Chelmsford News

Council may merge services

7:00am Monday 15th March 2010

CHELMSFORD Council is in talks with a neighbouring authority about joining forces to deliver council services.

It has been revealed discussions have been held between Chelmsford and Basildon Councils. In a move to save taxpayers’ money, it is understood the move could lead to mergers in waste collection, planning, environmental health, council tax collection and other services between the councils.

Commenting on the talks Roy Whitehead, leader of Chelmsford Council, said: “We are both fairly similarly-sized councils, and there are certain things we could share. This would be most likely to happen with services, such as council tax and business rate collection, but we will also be prepared to consider waste collection.

“We all know there are going to be cuts in Government funding, and there will be job losses if we don’t make efficiency savings.

“Saving money through sharing certain services could safeguard jobs.”

Chelmsford Council considered forming a partnership with Maldon District Council in 2007. The plans were eventually dropped.

Basildon Council staff were sent an e-mail saying talks have been held with Chelmsford Council. Malcolm Buckley, councillor responsible for the environment, believes money can be saved and claimed there is currently a wasteful overlap of certain services.

For example, homes in several roads in Wickford have rubbish collected by the Basildon and Chelmsford authority.

He said: “It would make sense if there was greater co-operation between the two authorities in areas like this.

“We can’t go into too much detail about how sharing services will work, because the talks are at a very early stage and nothing has been agreed yet.”

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