Richmond and Wandsworth councils have announced proposals for the creation of a shared staffing arrangement.  Details are in a press release issued on Friday 23 January.  The proposals will be considered at future meetings.

Under the proposals, the two councils would continue to be separate bodies with their own elected councillors, cabinets and leaders, retaining the ability to develop policies and priorities appropriate to their local residents.  Initially the focus would be on merging management structures, starting from the top by having just one Chief Executive and one Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources to cover both council areas.

Commenting on the proposals, Professor Ian Bruce, chairman of the Richmond Society, said:
“It is vital that the planned sharing does not reduce the focus on our respective boroughs. People in Richmond expect their Council to concentrate on the locality and its unique needs.”