Have any decisions been made yet?
Councillors approved the proposals at the Full Council meeting on 23 February. The recommendations made to councillors were to:
- Close Sherwood Industries
- Close two of the five County Horticulture & Work Training (CH&WT) sites – at Worksop and Sherwood Pines
How has the consultation affected the proposals?
The Council carried out a specific consultation exercise for the supported employment proposals, as well as using the results of the Council’s overall budget consultation.
Proposals for CH&WT were altered to reflect concerns from service users and carers about the impact there would be on people with disabilities having to travel greater distances and the reduced time they would have available for training. A suitable alternative proposal was suggested which reduced the number of service users who would be affected but still achieved the savings needed.
However, no suitable alternative proposals were suggested for saving the money needed at Sherwood Industries. Although the majority of responses were against closing the factory, 57% of people who gave their views during the consultation said that employment for disabled workers in a supported business should be meaningful and the business should be financially sustainable.
Why is the Council closing Sherwood Industries and two of the satellite sites at the CH&WT service?
The County Council needs to save £154 million over the next three years due to falling income from the government funding, increasing demands for our services and increases in inflation and pensions.
Because of the level of subsidy required, it cost the residents of Nottinghamshire approximately £26,000* last year to employ each of the disabled workers at Sherwood Industries. The average salary at Sherwood Industries is £15,444. The Council intends to find alternative employment for these workers that will reduce the cost to tax payers.
The decision to close two County Horticulture & Work Training (CH&WT) sites will allow some savings to be made whilst at the same time allowing the service to continue.
*based on April 2010 to March 2011
Why has Sherwood Industries been allowed to lose so much money?
Substantial activity has been undertaken over a period of years to reduce the cost of the operation and to generate more income at Sherwood Industries. This has included reducing staff numbers and diversifying into new services such as PATS testing and packaging.
However, this activity has been significantly outstripped by rises in the cost of the raw materials, fuel and energy and by the impact of the challenging economic climate.
Have any attempts been made to make Sherwood Industries more competitive?
The County Council has sought a range of advice from internal and external specialists about the business model, the products and the marketing strategy at Sherwood Industries. Each of the reviews concluded that with external competition, the escalating costs of materials and the wider economic climate that it would be extremely difficult for Sherwood Industries to become financially viable. Following each of the reviews one of the options proposed has been the closure of the service.
Will all workers at Sherwood Industries be made redundant?
The Council is committed to supporting those staff who will be at risk of redundancy to find alternative employment within the Council or with other employers.
Some analysis has already been undertaken to map the skills and support needs of the disabled employees at Sherwood Industries. Although this information does not at this stage take into account personal preference, the profile has been considered against job types and locations within the County Council.
Given the nature of their disabilities, the disabled workers on the Work Choice programme may need extra help to identify an alternative job. The Council recognises this and will put in place some additional initiatives to provide extra help to this group.
When will Sherwood Industries close and what will happen to the factory?
A full scoping exercise will be carried out to determine the next steps.
No plans have yet been made about the future of the property and land.
Why was the original proposal for CH&WT changed?
The original proposal in September was to close three sites. However, the consultation showed that there was concern around the number of sites that were proposed for closure and the impact this would have on both the travel implications for service users as well as the capacity of the service to offer training places for people across Nottinghamshire.
An alternative proposal was suggested which kept Balderton open and just closed the Worksop and Sherwood Pines sites. By looking at a different staff structure and way of working, including making changes to the sales van service, some savings can still be made. Money would also be saved from the original proposal, which had allowed for the Council to meet the costs of transporting nine service users to other sites across the county.
Who will be affected by the new proposal?
The new proposal is to close two sites – Worksop and Sherwood Pines. No service users are based at Worksop and six are at Sherwood Pines. The six people will be offered the choice to transfer to Linby, Skegby or Balderton. Transport will be provided at no additional cost to those service users.
What will happen to those service users who are not prepared to travel to Linby, Skegby or Balderton?
If this is the case, the Council will talk with service users and their families to identify an alternative provision if possible (although there may be some eligibility criteria).
Which services will continue to be provided by CH&WT and which, if any, will cease?
The variety of services (retail, grounds maintenance, golden gardening) and horticultural & work training programmes will continue – it’s just the location of the services and programmes that will change for some people.
What will happen to staff at CH&WT?
33 people currently work at CH&WT. The Council intends to restructure the staff group. The impact of this will be reduced by existing vacancies and the fact that some team members have also expressed interest in voluntary redundancy as part of the countywide initiative. Some staff will have their work base relocated.
What will happen to the sales van function?
Some of the less profitable runs will be dropped, but the sales van will continue to visit County Hall and deliver vegetable boxes to golden gardening customers on Friday mornings.
Why did you decide not to close all of CH&WT as well as Sherwood Industries?
If CH&WT was closed, some of the service users would need other support, such as day services, which may impact on other County Council budgets.
The County Council plans to continue the service but to make it as efficient as possible through a staffing restructure and a rationalisation of the sites.
