Business chiefs have called for more partnerships between the private sector and councils to help deliver efficiencies. Speaking at an LGA conference, Dr Neil Bentley, director of public services at the CBI, praised existing partnerships such as the joint venture between IBM, Somerset CC and Taunton Deane BC, called Southwest One. He also praised the partnership between Essex CC and Brentwood DC, which are sharing chief executive, Joanna Killian. We need more ventures of this type and lessons learned in achieving success need to be spread throughout local government,' said Dr Bentley. ‘Millions of pounds are being locked up when they can and should be released to meet local needs. ‘Effective partnerships with business will help do this, be it through off-the-shelf products or more tailored projects.' Dr Bentley said the CBI and the LGA had established a joint forum to look at how councils could become better commissioners of public services. ‘We are determined that this forum will not be another talking shop,' he added. ‘We have clear, achievable objectives that will make a real difference to how local government markets develop.'