Councils discuss joint working

Rochdale Council Leader Councillor Colin Lambert

A committee set up to oversee joint-working between Oldham and Rochdale Councils has met for the first time.

Both Local Authorities appointed five members each to the Oldham and Rochdale Advisory Joint Committee last month to oversee the development of joint-working.

Work has since been undertaken to investigate opportunities for collaboration, compare current services and highlight opportunities to save money and improve services.

The new Oldham and Rochdale Advisory Joint Committee met informally in Rochdale last night (13 June)

Colin Lambert, Rochdale Council Leader and Jim McMahon, Oldham Council Leader, said: “Joint-working plans offer a major opportunity to make financial savings while continuing to deliver good services to residents in both Boroughs.”

“Any decision to proceed with service integration would need to be taken by members of both Local Authorities.”

The committee will continue to meet to consider areas for collaboration and make recommendations.

Proposals are then expected to be considered at Cabinet and Full Council meetings of both Authorities in July.