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Thurrock Council ends Serco contract five years early
A statement from the council reads: "The original 15-year Strategic Services Partnership (SSP) contract began in 2004, at a time when the financing of local government was in a very different position with growing budgets and before the introduction of austerity savings and budget cuts"
“It is not an appropriate form of contract to meet the current requirements of Thurrock Council in respect of the available finances or best value and the needs of a private sector partner in the current economic climate."
It is understood that Thurrock Council has paid £10m to terminate the contract , which was due to run until 2020 with an optional five-year extension. However, back in February, angry Thurrock councillors demanded that officers look closely at the contract with strategic partner Serco to offer options “up to, and including termination”, expressing frustration with Serco for its “lack of commitment to efficiency savings.”
In November, council leader John Kent said he expected savings of £3.5-4m a year by taking the work concerned back in house.
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