Posted: Sun 27th Jan 2019

Why a Berkshire council is searching for Welsh speakers to keep an eye on elderly & vulnerable adults in Flintshire

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jan 27th, 2019

Social media users in Berkshire have spotted some unexpected posts from a local authorities channels in the last few weeks.

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC)’s social stream has been calling for Welsh speakers to apply for a job with the authority in the borough according to the Local Democracy Reporter Service 

This is because in 2018 Flintshire County Council paid BFC £80,000 to create a job for a welsh-speaking emergency response officer (ERO) to take calls from distressed residents.

Consequently, this means the ERO could be taking calls from elderly or vulnerable Welsh adults despite being based in Berkshire, almost 200 miles away from Flintshire.

The ERO will be working for the council’s ‘Forestcare’ service, which is an out of hours provision that supports distressed residents across the country.

Law requires the council to meet Welsh speaking standards but prior to the job application being listed, the authority had been using a translation service to deal with calls from Welsh speakers.

The postings were spotted by national satirical magazine Private Eye in summer 2018.

A column in the bi-monthly publication read: “In the wonderful world of outsourcing, BFC has won a contract to monitor out of hours the lifeline alarms of elderly and vulnerable residents for 25 local authorities and housing associations, one of which is Flintshire County Council in North Wales.

“The Flintshire job alone is worth £80,000 to BFC. So when Doris in Mold takes a fall and presses her buzzer, someone in faraway Bracknell will contact her neighbour, next of kin or emergency services.”

By Ollie Sirrell – Local Democracy Reporter/ Bracknell and Wokingham (more here).

Picture: Snapshots of Bracknell

Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email: News@Deeside.com
Latest News

  • DECA Sealand industrial action ends after union secures improved pay deal.
  • MPs’ call for ‘modest’ increase in statutory sick pay
  • 10m homes should read their energy meter this weekend

  • More...

    DECA Sealand industrial action ends after union secures improved pay deal.

    News

    MPs’ call for ‘modest’ increase in statutory sick pay

    News

    10m homes should read their energy meter this weekend

    News

    Are high street banks leaving Wales behind? MPs to examine access to cash

    News

    Easter travel rush: 18.5m journeys expected, says AA

    News

    Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales to launch on Good Friday

    News

    Flintshire Council marathon planning meeting sparks concern

    News

    Welsh Ambulance Service “Think twice before dialling 999 this Easter”

    News

    Police Fitness to Drive scheme adopted in North Wales as alternative to prosecution for over 70s

    News