Councils to end 'tri-borough' partnership

Two councils in the landmark west London 'tri-borough' partnership are to serve notice on the arrangement. In joint statement, published on 27 March, Westminster City Council and Kensington and Chelsea said they had arrived at the decision “reluctantly”.

They cited the uncertainty caused by the borough’s third partner – Hammersmith and Fulham – which is alleged to have made in-house arrangements without consulting the other two partners and was causing “anxiety” to shared service staff. Launched in 2011, the tri-borough put in place a variety of shared service arrangements to deliver savings.

The notice to terminate applies to shared staff working across children’s services, adult social care and public health.

• Public Finance