The GMB union has urged Brighton and Hove City Council to take its £20 million-a-year housing repairs and maintenance contract back in-house.
The union spoke out as councillors were told by the Mears that it would ensure the council was repaid in full after a building sub-contractor overcharged for work by more than £300,000.
GMB regional organiser Gary Palmer said: “The GMB are shocked by the way the council seem happy to simply accept a £300,000 repayment without insisting on commissioning an independent investigation and audit of the entire contract to ensure no other public money has found its way to Mears incorrectly.
“There is a potential that this overcharging scandal to be much more widespread then everyone is currently admitting to.
“It was simply never in Mears’ best interest to look closely at any of their sub-contractors charges to see if they are correct as they make their money in these cases by adding on a percentage as an uplift before billing the council for them.
“It’s a case of it being a publicly funded fruit machine for them and one which always pays out.
“What it does though is raise many questions, collusion or incompetence being one potentially, and should Mears continue to provide this service to the council being another?
“Enough is enough! Cancel Mears’ contract as their reputation is itself now beyond repair and bring services and staff back in-house and under direct council control on both standards and cost while undertaking a full and comprehensive independent investigation and to look to recover all over payments if identified.”
The council said that various audits were taking place and that Mears had pledged to pay for the process.
If a crime has been committed re-the over-charging on plastering -either a prosecution or the termination of the contract should ensue
Typical socialist answer to every problem!
Who says an in-house group would be any better with all the typical over-manning and restrictive practices that follow when powerful unions (such as the GMB) gets involved.
It would just be more like ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’. Remember the fun we had with GMB and the refuse collections?
The offending company needs to be dealt with and both BHCC and Mears have to manage their subcontractors effectively!
As a leaseholder I can provide various examples of the council / Mears over specifying work (the work is spec and done by Mears! A clear conflict of interest). I have been asking repeatedly for evidence of grantee requirements for previous works been met i.e. regular maintenance of roofs like removal of plants growing in them and have been provided nothing. Now as part of a cladding project I also have to pay for a new roof!!
This is not only my money MORE YOUR TAX PAYER MONEY been grossly wasted.