A JOINED up services deal has been agreed which could save two authorities thousands of pounds every year.

Bucks County Council (BCC) and Harrow Council have extended their cooperation with a deal for a shared HR service.

The new HR shared service, which BCC will manage, covers the full range of HR functions, including employee relations and payroll. A shared management team has been in place since Monday and Harrow staff will transfer to BCC before April next year.

John Chilver, BCC Cabinet Member for Resources, said: "We’re continuing our approach of working with like-minded councils to realise significant cash savings and explore new opportunities.

"These include getting the best value from contracts and marketing our expertise to others. This new service will also increase knowledge-sharing between our organisations and improve staff career opportunities.”

The two councils first started sharing back office functions in April 2015, and two months ago BCC struck a legal services deal with Harrow-based HB Public Law – Britain’s biggest local authority legal practice.

Cllr Sachin Shah, Leader of Harrow Council, said: “Another great deal for Harrow means less pressure on the frontline services that people really care about.

“I’m proud of Harrow’s reputation for innovation. We forged one of the first shared service deals with Brent, back in the 1960s. That’s been delivering value ever since, and I’m sure our ongoing relationship with Buckinghamshire will also be a long and successful one.”