Laura Sharman 28 April 2014

Shared services save councils £357m

Shared services have saved the taxpayer more than £350m with 96% of councils involved in some kind of sharing, according to the latest figures from the Local Government Association (LGA).

The shared services map shows that 337 councils are engaged in 383 shared service arrangements, resulting in £357m of efficiency savings. Back office shared services such as HR and legal saved £75m, while environment waste and transport saved £84m.

Cllr Peter Fleming, chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: ‘At a time when local government funding has seen huge cuts, it is positive to see how much councils have saved taxpayers by sharing services and how many councils have adopted this approach. Over the past year, the amount saved by sharing services has increased by £83m, to £357m, an increase which demonstrates the extent to which councils have taken sharing services on board.

‘The interactive map demonstrates the range and scale of service sharing by councils, and this year shows services shared with other public sector bodies too. However, while savings from sharing services are now worth more than a third of a billion pounds, they do not match the scale of the 40% cuts to local government during the life of this Parliament.’

According to the map, shared service arrangements are growing fastest in London and the south-east, and the biggest increase in savings last year were in adult services and culture, leisure and tourism.

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Community Transport Co-Ordinator - Braintree District Council

Essex County Council
£13.5700 - £14.9500 per hour
Community Transport Co-ordinator - Braintree District Council Temporary, Full Time£13.57 - £14.95 per HourBraintree, EssexClosing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Procurement Manager

Essex County Council
£46388.0000 - £54573.0000 per annum
Procurement ManagerPermanent, Full Time£46,388 to £54,573 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Youth Officer (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (Pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention Mid Essex

Essex County Council
£37185.0000 - £50081.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention Mid EssexPermanent, Full Time£37,185 to £50,081 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Director – Housing Services

Redbridge London Borough Council
£Competitive
Are you ready to lead transformative housing services in one of London’s most ambitious and diverse boroughs? Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Redbridge London Borough Council
Linkedin Banner