Shared Services Move Forward

Proposals to share services between three councils in East Kent, which are set to bring significant savings for each council, will now go forward for further discussion in Dover District.

The plans, which would see a number of services being merged between Dover District, Canterbury and Thanet councils, were given the seal of approval today (Wednesday 20 January) by lead councillors from the three authorities at the East Kent Joint Arrangements Committee. Each individual council will now decide whether to sign up for the scheme, with Dover District scheduled to discuss the subject at Scrutiny Committee today (20 January), Cabinet on 8 February and Full Council on 3 March.

Services being considered for the first phase of the project include:

Revenues and benefits
IT
Building control
Customer services, including face to face and telephone

Before any service goes into the project, a business case will be proposed and agreed that needs to show at least a 10% savings in the first two years. This will also have to show what level of service the new arrangement will deliver. The decision on which services progress forward will be made by each council. The project could generate up to £3.5 million of savings over the next four years for the councils involved.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: "We firmly believe that sharing services with our neighbouring councils is the best way to deliver both the best possible service and achieve significant savings for our residents."

The decision for the three councils to move forward came despite the news that Shepway District Council is taking a step back from these plans. Shepway remains part of the plans to share human resources, waste and recycling collections and landlord services with Canterbury, Dover and Thanet and, in due course, may wish to consider joining for other services in the future.

Cllr Watkins said: "We fully respect Shepway's views on this project and the fact that the savings may not be as great to them, as they will be to us. Each council has to do what it feels is right for its residents. We believe this is the right way forward for Dover District and remain fully committed to this project."