Derbyshire County Council is considering plans to set up two joint ventures with Suffolk County Council.

If approved, the companies would deliver cleaning and caretaking services for Derbyshire, as well as design services for construction projects costing over £50,000.

The council is also considering setting up a partnership with Public Sector Plc to change the way it sells surplus properties.

Cllr Angelique Foster, cabinet member for council services, said: ‘Keeping cleaning and caretaking within the public sector is the best possible option for our customers, in the main schools across the county, our employees, and offers best value for money for council tax payers at this time.

’If cabinet agree then we will start detailed negotiations and would hope, if all goes well, that our employees could move over to work for Suffolk and its subsidiaries by next March.’