Oxfordshire and Hampshire councils to share technology

Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to share computer technology with Hampshire County Council as part of a plan to save £1m in three years.

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

The councils both said there was "no intention" to cut staff as a result of the partnership.

Oxfordshire County Council said it was a "common sense way forward".

'More closely'

Oxfordshire 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.

Hampshire and Oxfordshire share similar technologies and the partnership will initially be centred on the SAP system that both councils use for their main human resources and financial services.

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