Councils drop shared services plan after change of political control

Nuneaton and Bedworth Council has withdrawn from talks over establishing a shared services arrangement with neighbouring Rugby Borough Council after a change of political control.

The Labour party took minority control of the council in last week's election from the Conservatives and the new Labour leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth, Dennis Harvey, said that the council was no longer interested in pursuing negotiations with Conservative-run Rugby.

The councils had appointed consultants to advise on the plans, which were announced at the beginning of the year, but no contracts have been signed.

In January, the then-leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Council, Peter Gilbert told the BBC: "This is about a strategic alliance looking at sharing the top line management of the organisation, looking at how we can share services, looking at how we can cut out duplication and looking at how we can save tax-payers' money within the budget.”

A spokesman for the council told the BBC that a formal decision to end the talks had not yet been taken, but the council was “aware of Councillor Harvey's statement”.

The leader of Rugby Borough Council, Craig Humphrey, said that his council would look at sharing services with another authority.