Malvern Hills DC and Worcester City Council have moved a step closer to merging workforces. The two councils met separately on Tuesday, after The MJ went to press, to discuss plans to join up management teams and workforces. Worcester City Council's cabinet and Malvern Hill's executive met on Monday night to look at the proposals. Speaking before the Tuesday night meeting, Malvern Hills DC leader, Serena Croad, said the councillors would look at what services could be merged, the possibility of a joint chief executive, and also, which services should not be joined up. The councillors also talked about the possibility of joining-up more services with Worcestershire CC. ‘Nothing is in and nothing is out at this stage,' said Cllr Croad. ‘It's about looking at the two-tier system and working within that system.' She said some of her members had been to visit Adur DC and Worthing BC, which now had a joint chief executive, Ian Lowrie, and workforce. Councillors from both authorities attended a seminar earlier this month to discuss the possibility of merging some services. Cllr Croad said they are also looking at joining up ICT with Worcester City Council. A further report will be published which will look at the possibility of merging some services and staff between the two district councils in July, and then councillors will take a decision. A detailed business case, with specific recommendations, is expected to be published in September. The MJ reported last week (19 June) that Malvern Hills DC was now sharing its HR functions with Worcestershire CC. The two councils have also been sharing revenues and benefits services with Wychavon DC since last summer.
