One of the growing trends in local government has been increased sharing of ‘back office’ functions between councils. It looks however as if Islington and Camden are about to take a big step beyond that as Richard Osley reports in the Camden New Journal:
Camden and Islington are to share a chief executive for the first time, the New Journal has learned. In a unique agreement, the authorities are set to be bonded by one top official. The strategy is part of attempts to cut down on costs.
You can read his full story here. As Richard points out on his blog, it is an idea first floated earlier this year by Islington Lib Dem councillor Terry Stacy, so this proposal may get cross-party support.
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RT @markpack: New post: Camden and Islington councils to share Chief Executive http://bit.ly/9QNaIO
The idea was not “first floated” by Stacey, what arrogant twaddle. Stacey had 4 years to do this when he was leader of Islington (as did his previous counterparts in Camden) and failed, this only came about after a change in administration. Next you are going to tell me he had a hand in inventing the internet?
Ah, what a charming dose of abrasive tribalism. Good to see power isn’t changing you Theo
Not unique, you metrocentric !
On 22 March 2010, Mark Williams was appointed as the joint Chief Executive of South Somerset District Council and East Devon District Council at a basic salary of £121,000 for 2009/10. South Somerset is, of course, Lib Dem controlled but East Devon is Conservative.
Thanks David; I’d missed that story. Do you know if that was the first joint Chief Exec appointment?
I didn’t know, but I have checked and found this here: http://www.publicserviceevents.co.uk/event/spkr_biog.asp?ID=131:
“Ian Lowrie is Chief Executive of Adur District Council and Chief Executive of Worthing Borough Council. He has worked at Adur since 1997 and has been involved at Worthing for four years now. Prior to Adur DC he worked for East Sussex County Council in a host of different roles.” I knew him when I worked there.
It goes on:
“Currently he is spearheading what was the first arrangement in local government nationally to create a single officer structure to serve two Councils and drive the efficiency agenda. As a change management exercise this is an outstanding exemplar for councils and other organisations to consider and one which is being replicated in a growing number of other authorities. With the current prospects for resources, particularly in the public sector, many others have followed.”