'Think again' plea on Dorset Enterprises factory closure (From Thisisdorset)
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'Think again' plea on Dorset Enterprises factory closure
10:15am Friday 11th January 2013 in Latest By Melanie Vass
TROUBLED FUTURE: Manager Paul White, right, and staff at Dorset Enterprises
COUNCILLORS poised to close a factory for disabled workers have been urged to consider the “wider cost” of their decision first.
The recommendation is expected to be approved by cabinet members next Wednesday, but a union boss has urged councillors to look beyond the short-term savings before sealing the factory’s fate.
“Many of the people affected are quite severely disabled and I think they are going to find it extremely difficult to get another job,” said Dave Higgins, of Unison’s Bournemouth branch.
“Some have got disabled partners or children. This decision will not just affect those 23 individuals but their families as well. In many cases, Dorset Enterprises gives disabled people a reason to do something and makes them feel wanted.
“Although Bournemouth might be saving some money, there will be a cost to the country of increasing welfare benefits in addition to any ill effects on their health as a result of this.”
He said councillors should instead make maximum use of Dorset Enterprises, which makes deckchairs and other wooden products for a long list of satisfied clients, including Prince Charles’ Highgrove estate.
“They used to have a sales manager and a marketing manager but the council changed the emphasis from a business to a service,” he said.
“Now they complain it is not making money.
“To me, closing Dorset Enterprises would be a criminal waste of the talents of the workforce there and the equipment they have got.
“We are really shocked that the authority is planning to close down Dorset Enterprises after almost 100 years of providing somewhere for disabled people to work.”
Bournemouth Council claims that closing Dorset Enterprises will save it £471,000 a year in subsidy. It has promised to try and find a partner organisation that will provide employment for disabled people on the site and has also pledged to try and redeploy staff where possible.
Comments(11)
pete woodley
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11:23am Fri 11 Jan 13
BIGTONE
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11:29am Fri 11 Jan 13
Old Colonial
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11:44am Fri 11 Jan 13
speedy231278
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11:49am Fri 11 Jan 13
step up
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11:57am Fri 11 Jan 13
Old Colonial wrote:Not a reason to close but to relocate surely? It was always a subsidised venture so how is a 'not making a profit' line valid?
Been under threat of closure for years.Valuable plot of land.End of story.
step up
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12:00pm Fri 11 Jan 13
BIGTONE wrote:How can bags of sand cost £3.5 million?? Someone clearly been had. Paying out that kind of money to an unreliable company for an untested product. Whats even more amazing is how that level of incompetance can lead to a Chief Executive role !!!!
Could have kept it going at least another 6 years if the Clown Hall hadn't wasted 3.5 Mill on an underwater mole hill.
Justin666
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12:01pm Fri 11 Jan 13
“They used to have a sales manager and a marketing manager but the council changed the emphasis from a business to a service,” he said.
If this is true, then what exactly is the Council doing?
Without a shadow of doubt, and to stop further speculation, an independant enquiry must be held before this factory closes. Conor Burns, please institute.
speedy231278
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12:08pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Probably because it shouldn't be making a loss, and how you can make such a huge loss employing a small number of people to make things that ought to be in demand in the local area is nothing short of outrageous. Especially when you consider that we are told that the govt. subsidises it as well as the council! So exactly how much much IS being poured into it?
step up
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2:37pm Fri 11 Jan 13
speedy231278 wrote:I would not dispute the it should be reevalued to look at ways of reducing subsidy and at least breaking even. Dont think deck chairs are replaced annually though are they? Surely other areas of production or maintenance could be introduced to reduce subsidy and closure. However in a civilised society each and every enterprise cannot be driven solely by the profit motive and financial outcomes. The real and measurable benefits to people are also a legitamate measure of success. People matter which is why these kind of enterprises were set up in the first place.
"It was always a subsidised venture so how is a 'not making a profit' line valid?"
Probably because it shouldn't be making a loss, and how you can make such a huge loss employing a small number of people to make things that ought to be in demand in the local area is nothing short of outrageous. Especially when you consider that we are told that the govt. subsidises it as well as the council! So exactly how much much IS being poured into it?
OKANAGAN 1
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2:02pm Sat 12 Jan 13
It would be terrible if this closes, I hope it gets saved for the people that work there.
speedy231278 says...
10:52am Fri 11 Jan 13
Regardless of the reason for this factory existing, the taxpayer should not have to bear a half million pound a year loss just because it gives someone something to do. It would actually be cheaper to pay the affected workers their various benefits and start some sort of social club instead! Get a proper business brain into the place. They'll manage to make money from it, which means they'd be able to pay the workers a better wage, the council could spend the saved subsidy on other schemes for able or disabled people in need, and the workers wouldn't be seen to be a drain on the council's already very stretched budget.
Should be an enquiry into this one, unless there's something we aren't being told in these reports...!