A proposed management re-structure at South Ribble Borough Council and an increase in the use of shared services could save the authority £400,000.

The plans, set to be voted on by councillors at a meeting tomorrow, would see more shared services being developed with neighbouring Chorley Borough Council.

The two north western councils have been pooling resources for a decade, a South Ribble statement said, and the proposed changes would take them a ‘step closer to full shared services’.

‘It is well documented that all local councils are facing challenging times and really need to look at the way they operate in order to continue to deliver the very best services for the residents in its borough,’ said the new chief executive at South Ribble, Heather McManus.

‘These proposals, if agreed, will transform the way we work and put regeneration and growth at the very heart of what we do.

‘It will also help us save money so we can improve our services – offering the very best value for money possible.’

The council’s budget deficit is likely to be just over £1m by April 2018, rising to £2.6m by 2020. Mrs McManus, who joined the council in July, said all parties including staff, councillors and Unison have been ‘extensively consulted’ on the plans.

Members at Chorley Council voted unanimously at their meeting last week in favour of extending further shared services with South Ribble.

South Ribble council leader, Cllr Peter Mullineaux, said: ‘As leader, I welcome the proposed restructure and look forward to discussing the details at the meeting of full council on Wednesday evening.’

Photo: ©Ian Greig