Oxfordshire council could save £1m by technology sharing

Oxfordshire County Council could save £1m in three years if plans to share computer technology with Hampshire County Council go ahead.

Both county councils would share human resources and financial services systems in a move to save costs and generate more computer capacity.

In a joint statement, the councils said there was "no intention" to cut staff as a result of the partnership.

The plans are set to be agreed at an Oxfordshire cabinet meeting on Monday.

The statement said the partnership would "help meet growing demands for technology support in the future without increasing costs".

'Common sense'

Oxfordshire County Council currently has a service contract in place with a private sector company that is due to end in 2012.

Under the new proposed arrangements, Hampshire would support some of Oxfordshire's systems and thereby make the savings.

Oxfordshire deputy council leader David Robertson said: "All over the country, councils are working more closely together to create efficiency and save money.

"It is the common sense way forward and this proposed agreement with our colleagues in Hampshire is an example on quite a large scale."