Unitary status is not a panacea for efficiency savings, senior staff from two new single-tier authorities have said. While executives from the two new unitaries in Cheshire believe they will make significant savings as part of their new arrangements for local service delivery – under which the two councils will share around 35 services – they are adamant restructuring merely provides the opportunity for efficiencies, and not certainty. Addressing Localgov.co.uk's round table discussion on shared services, Lisa Quinn, finance director at Cheshire East Council was asked whether unitary status is an alternative to shared services. ‘No, not at all. Unitary status provided the opportunity for shared services but it wasn't necessarily a natural progression. ‘It has been something that is difficult to take forward but nevertheless it brings efficiencies and rewards,' she said. Ms Quinn's sentiments were shared by Julie Gill, director of resources at Cheshire West and Chester Council, who said unitary status, created by merging seven authorities across Cheshire into two unitaries, was also a ‘catalyst' for wider transformation programmes. These, she said, would allow the two new authorities to deliver against requirements for improved, joined-up services under the Audit Commission's Comprehensive Area Assessment regime.