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Leader Roger Phillps: argument for union is "compelling" A local authority and Primary Care Trust are set to make public sector history with an ambitious plan to voluntarily merge into a single organisation. Unitary Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire PCT this week announced a timetable to merge into a combined Public Service Trust under one chief executive by spring 2008. The two bodies, already part of the Herefordshire Partnership, plan to appoint a chief executive by this summer, with the new trust operating as a shadow from 1 October 2007. The council's current chief executive, Neil Pringle, is due to retire later this year. The move follows months of discussion between the three-star council and three-star PCT, with both sides keen to create economies of scale. A particular impetus was the recent national review of PCT boundaries, when it became clear that while there was popular local support for a retained Herefordshire PCT, it needed greater capacity. The council itself is also the most sparsely-populated unitary in England. Council leader Roger Phillips said: ‘The argument for bringing essential functions and budgets together to generate significant economies of scale is compelling.' And Joanna Newton, chair of the PCT board, said: ‘The vision for the new partnership is underpinned by the aim of commissioning fast and efficient services. This will be backed with better use of resources by bringing together the way public services are paid for.' A joint steering group of councillors, directors and officers from the two bodies, chaired jointly by Cllr Phillips and Ms Newton, will oversee implementation. Issues covered include deciding accommodation for a new corporate HQ, managing change, and deciding clinical and corporate governance. A single set of accounts will also be created The proposal has all-party support from the council – which is run by a Lib Dem and Independent coalition, but with a Tory leader – as well as the PCT board. The move is also expected to be welcomed by ministers, who are keen to see more joined-up working between public sector bodies.

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HEALTH

Trailblazing bid to combine with PCT

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