27.06.19
LGA praise councils for sharing services which save over £1bn
Councils across the UK are sharing services to cut down on costs that save the taxpayer over £1.3bn, a report from council leader shows.
The Local Government Association (LGA) hailed the initiative from 626 partnerships as a success.
Lord Porter, LGA Chairman, said: “Councils have embraced efficiency and innovation in a way that is not seen anywhere else in the public sector and these fantastic new figures show they, once again, remain at the forefront of cost-effective service delivery.
“Councils sharing ideas and working collaboratively has contributed to more than £1 billion in efficiency savings that have helped local government to try and protect vital local services amid ongoing funding pressures.
“Councils’ commitment to improvement remains strong but, faced with an overall funding gap that will reach £8 billion by 2025, securing the financial sustainability of councils and our local services must be the top priority in the Spending Review.”
Services such as adult care, CCTV operations, and procurement have been jointly managed and maintained by councils up and down the country for several years, as local authorities cope with decreasing budgets.
The figures mean councils continue their reputation as one of the most efficient parts of the public sector, dealing with a diverse range of challenges and changing circumstances.