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The Conservatives have set their face against further local government reorganisation. So, if they get in at the next general election, we are likely to see many more councils, particularly at district level, sharing their chief executives and back-office functions. How is this sort of arrangement working on the ground? For the last two years, High Peak BC and Staffordshire Moorlands DC have shared the services of chief executive, Simon Baker, and three executive directors. The two authorities are a natural fit, covering one of the most beautiful parts of England, although, for the last few weeks, they've struggled with the snow. Faced with sharing services or making cuts affecting the communities of Glossop and Buxton, Biddulph and Leek, the councils decided to cut 16 senior managers and share a range of services. They hope to save £2m by next year. But High Peak Labour MP, Tom Levitt, is not convinced about the arrangement. He claims Staffordshire Moorlands is being favoured in every aspect of jobs and services. Mr Baker was the chief executive of the Staffordshire council but High Peak Tory leader, Terry Ashton, believes the ‘strategic alliance' is working well. Keeping a beady eye on the Pennine Hills is Richard Leese. The leader of Manchester City Council has just been appointed to head a government task force on savings and protecting services nationwide. Cllr Leese supports the merging of back-office services which are low on the public's radar. There will be tensions as councils come together to try and find ways of avoiding big cuts in frontline services. The question is, will alliances, less officers and better procurement be enough in the face of the spending cuts which are on their way. Jim Hancock is a freelance journalist and former BBC political editor for the North West

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WHITEHALL

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