Shared services projects do not cut staff levels

19 Apr 07
Local government staffing levels have been largely unaffected by the growth in shared services, according to a report from the Improvement and Development Agency.

20 April 2007

Local government staffing levels have been largely unaffected by the growth in shared services, according to a report from the Improvement and Development Agency.

An IDA survey of 32 council chief executives and human resources directors found that most shared services projects were primarily concerned with managing demand and procuring services from the private sector, and therefore had a minimal impact on staffing levels.

'Where shared services have significant staffing implications these projects seem to move forward less quickly, or indeed get dropped,' the IDA's April 12 report states.

However, the report also suggests that moves to share services with other partners, such as primary care trusts or the local police force, could have a significant impact on the local government workforce.

Report author Joan Munro told Public Finance that it was important to get a picture of what was happening on the ground so the IDA knew how best to support councils.

She said: 'It was meant to be a snapshot. We want to test out if the picture the report paints is an accurate one.'

Shared services were also the theme of a book published by CIPFA on April 16.

Focusing on emerging trends in shared services provides guidance to help councils identify potential partners and make shared services a reality.

Alan Edwards, chair of CIPFA's IT Panel, said: 'The time is right for the shared services approach to take centre stage.

'Many local authorities have already done a great deal to move in this direction but there is still a long way to go.'

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