Camden and Islington could share council management

The Leaders of Islington and Camden councils are to look at the possibility of sharing a chief executive and senior management team.  As well as reducing costs, the radical proposal - the first of its kind in London - could lead to shared decision-making and services across the two boroughs.

John Foster CBE, Chief Executive of Islington Council has already announced that he will retire in May 2011. Under the new proposals, Camden’s chief executive Moira Gibb CBE would then take the helm at Islington, the first step in much closer collaboration between the two authorities.

Islington and Camden have already been working in partnership to find ways where joint working will deliver financial savings.  Earlier this year, both councils made substantial savings by entering into a joint contract to provide school meals. It is hoped the partnership would lead to greater efficiency and financial savings, protecting frontline services by saving on "backroom" costs. The move would not change the political structure or governance of either borough.

Cllr Catherine West, Leader of Islington Council, said, “We have taken the first step towards a closer relationship between our boroughs.  By working together, we have a combined purchasing power and more clout when it comes to getting better value for money in service delivery.

“Camden and Islington are well placed to take this bold step – we have already worked together successfully and I believe that a shared management team will bring a fresh approach.”

The proposals will now be explored in more depth and reported on by the end of the year.

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