The Deputy Mayor of Middlesbrough, Dave Budd, has fiercely criticised the “scaremongering” surrounding Middlesbrough Council’s decision to move key services out of authority control, with detractors accusing the Council of back-door privatisation.

The authority has agreed to embark upon a joint venture with the Norfolk County Council-owned Norse Commercial Services, in a move that could see services such as bin collections and school meals placed under the control of an external operator.

The council, which will retain 50% of any operating profit under the agreement, has said that its environmental services must save £3.6 million over the next three years. More than 1400 staff members could be transferred following the agreement.

The plan has met with criticism, with a group of independent councilors launching a petition calling for the Council to reconsider.

Attending an executive meeting of the council on Tuesday, Budd spoke out against the move, saying “I would hope that people would be considerate towards the workforce. There have been some lies told about this. Anyone in this room who has done this should examine their conscience.”

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