Joint working in local government HR departments has had mixed fortunes this week, with one council abandoning its experiment while another two take their plans further.
Tower Hamlets LBC and its local PCT have scrapped their joint director of HR post after two-and-a-half years – despite its denial last month that it planned to get rid of the joint post (see The MJ, 20 August 2009).
Deb Clarke, who has filled the post of joint director of human resources, will leave the post at the council and will take up a role at the PCT – although it is not clear what the role will be.
She said: ‘I have loved doing this job for the past two-and-a-half years, and I believe we have made a real difference to the community of Tower Hamlets.'
But, she added: ‘There is no point in holding on to the joint arrangements if that is not what is needed going forward.
‘I will be focusing on the transformational work for the PCT in the coming months to support the PCT in the development of its new arrangements.'
At the same time, the London boroughs of Merton and Sutton have agreed to join up their HR services in a bid to save up to £500,000 a year.
The councils, which already share a joint director of HR, Dean Shoesmith, agreed the arrangements earlier this week.
The move means about 100 HR staff will report to Mr Shoesmith.
Member for resources at Sutton, John Drage, said the move was likely to become more common in local government as councils attempted to make more efficiency savings.
‘We have been working closely with Merton over the past 12 months to develop this leading-edge model of shared HR service.'
