Shared services
Councils plan to share chief executive
Two more councils have made moves to share a single chief executive.
Councils told to end merger speculation
Two councils have been urged to ‘move on’ from merger proposals that have failed to get off the ground after a decade of sharing officers.
Merger plans axed after Stratford-on-Avon concerns
Plans to merge Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick DCs will not go ahead after the former got cold feet.
Councils look at shared leadership team
Two district councils are expected to draw up plans for sharing a single leadership team.
Three councils sign shared services agreement
Basildon, Brentwood and Castle Point BC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities for partnership and collaborative working.
Future proofing the sector
Neel Patel looks at how councils are establishing large reform programmes to meet the financial challenges.
Taking the first steps towards re-imagining our services
Until recently, re-procurement of services was the default approach. 'Now we are seeing an increasing appetite for partial or complete insourcing of functions', says Sean Hanson.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to end chief sharing
Councillors are expected to agree to make separate chief executive appointments in meetings to take place next week.
Councils appoint joint chief executive
Jonathan Stephenson will take on the role at Brentwood BC and Rochford DC for an initial six months from next month.
From surviving to thriving
Rob Barlow outlines the progress Boston BC and East Lindsey DC have made eight months into their Strategic Alliance, including a joint approach to workforce development.
Talks start over sharing chief executive
Talks on two neighbouring councils sharing a chief executive are to start ‘straight away’ after the managing director of one struck a deal to leave.
South Holland and Breckland to break up partnership
South Holland and Breckland DCs are to end their decade-long partnership, with a final decision due at the end of the month.
Blow for tri-borough shared service
The back office support service shared by three London boroughs has been dealt a blow.
Warwickshire districts vote on reorganisation
Stratford DC is to vote next week on plans to create a ‘super district’ with neighbouring Warwick DC.
West Sussex to appoint joint chief executive
West Sussex CC has announced a new improvement plan which will see neighbouring East Sussex CC’s chief executive take on a joint chief executive post.
Review questions benefits of shared services provider
A review of LGSS found ‘no evidence’ the councils benefited through sharing some services.
Your perfect partner?
Diary hears that the Local Government Association has created a ‘matchmaking service’ for councils to share experiences and services.
Councils urged to ‘shine a light’ on services to improve them
A shared services company has urged councils to look at alternative ways of working.
The biggest challenge in local government
Last week, James Brokenshire announced the reorganisation of Northamptonshire CC – a year later than was originally planned. Heather Jameson speaks to chief executive Theresa Grant and her commissioners on progress at the crisis-hit county.
Oxfordshire councils to extend joint working arrangements
Two councils are considering extending their working partnership in a move they hope will trigger a ‘broader conversation’ on local government organisation.