Links with Worcester City Council
For a little while there have been discussions to see whether MHDC and Worcester City Council have common ground to work together to make savings, as well as demonstrate to the Government that such joint working would provide greater benefits than a unitary authority.
A draft report was being prepared to be put formally to both Councils and was leaked to the media a little prematurely. In order to allay some of the fears expressed , it is worth confirming that no decisions have been made. There is an opportunity for the two Councils to consider jointly appointing one senior officer to oversee each area of activity for both authorities with the obvious savings that this would produce. This could be extended to other tiers of management. There would be no loss of local control as each Council would continue to set its own policies and budgets.
A joint meeting of councillors of both authorities is to take place on 9th June to discuss matters.
The idea has been objected to for a number of reasons. It is difficult to put too much weight on these prior to an in principle decision being taken and before full consideration has been given.
At this stage it must be said that such proposals have been succesfully introduced by other councils.
Clearly any introduction of such an idea must be looked at critically and in detail. The alternative to not finding savings, however, is potentially large increases in Council Tax or service cuts - neither of which would I want to see.
For a little while there have been discussions to see whether MHDC and Worcester City Council have common ground to work together to make savings, as well as demonstrate to the Government that such joint working would provide greater benefits than a unitary authority.
A draft report was being prepared to be put formally to both Councils and was leaked to the media a little prematurely. In order to allay some of the fears expressed , it is worth confirming that no decisions have been made. There is an opportunity for the two Councils to consider jointly appointing one senior officer to oversee each area of activity for both authorities with the obvious savings that this would produce. This could be extended to other tiers of management. There would be no loss of local control as each Council would continue to set its own policies and budgets.
A joint meeting of councillors of both authorities is to take place on 9th June to discuss matters.
The idea has been objected to for a number of reasons. It is difficult to put too much weight on these prior to an in principle decision being taken and before full consideration has been given.
At this stage it must be said that such proposals have been succesfully introduced by other councils.
Clearly any introduction of such an idea must be looked at critically and in detail. The alternative to not finding savings, however, is potentially large increases in Council Tax or service cuts - neither of which would I want to see.
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