A project to bring together services from two North
Yorkshire district councils has already realised joint savings of
almost £1million.
From April 2009 Councillors from Hambleton and Richmondshire
agreed to work in partnership to release efficiency savings through
shared services where this is appropriate.
They already worked under a shared chief executive and senior
management team. Now most sections of the authorities are already
working as one team - including in ICT, revenues and benefits,
communications, environmental health - or are about to.
And for some services there could be links with other North
Yorkshire Councils - there are already joint building control and
audit partnerships involving several authorities.
The 'shared services' project is seen as a unique opportunity to
maintain and create better services for both district's 132,550
residents - giving both councils stability and taxpayers better
value for money. It is not a political merger and the identity of
both Councils will be retained - each Council works to its own
corporate plan which drives forward priorities and business.