Hambleton and Richmondshire District
Councils presented their ‘shared services’ journey to 50 delegates
from authorities around the UK.
They hosted a conference in Leeds Town Hall
where delegates also heard from leading officers from North
Lincolnshire Council, Chorley Borough Council, Local Government
Improvement and Development and Castlerigg Consulting.
It was chaired by former Director General of
Local Government and Acting Permanent Secretary at the Department
of Local Government and Communities, Irene Lucas.
The Hambleton and Richmondshire journey began
in April 2009 - with a common vision to share the Chief Executive,
Strategic Management Team and services across both councils, whilst
still retaining the sovereignty and independence of both
councils.
“The level and pace of ambition at that time
was unmatched anywhere within the Yorkshire and Humberside region,”
said shared Chief Executive, Peter Simpson
“Our philosophy and approach is built around
making real changes in real time, with people acting, not simply
talking and producing plans. As innovative, rural
district councils, we have seized the opportunities that shared
services provides, improving the value for money for our
communities.”
He said that so far the councils have
delivered:
- all services that can be shared are now
shared or agreed for sharing
- current annual savings of £600,000 and yearly
projected savings of £1.8m by the end of 2011/12
- members, officers and unions all engaged in
service redesign and delivery
- increased capacity, resilience and
flexibility and opportunities for learning and development
- improved services and value for money for our
communities
- programme frameworks, tools and processes
supporting delivery
July 6, 2011
Print page