The cabinets of both East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Scarborough Borough Council will consider proposals to share a number of services, saving money and sharing costs for both authorities.
From 1 April 2015, it is proposed that the councils share services including payroll, training, human resources and benefits, subject to the completion of due diligence and the finalisation of a plan for implementation.
Both organisations have similar values and common ground, such as coastal economies, service industries and tourism, and the evidence of shared services between local authorities, nationally, highlights a variety of benefits, including opportunities to share innovation, improved service quality, pooling of scare or specialist expertise and allowing access to better technology, business processes and management techniques.
A report proposing shared services has already been approved by Scarborough Borough Council’s cabinet, on Tuesday, 17 June, and a similar report is recommended for approval at a meeting of East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Proposals to share services with Scarborough Borough Council have great potential to be mutually beneficial for both authorities.
“In addition to obvious cost benefits, working together in partnerships with our local authority neighbours will protect jobs and services and will benefit residents and local communities across the wider region.
“Subject to cabinet approval, rigorous due diligence will be undertaken on the shared service proposals and a final report brought back to cabinet for final approval.
“The council will also explore further opportunities to share services that may arise, which prove beneficial to residents in the East Riding.”
Councillor Tom Fox, leader of Scarborough Borough Council, said: “We continue to face challenging budget savings targets. Sharing services with other public sector organisations can provide the opportunity to deliver efficiency savings through economies of scale and sharing systems and systems support costs. Subject to the outcome of East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet decision, we look forward to progressing with our shared services plans with a view to maximising benefit for both authorities and the communities we serve.”
Proposals to share services, including payroll, training, benefits and human resources, will be discussed at the meeting of East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, 24 June, at 10am, and a decision made.