Deal between Bucks County Council and Harrow London Borough Council to save taxpayers £670k

On Saturday 1st April 2017 twenty human resources staff at Harrow London Borough Council transferred to Buckinghamshire County Council as part of an innovative project to share back office functions and save taxpayers money.

The deal, which is the first of its kind between a county council and London borough, sees Buckinghamshire lead on HR and Harrow lead on legal services.

It is expected that the deal will save the two councils around £670,000 per year.

While at first glance the two authorities, which are controlled by different political parties, might not appear natural partners, Gill Quinton, Managing Director (Business Enterprise and Shared Services) at the County Council, said: ‘We are united by a mature, commercial approach to sharing services which ensures that essential – but hidden – back office functions offer the best value for taxpayers’ money.‘