Joint statement from Dover District Council Leader, Councillor Paul Watkins and Shepway District Council Leader, Councillor Robert Bliss

Further to discussions today (11 January) between Dover District Council and Shepway District Council Cabinet Members, it is the intention of both Cabinets to progress the move to a shared corporate management team, starting with the appointment of a joint Head of Paid Service between both authorities.

A draft protocol has been agreed in principle, which will be put to a simultaneous executive meeting in February 2011 with formal recommendations being made to the respective councils in early March 2011.

It is hoped that the process of appointing a joint Head of Paid Service will be concluded in June 2011.

The draft protocol sets out in principle the way forward to achieve financial savings whilst protecting frontline services.

Footnotes:

1. This process maintains the sovereignty of each District Council
2. At this stage, it is envisaged that the process involves the respective Chief Executive and Corporate Management Team members of both councils
3. No positions are at risk until formal decisions are adopted by both councils
4. Cost of delivering the project will be shared equally between both councils.