[Neil]

I personally think that a large number of civil servants do a poor job and don't deserve the excellent terms and conditions they get. Many Council services would be much better carried out by contractors. By this I don't mean little companies set up to take over privatised Council services comprised of ex-Council workers. For example Hyndburn Homes. I really can't see them doing any better than HBC did. The problem is with the workforce and managers. They don't appear to be accountable for their actions like us working for private companies. If I stuff up at work I could and would be disciplined for it, ultimately I could be sacked on competance grounds. I can't ever see that happening at a Council.
It's silly things they do like having park keepers start work while it is still dark. This morning the road sweeper came round before 8am, the streets are still full of cars so whats the point of trying to sweep them? If they started after 9am then they would catch litter dropped by school children as well.
What are the managers at HBC actually doing to improve the service they give to us?
The way it comes across is that they don't need to make any improvements, they are in a 'job for life' so why bother?
I know this is not true for all of them, I have met several that are very committed. Like usual though the good ones are out weighed by the many bad ones.