Shared Services in East Kent Colin Carmichael – Chief Executive, Canterbury City Council

Original concept Faced with possible 25% reduction in Government funding (now 45%) Frustrations with awkwardness of the two- tier system Experience of how collaboration can be sabotaged by personal interests, wrapped up as risk assessment

However……. A long history of informal collaboration amongst 4 East Kent Districts and KCC Mutual liking and respect amongst Leaders and CE’s

The concept developed Create wholly-owned organisation MD reports to CE’s One Council acts as the ‘nominal client’ Target 5% savings per annum at current service level

Delegate decision-making from Councils and Cabinets to CE’s based on business cases, demonstrating how to achieve savings against set performance targets Transfer services in annual tranches Standardise terms and conditions

Problems, in hindsight? Inevitable hitches Distrust from those not involved informally Slowing of impetus once ‘difficult’ services came into consideration Shepway’s decision to withdraw late caused wobbles

A different model - waste Collection by 4 Districts, Disposal by KCC 4 different collection regimes, all handled by KCC as ‘receiving’ Council Commitment to single collection model by Districts in contract renewals KCC funded infrastructure + shares savings

The unknown future Collaborative leadership important, but territory is always an issue Joint CE for Dover/Shepway was a step too far. Need for enough management capacity to make it work. It takes a lot of time! Trust, trust, trust…….