Privates on parade
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THE REPORT in CM by Alan Millar about Lincolnshire County Council's new Transport Management Organisation system ("The Tory Council that shuns privatisation", May 14 1983) is informative, discerning and gratifying. Unfortunately its headline is inaccurate, and in some contexts could be very misleading.
Far from shunning privatisation, we believe our system makes good and efficient use of the private sector. Part of our success is due to ensuring that our vehicles do not travel more than 5 miles for first line servicing. This is an important requirement in a county the size of Lincolnshire, where facilities can be widely scattered. Some 10 per cent of scheduled maintenance is placed with private garages. With the additional work generated at service times, it means that some 20 per cent of our repairs is placed with the private sector.
We consider this an efficient and cost-effective harnessing of public service and private sector facilities. While we think that currently we have got the balance right, the situation is reviewed regularly and could be changed either way.
This county council does not shun privatisation, or use of the private sector. It seeks the most economic way of presenting the best service by maximum use of resources in the best interests of ratepayers.
G. R. PRENTICE Chief Executive Lincolnshire County Council