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Three pairs of neighbouring district councils look set to ‘tie the knot' and join forces in a series of innovative partnerships. Adur DC and Worthing BC; Tewkesbury BC and Cotswold DC and Darlington Council and Stockton-on-Tees Council have all drawn up schemes to pool staff and resources. Adur DC and Worthing BC have published plans to merge all of their service departments, which could save the two local authorities £500,000 a year. A joint meeting of both councils will decide today (Thursday) whether to go ahead with the business case, which has been drawn up with Capita. ‘These innovative proposals are progressively improving our efficiency and helping both areas face up to the huge challenges ahead,' said Adur DC leader, Neil Parkin. ‘With government funding reducing and customer expectations increasing it is essential that we look for creative ways to become more efficient.' The MJ exclusively revealed in September that both councils were thinking about a joint management team. Last month, the two councils agreed that all refuse and recycling services should operate jointly. The leader of Worthing BC's Liberal Democrat group, Cllr Bob Smytherman, has pledged to hold a referendum on the issue if his party regains control in May. ‘I firmly believe the whole process is designed as a rescue plan for Adur and not in the best interests of Worthing residents,' he said. Tewkesbury BC and Cotswold DC have agreed to join forces and share chief executive Bob Austin. The top officer at Cotswold DC will become interim chief executive at Tewkesbury BC, when Teri Turner retires in May. Mr Austin will split his time between the two councils for an initial period of six months. ‘I'm delighted to be offered the chance to take up this exciting challenge,' said Mr Austin. ‘I believe it could bring many advantages to both authorities as we have shared aims and serve similar communities.' Darlington Council and Stockton-on-Tees Council have signed an agreement on working together designed to save £7m. The partnership will involve joint working in human resources, finance, design, print and IT services ‘It will strengthen the already successful relationship between the two councils and is in line with central government's modernising agenda,' said Stockton-on-Tees leader, Bob Gibson.

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WHITEHALL

Six districts set to tie knot in merger plans

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