WORCESTERSHIRE County Council's chief executive could share control of Worcester city council under radical cost-cutting plans being discussed by councillors.
A shared chief executive is just one idea to emerge from recent high-level discussions by political leaders from all parties about how the two councils could change their working arrangements to make services more efficient.
Worcester in particular is desperate to find ways of saving money following the collapse of its proposed merger with Malvern Hills.
City council leader Simon Geraghty said: "While no decisions were taken at what was an exploratory discussion, I found the meeting encouraging and constructive.
“We now want to build on this partnership to examine opportunities to reduce the financial pressures."
The city and county already work together on several initiatives, including the Worcestershire Hub.
Other ideas now being discussed include a joint chief executive, which would save almost £100,000 a year; sharing backroom services such as IT, and reorganising some front-line services to ensure better value for money.
This could include giving the city control of its youth services, reorganising the museums set-up and introducing a Worcestershire-wide bin collection service.
Final decisions are expected by the end of the year, but county leader George Lord said a full-scale merger was not an option.
He said: “The councils must retain their individual identity and independence, while working together to provide increased value for money and improved services to the taxpayer."
County Labour leader John Buckley said he supported plans for closer collaboration, as long as savings were reinvested in front-line services.
He said: “I’m not convinced a shared chief executive is the right way to go – it seems like too big a job for one person – but we’re supportive of the efforts made.
“We need a concerted attempt to break down the often unnecessary barriers between the tiers of local government, and adapt the infrastructure of councils to serve residents more effectively
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here