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Councillors in Bedfordshire are to discuss which services could be shared between the two new unitaries when they open their doors next year. Bedford borough's implementation executive met earlier this week, and central Bedfordshire's shadow executive meets next week (10 June) to look at sharing operations. Central Bedfordshire shadow executive chairman, Tricia Turner, said ‘obvious candidates' included the county music service, archives and rights of way. ‘Sharing or separating services will be carried out based on the best way to meet our customers' needs and improve value for money,' said Cllr Turner. The central Bedfordshire shadow authority has also unveiled its proposed new management structure and salary bands. A report which goes to the unitary council's shadow executive next week states the new chief executive will earn between £145,000 and £180,000. The report also shows the council's new director of children's services will earn up to £140,000, and a head of service will potentially earn up to £90,000. ‘The new management structure will refresh Bedfordshire's local government, bringing in new talent and recognising the best of local ability too,' said Cllr Turner. ‘Yes, senior staff will be paid competitive salaries,' she added. ‘Yes, they will be doing a unique and exceptional job, bringing three very different councils together to create a single organisation which will be among the top 10 unitaries in the country.' The proposed chief executive salary for central Bedfordshire is in line with other top officer posts. The chief executive of the new East Cheshire unitary will be getting a salary of £173,000. A salary of up to £180,000 has been offered for the chief executive's job at the new Northumberland council, and the top officer at Durham will get up to £200,000.

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WHITEHALL

Unitary move sparks shared services talks

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