SOMERSET County Council's blueprint for delivering services over the next year by handing them over to other organisations has come under fire in an independent report.

The 2012/13 county plan highlights a new approach for the cash strapped authority, moving away from direct delivery of services to take on a commissioning role.

But an analysis by the not-for-profit Association for Public Service Excellence warns of the dangers of a move towards privatisation.

The study by APSE, commissioned by the local government union Unison, concluded the plan was far from neutral about its preference for withdrawing from direct delivery of services.

And in his summary, author Andy Mudd describes it as "a curious mix".

"On the one hand, it rightly points to the need for future decisions about how services should be provided based on evidence gathered through a robust review process," he said.

"On the other hand, it appears to predetermine the outcome through its vision of a commissioning authority."

Mr Mudd said, although commissioning did not necessarily infer wholesale outsourcing of services, the plan was far from neutral about its preference - despite recognition by all groups on the council that the Southwest One project - through which much of the 'back office' work is already outsourced - had failed to deliver the expected benefits.

"The recent history of outsourcing suggests there can be no reasonable assumption that transferring service delivery to private companies will automatically bring financial or other benefit," said Mr Mudd.

"At a time when every public pound counts, local government cannot afford to make expensive mistakes in the pursuit of an ideological imperative.

"The Somerset County Plan and Programme for Change emanating from it can be seen as a robust, supportable, approach to service review.

"Unfortunately, it can also be seen as a blind statement of belief in a particular approach to service delivery which pre-empts and predetermines the review outcomes."

Mr Mudd said the plan did not present any evidence to show how the adoption of a commissioner/provider split would result in improved or cost effective council services.

Nor did it show how handing over responsibility for some of its services to social enterprise or third sector bodies would benefit service recipients, or even Council Taxpayers.

But Mr Mudd said notwithstanding the concerns about the tight timetable for change and the cost, the review methodology was sound and, if stuck to, would provide an opportunity for genuine, evidence driven appraisal of service delivery options.

The West Somerset branch of the Labour Party is calling on the council to acknowledge the concerns raised by APSE.

Vice-chairman Jill Walmsley claimed the report confirmed what had been clear for some time: "The Conservatives at County Hall are determined to press ahead with the privatisation of services, regardless of the evidence."

Mrs Walmsley said it was accepted that it was important to get value for money.

"But we believe the council should not blindly abandon its responsibility to deliver services.

"The plans of the Conservative leadership have been revealed for what they are - an ideological commitment to privatisation that could end with worse services and no saving for Council Taxpayers."

A council spokesman said the plan had been agreed by all county councillors and was supported by all parties and the authority's chief executive.

"The county plan sets out the council's priorities of looking after vulnerable people, giving children the best start in life, creating jobs, boosting the local economy and delivering best value for money for Council Taxpayers."