Page content section :
News releases
Councils could save £500,000 a year
Ref : 07/026 : Date : 07-03-2007
Adur and Worthing Councils could save £500,000 a year by joining
forces.
Following the preparation of a high level business case by leading officers of both councils and the appointment of consultants to validate their work the report on the business case for Adur and Worthing working even more closely in partnership is published today (Wednesday 7 March 2007).
Councillors of both councils will decide whether or not to progress it at their joint meeting on Thursday 15 March 2007.
The consultants, Capita, conclude that there are no showing-stopping issues that would prevent a single set of officers from running the services for both authorities. This could save approximately £500,000 every year and open other opportunities for savings, efficiencies and the use of new business systems.
If the councillors decide to proceed this will trigger some more detailed investigation of the opportunities and lead to both councils taking decisions in July of this year to kick start an appointment process of the senior managers that will serve both councils.
Leader of Worthing Borough Council, Councillor Keith Mercer said: “I am really positive about this proposal. Less than a fortnight ago we took milestone decisions to carry out our refuse and recycling services jointly. We have decided on the purchase of our joint refuse and recycling vehicles and wheelie bins and defined a single employer for the staff of Adur and Worthing Services.
For some time now we have been urging officers to press on with efficiency savings from joint working, so it is completely logical for us to be considering this proposal now.”
The Leader of Adur District Council, Councillor Neil Parkin said: “These innovative proposals are progressively improving our efficiency and helping both areas to face up to the huge challenges ahead. With Government funding reducing and customer expectations increasing it is essential that we look for creative ways to become more efficient. What is very clear is the fact that our local communities do not want disproportionate increases in council tax.
Naturally we will have to look very carefully at the details of the business case and the comments made by consultants, but your readers can rest assured that any decisions we will take will retain the identities of Adur and Worthing as separate communities and aim to delivery the improvements everybody wants”.
ends
For more information about any of Adur's news releases please contact Adur's News Room
Go back to the 2007 News Release list
