform of.
RichardR1 says...
7:19pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Just one minute later
Bobfm seems to be a lot of invoking the report button, it seems some can give it out but can't take it.
Are you two sharing a keyboard or do you phone each other to respond
There is only one person who continually makes these utterly non-sequitor leaps of imagination and thinks that any other people in a thread must be the same person because they post on it at similar times.
Still, now we know you ALSO use the LocalBob80 login. No wonder you think everyone else on the thread is the same person because you use so many yourself.
And we also know that you use these different logins to report people who don't toe your increasingly bizarre line. Sad.
RichardR1
says...
11:01am Wed 30 Jan 13
LocalBob80
says...
11:06am Wed 30 Jan 13
9:31am Wed 30 Jan 13
What are you even talking about?
There is only one person who continually makes these utterly non-sequitor leaps of imagination and thinks that any other people in a thread must be the same person because they post on it at similar times.
I am very sorry Tim.
I have not accused anybody of posting under a different name.
I merely pointed out that yourself and Richard respond with each other very well
Not sure how or why my comment has been so misinterpreted but I do apologise if that's how it came across
twasadawf
says...
3:39pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Bobfm ,
says...
4:10pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Tim Newroman wrote:Dear Oliver / Mr Blackwell / 20Eyes / I2CouldB and whoever else you are alleged to be today,
Bobfm , wrote:'Muliple trollings'? Now then, who do we know who's practically written the bible as far as that's concerned? Must admit, I didn't know (until the above post) that you use the Bobfm , login AS WELL as all your others.
Davey Gravey wrote:Yes I agree. Interesting that my comment highlighting Oliver's alleged multiple trollings (summarised by '13 years of labour blah blah blah) got deleted too.
Site moderator. How about reading what is said before deleting it and sending out warnings? What was offensive in what i said? Maybe you should ignore petty complaints and sort out the abuse that goes on here? The girl whose car got damaged insulted,and the young mum with a damp flat abused and insulted. Sort out the real problems with this site,not give into pathetic whines from fools.
Thought you hated censorship?
As for reporting posts - well, you can hardly whinge about it when it's something you yourself make an artform of.
I have one login and one only.
I have never used the "report someone" option.
Try varying your rather obsessive-compulsive union-hating, labour-hating, talkswindon-hating, geoff reid-hating postings - it's just too easy to pick you out, my old china xx
Bobfm ,
says...
10:27pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Given the comment was about Oliver, interesting that 'Tim' replied (in the usual giveaway style)
Grimwald
says...
5:42pm Mon 4 Feb 13
and oh is it finished yet?
salt and vinegar says...
9:40am Tue 29 Jan 13