Islington and Camden Councils are hoping to save £4 million a year by launching a shared ICT service, in plans designed to deliver a more responsive and more integrated service for local people.
The proposal for a shared ICT service would be welcomed by those handling the councils’ budget, as both councils are looking to save a combined £185m by 2018/2019 as a result of further government cuts.
The shared service would not only save money, but also help consolidate expertise, exchange knowledge and share best practice across both local authorities – all geared towards providing local people with a better council service.
All costs and savings will be shared equally between the two borough councils, with the proposals outlining that a joint committee will meet in public to oversee the service. The committee will also oversee the creation of a single post which will be tasked with leading and managing the project.
The proposals, however, have yet to be approved, with the proposals due to be presented to the Cabinet at Camden Council on 9 September and to the Executive at Islington Council on 24 September.
Islington Council’s executive member for finance and performance, Cllr Andy Hull, said: "Islington and Camden are coming together to harness digital technology so that we can deliver services in a way that both suits local people and saves us precious money at a time when the government continues to cut inner-city councils to the bone.
"It’s a good example of how, in the face of unprecedented challenges, we are innovating and coming up with genuinely transformative solutions."
