Taxpayers saved £643 million by councils sharing services

Councils sharing services have saved taxpayers more than half a billion pounds.

Councils sharing services such as the provision of adult social care, the delivery of special educational needs and back office support, with 98 per cent of councils now taking part in some kind of saving.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has published a shared services map showing the there are now 486 individual shared service arrangements across the country, saving £643 million.

Devon and Somerset County Councils have combined their trading standards services and have made efficiency savings of more than £1 million. Joint service delivery has improved customer experience and created greater resilience in the service.

Councillor William Nunn, chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: “Our latest shared services map confirms that councils are working together to successfully save money. Shared services are no longer just the realm of the most innovative councils, but rather, standard practice for councils to improve services, increase resilience and save money in times of significant change, cementing councils’ reputation as the most efficient part of the public sector.

“We’ve come to the point where best practice must move beyond councils’ boundaries and start permeating the public sector. There is much to be learnt about how to deliver more efficient and effective services through greater collaboration and councils are ready and waiting to share their knowledge.”