Opposition politicians have called for a review of a controversial decision to outsource council ICT services.

Glasgow City Council’s executive committee voted in favour of privatising the service, including school and social work IT and payroll, at a meeting last week.

Nine Labour councillors voted unanimously to spend £750,000 on a business plan for the proposals, which will be discussed again in February.

However SNP and Green councillors have now called in the decision to outsource the work, saying the process has been rushed and the plans are unconvincing.

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Canadian corporation CGI, which already runs IT for two other Scottish councils, are thought to be the front runners for the contract.

Trade unions have condemned the decision and voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

They had put forward alternative proposals to keep the service in-house, but were furious to discover CGI had told offered workers the chance to become shareholders if the deal goes ahead.

Union bosses were shocked to find out CGI had been allowed to communicate directly with staff in an attempt to offer incentives.

Prior to the meeting on October 27, angry workers protested outside the city chambers and demanded the local authority put a halt to any privatisation plans.

Glasgow SNP Leader, Councillor Susan Aitken, said: “We have been unconvinced, throughout this rushed process, that privatising the service was the best option.

“Our trade union colleagues are bitterly opposed to the proposals and staff have voted overwhelmingly for strike action.

“The Call In, backed by both the SNP and Green groups, will scrutinise this decision thoroughly, with no stone left unturned.

“We will push for reconsideration at a future Executive Committee meeting.

“Our aim is clear: we want the best possible ICT services for Glasgow City Council employees and service users, but we want to see complete protection for staff terms and conditions.”

A spokesman from trade union Unison has welcomed the chance for further scrutiny, and said: “We welcome the call in as much more scrutiny of this ill thought out proposal is vital.

“We believe that the numbers don’t add up, and combined with the impact on vital services like social work and education we are convinced that this is a bad plan.

“We asked for financial details four weeks ago and still await a reply from the chief executive.

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“We believe that public provision is far better than privatisation, unlike the Glasgow Labour group it seems.”

SNP councillors Eva Bolander, Malcolm Balfour, Russell Robertson and Alex Wilson have all signed the Call In papers, along with Green councillor Martha Wardrop.

It means experts will get the chance to comment and discuss the plans, and alternatives may be put forward for further consideration by the executive committee.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Scrutiny is important and this is a normal part of the council’s committee process.”