Date: 12/06/2008
A trailblazing alliance between two neighbouring local authorities will help to drive down council tax increases, invest in improving services and save £1.25million.
High Peak Borough Council leader Tony Ashton and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council leader Sybil Ralphs have officially signed a concordat on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, affirming the country's first strategic alliance between two councils, working across separate counties and regional boundaries.
Councillor Ralphs said: "We are leading where the rest of the country must surely follow. We have taken a very heavy hit in the amount of government support we receive. This year, we received our worst settlement in a decade -- a one per cent increase, with just 0.5 per cent increases then, for the two following years.
"On top of this, the government is squeezing councils to meet constantly stretching efficiency targets, and every year, we must trim hundreds of thousands of pounds off our budgets, while maintaining excellent services. If we sat back and did nothing, we would be faced with cutting services or hiking up council tax.
"Instead, we have been innovative and bold. This alliance shows how two rural councils can work together and fly the flag, for other authorities to follow. It will mean we can both keep council tax increases down, invest in improving services and save £1.25million in government efficiency targets."
The strategic alliance is working to provide improved services to Staffordshire Moorlands and High Peak residents on joint projects, such as providing more affordable houses to more residents. Also, protecting and enhancing the beauty of the two areas through a joint community 'green and clean' team, which supports clean-ups in neighbourhoods, controls dog fouling, litter and fly tipping, and provides a flexible and rapid response to all reported issues.
Councillor Ashton said: "We are committed to low council tax increases, which have been below average and have consistently fallen year on year. We are determined to maintain this trend.
"We are both extremely financially prudent councils and are determined to ensure taxpayers get the best value for their money, while being provided with excellent services.
A joint management team is methodically reviewing all the services the two councils provide.
Simon Baker, who is heading the team, was last month announced as the single, shared chief executive of both authorities.
Both councils are led by Conservative administrations. Both are rated 'excellent' by the Audit Commission. The two councils adjoin each other and have large parts of their area within the Peak District National Park. Both local authorities have similar sized populations, geographical areas and budgets.
Photo: Staffordshire Moorlands District Council leader Sybil Ralphs (left) holds the concordat she has signed with High Peak Borough Council leader Tony Ashton (right), affirming the two authorities' strategic alliance. Looking on, behind, is Simon Baker, the chief executive of both councils.