More services in Lichfield and Burntwood could be delivered in partnership with Tamworth Borough Council.
Cllr Mike Wilcox, the leader of Lichfield District Council, has put forward a proposal for a more formal agreement about how the two authorities could work together.
The two councils already have an agreement over rubbish collection, but the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would increase the likelihood of shared services in other areas.
“Like all councils across the country, we are facing continued and significant financial pressure and are committed to exploring innovative ways to maintain local services, while cutting costs and delivering efficiencies,” Cllr Wilcox said.
“As part of this, the Cabinet members from Tamworth Borough Council and Lichfield District Council have met to discuss whether there could be benefit in a closer working relationship, building on the success of existing shared services, such as the joint waste service.”
However, Cllr Wilcox’s report insists the MoU would not lead to a gradual merger of the two authorities.
He says the document has been drafted on the basis that “each council retains decision making and democratic independence” and “each council retains its distinct character and identity”.
“This report seeks to place an existing, informal arrangement onto a more secure footing and thus provide each authority with the initial option of pursuing a shared service arrangement with the other,” Cllr Wilcox explained.
“This is neither a contractual agreement nor a legally binding arrangement.”
The proposal will be discussed by Lichfield District Council’s cabinet this evening (February 4).
