Councils' education merger is hailed a first
Author: Local Government Chronicle - Jun 29, 2010
Two London councils are to merge their education services departments in the first deal of its kind in the country.
Westminster City Council and Hammersmith & Fulham expect the move will make savings of around 20% in three years.
They say it will drive up standards by improving the capability to intervene effectively when a school is failing and to commission providers who can effectively deliver free schools.
Westminster leader Cllr Colin Barrow said: “Our proposals on sharing services may be the first of their kind, but this will soon become the norm for local authorities looking for innovative ways to keep costs down.
Hammersmith & Fulham already shares directors for its legal and highways departments with Kensington & Chelsea but the merging of services with Westminster would be the first of its kind.
H&F leader Stephen Greenhalgh said: “We will lead the radical revolution in local government that our nation’s finances require.
“We will be tough but fair. Merging our education services will reduce duplication, that is all too common in local government, and drive out needless cost while improving school standards.”
If the education services merger is approved, each council says it would still drive local priorities. A cabinet paper setting out the model and potential savings will be released later.
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