Councils look at sharing services

Worcestershire CC and Worcester City Council are examining entering a shared services deal.

The two councils have set up cross party group to examine the scope for sharing service.

The move follows a presentation from Essex CC on lessons learned from its pioneering tie-up with Brentwood BC under which the two authorities share chief executive Joanne Killain.

Worcester and Worcestershire are being supported by IdeA (Improvement and development agency for local government) West Midlands.

Worcester have appointed consultants Mouchel to review their current and future financial position and advise the CC and the City Council on options for joint service provision as well as the organisational, managerial and financial implications of collaborative working.

Mouchel will report back to both authorities by the end of October with decisions on the way forward to be made during November/December.

George Lord, leader of Worcestershire CC, said: "These are early days but I am pleased with the progress we have made and encouraged by the cross-party approach we have adopted."