Lib Dem Deputy Leader Councillor Will Frass said that Labour are being “taken for a ride” by outsourcing giant Amey, who were handed a 23-year super-contract to provide basic council services by the Conservatives in 2015.
Councillor Frass said, “I haven’t met a single person who thinks a 23-year deal is a good idea. You only have to walk around your local area to see the slap dash services we’re expected to put up with. The roads are a state and the drains are blocked up. Outside a few special cases, most of our smaller local parks are neglected. Every year it’s getting worse.”
But the council’s official score card for AMEY’s work tells a different story. Every year, the ruling Labour Group sign off Amey’s work by awarding them top-marks for everything from clearing the drains, fixing the potholes, and trimming grass verges.
The Lib Dems don’t believe that taxpayers are getting value for money from Amey’s multi-million-pound contract under Labour.
Councillor Frass said, “Whoever is marking Amey’s homework is on another planet. I can only imagine how people who were flooded last month will feel when they find out Labour awarded Amey 100% for drain clearance every month last year.”
“If that wasn’t enough, they’ve also given Amey top marks for trimming grass verges. There isn’t a single overgrown verge in Trafford according to this Labour Council. As for ‘reactive road maintenance’ – would any Labour Councillor be willing to stand up and say Amey do 100% of pothole repairs?”
"Every month, someone types ‘100%’ into a spreadsheet and colours it green at the Town Hall –it’s insulting to residents.
Labour are a soft touch when it comeS to enforcing the contract with Amey. They’ve been taken for a ride, and we need a much tougher approach.”
