Councillors in Stafford back plans to share boss with neighbours

The proposal was the only item on the agenda at a special meeting of the council which took place at Rising Brook Community Church in Stafford on Monday.

Cannock Chase Council (CCDC) approached their Stafford counterparts earlier this year to consider the joint arrangement for an initial period. It follows the resignation of the managing director of CCDC in February.

The councils have been sharing a number of back-office services for more than a decade – including Finance, Human Resources and Legal Services.

It was agreed that current Stafford boss, Tim Clegg, would be appointed as joint chief executive for an initial 14-month period from June - enabling a smooth handover with the interim managing director at Cannock Chase.

The report said that during that period an interim report will be drawn up to evaluate the potential for sharing more services and continuing the arrangements for a joint chief executive between the councils in the future.

The sharing of services and management teams has become more common in local government to help reduce finances and build capacity within councils. Already the Staffordshire Moorlands and High Peak councils share a chief executive - as do others, including Bromsgrove and Redditch.

Stafford Borough Council Leader, Patrick Farrington, said the proposals allowed both local authorities to look at further collaboration to help make savings and efficiencies across their services.

He said: "We want to ensure our council is more resilient, flexible and sustainable into the future and closer collaboration with our neighbours is a fundamental way in which we can do this.

"Sharing resources has allowed us to maintain, and improve, our services to our residents and businesses as well as making savings for the local taxpayer. But it also ensures Stafford Borough Council maintains its individual identity."