Council’s shared service scheme saves cash but one person loses their job

A scheme to share officer time and services with other local councils will save Fenland District Council around £660,000 over five years.

A report to the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee explains how being part of the Anglian Revenues Partnership (ARP) is working since Fenland became a full member from April 1.

ARP is made up of five local councils: Breckland, East Cambs, Fenland, Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury, and two part members East Suffolk and Waveney.

The report explains that one person at Fenland Hall has lost their job as a result of the changes to staffing structures across the seven councils’ Revenues and Benefits Teams, which are responsible for collecting council tax, business rates and handling benefits claims.

A total of seven Fenland staff were affected by the changes, but the other six were accommodated in the new structure.

ARP is the first major shared service initiative Fenland has undertaken, and according to the report to Monday’s (September 1) meeting, it is already delivering significant financial savings.

The report states there are likely to be further savings in the future especially if ARP implement’s its own bailiff service next year. It is predicted this will not only save money but will also generate income for ARP going forward.

Members of Overview and Scrutiny are asked to note the report which seeks to update on the ARP’s performance so far.