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Competitive approach to sharing services 'is counterproductive'
Tue 06 Sep 2011
Local authorities that are looking at sharing services with neighbouring councils have been urged to avoid acting competitively.
According to the National Outsourcing Association (NAO), bodies that are considering this approach should think about how each party will benefit, rather than themselves in isolation, the Guardian reports.
Martin Hart, chairman of the group, said this would help to ensure that the advantages and the workload are "divided equally", with everybody "working together" to achieve a single goal.
While he welcomed the fact that a growing number of organisations in the public sector are considering sharing services, he said too many bodies are only asking "what's in it for me and my department?"
Mr Hart described this approach as "counter-productive" and encouraged state-run groups to avoid getting "possessive connotations of the idea of sharing".
Simon Randall, a consultant at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, commented: "Sharing services between like-minded local authorities represents a huge opportunity both to provide a better service utilising the combined skills of the staff concerned but also providing a cost-effective and efficient service for residents.
"Each authority will decided upon its own priorities and governance for the combined services and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However significant experience has been built up over recent years and there are many examples of good practice upon which authorities approaching these decisions can draw upon.
"Winckworth Sherwood has advised and continues to advise local authorities in England contemplating such a move which requires considerable thought by the elected members and officers alike."
This comes after Dominic Miller of Nottingham City Council highlighted marketing as one area where councils could save money by working more closely with each other, as they could share best practice on what methods yield the best results.
For further information on any of the points raised in this article please contact Joanna Bussell in our Local Government Team
