SOUTHAMPTON City Council is about to hive off large parts of its operations to a company called Capita, with whom they are currently in negotiation.

There were two contenders for the contract, but the other pulled out.

The council appears to be playing it very close to its chest, you very rarely hear much about the negotiations in the press or other sources, yet the takeover is set to become operative in October this year.

As innocent council tax payers, can we be assured that the negotiations with Capita (a profit making organisation) are being capably handled and will result in best value for money, now that the situation has collapsed into a one-horse race? Judging by some recent council decisions, I feel that we have reason to be concerned, especially for our wallets.

DAVE SMITH, Shirley, Southampton.

A Southampton City Council spokesman replies: We are seeking a partnership with an experienced commercial company to modernise our services for the benefit of our customers.

After a detailed tendering process with several organisations, final negotiations have been entered into with Capita.

Capita is proposing to invest £25m in providing services for the council - something we cannot afford on our own.

Customers will see improvements to the way they deal with us, including, in the short term, the development of a new call centre and improvements to Gateway, the one-stop shop.

In the next two to three years, a new office complex will be developed to include a new walk-in contact centre.

Capita envisages attracting new business to the city and the new complex will become their regional business centre.

Councillors will decide whether to sign an agreement with Capita on July 18. You can find further information at www.southampton.gov.uk or by contacting Paul Del-A-More on 023 8083 3385 or at futures@southampton.gov.uk.