South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire District councils are to set up a ‘strategic partnership’ that will see them sharing services across the two authorities.
The two councils will explore new ways of working together, with the first shared service likely to be set up later this year covering building control.
Jean Hunter, chief executive of South Cambridgeshire DC, said: ‘We have worked tirelessly over the last few years to deliver millions of pounds of efficiencies. However, this is proving more and more challenging and we want to be able to continue to deliver first class services for our residents and businesses. To do that, we need to see a step change in the way we work with other councils to deliver the best results possible for local people.’
Jo Lancaster, managing director of Huntingdonshire DC, said: ‘The reality for all district councils is that we are being asked to do more for less. To balance the books we need to take every opportunity to share services with a like-minded council where it makes sense to do so. This will allow us to protect the range and quality of services we provide to local residents.’
