Councillors agree plan to deliver savings

Councils covering Hambleton and Richmondshire have been at the forefront of a national efficiency drive and are looking to work more closely together to deliver extra value for money in frontline services.

A study revealed more than 90,000 could be saved by a shake-up which would see bureaucrats pool more of their resources, including sharing offices, in response to the financial pressures on spending.

But councillors agreed to an even more straightened option to deliver annual savings of 152,282 – more than 24 per cent – by 20011/12, even though this would involve cuts to services.

The alternative – a major shake-up involving much more working in partnership – would have maintained services and still cut annual costs by 90,819.

However, research indicates the administrative cost of merging some sections of the two councils into one might actually cost more than would be saved.

So in a bid to trim more than 150,000 from overheads, they decided to gamble on expectations the Government will reduce the burden of red tape on town halls.

If that fails to happen, the councils may find themselves short of staff.

Whatever happens, services would be cut in areas relating to planning, engagement with the local community, and managing information on behalf of the public.

A council spokesman said: "The primary purpose of these services is to enable Hambleton and Richmondshire councils to maximise their performance and effectiveness at a corporate level across the two organisations.

The savings would be split 50-50 between the two authorities.