Councillors at two Staffordshire councils have approved plans that will see them share nearly all of their services.
The move is set to save Stafford Borough and Cannock Chase District council area residents around £1.2m.
The business case for sharing has also been given the seal of approval by the Local Government Association (LGA) who said it was ‘compelling’ and had been ‘well researched and evidenced.’
Cllr Patrick Farrington, leader of Stafford Borough Council, said: ‘All local authorities are facing very challenging financial circumstances and these plans can save our taxpayers money without cutting vital services to our community. Sharing services will also help us build capacity and resilience within the council as well as helping us to recruit and retain staff.’
The first stage of the increased collaboration will see them share a top team which will lead to a reduction in senior management costs of nearly £90,000.
Leader of Cannock Chase District Council, Cllr Olivia Lyons, said: ‘I am pleased that my fellow councillors have backed the decision for the wider sharing of services. It will help us meet the inevitable financial challenges ahead but also take advantage of opportunities.
‘Opportunities include being better able to seek external funding and influencing decision making by our partners locally and regionally, sharing best practices, and creating opportunities for our staff to progress in what has been a rather flat management structure as the business case made clear – yet crucially maintaining our own sovereignty and identity.’
