Camden and Islington to share chief executive

8 Sep 10
Camden and Islington councils are looking to share a chief executive and senior management team, it was announced today

By Vivienne Russell

8 September 2010

Camden and Islington councils are looking to share a chief executive and senior management team, it was announced today.

The north London boroughs said the proposal would help them save management costs and present greater opportunities for shared services and innovation.

Islington’s chief executive John Foster has announced he is to retire in May 2011 and, if both councils agree to go ahead with the arrangement, Camden chief Moira Gibb would take over at both authorities. There would be no change to the councils’ political leadership and governance arrangements.

Nasim Ali, leader of Camden council, said: ‘As the scale of the cuts to public services becomes clearer it is right that we examine all of the options available to protect the frontline services our residents value.

‘I want us to examine in detail how such a groundbreaking arrangement across Camden and Islington could drive down costs and reduce bureaucracy.’

Catherine West, Ali’s counterpart at Islington, added: ‘By working together, we have a combined purchasing power and more clout when it comes to getting better value for money in service delivery.

‘Camden and Islington are well placed to take this bold step – we have already worked together successfully and I believe that a shared management team will bring a fresh approach.’

The two councils have committed to exploring the proposals in more depth and a detailed report will be considered by the councils’ executives and Cabinets before the end of the year.

The announcement came as local government minister Bob Neill urged councils to be more innovative in sharing services and management arrangements.

He told CIPFA's Facing the cuts conference in London today: ‘Many councils are already taking steps to make their own efficiencies through innovative and effective working. I want to see more sharing management, expertise and resources.’

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