Two councils in Essex have signed a five-year deal to share revenue and benefits services.

Basildon and Brentwood have agreed to join their revenues and benefits management and IT platforms, and will split the savings equally between them.

Cllr Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, said: ‘Shared service is not about cutting staff, it is about creating the right structures to be future proof and flexible to meet the shared services opportunities and changing financial picture.

'This partnership demonstrates how we are managing our business and the stewardship of our well-managed finances. Revenues and benefits is the start of things to come with the shared service agenda.’

Cllr Barry Aspinell, leader of Brentwood Council, said there was no plan to move staff at the moment as they would retain two separate offices.