A SMALL but significant victory after Kevin Bennett’s excellent speech, representations from Unison and a lobby of trades-council supporters – the scrutiny committee referred back to the executive board the decision to push adult social services in the town into a social enterprise.

Kevin pointed out, eloquently, the dangers of the social enterprise coming under economic pressure to cut staff wages, number, terms and conditions, and Unison pointed out that this is exactly what has happened elsewhere.

Kevin also showed how the APSE consultants' report into the service was not properly looked at by the executive of the council.

Workers from the service shook their head in disbelief as the executive councillor responsible claimed the proposal to have support from staff, and that they had been 'consulted extensively'.

The committee upheld each of Kevin’s grounds for referring back: n a lack of consultation after the APSE report was given to the council; n professional advice was not taken; n other options were not considered properly.

The executive will meet on Monday to reconsider the matter.

The trades council supports Kevin Bennett’s campaign to uphold the values of the Labour movement in Warrington Borough Council. We hope others will join him.

It was encouraging this time that at least he had some others to second his proposal to call in the decision to outsource these services. Otherwise, who is next?

ANDY FORD Trades council chairman