Harrogate and Craven to share director
19 August 2009
Plans are being finalised between Harrogate Borough Council and Craven District Council to develop opportunities for joint working aimed at creating efficiencies for both authorities.
This includes proposals for temporarily sharing Harrogate Council's Director of Community Services and Harrogate carrying out Craven's internal audit function.
Harrogate will also be offering support to Craven on a range of financial management projects, which includes proposals for joint working on procurement.
In his report to the Cabinet on 26 August 2009, Wallace Sampson, Chief Executive of Harrogate Council warns that increased pressure on public sector spending in the next three years means that councils will have to look at new ways of making savings.
He said:
"This council has managed its statutory efficiency requirements very well over the past few years and has done so with no major reduction in service.
But like all other councils we are having to find new ways to tighten our belts.
"The council has already approved a five year Business Transformation Programme.
One of the major activities is to explore opportunities for greater collaboration with other organisations to help this council achieve both improvement in services and reductions in cost through greater efficiency.
Councillor Dr Mike Gardner, Leader of Harrogate Council, said: "The need to achieve significant reductions in cost will become increasingly important over the next few years as financial pressures increase.
It is against this backdrop that I support exploring opportunities for joint working."
Harrogate's Director of Community Services, Les Williamson, will take up a similar role at Craven District Council from 1 October 2009 working 2.5 days a week at each authority.
This will be for a six month period.
The council has carried out a full risk analysis of this shared role and both councils are confident that neither authority will be prejudiced.
"Mr Williamson will bring a wealth of knowledge to Craven, added Mr Sampson.
"And there are benefits to this council in developing broader collaborative opportunities."
ENDS
Media contact:
Mr Wallace Sampson is available for comment on 01423 500600 ext 6287 or via Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager, 01423 556022 email
lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk or
mobile 07525 987921.