2nd April 2007, 10:55 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by drpeterwardleThe sort of arrangement Kevin suggests is a cartel and as such is illegal. For this to happen all the organisation would have to merge.
Tend to disagree, sir....
The Gershon Report which came out in 2004 points the way forward for Shared Services across local authority boundaries, has the explicit agreement of our current Chancellor of the Exchequer (possibly next Prime Minister) and it is possible to obtain central government funding support to set up Shared Services Schemes. I assume that the Gershon report takes the Enterprise Act into account and has decided that local authority efficiency is for the greater good and does not constitute a cartel.
The following link is one report which outlines the potential of Shared Services in relation to Gershon: http://www.serco.co.uk/Images/delivering_tcm3-8310.pdf
I think for hard pressed local authorities Shared Services could be the way forward in providing local archaeological coverage. I am surprised that Cambs CC haven't pursued this route in addition to the sell-off option....especially when the county shares borders with such a large number of other counties still providing archaeological field services